# BYO Movie Snacks and Drinks-A Do or a Don't? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809 "2015-01-25T01:17:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/161 "2015-01-28T02:02:30Z")
So many people talking about butter on popcorn… Is this an American thing? I don’t think I’ve ever had butter on popcorn. It sounds messy and disgusting (but I’m not a big fan of butter to begin with). ---
**Author:** ![Tuxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Tuxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuxie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/162 "2015-01-28T02:08:38Z")
I can’t believe this is a debate. Only a place like SDMB would people make such a big deal about this. It is like being in a discussion panel with fifty clones of Dwight Schrute. Of course I smuggle food/booze into movie theaters with my purse. In fact I have a particularly large purse well suited for smuggling food/alcohol in places that, while do not allow it, also don’t seem to care as long as you’re not super obvious about it. When we were kids, my mom would save money taking us to the movie theater by swinging by 7-11 and getting snacks there. Same snacks and goodies, but cheaper for mom. I continued this tradition with my friends, and I can’t help but think that some convenience stores capitalize on this, because I’ve been to a few movie theaters that have convenience stores particularly close by. I don’t like getting held up in the concession line because not only is everything there overpriced, its another line to wait in. And I like getting good seats in the movie; once I get my ticket I am bowling over every toddler in my way to get a good view of Wall-E 😃 (kidding) ---
**Author:** ![Tuxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Tuxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuxie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/163 "2015-01-28T02:12:14Z")
> [@HowSoonIsThen](#): > > So many people talking about butter on popcorn… Is this an American thing? I don’t think I’ve ever had butter on popcorn. It sounds messy and disgusting (but I’m not a big fan of butter to begin with). I never thought it was just an American thing, but yeah, people put butter on popcorn. Or more specifically, this deliciously disgusting liquid that is a vague analogue to clarified butter. Done properly, the popcorn will absorb enough of the liquid not to get _too_ greasy, but I guess ultimately it is another among many greasy American foods. A slightly less messy alternative is “Kettle Corn” which is a sweet and salty glaze on the popcorn. I tend to like it more than just plain butter. Hot sauce goes great with popcorn too. Try it! What do you put on popcorn if not butter? Mayo or something? ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/164 "2015-01-28T02:40:21Z")
> [@Tuxie](#): > > I never thought it was just an American thing, but yeah, people put butter on popcorn. Or more specifically, this deliciously disgusting liquid that is a vague analogue to clarified butter. Done properly, the popcorn will absorb enough of the liquid not to get _too_ greasy, but I guess ultimately it is another among many greasy American foods. > > A slightly less messy alternative is “Kettle Corn” which is a sweet and salty glaze on the popcorn. I tend to like it more than just plain butter. Hot sauce goes great with popcorn too. Try it! > > What do you put on popcorn if not butter? Mayo or something? I haven’t had popcorn in a long time, but I remember it just having salt or something like that. It’s quite possible I’ve had popcorn with butter and just never noticed because it had mostly been absorbed. If it did, though, it wasn’t ever poured on in front of me (as I vaguely remember seeing on TV). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/165 "2015-01-28T06:28:19Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > And your suggestion that they change their model is a laughable one when you consider it’s a model that’s worked for decades. I hope their model takes into account that the higher they price their food, the more likely it becomes that people will sneak it in from the outside. Because that is the reality. Above a certain level, their profits on concessions will drop because people will either elect not to eat at all or will bring food of their own. I don’t think folks should be lectured on ethics by a business owner whose business model is “HaHa! Once you step inside the theater I’ve got you over a barrel!” ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/166 "2015-01-28T08:23:08Z")
That soybean “butter” has a whopping 130 calories per tablespoon. Interesting article about the popcorn calorie counts at different theaters: > **[Movie Theater Popcorn is Ridiculously Unhealthy and You Should Stop Eating It](https://www.thedailymeal.com/how-unhealthy-movie-theater-popcorn)** > > Popcorn is the most common movie theater snack, but it's a lot unhealthier than you might realize, making it a lot more than just a snack. Shakes will love the last line. 😉 If the theater has NOTHING I want to eat (or I have food alergies or ?), what’s the difference between bringing something healthy myself, or not eating? The end result to the theater is the same. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/167 "2015-01-28T09:23:03Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I hope their model takes into account that the higher they price their food, the more likely it becomes that people will sneak it in from the outside. Because that is the reality. > > Above a certain level, their profits on concessions will drop because people will either elect not to eat at all or will bring food of their own. > > I don’t think folks should be lectured on ethics by a business owner whose business model is “HaHa! Once you step inside the theater I’ve got you over a barrel!” Well, you know, the best way to get back at those evil mustache twirling theater owners is to just not go at all. ---
**Author:** ![alted315](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cc9497/32.png) [@alted315](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alted315)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/168 "2015-01-28T11:56:46Z")
> [@rucciface](#): > > I’ll buy a soda and small popcorn, but if I want candy I’ll stop at a c-store on the way to the theatre. > > When we were a poor young family, Mom would sneak the popcorn from home in her purse and tell us to keep quiet about it. Me too ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/169 "2015-01-28T12:01:51Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Of course not. I already covered this. People like you are an expected part of their business plan. > > Let’s just say for example it’s expected that 10% of movie patrons will not buy concessions. > What’s NOT expected is an additional 10% of customers sneaking in with their own food and avoiding the concession stand. But what if those other customers wouldn’t be eating from the concession stands anyway? I rarely go to movie theaters these days (free screenings for the win!) and I don’t always eat there, but if bringing food in were rigidly enforced and I had to make a choice, I’d choose nothing. I’m bringing in stuff I couldn’t get at the concession stand, so it’s not as though they’re losing out on anything. They were never an option. > [@](#): > > Someone up thread mentioned mentioned what their doing isn’t actually stealing under the letter of the law. Well yes, that’s right of course. But what would you call it when a company doesn’t make all the profit it would have because the customer didn’t follow the rules like they were supposed to? Bad business? Maybe it’s time to step up their game and make going to the movies more pleasant/realistic? And with movies beginning to be released digitally (i.e., iTunes, etc.) and in theaters, soon maybe it will be easier to bypass them. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/170 "2015-01-28T12:30:52Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > That soybean “butter” has a whopping 130 calories per tablespoon. Interesting article about the popcorn calorie counts at different theaters: Clarified butter has 120. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/171 "2015-01-28T12:31:04Z")
Only thing I buy at the movies is a drink. If I want a snack, I’ll eat before I go or sneak in a small snack. I am not paying 400% markup for a snack that I can get at any store for a buck. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/172 "2015-01-28T12:34:38Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > But what if those other customers wouldn’t be eating from the concession stands anyway? I rarely go to movie theaters these days (free screenings for the win!) and I don’t always eat there, but if bringing food in were rigidly enforced and I had to make a choice, I’d choose nothing. I’m bringing in stuff I couldn’t get at the concession stand, so it’s not as though they’re losing out on anything. They were never an option. I have no cites to back this up, it’s just my gut feeling, but I’d say the MAJORITY of food sneakers would NOT be able to resist the temptation of going to the concession stand had they not brought their own food. Folks like you are an outlier. Again, that’s just my personal gut feeling. > [@](#): > > Bad business? Maybe it’s time to step up their game and make going to the movies more pleasant/realistic? And with movies beginning to be released digitally (i.e., iTunes, etc.) and in theaters, soon maybe it will be easier to bypass them. I actually don’t disagree with any of this, but at the same time, I don’t feel this is justification for breaking the rules. I guess that right there is the point of contention where I and a lot of the people in this thread just aren’t going to agree on. And FTR (Because I’ve about had all I can take of this thread): The only thing about this thread that’s got my panties in a bunch is nobody (save one that I know of) wants to admit sneaking in food is wrong. The actual act of sneaking in food scores very low on my Rage-O-Meter. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/173 "2015-01-28T12:47:40Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Well, if you do decide to smuggle in something wrapped in crinkly loud plastic, do us a favor and rip that open before the movie starts; don’t stealthily, slooooowly open it later thinking we can’t hear it. Jesus, dude, when’s the last time you attended a movie in a theater? Against the inevitable chatter, cell phone buzzes, coughs, sneezes, popcorn chewing, soda sipping, seat shifting; briefly opening food wrappers is a pleasantly quiet alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/174 "2015-01-28T13:52:11Z")
Actually, movie audiences in different places can differ rather dramatically in these behaviors. ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/175 "2015-01-28T14:42:12Z")
I love chewing on beef jerky while watching movies, and since they don’t offer it I don’t feel like I’m cheating them out of a sale when I bring my own. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/176 "2015-01-28T14:48:11Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Well, you know, the best way to get back at those evil mustache twirling theater owners is to just not go at all. Well maybe, but if you look at the results of the OP’s poll, a plurality are ignoring the (unspoken, unenforced) “rule” and bringing in outside food, which suggests that theater owners have priced themselves out of a lot of potential concession business. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/177 "2015-01-28T18:30:00Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > And FTR (Because I’ve about had all I can take of this thread): The only thing about this thread that’s got my panties in a bunch is nobody (save one that I know of) wants to admit sneaking in food is wrong. > > The actual act of sneaking in food scores very low on my Rage-O-Meter. So it’s ok with you as long as we admit it’s wrong? Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/178 "2015-01-28T18:53:20Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Well, if you do decide to smuggle in something wrapped in crinkly loud plastic, do us a favor and rip that open before the movie starts; don’t stealthily, slooooowly open it later thinking we can’t hear it. I was in one theatre and a dude was making crinkly noises and unwrapping noises for like 15 minutes and I finally turned back and hiss-whispered “Are you making a nest or something!” and he stopped. Several people laughed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/179 "2015-01-28T18:56:39Z")
> [@Tuxie](#): > > I can’t believe this is a debate. Only a place like SDMB would people make such a big deal about this. Quite a few posters like to pretend they are morally and ethically perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809/180 "2015-01-28T19:05:41Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > And FTR (Because I’ve about had all I can take of this thread): The only thing about this thread that’s got my panties in a bunch is nobody (save one that I know of) wants to admit sneaking in food is wrong. I signed no contract stating I would not bring in food therefore it is not wrong. Man if you get so upset about other people “breaking a rule” you must really hate yourself for speeding 2mph over the speed limit. It’s ok man, you don’t have to hate yourself. Go see a psychiatrist. They can help you with your self-hate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/byo-movie-snacks-and-drinks-a-do-or-a-dont/710809.md?page=10)