# Damn you, movie theater! DAMN YOU! (foiled again by the concession stand) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 1, 2003, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525 "2003-07-01T06:32:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AntaresJB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AntaresJB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AntaresJB)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/41 "2003-07-02T00:43:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dalovindj \* > \*\*I sir, am an actor. I ALWAYS project. That said I will concede that not all cashiers at movie theaters are retards, and point out for clarity that it is the ones who ARE that inspire such an insidious disdain in my heart, and it is they (the mindless) whom I target here. > \*\* Yes, not all cashiers at movie theaters are retards. I know this because I currently _am_ one. It is a crappy job, yes. But it’s a thousand times superior to my last summer job, so I’ll freaking take it, thank you very much. So I would like to offer at least a small defense for my concession-stand cashier associates: **The Combo:** We have to offer you the combo. Yes, we _have_ to. In the movie theater I work at (the corporation rhymes with “Beagle”), there are signs on every register stating “If Concession Attendant does not offer you our combo special, see the manager for a free movie pass for your next visit.” And if _you_ get your free movie pass, then _I_ get written up. Yes, the combo is expensive, it’s a lot of stuff (at the moment in my workplace the combo is “Two large drinks, and either a large popcorn or a tub and you get free Skittles! :😄:”) and no, you probably don’t want it. But _I still have to offer it to you_ and goddamn it, I will offer it. Whether I have to cram it in before you have a chance to order (“Hi, would you like to try our combo today?”) or if I sneak it in after you give me your order (“And you weren’t interested in the popcorn combo tonight, were you?”), I will freaking offer it to you because it’s a requirement. Also, occasionally on weekend nights we have contests where whoever sells the most combos gets an extra dollar on their next paycheck for each combo they sold (unless they disqualify you because someone else logged in on your register while you were on break… ::growl:: but that’s another story). So yeah, I’m gonna push the freaking combo, if only because I hate it when jerks go “Oooh, you didn’t ask me, I get a free movie!!” when technically as long as the transaction isn’t finished and I haven’t closed the cash drawer, I can still ask, and because if you order a combo it’s just one less button to push. So **that** is the deal with the combo. Just say “no thank you” and move along. **The “Butter”:** I can’t explain it, but it must be something about the greasiness of the “buttery topping” because it seems to be near impossible to remember if someone said they wanted butter on their popcorn or not. It happens to me, and I’ve watched it happen to almost everyone I work with. You take the order, you fill the popcorn bag, then you stop and mentally go “ehh…” and you have to turn around and go “Did you want butter on this, sir?” because the customer’s butter preference has just slipped right out of your underpaid, overworked little head. Maybe it’s the fumes from the popper… But it’s noisy, and it’s busy and, frankly, it’s not that big a deal, so just say yes or no please, it takes about two seconds, it won’t kill you. **Not Remembering Your Order:** I can’t speak for the theaters you frequent, but at mine, I take your order as I am standing at the register, and as you say each item, I punch it in on my handy touch-screen thingy. So if I have to ask you to repeat anything, it should only be because I can’t hear you, the butter thing, or perhaps what kind of drink you’d like, because that often goes the way of the butter question as I’m trying to poke the buttons. So sounds like you’ve just got a stupid cashier, right there. **Courtesy Cups and Ice:** Okay, I really can’t defend this, I dunno what kinda morons you’re dealign with if they can’t find a freaking courtesy cup and give you some ice, that’s ridiculous. There are always assloads of courtesy cups in our concession stand, if I don’t have a stack at my register, which is rare, I will run and get you one or two or twelve or however many you need. Not having courtesy cups is indeed a bunch of crap (Although our water is in coolers, so it should be cold when you get it… but still, courtesy cups are essential). So, I can assure you that not all theater cashiers are morons, and the ones that are also inspire _my_ insidious disdain (They’re the same ones who throw things in the candy cabinets about willy-nilly, making counts at the end of the night take three times as long… but that’s another rant (oh and I’ve got one coming eventually, I’ve only been there a month and a half, don’t worry, it’ll be here… )). So, as a movie theater employee, I implore you all, \*\*a)\*\*To be nice to your concession worker, and **b)** to just go ahead, ignore the rules and _bring your own candy and drinks!_ You _know_ that we are completely screwing you up the arse. You _know_ that it will cost you three times the amount you paid for the tickets to munch. But you know what? You keep paying it. You keep buying the stuff. You don’t need a huge soda and a tub of popcorn to sit through a movie! If me and my oral fixation can sit through _X2_ with nothing to chew but my nails, then you can too! And whatever you do, do _not_ complain about the prices to the concession cashier. I will simply shrug and say “I don’t set the prices.” And I don’t. I only laugh at the people who pay them. And I probably would have tried to sell **dalovindj** on a large water instead of a small. “It’s only a quarter more for thirteen more ounces!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/42 "2003-07-02T00:53:20Z")
I go to the cheap theater. Ticket’s a dollar, snacks are same price as the store and drinks are significantly cheaper. It’s heaven!.. or it would be, if they would clean the floors, fix the seats, and upgrade the sound system from stereo. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/43 "2003-07-02T02:00:33Z")
This is why God invented home theaters and DVD. I rarely go to first runs anymore. Sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/44 "2003-07-02T03:08:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*Not true. To pick one fairly typical example, according to the financial statements of [Carmike Cinemas](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/799088/000095014403003701/g81414e10vk.htm) 55.2% of admissions revenue of $342.8 MM went to film exhibition costs (which includes film rental and advertising costs net of coop recaptures) during 2002. > > However, your broader point is correct. “Other theater operating costs” of 53.3% of admissions revenue (which costs regrettably includes salaries, utilities and sundry related to concession sales, muddying the waters just a bit) would make a theater unprofitable. Fortunately for the industry, direct concessions costs (the stuff) was a mere 11.6% of the $164.4 MM of concessions revenue. \*\* Thank you for your corrections. 🙂 ~J ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/45 "2003-07-02T06:39:53Z")
At the Metreon in SF there is an annoying Concession stand worker who greats every customer with “Hello, and welcome to Lowes and have a Happy Friday!” (or whatever day it is). He is also really annoying and won’t shut up, and i refuse to go in his line. Maybe if he didn’t act so much like he was trying to kiss everyone’s butt it wouldn’t come out fake. But i don’t care for him at all. ---
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/46 "2003-07-02T07:52:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gjorp \* > \*\*They have those in Edmonton, and they’re freaking expensive. It’s like $10 just for the ticket. I know their seats can recline, but that’s a little much. > > Anyway, the small town movie theatre I go to only offers popcorn, candy, pop, and slushy. \*\* Hah, Silvercity…soo…very…expensive… Been to South Edmonton Common? Very nice place. I haven’t even explored the whole thing!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/47 "2003-07-02T08:06:13Z")
The theatre I usually go to, a small second-run about two miles from my house, charges $8.50 for a large soda and a large popcorn and I get unlimited refills and a free pass to my next movie. I’m not complainin’. ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/48 "2003-07-02T10:15:12Z")
> [@](#): > > At the Metreon in SF there is an annoying Concession stand worker who greats every customer with “Hello, and welcome to Lowes and have a Happy Friday!” (or whatever day it is). He is also really annoying and won’t shut up, and i refuse to go in his line. Maybe if he didn’t act so much like he was trying to kiss everyone’s butt it wouldn’t come out fake. But i don’t care for him at all. A concession worker who’s both friendly AND polite?!? _gasp_ That…that BASTARD!! ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/49 "2003-07-02T13:24:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scablet \* > \*\*Thankfully, it appears to still be a vegetable - for now. But movie theaters tend to incorporate a plethora of ingredients that are either not of vegetable origin or are of an unsavory fat content into their popcorn. I occasionally bring a bag of some nice air-popped corn from home, though. > > And I can’t believe I just addressed a falafel hater. May you burn in a delicately spiced HELL! \*\* Could you expand on what animal products may be in the popcorn? I’m very concerned as top what I eat with my milk chocolate ;j . I’ve already had to give up Skittles and Junior Mints. ---
**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/50 "2003-07-02T14:13:58Z")
What a great post, **AntaresJB**. I guarantee you that the folks I’m talking about are not nearly so articulate. I pretty much agree with all you said. All of the offenses are forgivable/not a big deal except the ice thing. Even if I do have to repeat myself it is a pretty mild annoyance relative to the rest of my life. I would never complain or send an email about someone having a bad memory, even if I was annoyed by the required repition. But the no courtesy cup thing sets me off. Like you said, no excuse. By the way, I can’t believe The Terminator is really John’s father! DaLovin’ Dj ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/51 "2003-07-02T14:44:02Z")
Ah, sneaking food into the theater. Good times. When I was in college it was like performance art for me. I admit I never snuck a thanksgiving dinner into the theater, but I DID sneak in foot-long sub sandwiches (a challenge if I didn’t have my girlfriend and her Deceptively Large Purse™ along), gyros (the assertive perfume of garlicky lamb was making stomachs growl all around us) and – once – a pizza. That was my masterwork. Nowadays I only sneak in candy - and that’s only because theaters don’t carry the kind of candy I like. Oh, and **dalovindj?** There’s a simple solution to your courtesy cup problem. Bring your own cup along. I’ve always been allowed to bring one in as long as I show the ticket-taker it’s empty when I come in the theater, and that way I can have a 32-ounce cup instead of that dinky little one they offer. Best of all, I can get the cup of ice, then fill it at the water fountain or in the bathroom, and I don’t have to pay airport prices for a bottle of spring water. ---
**Author:** ![AntaresJB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AntaresJB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AntaresJB)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/52 "2003-07-02T17:51:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*Could you expand on what animal products may be in the popcorn? I’m very concerned as top what I eat with my milk chocolate ;j . I’ve already had to give up Skittles and Junior Mints. \*\* Well, I’d be more concerned about the ‘unsavory fat content’ part than the non-vegetable part. At least at my movie theater, we pop the corn in coconut oil. We add this yellow popcorn salt when it’s popped to give it some flavor and that nice color. I can’t recall the ingredients in the salt, but I’m fairly certain it’s just a bunch of minerals and chemicals and artificial flavors and colors and such. The “buttery topping” is mostly soybean oil, with a bunch of artifical colors and flavors, “citric acid for stabilization”, and some big long poly-something-or-other-chemical for “an anti-foaming agent.” :eek: I think if it’s got an “anti-foaming agent” you probably shouldn’t call it butter… but still, I’m pretty sure there’s no animal products in the popcorn. But I’ll check the ingredients in that salt and get back to you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/53 "2003-07-02T18:32:26Z")
I have a friend that used to work at a movie theater, and she told me this little gem about a bratty middle-school girl that came into the theater. She got a drink at the concession stand, and went to go watch her movie. A little while into the movie, she came back to the concession stand and asked for a new drink, because she had spilled hers. My friend said “Well just bring us back your old cup and we’ll get you a new one.” Girl absolutely REFUSED to go get her cup. She was throwing a fit demanding a new drink, when all she had to do was go get her freaking empty cup that she “spilled”. Obviously she was just trying to get a free drink for her friend, but the people behind the counter wouldn’t have it. She just kind of stormed away to finish watching the movie. Now I don’t think it’s wrong to bring in food of your own, but it is very wrong to try and con the people at the theater into giving you something for free when you don’t deserve it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/54 "2003-07-02T19:33:22Z")
See, this is why I go eat at the Alamo Drafthouse. Full dinner at normal dinner prices, plus a movie and really _entertaining_ previews. I think Captain America was one of their previews for X2. I know Evil Dead 2 was one of their previews for 28 Days Later. ---
**Author:** ![DeskMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DeskMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeskMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/55 "2003-07-02T19:58:09Z")
Sneaky snacking is a must! Years ago, we used to bring entire combo meals from McDonalds into the theater. We were very careful about rustling paper noises so we wouldn’t bug people. Half the fun was finding a place to hide a large cup of soda, the other half was listening to people as they smelled the fries and wished to God they had some. Now we stick to healthier sandwiches that aren’t as aromatic. The best is going a day or two after the major candy holiday (Valentines Day, Easter, etc) because there’s lots of good stuff on sale. As far as writing complaining to movie theaters, I’m all for it. If you truly have a bad experience, you definitely have a “Reel Sorry” (i.e. free ticket) coming to you. We relish the rare, but well-deserved Reel Sorries. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/56 "2003-07-02T20:56:43Z")
I’ve worked in a theater. Doing concessions is apparently tough shit. Some have 12 hour shifts for minimum wage. That said, some have heads that are most likely empty. Courtesy cups should be available wherever you go, and not just for ice. Use them to fill up on water from the fountain. That’ll save you a fair amount of money from purchasing a water bottle. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/57 "2003-07-02T20:59:27Z")
You know what pisses me off the most in movie theaters (well, besides Yappy McYappers who think the theatre is their living room) is _PEOPLE THAT SNEAK IN SMELLY FOOD, LIKE MCDONALDS MEALS AND PIZZAS!_. You all _do_ realize that you’re stinkin’ up the whole theatre right? The popcorn smell is one thing, the whole theatre smells like that anyway, but not everyone wants to smell your McDonalds or PizzaHut through the whole movie! _Ahem_ That is all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DeskMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DeskMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeskMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/58 "2003-07-02T21:12:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > \*\*You know what pisses me off the most in movie theaters (well, besides Yappy McYappers who think the theatre is their living room) is _PEOPLE THAT SNEAK IN SMELLY FOOD, LIKE MCDONALDS MEALS AND PIZZAS!_. You all _do_ realize that you’re stinkin’ up the whole theatre right? The popcorn smell is one thing, the whole theatre smells like that anyway, but not everyone wants to smell your McDonalds or PizzaHut through the whole movie! > > _Ahem_ > > That is all. > > 😃 \*\* Luckily we were little hogs and ate really fast. I don’t think the smell lingered for the whole time. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever smelled McDonalds or pizza in a theater unless I was the one eating it. My brother and his girlfriend saw Matrix Reloaded on opening night. Some drunken lunkhead hurled in the row in front of them and it stank to high heaven. He and his gal were the ONLY ones who left the theater! I figure if it’s a good enough movie, people can sit through just about anything. It’s the movie industry’s fault that they’re not creating better films! Ok, I’m sorry if my stinky food offended anyone. But please note we’ve switched to non-stinky foods now that we’re older and fatter. ---
**Author:** ![DeskMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DeskMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeskMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/59 "2003-07-02T21:14:10Z")
Hey! Would that have made us Stinky McStinkers? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525/60 "2003-07-02T21:15:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AntaresJB \* > \*\*Well, I’d be more concerned about the ‘unsavory fat content’ part than the non-vegetable part. \*\* **Antares** , **DocCathode** is Jewish, and apparently he wants to make sure he can eat popcorn and a candybar and still be kosher, because according to the laws, you cannot eat dairy and animal products (meat) together. So a milk chocolate candy bar and say, popcorn using animal fat to cook it (a wild leap, I’m sure), would NOT be kosher. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-movie-theater-damn-you-foiled-again-by-the-concession-stand/185525.md?page=4)