# Taking empty popcorn tubs out of the garbage and getting free refills **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386 "2010-07-20T19:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/21 "2010-07-20T20:31:45Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I am like Robin Hood: a noble thief fighting injustice. No, you are not. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/22 "2010-07-20T20:33:27Z")
Just bring your own snacks. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/23 "2010-07-20T20:33:28Z")
I think it’s fucking disgusting, is what I think. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/24 "2010-07-20T20:34:49Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > So what do you do when you get to the bottom of the bucket and find the hole? Praise the popcorn’s glory? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/25 "2010-07-20T20:36:18Z")
Is it ok to share a bucket of popcorn with a friend? ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/26 "2010-07-20T20:38:47Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I am not a crook. I have never actually done the popcorn thing. I was just seeing what people thought of it. Have you actually seen anyone doing this? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/27 "2010-07-20T20:39:03Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Is it ok to share a bucket of popcorn with a friend? Sure, but that has nothing to do with your OP. See, this is why you’re not cool. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/28 "2010-07-20T20:41:16Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Is it ok to share a bucket of popcorn with a friend? It’s “okay” to do whatever the hell you want. For me, however, it’s not okay to eat the nasty shit that passes for popcorn at movie theaters, or the nasty shit that passes for nacho cheese or hot dogs, for that matter. We’ve got a place near us called the “[Movie Tavern](http://www.movietavern.com/),” that sells food that’s acceptable, even pretty good. I’ve never had their popcorn, and don’t intend to. If I’m hungry, I eat food. If I’m not hungry, I don’t snack for the sake of snacking – that’s one of the reasons most people are obese. I don’t speak from self righteousness, or anything, I used to be up around 300 pounds, and not stuffing my face constantly is the primary reason I lost weight. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/29 "2010-07-20T20:42:22Z")
I’ve never seen this done, but I very rarely go to the movies. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/30 "2010-07-20T20:43:53Z")
Wow, I am reminded of the friend-of-a-friend who exclaimed “Ground score!” as he scooped up a cup of discarded beer from a filthy fairground… ground… and knocked it back. Warm, flat, maybe a little hepatitis lurking on the rim… but hey… _free beer!_ ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/31 "2010-07-20T20:50:07Z")
After football games everyone leaves their discarded collectible plastic cups in the stands. You can go through and grab an armful and then have a nice collection of cups at home. Wash them of course and it is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/32 "2010-07-20T20:54:17Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > After football games everyone leaves their discarded collectible plastic cups in the stands. You can go through and grab an armful and then have a nice collection of cups at home. Wash them of course and it is fine. Those cups are no more collectable than the red, plastic cups you get at CVS. They’re an excuse for the concessions to charge another 3 bucks for the beer. If you’re that cheap, just go buy a thing of plastic cups at the grocery store, and rinse them out when you’re done with them. I understand trying to be frugal, but you’re just being gross. Do you also try washing out your toilet paper when you’re done with it? “A quick rinse in the sink, and air-dry, and it’s good to use again!”:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/33 "2010-07-20T20:56:02Z")
They are higher quality plastic than the red plastic cups ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/34 "2010-07-20T20:57:29Z")
Gross. I don’t care about the money aspect of it, I don’t eat out of the garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/35 "2010-07-20T20:57:33Z")
No. Gross. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/36 "2010-07-20T20:58:57Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Gross. > > I don’t care about the money aspect of it, I don’t eat out of the garbage. I’m foreseeing this conversation getting Seinfeldian. “It wasn’t eating out of the garbage. The popcorn tub was resting on top of all the other garbage, it had just been thrown out!” “Was it in the garbage can?” “Yeah…” “Then it’s garbage.” ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/37 "2010-07-20T21:04:48Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > They are higher quality plastic than the red plastic cups Not enough for me to warrant picking them up when they’ve been discarded. Hell, I discard them, because they’re cheap plastic cups. Cups, glasses, are not plastic. I have two plastic cups in my house, both of them are thick, large plastic cups that generally get used as mixing cups for shakes with one of those hand held mixer thingies. I’ve made it a point to discard any other plastic garbage that may have been accumulated in my home. My home is not a shrine, I do not need to keep holy artifacts declaring my allegiance to White Castle, Dale Earnhart or The Caps to remind me of sporting events of yore. I’m a big boy, I have glasses to drink out of, and I have enough of them that I don’t need to add more. If I need more, I can purchase a set of 5 small and 5 large glasses for 9.99 dollars at wallmart, and if I needed cups because I had children (which I don’t – thank god) I could purchase thick, durable, safe plastic dishware at walmart as well. No need for me to turn my dining room into a bad product placement set. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/38 "2010-07-20T21:05:40Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > After football games everyone leaves their discarded collectible plastic cups in the stands. You can go through and grab an armful and then have a nice collection of cups at home. Wash them of course and it is fine. Actually I don’t have a problem with this, and did it myself when I was a poor young bachelor. As long as you’re not picking the cups off the ground and then going to the concession stand for a refill. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/39 "2010-07-20T21:11:58Z")
It’s stealing and disgusting. Smuggling in your own food is also questionable, but at least it’s sanitary and kind of fun. I remember once when I went to a movie with a bunch of friends, we stopped at a Superstore and a buddy of mine bought a whole bunch of stuff to smuggle in in his backpack. Stuff like a plastic tub with a few dozen fresh oatmeal cookies from the bakery. Much better than popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/40 "2010-07-20T21:15:36Z")
I have glasses but sometimes I drop them for I am clumsy and break them. I have some plastic cups too that I have liberated from the cafeteria because they charge outrageous prices for the meal plans to eat their unappetizing food so many nights I just eat cereal so I have to recoup the costs somehow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386.md?page=3)