# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![ginman999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/81 "2010-07-21T14:31:42Z")
The guy that left the tub in the trash didnt know what to do with his hands for 2 hours either. Think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/82 "2010-07-21T14:42:25Z")
> [@multimediac17](#): > > I don’t quite get why an offer of free refills at a movie theatre is very attractive in the first place - wouldn’t you have to get up and leave the cinema and go out to the front to get your refill? Thus missing part of the movie? For a refill of popcorn? When you’ve just eaten a giant bucket of popcorn anyway? How many people actually take up this offer of a refill in exchange for missing some of the film? Or do they have a popcorn refill man parading around the aisles of the theatre in case you need yet another massive popcorn serving? Could I possibly put any more question marks into this paragraph? Yeah, I don’t get the refill on the large popcorn. I think I remember reading that a large popcorn is something like 1000 calories. Technically speaking, one could suppose that someone is going to spend the day at the theater - seeing two or three movies. They could refill the popcorn/drink in between the movies. I think I just gained some weight just imagining that scenario… ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/83 "2010-07-21T14:55:25Z")
If the OP is that desperate for freebies, perhaps there’d be a kind soul around here to teach him the fine art of making a napkin sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/84 "2010-07-21T14:57:01Z")
No, that is actually stealing and who knows how nasty the person who used the bucket was. Taking event cups out of the trash? Sure. It should be illegal to make those, the waste is ridiculous. I’ve done it before to have nicer cups for camping and when the kids were little Culver’s used to have kid sized ones with heavy plastic lids. If my kids go to a movie they always fill up the bucket and bring it home for me. I love theater popcorn. ---
**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 21, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/85 "2010-07-21T14:58:29Z")
> [@Meatros](#): > > Yeah, I don’t get the refill on the large popcorn. I think I remember reading that a large popcorn is something like 1000 calories. > > Technically speaking, one could suppose that someone is going to spend the day at the theater - seeing two or three movies. They could refill the popcorn/drink in between the movies. Or if you are sharing. When I go to the movies with my wife and two kids\*, we might share a large popcorn. We usually don’t finish it, but I suppose if you had older kids or brought more adults… \*Which we don’t do often, since a movie like Toy Story 3 cost over $50 for just the tickets. ETA: Someone else voted with the OP! that’s 2! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/86 "2010-07-21T14:59:33Z")
Read the [Thread=233980]pinworm thread [/thread]. Then talk about eating random other peoples leavings. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/87 "2010-07-21T15:07:07Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > ETA: Someone else voted with the OP! that’s 2! This thread is literally the first thing I came to check when I got up this morning. A second vote! The OP has company! This is major. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/88 "2010-07-21T15:10:21Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > first day of classes is August 24 but don’t fret, I will still be here posting > I didn’t even vote in the poll so at least one person agrees with me. Thanks for the support > [@MsWhatsit](#): > > This thread is literally the first thing I came to check when I got up this morning. A second vote! The OP has company! This is major. Unless he is now the second vote. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/89 "2010-07-21T15:56:33Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I’ve never seen this done, but I very rarely go to the movies. If you rarely go to the movies, then neither paying $6 for popcorn when you go nor doing without popcorn while watching, would constitute a hardship. ---
**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 21, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/90 "2010-07-21T15:56:50Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Unless he is now the second vote. I saw that but to be honest, I assumed he was lying about not voting before. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/91 "2010-07-21T15:59:33Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > > [@Markxxx](#): > > > > On further thought people who grew up renting videos won’t understand this > > Hey, we grew up watching Pee Wee Herman, you know. I am _so_ turning into a fan of yours. ---
**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 21, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/92 "2010-07-21T16:11:07Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Only if my kids were starving, literally famished and clinging to dear life. “Would you steal a loaf of bread to save your hungry family? Well. What if your family don’t like bread. They like…movie popcorn?” > [@RTFirefly](#): > > I am _so_ turning into a fan of yours. Thanks. I’ve always liked you, too. 🙂 (Unless this sarcasm, in which case…disregard. Sometimes I can’t tell on the Internet.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/93 "2010-07-21T16:41:06Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Thanks. I’ve always liked you, too. 🙂 (Unless this sarcasm, in which case…disregard. Sometimes I can’t tell on the Internet.) Not sarcasm in the least, trust me. Damn, I wish I’d thought of that line; it was perfect. Glad to find that the feeling is mutual. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/94 "2010-07-21T17:00:15Z")
Come on guys the school isn’t gonna miss one or two or five plastic cups when they can afford to put new HDTVs in every dorm rec room ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/95 "2010-07-21T17:14:23Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > You steal cups from the cafeteria too? You’re a real winner. Why do you think the food prices are high? I know money is tight for a student, but if you can afford milk and cereal, you can afford $1 for a set of plastic cups from Dollar General. I think he’s getting the milk and cereal in the cafeteria. Load up at the cereal bar, which many cafs have, then tuck some plastic cups under his shirt or in his bag, and there is balance in the Force. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/96 "2010-07-21T17:25:04Z")
No I never take food from the cafeteria except bananas (and that is ok because everyone does it) And if they didn’t want you to take bananas, they wouldn’t put them out when they were still green ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/97 "2010-07-21T18:45:51Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > No I never take food from the cafeteria except bananas **(and that is ok because everyone does it)** > > And if they didn’t want you to take bananas, they wouldn’t put them out when they were still green Didn’t your mom have that whole cliff discussion with you? ---
**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 21, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/98 "2010-07-21T18:50:33Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Come on guys the school isn’t gonna miss one or two or five plastic cups when they can afford to put new HDTVs in every dorm rec room I would be very, very surprised if your cafeteria was run by the school. It’s almost certainly a food service company. Regardless of how you rationalize it, stealing their cups is unjustified. The bananas are probably covered in your meal plan unless there is a specific rule about not taking food out of the cafeteria. I’m starting to suspect you’re whooshing us. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/99 "2010-07-21T18:53:07Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > No I never take food from the cafeteria except bananas (and that is ok because everyone does it) > > And if they didn’t want you to take bananas, they wouldn’t put them out when they were still green 1. I never rape women, except hookers – and that’s okay, because everyone does it. 2. And if they didn’t want you to rape them, they wouldn’t stand on street corners wearing such revealing clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/100 "2010-07-22T13:54:57Z")
Well it is encouraging to see most people in the poll do not steal. 🙂 “Right is right even if no one is doing it and wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it”. When you start stealing small things it becomes easier to justify stealing larger things. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386.md?page=6)