# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/101 "2010-07-22T15:01:32Z")
Do you find stuff to eat aswell when you’re rooting through the garbage? ---
**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 22, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/102 "2010-07-22T17:07:57Z")
Good god, NO!!! That’s disgusting! > [@PSXer](#): > > I am not a crook. I have never actually done the popcorn thing. I was just seeing what people thought of it. I don’t believe you. :dubious: (If you don’t want to buy popcorn, bring your own) ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/103 "2010-07-22T17:14:15Z")
> [@Perciful](#): > > “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. Mom? I didn’t know you read the Dope! As of right now, there are 5 sick weirdos who does (or would do) what the OP is asking. Seriously, what is wrong with you? ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/104 "2010-07-22T17:19:50Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I am not a crook. I have never actually done the popcorn thing. I was just seeing what people thought of it. Riiiiggghht… ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/105 "2010-07-22T17:41:06Z")
I am a popcorn addict. LOVE the stuff. Don’t enjoy a movie 1/10th without it. But if I can’t afford the movie popcorn I’ll either: A) bring a bag of microwave popcorn smuggled in my oversize purse B) Buck up & watch the movie popcorn-less or C) say screw it all together & not go to the movie at all. Never, not once, have I considered dragging a bag out of the trash. _shudder_ ---
**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 22, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/106 "2010-07-22T17:54:28Z")
> [@BobArrgh](#): > > Mom? I didn’t know you read the Dope! > > As of right now, there are 5 sick weirdos who does (or would do) what the OP is asking. Seriously, what is wrong with you? Six now, although none of them have posted to defend the OP or explain their reasoning. ---
**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 22, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/107 "2010-07-22T18:42:03Z")
I usually just pay for the popcorn, 'cuz that’s how the theaters stay in business. I guess I’m just mindless drone sheeple keeping the machine running… Sorry, I thought this was the Anarchist coffee house thread. ---
**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 22, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/108 "2010-07-22T18:45:27Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Six now, although none of them have posted to defend the OP or explain their reasoning. Unless they just voted that way for a lark. ---
**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 22, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/109 "2010-07-22T20:18:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Unless they just voted that way for a lark. Or lark’s vomit. ---
**Author:** ![Flipshod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@Flipshod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipshod)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/110 "2010-07-22T20:52:08Z")
I don’t think it’s all that gross, or even risky. We share germs all the time with the public, and it’s not like people normally lick the inside surface of the bucket. I drink at water fountains, use public restrooms, shake hands all day. I’ve eaten food from strangers. But I come down with the folks who thinks it’s dishonest and cheap. So no, I wouldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/111 "2010-07-22T21:35:36Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > It is kind of gross, but I am not going to pay $6 for popcorn Costanza!? ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/112 "2010-07-22T23:21:19Z")
> [@Flipshod](#): > > I don’t think it’s all that gross, or even risky. We share germs all the time with the public, and it’s not like people normally lick the inside surface of the bucket. > > I drink at water fountains, use public restrooms, shake hands all day. I’ve eaten food from strangers. > > But I come down with the folks who thinks it’s dishonest and cheap. So no, I wouldn’t do it. This is almost exactly what I was going to post. So it’s a no because it’s stealing, not because it’s particularly gross. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/113 "2010-07-22T23:27:29Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > This is almost exactly what I was going to post. So it’s a no because it’s stealing, not because it’s particularly gross. It _is_ particularly gross. Fucking gross, to be exact. **Nay.** ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/114 "2010-07-23T01:37:11Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > It _is_ particularly gross. Fucking gross, to be exact. **Nay.** You consume millions of fecal bacteria every day. Why is one source worse than another? Out of sight, out of mind? ---
**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 23, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/115 "2010-07-23T03:37:50Z")
It’s not also just a question of bacteria for me. It’s gross as in tacky to me. Like sneaking your date into a movie theatre because you’re too cheap to shell out for a second ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/116 "2010-07-23T13:46:57Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > It’s not also just a question of bacteria for me. It’s gross as in tacky to me. Like sneaking your date into a movie theatre because you’re too cheap to shell out for a second ticket. Listen to your Mother. Don’t date men that ask for free refills or grab popcorn buckets from the trash to get free popcorn. Trust me on this. You will be the free refill. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/117 "2010-07-23T16:33:30Z")
Don’t you have StarPass? It’s a free program for moviegoers and one of the benefits is free refills for your popcorn, and free popcorn/drinks/tickets after a certain amount of earned points. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/118 "2010-07-23T18:59:10Z")
I don’t think it’s that gross and I don’t think it’s stealing (it is, but it’s insignificant). I think it’s just cheap as hell. If you can’t pay for it, you don’t get to eat it. Suck it up. ---
**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 23, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/119 "2010-07-23T21:22:48Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I don’t think it’s that gross and I don’t think it’s stealing (it is, but it’s insignificant). I think it’s just cheap as hell. If you can’t pay for it, you don’t get to eat it. Suck it up. What? How is it not stealing when you go on to say that it is? Stealing doesn’t stop being stealing because it’s a small amount. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386/120 "2010-07-23T21:27:05Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > What? How is it not stealing when you go on to say that it is? Stealing doesn’t stop being stealing because it’s a small amount. Seconded. It’s stealing plain and simple and it’s wrong. The gross part… meh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-empty-popcorn-tubs-out-of-the-garbage-and-getting-free-refills/547386.md?page=7)