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Illustration by Luke Newell; Debate photos courtesy of families; Shutterstock.com (gummy)
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Is It OK to Sneak Snacks Into the Movies?
The lights go down as the movie is about to start. Then you see someone pull a taco from her backpack. The three biggest theater chains in the U.S.—AMC, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark—don’t allow outside food. But that doesn’t stop people from bringing their own snacks anyway.
A lot of moviegoers who bring outside food into theaters want to avoid paying the high prices at snack stands. At many theaters, a large popcorn and drink costs about as much as a movie ticket.
But many people point out that some theaters earn about 40 percent of their money from the sale of food and drinks. Sneaking in your own snacks hurts the theater’s business.
Here’s what two of our readers think.
Movie tickets are expensive. Add the cost of snacks, and going to the movies can be unaffordable. When my mom and I watch movies at home, we share a bag of microwave popcorn that costs $1.25. At a theater, popcorn costs $6 or more.
Plus, many theaters don’t have good snack options for people with allergies or special diets. They should be allowed to bring their own.
It’s best to follow the theater’s rules. You should check with the staff before you bring in your own snacks. Theaters make a lot of their money from the food they sell. If fewer people buy snacks, theaters might raise ticket prices.
If you want to have snacks but don’t want to buy them, eat before you go to the movies or when you get home.
Is it OK to sneak snacks into the movies?
¿Está bien entrar al cine con comida de fuera?
Las luces se apagan cuando la peli va a empezar. Entonces, ves que alguien saca un taco de su mochila. Las tres mayores cadenas de cines de EE. UU., AMC, Regal Cinemas y Cinemark, no permiten traer comida de fuera. Pero la gente sigue trayendo sus propios antojos de todos modos.
Muchos de los espectadores que traen al cine comida de fuera lo hacen para no pagar los altos precios de los puestos de comida. En muchos cines, unas palomitas y una bebida grande cuestan lo mismo que una entrada.
Pero mucha gente señala que algunos cines obtienen cerca del 40% de su dinero de la venta de comida y bebida. Entrar con tus propios antojos perjudica al negocio del cine.
Esto es lo que piensan dos de nuestros lectores:
Las entradas de cine son caras. Si a eso le sumamos el precio de los antojos, es imposible permitirse ir al cine. Cuando mi mamá y yo vemos pelis en casa, compartimos unas palomitas de microondas que cuestan $1,25. En el cine, las palomitas cuestan $6 o más.
Además, muchos cines no ofrecen antojos adecuados para personas alérgicas o con dietas especiales. Deberían poder traerse los suyos.
Es mejor seguir las normas del cine. Deberías preguntar al personal antes de llevar tus propios antojos. Los cines ganan mucho dinero con la comida que venden. Si la gente compra menos antojos, los cines podrían subir el precio de las entradas. Si quieres tomarte algo, pero no quieres comprarlo, come antes de ir al cine o cuando llegues a casa.