I'm surprised that no-one has noticed that it is possible to
not buy drinks/snacks from the cinema's concession stand and to
not smuggle your own drinks/snacks in against the cinema's rules at the same time.
The cinema's rules do not state that customers
must eat/drink something all the time. Of course, they are happy if you help them out financially by doing so, but nobody is force-feeding anyone. Unless you must always have gummy bears running around in your mouth for medical reasons, it's hard for me to believe that you can't watch a 1.5 hour movie without eating (OK, 2.5h with the commercials and previews, and commercials again).
In the first cinemas eating was not allowed (but smoking was). Then someone noticed that there is money to be made and now it's impossible to watch a movie without:
- Someone munching, crunching and burping behind you,
- Someone getting up and going to the concession stand in the middle of the movie,
- Someone getting up and going to the toilet to get rid of what (s)he bought an hour ago,
- Your shoes sticking to the floor,
- Occasionally having someone else's drink/food on you.
Yes winter coats are good to have in the cinema, though not for smuggling, but for warmth. Can't understand why it's freezing in the cinema while there is a heat wave outside?
When it's colder, your body burns more calories (
thanks HiHaoMike), so you start to feel hungry. Get it?
As for bringing your own oil to the car shop: Is it a
car repair shop, or a
car parts shop? You pay for repairs and tune-ups, and if they lower their prices then that's their problem and your gain. I've seen many car shops that change your oil for free if you bought that oil from them (even if you brought your own oil filter). Same with replacing coolant fluid.
So if a cinema is supposed to specialize in showing movies, then that's what they should do. If they want to sell candy, then they should offer free entrance for those who buy at their concession stand.