This afternoon, I splurged a little and hired a sitter to stay home with my little girls while I took my big kids to the movies. I had read them Prince Caspian and we just haven't ever seemed to have the time to take them to see it. Teensy didn't pay attention that well while we read it, so I felt justified in leaving her behind.
Let me now confess that I had always been one to take food to the movies. I'd run to Target and buy cheap candy, stuff my purse with fruit snacks, or even make PB & J sandwiches to eat if the movie was around lunch time. BUT, I am married to the King of Honesty and Ethics and it has been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that such practices are, in fact, dishonest and unethical. Recently, I've decided to repent.
Now, I'm not a person who believes that every trip to the theater mandates a treat (going to the movies is a treat in and of itself), but today's outing was supposed to be a special time for my older children and I to spend together. That calls for a treat. I bought each of them a "Kids Pack" (mini popcorn, sip 'o soda, package of fruit snacks) and a bag of M&M's and bottle of water for myself. Grand total: $19. Can you believe that?
I started to freak out in my own mind, thinking thoughts of "highway robbery" and whatnot. Then, I decided to look at things a new way: if I can teach my children to be honest like their father, for under $20, that's a great bargain, indeed!
15 comments:
Not only was it a bargain lesson at $20, but it was a priceless memory that your children will cherish forever. :-)
But what about the movie? Did you like it? Or were you calculating how much everything cost the entire time?
True. and in the long run, what's $20. They'll feel so special.
Oh, we married different men. I have a whole concession stand in my purse when we go see movies. What a great example your hubby is.
Yes, it is hard to choke down those prices, but good for you for teaching your children to be honest.
Now wait a minute.... some theaters say no outside food, and others don't say that.. You have to go to the right theater. :-) Come on, cut me some slack here.
Signed: Unreformed theater sneaker. :-)
True true though.
geez. my parents let us go hungry during movies. that was the price of our honesty. :)
$19?? after the price of tickets?? i think we'll be waiting to rent it.
Here's a little fact that might help you on your way toward honesty, the theaters don't make money off of ticket sales, that goes to the big wig movie people, almost the entire income of the theater comes from concessions. That usually helps me to not sneak in food...as often...
Mendy, I am married to the brother of your honest man and they most certainly share a strict interpretation of ethics and what is just. Chris is obsessed with fairness. But I got to tell ya, I'm not sure how ethical and moral it is for the movie theater to charge you that much. The mark up is insane! This Hunter duo still sneaks in food. Chris just gets mad when I don't hide them well enough. I say, I've got nothing to hide.
That said, I totally see the value of the honesty lesson for the kids.
Chris and I saw Prince Caspian and loved it. It was one of those movies I couldn't stop thinking about afterwards. Did you guys like it?
Oh, I am a shamefully dishonest person then! I can't remember the last time I saw a movie in the theater but you should see the food I smuggle into the chapel for William snacks on Sunday! :) Shhh! Don't tell Michael.
I guess I am confused about what is dishonest about it? Unless of course there is a sign that says no outside food?????? You will have to please explain Michaels reasoning to me.
Wow, that is a great way to look at it!! We always buy the kids "highway robbery":) treats at the movie too and I'm going to think of it the same way as you from now on! (But I might sneak my own water bottle in anyhow...:))
Hi Stacey, I'm Mendy's sister and here's what I think is dishonest about it. I guess if you are holding it out of your purse for the world to see then your not really being dishonest. But I'm willing to bet that sign up or no sign up your hiding the treats in your purse or bag and hoping that no one notices how full the bag is. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the dishonesty is in the sneaking. If you aren't being dishonest, what's to hide? (bear in mind I've taken snacks in on more than one occasion, I'm just saying this is where Michael is coming from.)
Wow! I didn't realize how *weighty* my decision not to sneak snacks into the movies might become. So much dialog - I'm impressed. I also don't pirate music or movies - discuss amongst yourselves!
Just kidding.
As to my own motivation, really there are a lot of things I don't agree with that I do because I don't have the authority to change them. That includes paying insane prices for food at the movies. Although I might not believe that a small bag of M&Ms ought to cost $3.00, I do believe in the rule of law, and if you just set yourself up as a law unto yourself, then what's to protect you from someone else doing the same thing at your expense?
That said, I also understand the margin that the theaters get paid for showing a movie and it is slim, so in one sense I'm just paying for the food to make sure there are still large theaters around for me and my kids like there were for my parents and me. The drive-in has already disappeared; I'd hate to have the big movie theater do the same.
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