Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I Feel Strangely Validated

I hate, hate, hate the smell of cinema popcorn. Really, it's the big downside of going to the cinema for me. There is something about that fake butter smell that just smells rank to me, enough to make my stomach turn over. One of my favourite bookstores in Newtown is located just outside the entrance to a cinema, and if they are preparing the popcorn I've been known to leave the store because the smell is wafting in. Well, seems like I'm not the only one.

The other thing about popcorn is that it basically tastes like polystyrene, right? I mean, take away any flavourings and it's like the stuff they use to fill boxes of breakables. With the ocassional teeth crunching hard centre...

8 comments:

mrpeenee said...

I'm with you on this, sweetie. I hate the smell, the flavor, the texture, and especially the sound of the fat cow next to me grazing on it. The only thing worse is the stench of burnt microwave popcorn filling the office.

Mel said...

I shall try to remember never to indulge in your presence, then. I'm very much with you on the fake butter, though. Nasty, nasty, nasty.

The Other Andrew said...

More validation! :)

I've been known to get up and move to another less popcorny part of the cinema sometimes. To avoid the retching possibilities.

Michael said...

I may not actively hate popcorn as much as you, but I've NEVER understood it.

The Other Andrew said...

Exactly right? I mean, if the butter doesn't get you then you're still left with polystyrene-ness.

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

I love popcorn! the real stuff you make on the stove and then drizzle in real melted butter and salt. it's sooo fresh (fresh smell too) and the texture is unbeatable. I love watching for the first kernel to spin and then putting the lid on to wait for all the popping to begin. it's fun!

I'd never had the fake stuff until I was in my 20's, mostly because of the outrageous price you pay for 5c-worth of corn. sometimes the smell makes me feel like puking and sometimes it's fine... maybe it's to do with how old and reheated it is or how much of the gaggy fake butter they put on?

freakgirl said...

I LOVE popcorn. Hate fake butter, but LOVE popcorn. I can't go to the movies without having popcorn, even if it's stale and gross.

I'm seeking help.

The smell that really used to make me crazy was when someone at work would make popcorn and the breakroom would reek for hours, though. Ugh.

Therin of Andor said...

Speaking of polystyrene package filling...

My old workplace gets their "packing popcorn" now from a place that makes a biodegradable alternative. It's made from potatoes and, as such, is edible. It literally melts on your tongue and almost has a Pringle's chips flavour and fragrance. Almost.

I must confess, though, I do like cinema popcorn. But I rarely want such a huge bucket! Also love its smell.

But I distinctly remember the first time I ever saw it. Hot? Buttery? Yellow? Until I was about eight or nine, I'd only ever seen multi-coloured "candy" popcorn, and the thought of something so different as cinema popcorn was part of its unique appeal, and the treat of being "at the movies".

Then there was the day when my brother and I popped our own at home, in the kitchen, when Mum was out. And we took the lid off so we could watch it pop...

We were still finding popcorn in nooks and crannies for months after the fact. Hilarious!