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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do people have no shame any more?

264 replies

tachetastic · 06/04/2026 15:38

I don't know if the worst part of this story is the fact that its theft or the fact people don't care.

I was in Tesco this morning buying eggs (the normal type, not chocolate) and a couple were standing by the egg display swapping the eggs from two half-dozen boxes of the fancy premium brand eggs into a box for 12 Tesco own-brand eggs. They weren't even being subtle about it. He was just standing there holding the boxes while she swapped the eggs over. He then double checked that the designer eggs she had put in the Tesco box were all unbroken, and then they put the expensive box containing the cheap eggs back on the shelf and put the cheap box with the expensive eggs in their trolley, and off they went.

During all of this I and three other customers were just standing openly watching them and casting glances at each other.

The difference in price was probably about 50p per box, so about a quid in total. But is that the point? Are the eggs so much better that it's worth a heist, or are people just so pissed off with the CoL crisis that anything they can do to feel that they are getting something for nothing is worth while?

The couple so clearly didn't care that I couldn't see the point in telling them it was theft, but when they left I moved the two boxes containing the cheap eggs to one side and left them open, so nobody would pick them up not realising they weren't the fancy eggs.

AIBU, this is fine and large supermarkets have it coming?

or AINBU, this is still theft and cheeky fuckery of the highest order?

And more interestingly, what cheeky fuckers have you seen lately who could beat this?

OP posts:
sharkstale · 06/04/2026 17:41

This would annoy me purely because I buy the more expensive eggs, and would hate to be the person who ended up with the cheap ones thinking I was buying better quality. I'm really fussy about eggs.

shuggles · 06/04/2026 17:40

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:30

I think the poster is talking about actual eggs (not the chocolate type)

Ah, I see.

Point of my question remains unchanged though.

LydiaFunnyGums · 06/04/2026 17:40

Next time let a member of staff know. Thieving basturds!

Jenkibubble · 06/04/2026 17:39

tachetastic · 06/04/2026 15:38

I don't know if the worst part of this story is the fact that its theft or the fact people don't care.

I was in Tesco this morning buying eggs (the normal type, not chocolate) and a couple were standing by the egg display swapping the eggs from two half-dozen boxes of the fancy premium brand eggs into a box for 12 Tesco own-brand eggs. They weren't even being subtle about it. He was just standing there holding the boxes while she swapped the eggs over. He then double checked that the designer eggs she had put in the Tesco box were all unbroken, and then they put the expensive box containing the cheap eggs back on the shelf and put the cheap box with the expensive eggs in their trolley, and off they went.

During all of this I and three other customers were just standing openly watching them and casting glances at each other.

The difference in price was probably about 50p per box, so about a quid in total. But is that the point? Are the eggs so much better that it's worth a heist, or are people just so pissed off with the CoL crisis that anything they can do to feel that they are getting something for nothing is worth while?

The couple so clearly didn't care that I couldn't see the point in telling them it was theft, but when they left I moved the two boxes containing the cheap eggs to one side and left them open, so nobody would pick them up not realising they weren't the fancy eggs.

AIBU, this is fine and large supermarkets have it coming?

or AINBU, this is still theft and cheeky fuckery of the highest order?

And more interestingly, what cheeky fuckers have you seen lately who could beat this?

My brother swears by pricey eggs (forget the brand ) but £4 for 6
In contrast I get 10 for £2.20 at Iceland
I can’t tell the difference in taste - he can though !

Jenkibubble · 06/04/2026 17:37

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 06/04/2026 15:44

The price of eggs is no yolk. I'm not surprised they didn't want to shell out.

👏
what time are you on stage ? 🙃

MrsDeltaB · 06/04/2026 17:36

In a former life I worked as admin in a magistrate’s court. I still remember the 83 year old fella who had been arrested on Sunday for shoplifting-the details of which are listed on court papers. Two chicken breasts, a small pack of spuds and a tin of mixed veg.

For some reason, this made me a little sad.

Happyjoe · 06/04/2026 17:35

Plain and simple theft. I heard about this happening somewhere else too.

Reminds me of my day when things were priced up with a sticker, people would swap them for something cheaper.

JustbrotherscarlenaNsoul · 06/04/2026 17:35

Firesidechatter · 06/04/2026 16:49

I was in markies last week, someone had a member of staff direct them to the meat section, he said thanks, then proceeded to put a load into his shopping bag and just walked out. I watched him go. No attempt to hide it.

And no I didn’t get involved. I just moved a bit away. He didn’t look like someone you’d want to mess with, and I’m sure the staff saw and they didn’t want to get involved either.

it was the most brazen thing I’ve seen, literally had a staff member take him to tnem section.

Aberdeen by any chance going by Markies?
Some of these clowns think they're invisible.
I was sitting in Costa just after nine and two junkies had been out shopping early,armfuls of clothes still with hangers bolting out of the shopping centre.

nevernotmaybe · 06/04/2026 17:35

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:30

I think the poster is talking about actual eggs (not the chocolate type)

Not only that, my comment stated this situation falls outside what I said because they are impacting the next people.

sunshinestar1986 · 06/04/2026 17:34

Omg!
Gunna have to get the bottom ones from now
How shocking

liftthatup · 06/04/2026 17:31

Making use of the 25% off 6 bottles of wine last week in Tesco, I checked I had all six after the security tags were removed. My trolley, also full of shopping, activated the alarm as I left and the lady said to head on as she knew I had paid. By the time I reached the car I realised that 1 bottle of wine was missing. The only opportunity would have been while I was distracted and checking I could continue out of the store. Someone had walked by, swiped a bottle and buggered off home. People have no shame.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:30

ilovepixie · 06/04/2026 17:29

What was she supposed to do? She would have got a mouthful of abuse or worse!

She could have spoken to the staff. Better that than saying nothing then coming onto MN

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:30

shuggles · 06/04/2026 17:25

@nevernotmaybe I broadly don't care about people stealing actual food, or trying to get better quality food, if it is obviously for them to eat. I doubt they are selling the eggs for profit.

They are stealing from the people who unknowingly buy an expensive Easter egg which has had the egg swapped out for the cheaper chocolate.

Why is it OK to steal from other shoppers?

I think the poster is talking about actual eggs (not the chocolate type)

ilovepixie · 06/04/2026 17:29

2dogsandabudgie · 06/04/2026 15:44

So you just stood and watched without saying anything to them.

What was she supposed to do? She would have got a mouthful of abuse or worse!

Unpaidviewer · 06/04/2026 17:28

Covid really changed my opinion on most people. I think I'd always taken it for granted that although I'm not a Christian we had Christian values in this country. But that doesn't seem to be the case any longer.

SquallyShowersLater · 06/04/2026 17:27

Well it's clever, I'll give them that. Did you not say anything to them? Or to the staff? I would have. They may not care about stealing from Tesco but what about stitching up the poor customer who pays for premium eggs only to get budget ones?

I bought a packet of Ibuprofen from Asda a few weeks ago, got outside, went to take a couple and somebody had already beat me to it. 😡

shuggles · 06/04/2026 17:25

@nevernotmaybe I broadly don't care about people stealing actual food, or trying to get better quality food, if it is obviously for them to eat. I doubt they are selling the eggs for profit.

They are stealing from the people who unknowingly buy an expensive Easter egg which has had the egg swapped out for the cheaper chocolate.

Why is it OK to steal from other shoppers?

nevernotmaybe · 06/04/2026 17:24

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:20

MN is an odd place at times. Stealing food and committing fraud is totally okay apparently..

There is no difference between stealing food or bottles of booze.

You missed some very basic lessons in school in the subtleties of real life, morals, and complex situations when compared to black and white judgments and laws.

We learnt them at primary school kind of ages, surprising to see adults so incapable of it.

shuggles · 06/04/2026 17:23

@tachetastic The issue is a breakdown in values and morals that were once standard and accepted in British society. That's why shoplifting has been de facto decriminalised.

The elites in society play down the prevalence of shoplifting, and play down the harm caused by physical retail spaces being destroyed, because these people directly profit as it boosts online retailers like Amazon.

That's why whenever there are widespread protests and yobs are openly smashing and looting shops, the elites are cheering them on and pretending to support their cause.

cramptramp · 06/04/2026 17:22

Didn’t you tell the staff? I would have.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:20

nevernotmaybe · 06/04/2026 17:11

I broadly don't care about people stealing actual food, or trying to get better quality food, if it is obviously for them to eat. I doubt they are selling the eggs for profit.

But there are situations within that, which can be different. If people are stealing 10 alarmed expensive steaks, as much as they might be doing it for them to eat it does become less likely. And in this case, the issue is the next person doesn't know what they are buying so not a good thing for them to do.

Edited

MN is an odd place at times. Stealing food and committing fraud is totally okay apparently..

There is no difference between stealing food or bottles of booze.

WednesdaysChild73 · 06/04/2026 17:19

2dogsandabudgie · 06/04/2026 15:44

So you just stood and watched without saying anything to them.

Exactly 👍🏻🤷🏻‍♀️

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/04/2026 17:18

Why didn’t you or anyone else tell the staff? I would (and have) reported things like that. I also report shoplifting though so I am a bit of an outlier by MN standards

Lemonfrost · 06/04/2026 17:15

So OP, why didn't you tell a member of staff?

lemondrivelcake · 06/04/2026 17:14

Jamesblonde2 · 06/04/2026 17:12

Some people have no shame and it’s becoming worse. In all areas of life. Theft as in the OP, how you dress in public, state of houses and gardens, not ashamed to be in receipt of out of work state benefits. Bring back shame. I stand by this.

You think people should be ashamed if they have no choice but to be on benefits? Wow. Get ready with the rotten fruit, people, we’re going back to the Middle Ages.