Do you allow things to be eaten before paying?

[georgousbold]

In a supermarket etc

When I walk around, I do open something to keep DS quiet. Works a treat.

Nobody has ever told me off or questioned me on it

Is this the done thing in the UK? Can think of a few countries it would be allowed in and nobody would say anything

But you could never do that in Japan for example, South Korea either

It's technically not allowed, but I know the supermarkets don't stop it. When I worked in one I used to think it was a bit cheeky, now I've got children of my own I just think it's unnecessary. Bring a snack from home, or some places like Morrisons do free fruit for kids.

Yes.

I'd feel a bit weird doing it I think. I used to give toddler DS the nose of a baguette - I think that felt like fair game because it was poking out of the packet anyway! But would stop short of actually opening something.

The fact you've never been challenged on it clearly means it's fine and normal though!

No and I hate to see it. But that's my opinion.

It’s not something I can get worked up over tbh

@NellWilsonsWhiteHair we used to do this as kids too

I've never given my children items I've not paid for, with the exception of a bottle of water in boots when I had to give DS1 piriton asap.

God no. Never have and never would.

I worked on a supermarket checkout as a teen and there's nothing worse than being handed an empty packet or drink that's been dribbled all over by your toddler.

Eat something yourself or feed your kids before you shop if you know you will be hungry halfway round. It's not that difficult to stop yourself from eating your shopping before you have even paid for it.

(Can you tell this is my ultimate pet hate)

I get quite a few parents at my till who hand me empty packets to scan & apologise as their kids have eaten/drunk whatever it is on the way round. Guess it could be an opportunity to shoplift with individual items as you could just dispose of the wrapper before you get to the checkout. We do have in store CCTV though.

No, I'd never do it. I want my kids to understand the things aren't ours until we've paid for them.

Never done it and once you’ve done it once I would think your children would expect it.
There’s absolutely no need and food shouldn’t be used to shut children up.

Yes sometimes if the kids are hungry and I've forgotten to bring something. But never anything eg loose fruit that needs to be weighed. And not if using self checkout. But otherwise yeah, no problem, it gets paid for just the same at the end. Checkout people are never bothered.

@SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows

I get quite a few parents at my till who hand me empty packets to scan & apologise as their kids have eaten/drunk whatever it is on the way round. Guess it could be an opportunity to shoplift with individual items as you could just dispose of the wrapper before you get to the checkout. We do have in store CCTV though.

What I give DS is usually from a multipack anyway so I can't hide it, the actual pack would be there!

I never felt the need to do that ever (children now teenagers). I brought snacks for them with me when they were small.

I did it on occasion when dc’s were small.. always made sure I handed the packet up at the till to get scanned and no one ever batted an eyelid. Better than a screaming child in the supermarket surely 🤷‍♀️

No. What sort of example does this set? It’s disgusting and it’s disrespectful to the supermarket staff.

We do it all the time, usually with drinks when one of me or the dc’s are extremely thirsty and don’t fancy having to wait to do a full shop before getting one. We always pay for it at the end. I think the people who get worked up over this need to get a life.

No, I would never do that. I don’t think that’s acceptable.

I did when the dc were small. As long as you pay for it there’s no issue - and as long as you are in the store there’s an assumed intention to pay.

The dc grow out of it pretty fast and I think most customers and staff would prefer not to listen to the alternative.

I try not to as I don’t want my children to then expect that but I have on occasion. Some times it’s the only way to be a to concentrate

Yep. Every time I go to a restaurant

No, I made sure mine were fed before going out so I didn’t need to feed them in this manner.

@ColdTattyWaitingForSummer

I did it on occasion when dc’s were small.. always made sure I handed the packet up at the till to get scanned and no one ever batted an eyelid. Better than a screaming child in the supermarket surely 🤷‍♀️

Yep. DS is non verbal but incredibly LOUD. I'm sure people wouldn't appreciate the alternative

On occasion I did, yes - bigger things to worry about. I worked in a supermarket too and it really wasn’t an problem to scan something that a toddler or child had held.

@icedancerlenny

No. What sort of example does this set? It’s disgusting and it’s disrespectful to the supermarket staff.

Oh get a grip 😂