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Original poster

Do you allow things to be eaten before paying?

532 replies

georgousbold · 21/03/2022 11:54

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

OP posts:
slashlover · 21/03/2022 15:13

And your evidence for this is...?

I worked in a supermarket for 21 years, it really is crisps/chocolate/sweets most of the time.

Rosewaterblossom · 21/03/2022 15:13

I'd be asking why is it necessary? Can dc not be taken around a supermarket for an hour without the need for a snack ffs.

mathanxiety · 21/03/2022 15:13

I have opened the odd box of tissues and used a few before paying for it.

It's considered ok as long as you don't take the piss where I live (US).

In fact, they hand out slices of cheese and deli meat to children and occasionally ( pre covid) had a sample plate of bakery cookies at the bakery section of most supermarkets.

Dumdeedahdumdeedo · 21/03/2022 15:15

I used to when mine were small, more from multipack things though so not the same as handing over an empty wrapper

I don't see a problem with it, your planning on paying for it, you do pay for it.

When their really small they want somthing and they want it right now. They don't like waiting and it just made the whole shopping trip easier

SunnydaleHSAlumna · 21/03/2022 15:17

No DC, but DH does this and I find it really disgusting. We very rarely do the shopping together anymore but he will get a baguette and just start ripping bits off and eating it on the way around and then pass a half baguette to be scanned. He did it at self checkouts once and the machine didn't recognise the weight, it was too light, so we had to get someone to come and clear it off. Mortified.

TypicaIMe · 21/03/2022 15:17

@slashlover

And your evidence for this is...?

I worked in a supermarket for 21 years, it really is crisps/chocolate/sweets most of the time.

Ah well, it must be true then Grin
Pyri · 21/03/2022 15:18

[quote fullofpips]@stuntbubbles or breastfeed while walking round the shop GrinWink[/quote]
Is it ok to breastfeed while using a toilet brush?

slashlover · 21/03/2022 15:21

Ah well, it must be true then grin

So what is your evidence that it's mostly fruit?

mumtoallbhoys · 21/03/2022 15:23

I have done this in a rare occasion when doing a big shop with a toddler. Often at the checkout when I want to contain them in the trolly seat and not have them help load shopping.

I can't believe people on this thread are getting so hett up about it. I just don't see it as a big deal.

SushiShopSearch · 21/03/2022 15:24

No. Children need to know there are rules.

TypicaIMe · 21/03/2022 15:25

@slashlover

Ah well, it must be true then grin

So what is your evidence that it's mostly fruit?

I never said that it was.

I simply asked for your evidence that it was usually chocolate or crisps.

Blimecory · 21/03/2022 15:30

@mumtoallbhoys

I have done this in a rare occasion when doing a big shop with a toddler. Often at the checkout when I want to contain them in the trolly seat and not have them help load shopping.

I can't believe people on this thread are getting so hett up about it. I just don't see it as a big deal.

It’s illegal, though. Is breaking the law not a big deal?
sillysmiles · 21/03/2022 15:31

@SushiShopSearch

No. Children need to know there are rules.
Yes! And children also need to realise that they are mini robots, not children who don't have full control of their emotions or control of their environments or communication skills to explain their feelings.
fullofpips · 21/03/2022 15:32

@Blimecory please ring the police the next time you see this happen. And report back here. Please.

sillysmiles · 21/03/2022 15:32

It’s illegal, though. Is breaking the law not a big deal?

I can't be the only person that thinks that there is a difference between something being "technically" illegal and being wrong.

Kite22 · 21/03/2022 15:43

No. I am surprised how many think it is okay to eat things they haven't paid for. I think it is a poor example for the dc.

Blimecory · 21/03/2022 15:44

Sometimes there can be a difference between illegality and wrongness, but not in this case. It’s both technically illegal and wrong.

TypicaIMe · 21/03/2022 15:46

@Blimecory do you have a link to a case of a child illegally eating an apple in a supermarket that's been successfully prosecuted, please?

SirChenjins · 21/03/2022 15:46

@Blimecory

Sometimes there can be a difference between illegality and wrongness, but not in this case. It’s both technically illegal and wrong.
No it’s not.
LottyD32 · 21/03/2022 15:48

@Jamn50

No never it’s wrong. I have made a snack to take in. Just be prepared before you go.
It's a supermarket, not a day out, it doesn't need a picnic Confused
Blimecory · 21/03/2022 15:53

[quote TypicaIMe]@Blimecory do you have a link to a case of a child illegally eating an apple in a supermarket that's been successfully prosecuted, please?[/quote]
I’ve no idea. Obviously a child is below the age of criminal responsibility, so it would fall on the adult. And successful prosecution is hardly a great benchmark of many crimes - cf lots of rape cases. However, most laws have developed out of common-sense social guidelines to enable members of society to live together in harmony.

MonkeyPuddle · 21/03/2022 15:54

I don’t think people are laying out blankets in aisle 22, more like handing their toddler a snack in the trolley. But obvs this doesn’t fit with the overthetopness.

Somethingsnappy · 21/03/2022 16:00

[quote stuntbubbles]@fullofpips Ideally by “flopping one out” and “baring an entire breast” like the “breastapo”. But you’d have to eat something from the shelves before paying for it yourself to get full bingo.[/quote]
No, to get full bingo, your toddler of over 1 year old (gasp) would need to be sitting in the trolley leaning forward and helping themselves from a big, bouncy, uncovered breast, whilst mum simultaneously eats something from a shelf Grin.

fullofpips · 21/03/2022 16:01

@Somethingsnappy ...as she's picking out which toilet brush she's going to purchase Grin

Papayamya · 21/03/2022 16:04

No, I couldn't be arsed with the can I can I everytime we went into a shop, easier to say we need to pay first. I'm sure most children can go without a snack for an hour or so