People eating food they haven't paid for....

[maddiemookins16mum]

....It just really bugs me. To the point of utter revulsion.
In a supermarket, grown adults opening a pack of 4 pork pies and happily munching their way around the shop, only to toss the empty pack to be scanned as their shopping goes through. Why do people do that, have you ever, and why??? (DD had to wait until the car for her gingerbreadman biscuit from Waitrose).

OK - I've never seen this or even heard of anyone doing this in real life, so to me it is extremely weird that anyone can't manage for half an hour without food once over the age of 1.

But if someone really is desperate - please buy food and eat it elsewhere. I don't want any crumbs or bits dropped, potentially from your mouth onto the food I'm about to buy. I don't want you eating with your fingers then picking up food. It's not the worst thing you could do - but the idea of other people's saliva on my food is pretty gross.

Well, it obviously depends on locality

Sorry, should have clarified where I grew up that this was common - England, southeast, very middle class 'nice' area.

In fact I'm wondering if class issues come into play (in the UK at least). I.e. in 'poorer' areas shop staff are more likely to accuse people of stealing/think they can't or won't pay, and put up signs banning it etc, whereas in more affluent areas it's assumed that of course you can pay and will declare everything you've eaten at the till, so the staff are much more encouraging of eating as you go to make the shopping experience nicer so you'll come back and spend more.

(Should make it clear I don't condone such horrible attitudes, but I certainly see them).

Wanking how to the gingerbread people without belly buttons keep their bottoms on? Everybody knows that if you don't have a belly button your bottom falls off!

It's so lower middle to worry about things like this. "What will the neighbours think?" All you Hyacinths and your Waitrose obsession

Looks scuzzy? I really wouldn't care what you thought, nor did the check out assistant. She was quite empathetic too.

Of course not, or you wouldn't do it. It's an opinion site, and I'm giving mine.

And I'm sure checkout assistants have to act sympathetic, whether they are or not. It's part of the job. I'm equally sure that shops would prefer you didn't do it.

If it's a class issue, I tend to think it's the reverse of you, butterflies. It's not about whether security will chase you down, it's that it's not polite or necessary to chomp on unpaid-for food.

I think people expect to snack more these days. Mapp and Lucia would never have gnawed down on a crust of bread as they went about their errands.

Hmmm, don't think so. The Tesco I visited with the kids was in the East End of Glasgow. Life expectancy of about 46 I believe. No-one was accusing me of anything.

They don't always pay. When I worked at a supermarket I made a point of asking to scan the barcode. Usually I was met with a shocked reaction as usually they must get away with it.

I didn't mind if people pass the packet over straight away to scan. Sometimes you're just hungry or have a child to feed so not a problem as long as you have every intention of paying.

Oh and I stay in quite an affluent part of Glasgow now. But I was brought up in quite deprived area as a child. Maybe staff in Tesco don't actually give a fuck?

(A lot don't, as I know people who work there).

Ha, this thread is hilarious

1. I don't do this, because I just can't bring myself to. We were never allowed as children (but it most definitely did happen when my mother took us shopping with her 25-30 years ago, and in Waitrose at that) (clutches pearls)

2. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it so long as people pay and as a PP pointed out I really think security staff have bigger fish to fry than whether or not someone has a little nibble of a French stick on their way round

3. the hyperbole and emotional language on this thread is absurd. And why is it that, when topics like this are discussed, the people in question are rarely just "eating"- they're "guzzling", "gulping", "shoveling" and "scoffing". There are "gobs" and "cake holes" involved. It's all very Daily Mail.

And that, I'm sure we can all agree, is not very Waitrose.

I never set foot in a Waitrose until I was about 35.

the hyperbole and emotional language on this thread is absurd.

Well that works both ways. The OP has been called all sorts, a 'knobber' and a 'freak'. Which seems a bit over the top.

Hyperbole is the Mumsnet way.

Worra as usual you've made this thread for me!

My mum never let us eat in the supermarket as children (Tesco-I'm from the Huddersfield side of West Yorkshire and Waitrose hasn't lowered itself to join us here yet).

Op was your child so hungry they couldn't wait until you were home to eat the gingerbread person? I think it's very uncouth to eat whilst travelling.

Get a grip. Seriously.

When're I take DD shopping I get some grapes to give her. She munches them on the way round. She's happy and not causing a stir.

Stop making a fuss out of nowt.

If I see a parent giving their child food in a supermarket before it's been paid for I think it's bad planning. Of course they can eat before going shopping.

Or is this another example of parents' inability to say 'no'? 'No you can't have that now. No you have to wait. No, having a tantrum won't get you what you want.'

Or is this another example of parents' inability to say 'no'? 'No you can't have that now. No you have to wait. No, having a tantrum won't get you what you want.'

Pretty much.

Get a grip

I am with you OP. And actually eating in supermarkets is pretty bad hygiene wise. It was very common in the US area I used to live and I have never seen it in the UK. It leads to food on the floor and mice and I think it is rude and entitled. Can't we wait 5 minutes to stuff our faces?
My parents would never have allowed this and I wont either.

And yes I think it is disgusting. It is not a place for eating. Those that say they give their children food.. Well... That doesnt make it right sorry.
Rude and pretty gross

I have worked with children from disadvantaged communities, families, kids that are hosting several parasites due to poor nutrition, children that are happy to have the same rice and beans for lunch and dinner and get the very very occasional meat as a massive treat.
But apparently here some people are SO HUNGRY they cant wait.
Makes me sad.
Unless you have blood sugar issues or so, or are pregnant, definitely need to consider what hunger is.
I find it disgusting at both hygiene and social behaviour levels.

Tofu it is not semantic. It is not true. Some children are starving, but I dont think we are talking about those here

HopeClearwater YES!!

My personal favourite is DD aged 2, eating an entire cucumber on the way round.

People don't know whether to be happy she's eating vegetables or sad she's eating. It's not fat, demanding, obese, greedy, impatient children with stupid, lazy, workshy parents. It's a kid... Eating a cucumber.

I do this with my baby son, usually pop a few raspberries in his mouth as we're going round. It keeps him happy and quiet.

Probably wouldn't do it for myself, but you don't know other people's circumstances. They might be diabetic for example. I don't recall noticing other people 'guzzling' (oh the hyperbole on this thread!) their way round the supermarket but then I don't tend to pay much attention to others as I'm too busy gazing adoringly at my pfb eating his little raspberries.

DM used to tear off the end of a french stick to keep me and DB quiet while she did the shopping. Warm and fresh from the bakery, mmmm. I can't imagine doing the same, however from her exaulted position in the trolley seat DD is quite able to reach and scoff grapes and mushrooms all by herself. I love Tescos free fruit for kids while shopping, keeps the little monster happy.