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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

946 replies

maddiemookins16mum · 24/09/2016 23:02

....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).

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Fiderer · 25/09/2016 06:35

I could scoff a pork pie now and chuck 80 times the price at the shop.

Musing, "uncouth". Great word. But is there also "couth"? Am too tired and lazy to ask my Chambers dictionary. Or indeed, look online uncouthly.

Original poster
maddiemookins16mum · 25/09/2016 06:45

Wow, just wow, thanks to those calling me all kinds of horrible names etc, what a great example you must be to your children.

OP posts:
flopsypopsymopsy · 25/09/2016 06:49

No, never and when I see someone doing it I assume they are chav with no manners.

BrieAndChilli · 25/09/2016 06:51

Tesco now offer free fruit to eat on your way around.

Pardonwhat · 25/09/2016 06:53

All you people mentioning 'class'.. you do realise only lower classes worry about class? Wink
I'll continue to have my supermarket snacks.

Blueberry234 · 25/09/2016 06:55

Those who eat grapes or let their children eat grapes on the way round,

Blueberry234 · 25/09/2016 06:56

Oops!
Or any fruit/veg that's sold by weight what do you do when it comes to paying?

lostowl · 25/09/2016 06:58

I think it's morally wrong to eat supermarket food before it's paid for. Even though there's no set rule doesn't mean it's right. Everyone who does it is what's wrong with Britain today -- self entitled.

lostowl · 25/09/2016 07:06

To the people who justify it by saying they're giving their child food --- why can't you have the foresight to plan ahead and have a snack already. It's not the supermarkets' fault that you haven't done this.

Pollyanna9 · 25/09/2016 07:06

This reply has been deleted

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IJustAteTheKidsFoodAgain · 25/09/2016 07:11

waves to fellow waitrose shopping wankers. I suggest moving to tesco where they hand out free fruit if you are bothered although it's not fucking organic OR alternatively, if it bothers you to the point of disgust, get it delivered, never leave the house again, and remember You have standards

EmGee · 25/09/2016 07:12

OP has been given a right bashing here.
I do give the DC a hunk of baguette on our way round but I agree with the principle of the OP. Do people really have to eat on their way round a supermarket shop? Really?? As mentioned in another thread this week re people have forgotten how to be hungry in between meals - hence non-stop snacking and of course a huge rise in obesity.

Doggity · 25/09/2016 07:12

I love it when people say "wow, just wow" especially over something like a supermarket bun fight. I'm only disappointed that they haven't said they're "fumming" (sic).

GahBuggerit · 25/09/2016 07:13

chill op, as long as they pay its all good. i had a word once with my local tesco and asked if its ok for me to make the hell a bit easier and give the kids some crisps or whatever to occupy them and they said fine, loads of people do it and as long as i paid its no bother to them and they are happy if it makes it easier so i stay longer and buy more

WetsTheFinger · 25/09/2016 07:17

Oh man, the annual eating in a supermarket thread.

Mummyoflittledragon · 25/09/2016 07:20

Yes op, you have been called some horrible names. However, you did somewhat out your head on the block with those judgy knickers and hyperbole. We don't know the reason why some people eat before paying. Sometimes it's for valid medical reasons, other times, people are stealing. I cannot get her up about this. My life is tough enough as is. Live and let live.

WingsofNylon · 25/09/2016 07:20

Pretty sure the free fruit at Tesco is for children only. That's what the sign at my local one said. I wasn't impressed when I saw 4 men walk up and take two fruits each.

MidniteScribbler · 25/09/2016 07:24

They aren't eating food that they have no intention of paying for, that would be an issue, they're eating it and then they pay for it at the end - I'm sure if the option to pay there and then existed they'd probably pay for that item at the end.

This is such a stupid response to the argument. Businesses choose for you to either pay before or after you consume. In some restaurants, that is after. In grocery stores, you pay first.

It's like saying that you can put in an offer to buy a house, then just move on in before you pay for it.

pinkDEpanter · 25/09/2016 07:29

I have no problem with people that do it.

Although I've never done it with my DC (now 10 & 9) I think if you teach children from a young age that it's allowed then they will demand a snack in there. My two are happy to choose a snack and wait, always have been. But what does it matter to anyone else if somebody who you will possibly never see again chooses to do that?! Food shops are frustrating enough without finding some crazy reason to get huffy.

People that eat with their mouths open...now there's the real issue! Grin

QuodPeriitPeriit · 25/09/2016 07:32

Wow, just wow

Y'know how you feel about people who eat in supermarkets? Well that's how I feel about people who use this phrase. We all have our irrational irritations I guess.

And you do appear to be conveniently overlooking the fact that I and my fellow supermarket-eaters have been called "common", "uncouth", "immoral", "thieves", and oh yes, my personal fave "everything that's wrong with Britain today". I'm irrationally proud that my supermarket habits on the other side of the world are considered to be influencing British society Grin

Sunshine51 · 25/09/2016 07:32

I don't think it's very nice to eat walking around the supermarket, but then I'm an old fashioned kind of gal. When ds was a bit younger ( under two ) and i knew he would get grumpy I made sure I had snacks and toys with me. I have always made him wait until we have paid for something before he can have it.

BombadierFritz · 25/09/2016 07:34

I would like to congratulate blueberry for raising the ever vexing 'grape' issue.

this thread is so nostalgic. seems like years since we've last had one.

MermaidTears · 25/09/2016 07:34

I do it all the time. Once my blood sugar dipped and I ate two snickers in tesco and a had a sip from my bottle coke.
All paid for after.

Do you insist on paying before your meal has arrived in restaurants?

malificent7 · 25/09/2016 07:34

Never seen this tbh. I shop Lidl. I wouldnt do it. Not very classy and what if you lost the packaging?
Also your not supposed to foid shop on an empty stomach. If dd kicks off in supernarket she gets short shrift from me.

StealthPolarBear · 25/09/2016 07:35

I agree op I'm not keen. And yes the tesco near us says one piece per child, so pps saying they have three each are taking the puss a bit imo.

And to those moaning about the checkout staff being handed greasy wrappers - I go through self service so the only one who touches the wrapperswhich aren't even that greasyis me.

That must cause problems for you and the staff though as when you put the item down after scanning it the weight is checked. So presumably you have a member of staff running over to confirm all these empty packets?