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).

[PeggyMitchell123]

Do not usually take my child to the supermarket but would not think twice about giving him something if I felt the need to. I have worked in a supermarket for a few years and know staff really do not mind. It happens a lot and as long as people are honest and do still buy the item then it's fine.

[RainyDayBear]

YANBU - I don't like this. I used to work on the checkouts when I was in sixth form and I hated someone just shoving an empty packet of crisps at me to scan. Really annoying when it was fruit too, as they'd just say they'd had an apple - and because they were done on weight I'd have to send someone to find an apple just so I could ring it through. I did appreciate their honesty at least!

[ZippyNeedsFeeding]

i would love to be able to shop online, but that isn't an option for a lot of people. Not one supermarket delivers to my area. If one did then I'd probably never leave my house!

[roasted]

I recently saw a woman get into an argument with the checkout operator. She had filled a bag of nuts, eaten half of them whilst wandering around the supermarket and didn't see the issue. The checkout operator pointed out she couldn't weigh the nuts that had been eaten. The woman didn't get it.

To make matters worse, the remaining nuts were too expensive and the woman wanted to put some back. So she messed the store around, irritated the customers behind her in the queue and got away with eating free food.

The security guard will be watching her more closely next time.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

It also contributes to the feeling that "wants" need to be satisfied all the time and immediately. There is a two letter word that begins in N and ends in O.

[Birdsgottafly]

""So if you know your child is going to be foul when hungry, why not make sure they've eaten before you go into the supermarket?""

How do you do that, if you're going from a day out/park and finishing off by doing shopping? Also, how do you not eat in the street? Or do you also believe that we should all have cars?

People whose budgets are tight, fit as much in when they've got a day travel ticket.

Or in my case, I eat "in the street", because I'd be a Carer for various people in my family and would often be out from early, until late, but would only be going to someone's to take them out (in their wheelchair), some of us live quite involved lives.

[qwom]

Yanbu, I don't like it either. I see it as a lack of self control. That's my pov though...

[GreatPointIAgreeWithYouTotally]

My dcs knew there was zero chance of getting any food to eat during a food shop, or a 'treat' after. If they know this, they do not fuss, moan or pester on the way round.

I wouldn't have taken them shopping when they were hungry though, just as I wouldn't shop when hungry (first rule of money saving).

However, I have never seen anyone eating in the supermarket and didn't know it was a 'thing'.


Similarly, we never ever feed or talk to our dog when we're eating, he therefore has learnt not to beg, drool or sit staring at us through mealtimes.

[DawnMumsnet]

Hey all,

We've had a fair few reports about this thread this morning.

We've gone in and deleted a number of posts which we considered to be personal attacks and therefore in breach of our Talk Guidelines - here's a link should anyone need a reminder.

It's perfectly fine to challenge someone's opinion, but please try to do so without resorting to PAs or we'll have to zap your posts.

Many thanks.

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

I think it's a horrible thing to do. What if everybody did it...? don't think people are actually supposed to think this is normal supermarket behaviour. Haven't read the whole thread but from what I have read, it seems some posters have reacted defensively. Perhaps they know it's not really the done thing. Bleurgh

[hazeyjane]

but I used to distract mine by talking to him

Fuck me that is genius! I had never thought of actually talking to them while we went round the supermarket. If ever I have a 4th child I will give that a go. Unfortunately the 3 I have, have turned into the predicted Jabba The Huts, constantly hoovering up porkpies and frubes into their food holes, so it is too late for them.

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

I don't think...

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

I have rarely seen this behaviour, though. Thankfully.

[BibbidiBobbidi]

When I was a child my mum gave me a packet of biscuits to eat and a small can of coke to have whilst in a supermarket.

An older lady who had the same mentality as you OP slated my mum in the middle of the shop.

She didn't have much to say when my mum calmly explained that I am a Type 1 diabetic and would have passed out without it as I'd not long finished PE at school and had already used my supplies.


Mind your own business. It's none of yours why other people do the things they do.

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

Thumbcat

Agree OP. It's slobbish behaviour. And it's no wonder there are so many fat kids these days if they need snacks just to get round the supermarket. Shopping with small, fractious children is a pain in the arse but I used to distract mine by talking to him and getting round as quickly as I could.

^
This

[GabsAlot]

noonee elses shop had a sign up saying purchase food before consuming then?

[YouTheCat]

When my kids were small, I always had snacks with me. It would never have occurred to me to take food to eat before it was paid for. though ds did once hide an entire packet of jelly cubes in his mouth, still in the wrapper

[PoppyBirdOnAWire]

Taking snacks for your children to eat - if they really really cannot wait - should be what you do. If you have to. Do not run out of snacks for them.

[Sunnysky2016]

Easily rectified- shop online.....

[Mozfan1]

I remember my grandad putting the grapes in the trolley for me to grab a couple out. (For clarification it was one of those ziplock bag with a pre determined price). We used to have a laugh putting them in our cheeks so we looked like hamsters. It was nothing sinister, I wasn't greedy or obese, nor am I a greedy or obese adult. It was just something he did when he took me shopping with him back in the 90s on the odd day he was baby sitter. No one died!!!! (Although I realise from this thread I am sub human scum )

[bimbobaggins]

Do people actually notice or care about other people doing this? It's getting paid for, mind your own business.

[StealthPolarBear]

Lol Hazey. Better luck next time :)