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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the free fruit offer in tesco shouldn't be abused

215 replies

Frazzled50yrold · 27/07/2017 00:11

Was shopping in tesco about half hour before closing last Sunday. I noticed a 30 something yr old female filling a plastic bag with the oranges/apples/bananas which are provided free for children. Initially I wondered how she would pay for them as they were all mixed together then realised she wasn't going to as she went up to her husband at the self service till and walked out with him. I'd estimate she had at least 20 pieces of fruit, it made me so cross

OP posts:
hesterton · 27/07/2017 01:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hudson10 · 27/07/2017 01:34

Tesco have made enough from all of us over the years.

What about the kids who come in after yours have grabbed their handfuls and there's none left?
Is that OK because you've stuck one to The Man and Tescos have got it coming, screw the ones who don't get any free fruit?
Whatever happened to just general being nice and everyone having free fruit/taking a piece without some blatant piss takers thinking they're owed something?

fullofhope03 · 27/07/2017 01:37

To be fair, nobody knows whether she is - A- Skint with, B - Children.
In which case, fair enough. We just don't know so maybe shouldn't judge. Just Sayin' .

hesterton · 27/07/2017 01:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnneGrommit · 27/07/2017 01:42

There could be any number of reasons why she took it but presumably she felt the need, it was there and no one got hurt. A little anarchist group round here gives food to folk and a lot of it finds its way there through less than conventional means (not shoplifting! - other ways).

Meh. Food going to people who need it is a good thing.

AnneGrommit · 27/07/2017 01:44

Hudson - if it's free your kids haven't lost anything. And I don't think it runs out as such - they just keep topping it up. But you haven't bought it anyway. It's not yours.

Hudson10 · 27/07/2017 01:46

Hudson - if it's free your kids haven't lost anything. And I don't think it runs out as such - they just keep topping it up. But you haven't bought it anyway. It's not yours.

That's not the point though, is it? It's not there as a "who is more worthy of the free fruit." It's a "free fruit for everyone."
Not exactly fair if some go filling their bags or taking handfuls, it won't be a limitless, bottomless supply.

AnneGrommit · 27/07/2017 01:51

Yup you said it. Free fruit for everyone.

It's a peculiarly nasty mindset that looks at someone getting something - anything - and thinks that this somehow personally disadvantages them, the onlooker.

If you're that bothered, get a bag full of free apples yourself. And marvel at your riches.

BiscayTrafalgarFitzroy · 27/07/2017 01:52

Do you have any idea how much Tesco makes!? We are talking billions per year. Let them eat fruit ffs

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 27/07/2017 02:01

I'm holding off until the offer more expensive fruit like cherries. Does this mean I'm allowed my youngester is allowed to eat from bag of loose grapes whilst we browse shops, haven't don't it for years I'm scared a mumsnetter might spot me

Hudson10 · 27/07/2017 02:04

Yup you said it. Free fruit for everyone.

Yes, so how does that equate in your mind to "I'll take handfuls of apples ?"
The only nasty mindset is the one that's grabby and takes the lot and screw everyone else.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 02:08

Its a loss leader. I shop in Aldi but my kids want me to shop in Tesco because the odd time we go they get free stuff to chomp on. I very much doubt that the bag filler will make much of a difference. I have noticed that the fruit offered is very ripe so it probably would have been binned, so her taking it is preferable to it being wasted imo.

I cant be sure of course, but I think its fairly obvious that the free fruit coincided with the "less waste" campaign. As long as it is eaten, what does it matter?

Argeles · 27/07/2017 02:14

I've recommended that several people on here who are having financial difficulties should be taking advantage of the free fruit in Tesco. Admittedly, I never suggested doing so in such an audacious way, but I did suggest they should visit every day, or make several visits per day in order to get some good, healthy fruit for their children.

You do not know what situation the lady you saw is in. She may have one child or several children. She may have lost her job, or has had a large unexpected payment to make that has made her skint. Maybe she doesn't even have children, but she is starving. I admit that I'd probably look a bit surprised to see so much fruit being taken at once, but I'd quickly get over it and would be hoping that her food situation isn't too bad.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 02:16

"I dont need it and I can pay for it, but how DARE someone else get it for free??!"

Maybe be grateful that your kids dont need you to clear out the free fruit stand and look the other way instead of hoiking your knickers so high you get a Judgemental Wedgie?

AnneGrommit · 27/07/2017 02:17

I still like to think that she's taking it for an anarchist distributive collective. Wink

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/07/2017 02:56

2 or 3 pieces of fruit during the length of a shopping trip? Before the free fruit DD would have a whole cucumber and a punnet of berries and still be asking. Some children are odd. She turned down a meringue yesterday. Bloody weirdo.

I always assume people who take more need it. Even it it's not true, it makes me happy.

I once had a Christmas hamper delivered from a food bank volunteer program for the girl downstairs. She wasn't there so we took it in for her. The delivery person looked in our place and did a Hmm face. We explained but he was NOT HAPPY. The girl downstairs was a very poor single mum. I'm sure the volunteer thought we were arseholes.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 03:28

2 or 3 pieces of fruit during the length of a shopping trip?

Before the free fruit DD would have a whole cucumber and a punnet of berries and still be asking

Ever heard of the word "No"?

Sorry, dont want to be an arse but although my lot would cheerfully eat themselves sick during a shopping trip, they dont get the chance! "I want...Can I have......" No!

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/07/2017 03:58

It's fruit and veg. She's healthy and a normal weight. I can afford it.
Why on earth would I restrict her?

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 04:07

Why on earth would I restrict her?

Because learning that eating for the sake of it or because one is bored is not a good thing? That sometimes "No" needs to be accepted?

And fruit in unlimited amounts isnt actually very healthy. It isnt as bad as junk but it is still very high in sugar and should be monitored.

I find it very hard to believe that a small child cannot get around a supermarket without needing a whole cucumber, a punnet of berries and more.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 04:10

Because learning is a good thing, because doing it is not a good thing.....got a bit mixed up there.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/07/2017 04:12

Cucumbers? Aaaaarrrrghhhhhh devil food. Or something.

She learns about 'no' from the other shit she wants at the shops. Toys, sweets, gazebo, furniture. All 'no'.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 04:16

If you cant get through a supermarket shop without shutting your child up with food then at least admit it! I can sympathise with that. But dont try to say that your child needs that food when its clear that they dont.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/07/2017 04:22

shutting your child up with food ODFOD.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 27/07/2017 04:24

Wow - I'm really quite shocked.
We have it in one of the superstores over here as well, but the boys are only allowed one piece each, surely that's the general idea?

As for the woman taking stuff out of the food bank donation area, words fail me.

I suppose the kinder posters are right that they might not be able to afford to buy but I somehow doubt it. :(

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 04:24

Well given that you say they are a healthy weight and are not restrictedl, I cant think of another reason why you would allow them to eat so much in the space of half an hour or so.