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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I just eat the Chinese?

147 replies

TrixieThunder · 18/07/2021 21:13

I just had a knock on the door and when I opened it a woman was standing there with a bag. She handed it over to me, said thank you and disappeared down my drive. All I said in reply was ‘thank you’ too and closed the door. It didn’t really register until she left and when I realised it was as food my first thought was that DP had ordered me something (he has been out all day and has eaten with DS and knows I’m a bit hungry). I asked - he didn’t.

I opened then bag - Chinese food. Well, prawn crackers on the top at least. I haven’t delved into the rest. I don’t know what to do with it! No idea where it came from (definitely not deliveroo for example), or how it’s ended up here. Not a tourist area. Not close to the park. Admittedly we don’t have a house number as it blew off in the most most recent heavy winds and it’s not replaced yet. But each of my neighbours do!

So - what do I do? I’m not going neighbour trotting to find out the recipient so do I eat it or leave it on the kitchen service?

OP posts:
Original poster
TrixieThunder · 18/07/2021 21:45

@GreyhoundG1rl no receipt, no menu - nothing. To be honest, if I order straight from restaurants around here they usually do. If I order via deliveroo they always do.

I have moved it away into the kitchen so I can’t smell it anymore but I’m thinking it’s fair game now. As some of you say above, it doesn’t seem reasonable to collect the food and redeliver (especially nowadays) so I guess it’s for waste or for me to eat - and considering I’m hungry…

Though I am thinking of the lights off/ locked door approach just in case Wink

OP posts:
Lipz · 18/07/2021 21:47

It'll taste so much better when it's free 😂

blinkthreetimes · 18/07/2021 21:47

Though I am thinking of the lights off/ locked door approach just in case wink

I’m 100% supporting this option.

alexdgr8 · 18/07/2021 21:49

they cannot re-deliver that package to its rightful owner, as they could not ensure continuity of food safety.
you would have become another link in the food production, over which they have no control, but would legally be responsible for.
so you might as well eat it.
maybe next time when someone delivers something, you could ask, what is it, where from, and ask to see the address they have.
sometimes it is a different road or an obvious error.
someone once tried to give me an expensive man's suit, which i dont wear. i asked for the address they had which was mine. they wanted to leave it with me and go. i asked if they had a phone number for the customer, got them to ring it. was one digit different house number, down the road. man there very relieved, waiting to go out.

also OP, your title i think would be better if it said, should i eat the chinese food or delivery at least. otherwise sounds like eating people.

AlwaysB · 18/07/2021 21:49

@blinkthreetimes

I would eat it all and then turn off all my lights and lock the door and never answer it again.
😆😆😆
Poppins17 · 18/07/2021 21:49

Just eat it!

AlwaysB · 18/07/2021 21:50

@Thewiseoneincognito

I’d be worried about it being poisoned. No chance I could eat food of unknown origin.
I'm funny like that too! I'd be worried about the scores on the doors ratings ...
chorizoTapas · 18/07/2021 21:52

I feel sorry for the poor starving people desperately waiting for their Chinese

EnjoyingTheSunshine · 18/07/2021 21:54

Maybe you mentioned to someone else recently how much you love chinese food? Maybe to a colleague or to extended family and they wanted to show you their appreciation?

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/07/2021 21:55

no receipt, no menu - nothing. To be honest, if I order straight from restaurants around here they usually do. If I order via deliveroo they always do.
They just always do, op. Everywhere. No way I'd be eating a bag of food of unknown origin 😬

toolazytothinkofausername · 18/07/2021 21:55

Take photos of the loot, then eat it with joy Grin

Original poster
TrixieThunder · 18/07/2021 22:01

I’ve had a proper look round the bag now. Probably very outing (sorry original ordered!) but: two portions sweet sour chicken, chicken balls, chips and prawn crackers.

I wouldn’t normally go for S+S chicken but it is looking very tasty so I’m claiming it. It’s been about 30 mins since it turned up so it’s mine now.

Nope- not in the slightest bit concerned about poisoning or eating unknown food. But if I’m dead you’ll all be the last to know.

OP posts:
Whydidimarryhim · 18/07/2021 22:02

It could have been made my a local person - someone who cooks it in there home and delivers locally.
No help I know. 😂

Wizzbangfizz · 18/07/2021 22:02

Enjoy OP I'm jealous!

GreenCrayon · 18/07/2021 22:03

It’s been about 30 mins since it turned up so it’s mine now

You're a better woman then me there's no way I would have lasted 30 minutes. Grin

cookiesandcreamm · 18/07/2021 22:04

Enjoy!!

Globaluser · 18/07/2021 22:08

Please report back after you’ve eaten the food 😬

MimiDaisy11 · 18/07/2021 22:09

Hope it’s nice! It’s a shame to go to waste so might as well eat it. I wouldn’t want my food redelivered.

Penistoe · 18/07/2021 22:10

These threads are always people who want steal but need someone to tell them to. If you wanted to find out who it is then easy.

It always seems to start with they handed it to me and ran away. Alright then.

Just eat the food. But it’s dishonest and you know it, but if you can live with it it’s just food.

Micemakingclothes · 18/07/2021 22:10

Had this happen with a contactless store pickup order not too long ago. Placed the bags in my car and got home to discover the wrong groceries. Called the store and they couldn’t take them back and said I should just keep them and still come back and pick up my correct order.

Original poster
TrixieThunder · 18/07/2021 22:10

also OP, your title i think would be better if it said, should i eat the chinese food or delivery at least. otherwise sounds like eating people.

Colloquially we just refer to ‘A Chinese’, ‘A Indian’, ‘A Italian!, etc. I won’t let the thought sour these amazing chicken balls though!

OP posts:
quiteathome · 18/07/2021 22:11

Look on Facebook. There is probably someone moaning about their missing food.

You can tell them it was delicious, but next time could they order rice instead of chips.

Original poster
TrixieThunder · 18/07/2021 22:14

@Penistoe

These threads are always people who want steal but need someone to tell them to. If you wanted to find out who it is then easy.

It always seems to start with they handed it to me and ran away. Alright then.

Just eat the food. But it’s dishonest and you know it, but if you can live with it it’s just food.

Well it did happen and no easy means to trace - no delivery note or restaurant details so not really sure how you ‘easily’ find out. I’m not sure about everyone else but the majority of drivers don’t seem to stop for a chat anymore - it’s a quick handover and go. So what’s the alternative - just throw out decent food? That seems bizarrely wasteful.
OP posts:
Original poster
TrixieThunder · 18/07/2021 22:17

@Globaluser

Please report back after you’ve eaten the food 😬
I have just had a helping. It is the most delicious sweet and sour chicken I’ve ever had. The chips are those amazing fat ones that you can only ever get from Chinese restaurants. It is true - free food is the best!
OP posts:
StrangeLookingParasite · 18/07/2021 22:19

@Penistoe

These threads are always people who want steal but need someone to tell them to. If you wanted to find out who it is then easy.

It always seems to start with they handed it to me and ran away. Alright then.

Just eat the food. But it’s dishonest and you know it, but if you can live with it it’s just food.

What would you suggest she should have done? Not many clues for this one.