In a supermarktf you pick up an item and eat it before checkout is it stealing?
By rominchal
@rominchal (39)
November 21, 2007 7:19pm CST
I saw a Mother open two chocolate bars and hand them to her two children to eat before and I mean an hour or so before checkout because the kids would 'play her up'. Now I admit that she put the wrappers through checkout but lets imagine for a moment that she was not paying by cash (as was the case here) and chose to pay by credit/debit card. Now let me add to the scenario, the bank refuse her card due to error/lack of funds/any other reason. Is the mother a thief? If not why? And is the example she is giving her children a good one?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@teardrops (74)
• China
22 Nov 07
the mother did a wrong thing ,she gave a bad example to her children,if you want something ,you must pay for it ,without paying it is stealing.
1 person likes this
@hhhxxccc (222)
• United States
22 Nov 07
I don't know if i would go as far to say "thief", because i really don't think it's that big of an issue. If a 99 cent Chocolate Bar keeps the kids entertained, while their moms spend hundreds of dollars at the store (i think it balances out in a way).
I've actually done it many times before with my kids, i make sure i pay for the item though at checkout with the wrapper or whatever.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
22 Nov 07
In my opinion the woman should have fed her kids before taking them to the store then they wouldn't be hungry. The kids don't necessarly see that she is paying for the candy bars. so they get the idea that they can eat what ever they want. some years ago you would not have seen this type of thing. i'm not sure that I would call it thieft but I don't think it's the right thing to do.
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
22 Nov 07
No I would not say she is stealing. If she hid the wraping paper or disposed of it then yes but she kept it. I do that as well I open it and keep it till we get out or get it go pay for it and give it to my son. And yes I will be spending my money there and if he is not happy I will live without half the things I need.
You say what if what if but most of us actually know when we dont have enough money in the card. And I am sure that the store would not lock her up for 2 chocolate bars that she was happy to pay for. And in fact I dont think she is teaching her kids bad example as she took the wrapers with her and payed for them.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
22 Nov 07
I do not consider it stealing. I do it sometimes when I am at the store, but I only do it if I have cash in my pocket. The grocery store I go to give kids a free cookie in the bakery. Another store I got to gives the kids free fruit. My son always gets an apple and my daughter a banana and they eat them while we are shopping.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
22 Nov 07
As long as she keeps the wrapper or package so it can be scanned I don't see a problem with it. But when they do it with produce - couple grapes for the kids - that is wrong. I always brought something in my purse for the kids - little baggie full of stuff. Worked like a charm and they seldom asked for anything else.
