MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Gwyneth give the lady her reduced steak?

Kennuf

If the old lady seemed in genuine need and was suitably humble, then Gwyneth would be really mean not to give up the steak.

If however the old lady really did start complaining about her ownership of the meat then Gwyneth really would be able to refuse to hand it over with a completely clear conscience.

litrelord

If I was asked nicely enough and was buying the steak as an impulse buy then I'd give it to her. If I'd actualy gone in to buy some steak and seen some reduced then I may think differently.

Then again, if people were a bit more civil around the reduced section then it might stop the irritating people who march up and pick up everything they can hold only putting them down when they've thoroughly inspected them. I sometimes avoid the section because the pure selfishness of the attitude I see sometimes puts me off completely.

A while ago I had my eye on a trifle until someone grabbed it, turned it upside down to read the label and then threw it back again. Looked more like eton mess by the time they'd finished with it.

Nick

JayD

Well, I have a great deal of sympathy for old folks trying to manage on a meagre pension - but not for this particular old lady.

As so many have said before me, everyone knows (and especially someone with as many years shopping experience as this lady) that if you think you might want something but need to think about it for a litle while, you put it in your basket or trolley while you do so.

And who needs to ponder over buying a choice bit of steak reduced to 50p?

Now if this lady had said something along the lines of 'oh I saw that but just wasn't quick enough. I would so like to have got it for my husband (or whatever), would you be willing to let me have it please?' I would have said 'Of course', handed it over and walked away feeling a better citizen for doing so. But none of us like to feel scammed. And this lady is pulling a fast one by claiming she had it first and just put it down to think about it! Open and honest will always win in my books. If she hasn't already learned that at her age, then perhaps it is time she did.

So, if I really had wanted it, I would not let her have it on principle. I would say to her "I am sorry but you really should have put it in your basket if you wanted to think about buying it. Senior citizens are not the only ones struggling to make ends meet. I too would dearly love to afford to take a piece of steak home for my family just this once - and at 50p I don't need to think about it at all. I am sure you will find some other bargains in there." I would then put the steak in my trolley and walk off.

sillywilly

From experience SOME old people are some of the rudest people I have ever encountered. They expect you to let them have things, move out their way and very rarely do I get a thanks or aknowledgement.

Seems they have lost THEIR manners as they get older!!

It certainly doesn't belong to her, and if she wanted it she should have put it in her basket / trolley.

I would quite happily take the meat as I saw it.

istan99

the way i see it is that she said she had taken it, couldnt make up her mind so put it back. In my view she has had her chance.

her indecision shows she couldnt have wanted it that badly and she is now trying a guilt trip as she wants me to pay for her lack of decisiveness.

The reduced section is a first come, first served area. she should have taken it and wandered around with it in her basket while she made her mind up, and then returned it. Same goes for any other offer where there is only one item left.

I would appologise and advise her as above, but the steak would be in my basket and gone.

pollypenny

She's trying it on! As others have said, no one finds a great bargain in the reduced section then puts it back to ponder.

Hutchch0920

it's fair game, if it was hers she should have put it in her basket!

1old1

I'd have let her have it, I'm an old lady and haven't got the right teeth to chew through steak, even at 50p.

kadsup

No. Possession is 9/10ths of the law.

santiago_2

sorry old lady ,but if its not in your basket its not yours. same goes for any non reduced items too. times are hard for everyone!