Why do adults have to eat around supermarkets?

pickledonionspaceraider

The potential for hand to mouth contamination has happened even before we even look at food in supermarkets. How do we know the check out assistant has washed her hands after her lunch break? the shelf stakers? when they loaded/unloaded the lorry? How do we know fellow shoppers have washed their hands before entering the supermarket and per chance picked up goods and returned them to the shelves?

I honestly dont understand why someone would be so 'astounded' by seeing a fellow shopper eating in a supermarket, that they took the time to write on a forum. If he was shopping naked, I could understand... It is only theft if a person then doesn't pay for anything consumed, i.e pick and mix or weighed goods.

I am sorry if my opinion offends anyone but a lot of people lead very pressured lives these days, with work, family life and other commitments, that squeezing shopping in is something you sometimes have to do on an empty stomach after a long day in the office with no lunch break. Maybe this guy leads a life like this and others could stop being so judgemental about something so miniscule and get on with their own shopping..

beth464

I used to work on the checkouts in a supermarket. To all the people saying that the staff don't mind - they probably do. Most of them wouldn't say anything to you but chances are they're thinking it. I used to hate getting someone's grubby opened sandwich packet to scan through!
When you can be there for 4 hours at a time without a break, you really don't want sticky crap all over your hands.

Ricekirsty

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

"Diet coke", what enlightened Chavs (I think that's the word) you have in your area.

Diet drinks are much worse compared to those with Sugar. Aspartame is not nice stuff. It was banned for years.

Ricekirsty

I don't leave a sticky mess. I either give them just the barcode if it comes of or wrap it carefully. I have also offered the staff food before. I often get the same girl and I know she does not mind as I asked her. She talks fairly openly to me. If I had something stick I would give them a baby wipe as I always carry some and some alcohol wash thing to clean my hands.

"Naked shopping" now there is an idea:-)

Ricekirsty

I once in my local supermarket saw something brilliant. I was at the q in one checkout and an old guy went to another checkout. The assistant let the old guy put all his stuff on the belt then just got up and said I am closed and walked off. She was very rude and well out of order. I would describe her as both not well breed or educated to quote from above. He was very smart and clean, but his clothes were old and a bit taty. He basically looked like a nice old man who did not have a lot of money but tried to be presentable. Anyway he put the stuff back in his trolley and just walked off with it towards the door. He then got to the door and came back, to get some bags. He was only buying the esentials so I though good luck to him. None of the staff even noticed. Even the security guard did not seem to notice.

BigMummaF

cybergibbons wrote: »

They aren't. Prices today are lower than they ever have been, selection is far wider than before.
Where do you shop? I'm always on the look-out for a bargain & if your local is reducing their prices..OI! YOO GIZE! Spread the word that CG has found the mythical, ethical supermarket!

You have no way of telling if any customer is paying for anything.
True & that is why EVERY customer is treated as a potential shop lifter; it's more of a likely hood if you are actually consuming the stuff on the way round--"suspicious activity" I think is the phrase I'm looking for. Rather like me peering thru car windows to look at the interiors for no other reason than I like cars...don't need a six foot billboard to say that looks iffy do you?

Any evidence for that, other than pulling it out of thin air? Do you assume that about every customer?
Yes! I worked in a store recording spoilage :mad:

Just putting the word "fact" in a sentence doesn't make it so. I didn't say it did

The reason for the huge amounts of spoilage in supermarkets is not down to people picking up food and leaving it. It's because every single consumer expects every product, whether that be a bag of rice or fresh precut pineapple and mango mix, to be ready, waiting on the shelf for them to buy. And they get half way round the shop, change their minds & leave said product where ever they damned well please, usually well hidden from view! Deli counter bacon rashers with hint of toilet cleaner anyone? Only 24hrs out of a chiller...

The supermarkets spend a huge amount of time and money trying to predict the whim of the consumer. The penalty for understocking - turning customers away - is high. Not only do you lose the profit you could have made, you lose your customers to other supermarkets. The penalty for overstocking - throwing away food - is much lower, you simply lose the food at cost. But it is still a cost that has to be covered by SOMEONE, & that someone is you & I.

Frozen goods are right down at the bottom of the pile when it comes spoilage. You get weeks to guess when they aren't selling and reduce accordingly. The fresh precut pineapple and mango, you have 24 hours to do this.

Over-stocking is NOT the same as theft. Leaving frozen yorkshire puddings in the cereal aisle is irresponsible; not ensuring the freezer door is closed is irresponsible; putting a fresh salmon fillet in the freezer is irresponsible; EATING ON THE WAY ROUND THE STORE IS IRRESPONSIBLE!

pickledonionspaceraider wrote: »

....I honestly dont understand why someone would be so 'astounded' by seeing a fellow shopper eating in a supermarket, that they took the time to write on a forum. Because it encourages healthy debate? Not so much the subject matter, but a chance to share opinion perchance? ....a lot of people lead very pressured lives these days, with work, family life and other commitments, that squeezing shopping in is something you sometimes have to do on an empty stomach after a long day in the office with no lunch break. Maybe this guy leads a life like this and others could stop being so judgemental about something so miniscule and get on with their own shopping..

It is not my fault if Time Management is not this person's strong point. I have my own trials & tribulations but I sincerely hope I am considerate of others & maintain some sort of polite society etiquette whilst going about my business. I believe in Live & Let Live but not when their actions directly affect my life, this case scenario being possible increased prices for my goods.

Vending machines do not necessarily equate to eating the item on the spot & if hot drinks are on offer, there's usually a rest area to sit & consume. They sell condoms in public loos, but I've yet to witness them in full flight so to speak!

There ARE signs asking you to pay for goods before consumption but like many, many other instances some people refuse to acknowledge The Rules. When we first adopted Iggie, I joked I would take her shopping as the sign on the door say No Dogs..& she isn't ..So what would you think of me then? Some things are just not cricket & as others have said, what is one measely grape today could be ultimate anarchy tomorrow if we don't stand up for common decency now.

Mrs_justjohn

loracan1 wrote: »

To be fair I'm biased, I work parttime on a checkout - it's when I get handed greasy bags of chicken bones to dispose of in my bin that I want to inflict harm.

This is what I mean...where is the line drawn? SOme people on this thread stated they would eat a sandwich but to eat a roast chicken whilst shopping was 'ridiculous' yet you have confirmed that other people find this acceptable...A slippery slope like I said



Mind, even that's not so skanky as holding your £20 note in your mouth before you hand it over. One day I've promised myself I'm going to lick their receipt and change before I hand it to them.

PMSL - WOuld love to see the look on their faces:rotfl:

Mrs_justjohn

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

I am so sorry if you did not understand my post, I wrote BREEDING,
not education, one you can buy, and one you can't.

Unfortunately you are right - you can not buy breeding or common sense....having said that if you could I would think it would sit on the shelves at Asda's unsold - yet the sandwich aisle would be in a frenzy:rotfl:

Mrs_justjohn

BigMummaF wrote: »

Over-stocking is NOT the same as theft. Leaving frozen yorkshire puddings in the cereal aisle is irresponsible; not ensuring the freezer door is closed is irresponsible; putting a fresh salmon fillet in the freezer is irresponsible; EATING ON THE WAY ROUND THE STORE IS IRRESPONSIBLE!

It is not my fault if Time Management is not this person's strong point. I have my own trials & tribulations but I sincerely hope I am considerate of others & maintain some sort of polite society etiquette whilst going about my business. I believe in Live & Let Live but not when their actions directly affect my life, this case scenario being possible increased prices for my goods.

Vending machines do not necessarily equate to eating the item on the spot & if hot drinks are on offer, there's usually a rest area to sit & consume. They sell condoms in public loos, but I've yet to witness them in full flight so to speak!

There ARE signs asking you to pay for goods before consumption but like many, many other instances some people refuse to acknowledge The Rules. When we first adopted Iggie, I joked I would take her shopping as the sign on the door say No Dogs..& she isn't ..So what would you think of me then? Some things are just not cricket & as others have said, what is one measely grape today could be ultimate anarchy tomorrow if we don't stand up for common decency now.

Completely agree !!:T

Lirin

My personal thoughts are that you haven't paid for it yet, and don't own it. Therefore, it's theft. Not only that, but it's bad manners, regardless of whether you pay later for it or not.

Medical grounds do differ though- there are exclusions.