Pregnant mom arrested for forgetting to pay for sandwich

[Bottle]

It's true that a store has the right to enforce such a policy. However, where I live, it's just bad business to do that. The stores I shop at are always handing out free samples, and encouraging people to try things before they buy whenever it is possible to do so (obviously they don't want you opening packages of everything, but you can always get a free sample from the deli counter, and Trader Joe's invites people to try a grape!). The store my parents shop at in their town just writes the price on the bag of stuff you get from the bakery counter or deli, so that you can eat whatever you want while you shop and it won't make a difference at the register.

I'm fine with a store choosing to adhere to the letter of the law if that's what they want to do. I'm happy to take my money to one of the better stores.

There's nothing illegal about eating free samples. The store is giving you the sample.

Taking food off the shelves and eating it without paying, however, is theft.

Who's talking about eating it without paying? Even in this story, the "offender" freely admits she should have paid and says it was just forgetfulness. She's not claiming she shouldn't have to pay for it, she meant to and forgot. So you say, "Be more careful," you accept her money, and call it a freaking day.

[Bottle]

I agree, the store should suffer the consequences of this petty, pointless action. And they will, judging from the comments I've seen on this story. Hope that $5 was worth all the lost customers!

Sometimes I really like capitalism.

When I worked at a grocery store, one of my coworkers was fired for making himself a pizza and eating it before paying for it. It was probably less than $5 and the only reason they didn't charge him is because he was under 18.

My sister was fired because in her bakery, it was normal for people to leave samples in the fridge and the employees would munch on them. She ate one while on duty and was canned. Again, the only reason they didn't press charges is because she was a minor.

Sounds very unpleasant. I'm sorry that you have to put up with businesses like that. Wish I knew how to get you better options.

[Dakini]

I hate when people eat things before they buy them in grocery stores. Especially when they have children with them... it just tells the children that doing illegal things is fine.


...yes, eating something before you pay for it is theft generally.

O.o This seriously must be a cultural thing. Where I grew up, people would absolutely boggle at your assertion that it is "theft" to eat something while still in the store. Because OF COURSE you're going to pay. That's what the child learns; it's perfectly fine to eat a biscuit while Daddy finishes up at the meat counter, because you'll save the bag and pay for it when you get rung up.

I'm actually a bit insulted by the suggestion that I'm prone to doing illegal things because my parents let me snack during grocery shopping. I've never stolen a damn thing from a grocery store in my life, and I'm one of the only people I know who considers it basic good manners to tip clerks who help me carry my groceries to the car.

You're more prone to do the illegal thing of eating an item you haven't yet purchased.

If you're hungry while you're shopping, buy your food, eat it and then resume your shopping. Usually you can get them to tape your receipt to the bag to show that you purchased the things you're eating while you peruse the store.

Also, I'm not sure how much of a cultural thing this is. My parents are from the US and they never let us snack in the grocery store. Even when we saw other people doing it.

[Bottle]

Also, lots of people are assholes who just abandon half-eaten "snacks" in grocery store aisles.

That's an entirely different problem, because those assholes are just as likely to be spitting out the gum that they were chewing when they walked in, or spilling the soda they were already drinking when they came in, or whatever else.

The one time I spilled something in a grocery store, I actually was almost of the verge of tears as I apologized to the nearest clerk, because I'm that big a dork and I was freaking out about having made a mess in their store. So clearly it is possible to bring up a respectful (almost compulsively so!) child even if you let them snack while you shop.

[Dyakovo]

When I worked at a grocery store, one of my coworkers was fired for making himself a pizza and eating it before paying for it. It was probably less than $5 and the only reason they didn't charge him is because he was under 18.

My sister was fired because in her bakery, it was normal for people to leave samples in the fridge and the employees would munch on them. She ate one while on duty and was canned. Again, the only reason they didn't press charges is because she was a minor.

Sounds very unpleasant. I'm sorry that you have to put up with businesses like that. Wish I knew how to get you better options.

Yeah... What the hell were those stores thinking... Firing employees for theft? Ridiculous...

[Dakini]

When I worked at a grocery store, one of my coworkers was fired for making himself a pizza and eating it before paying for it. It was probably less than $5 and the only reason they didn't charge him is because he was under 18.

My sister was fired because in her bakery, it was normal for people to leave samples in the fridge and the employees would munch on them. She ate one while on duty and was canned. Again, the only reason they didn't press charges is because she was a minor.

Sounds very unpleasant. I'm sorry that you have to put up with businesses like that. Wish I knew how to get you better options.

Well, the thing with my sister was stupid (because the entire department was doing it and only she was canned). The thing with my former coworker was in the right... we were warned about this sort of thing.

Also, I really don't mind that it's considered shoplifting to consume a product you haven't yet purchased. Considering how many times I've walked through the aisles and found an opened box of cookies stashed somewhere... these people are why my groceries can't be a tiny bit cheaper.

[Malgrave]

Also, lots of people are assholes who just abandon half-eaten "snacks" in grocery store aisles.

That's an entirely different problem, because those assholes are just as likely to be spitting out the gum that they were chewing when they walked in, or spilling the soda they were already drinking when they came in, or whatever else.

The one time I spilled something in a grocery store, I actually was almost of the verge of tears as I apologized to the nearest clerk, because I'm that big a dork and I was freaking out about having made a mess in their store. So clearly it is possible to bring up a respectful (almost compulsively so!) child even if you let them snack while you shop.

You can't beat me. I destroyed an entire aisle of goods

[Dakini]

Also, lots of people are assholes who just abandon half-eaten "snacks" in grocery store aisles.

That's an entirely different problem, because those assholes are just as likely to be spitting out the gum that they were chewing when they walked in, or spilling the soda they were already drinking when they came in, or whatever else.

The one time I spilled something in a grocery store, I actually was almost of the verge of tears as I apologized to the nearest clerk, because I'm that big a dork and I was freaking out about having made a mess in their store. So clearly it is possible to bring up a respectful (almost compulsively so!) child even if you let them snack while you shop.

I think you missed the point. The point isn't the mess. Messes happen.

The point is that someone opened the snack item, ate half of it and instead of paying for it, left it abandoned on a shelf. The store can no longer sell that snack and they lose the same money as if someone stole it.

[Nadkor]

Yeah...people taking up a store's offer of free samples and encouragement of people to try things =/= people taking the store's property without their permission and eating it.

One is the store allowing people to try before they buy, the other is theft.

And, again, there are plenty of stores that don't consider it "taking their property without their permission." It was the norm where I grew up (Minneapolis, MN). Stores ASSUMED people would snack while shopping, and pay before leaving.

And? As I indicated, and you clearly didn't notice, if the store is fine with people doing that then grand. If not, it's theft. Pure and simple.

Your argument seems to be "it's fine, everybody does it", which, to be honest, is pretty weak.

Like I've said, if a store doesn't want to have such a policy, that's fine with me. I typically don't snack while shopping, haven't since I was a little kid, so really it wouldn't directly impact me in any case. But I wouldn't choose to shop at a store that opted for the pathetic tactics of the one in this story. Post a sign asking people to not nosh, politely remind anybody who does it and make sure they pay, and only with repeat offenders do you need to get harsh. I'd be fine with that sort of thing. Charging people for shoplifting when they simply forgot to pay, and were more than willing to do so? I'll shop elsewhere, thanks.

Sure the store is acting like a dick here, but it's perfectly within its rights to act the way it is. Don't want to get in trouble for eating the store's property? Don't eat the store's property; that way you don't face any risk of "forgetting to pay", or whatever. It's really quire straightforward.

[Lackadaisical2]

I'm not even sure munching on a pie during a weekly shop at the supermarket is any worse than downloading an album or more.. frankly given profits at the large stores, I almost felt it my public duty to eat a pie, I should've started a cause..

DOWN WITH THE MAN, EAT A PIE!

Store bought pies are an abomination anyway.

[Nadkor]

I'm not even sure munching on a pie during a weekly shop at the supermarket is any worse than downloading an album or more.. frankly given profits at the large stores, I almost felt it my public duty to eat a pie, I should've started a cause..

DOWN WITH THE MAN, EAT A PIE!

Store bought pies are an abomination anyway.

You've clearly never been to Marks & Spencer.

[Dakini]

There's nothing illegal about eating free samples. The store is giving you the sample.

Taking food off the shelves and eating it without paying, however, is theft.

Who's talking about eating it without paying? Even in this story, the "offender" freely admits she should have paid and says it was just forgetfulness. She's not claiming she shouldn't have to pay for it, she meant to and forgot. So you say, "Be more careful," you accept her money, and call it a freaking day.

Grocery stores run on very small profit margins. If they let everyone walk out with food they hadn't purchased and, on the off-chance they're caught, charge them normal price, they'd go broke. You're proposing removing the penalty for shoplifting basically.

I mean, what's the difference between someone who eats their unpurchased sandwich in the store, then walks out without paying for it and someone who pockets the same sandwich? Maybe I put the sandwich in my pocket because I didn't want it to get crushed in my cart and I meant to bring it out at the cash register, then I forgot. Maybe I meant to walk out with it. How are they going to know the difference?

Maybe she forgot to pay. Maybe she intentionally didn't pay. How is the store expected to tell the difference?

[Dakini]

Sure the store is acting like a dick here, but it's perfectly within its rights to act the way it is. Don't want to get in trouble for eating the store's property? Don't eat the store's property; that way you don't face any risk of "forgetting to pay", or whatever. It's really quire straightforward.

It's also not like she'd have to leave after visiting the cash register... she could have picked up the sandwich, paid for it and then eaten it while she shopped.

[Lackadaisical2]

Store bought pies are an abomination anyway.

You've clearly never been to Marks & Spencer.

Nope, seeing as they're in another hemisphere.

[Bottle]

O.o This seriously must be a cultural thing. Where I grew up, people would absolutely boggle at your assertion that it is "theft" to eat something while still in the store. Because OF COURSE you're going to pay. That's what the child learns; it's perfectly fine to eat a biscuit while Daddy finishes up at the meat counter, because you'll save the bag and pay for it when you get rung up.

I'm actually a bit insulted by the suggestion that I'm prone to doing illegal things because my parents let me snack during grocery shopping. I've never stolen a damn thing from a grocery store in my life, and I'm one of the only people I know who considers it basic good manners to tip clerks who help me carry my groceries to the car.

You're more prone to do the illegal thing of eating an item you haven't yet purchased.

I guess, but frankly I think that's not a bad thing. The lesson I learned was that it's okay for hungry little kids to have snacks as long as they pay for them, and that most stores are nice places where you can ask politely and the adults will say "yes" more often than not.

If you're hungry while you're shopping, buy your food, eat it and then resume your shopping. Usually you can get them to tape your receipt to the bag to show that you purchased the things you're eating while you peruse the store.

They would absolutely HATE that at the stores I know, because you'd just end up clogging the check-out lines and creating more paper and more hassle for the clerks. Hell, I once was leaving Trader Joe's and realized they hadn't rung up the second of two identical items, and the guy at the door said "Just go, it's okay" because they were so busy that they didn't want to bother having me go through the line again!

Also, I'm not sure how much of a cultural thing this is. My parents are from the US and they never let us snack in the grocery store. Even when we saw other people doing it.

Oh, I don't think "US" is a culture, I think there's much bigger regional differences. I'm hearing all these people (yourself included) react as though this behavior is "stealing," but literally where I grew up I think people would stare at you like you'd grown a second head if you said that. including store managers and store owners. It's just not perceived that way at all.

Like, to the point where I have to actually think this out, because it's been such an internalized concept. Let's see. It's okay to eat any unpackaged fruit or veggie, because you weigh out the amount first and put the little sticker on the bag with the amount, so you'll know you'll pay the right total. It's okay to eat anything you get from the deli or bakery because, again, you just have them note on the bag what it is you bought, and then it will ring up right at the end. One never opens anything packaged, with the exception of single beverages (like a bottle of water or can of soda) which are acceptable but one shouldn't make a habit of it (I don't know why this last bit, it's just one of those things). When in doubt, one asks the nearest clerk, who invariably replies that it's quite alright.

[Tekania]

They of course aren't supposed to tell the difference, they view her eating it, they view her pocketing the wrapper, and then they watch her leave with it in her pocket still.... It's like accidentally not seeing a stop sign... Merely because you "forgot" or "didn't notice" does not absolve you.

[Nadkor]

You've clearly never been to Marks & Spencer.

Nope, seeing as they're in another hemisphere.

You're missing out.

[Bottle]

Who's talking about eating it without paying? Even in this story, the "offender" freely admits she should have paid and says it was just forgetfulness. She's not claiming she shouldn't have to pay for it, she meant to and forgot. So you say, "Be more careful," you accept her money, and call it a freaking day.

Grocery stores run on very small profit margins. If they let everyone walk out with food they hadn't purchased and, on the off-chance they're caught, charge them normal price, they'd go broke. You're proposing removing the penalty for shoplifting basically.

Who is talking about letting people walk out without paying?

[Lackadaisical2]

Sure the store is acting like a dick here, but it's perfectly within its rights to act the way it is. Don't want to get in trouble for eating the store's property? Don't eat the store's property; that way you don't face any risk of "forgetting to pay", or whatever. It's really quire straightforward.

It's also not like she'd have to leave after visiting the cash register... she could have picked up the sandwich, paid for it and then eaten it while she shopped.

Sometimes the registers can be pretty busy though, so that could be a significant amount of time waiting in line when the whole point was that she needed the sandwich right then and not 30 minutes later.

Of course, the whole idea of not being able to wait those thirty minutes is grating to me.

[Bottle]

And, again, there are plenty of stores that don't consider it "taking their property without their permission." It was the norm where I grew up (Minneapolis, MN). Stores ASSUMED people would snack while shopping, and pay before leaving.

And? As I indicated, and you clearly didn't notice, if the store is fine with people doing that then grand. If not, it's theft. Pure and simple.

Your argument seems to be "it's fine, everybody does it", which, to be honest, is pretty weak.

Like I've said, if a store doesn't want to have such a policy, that's fine with me. I typically don't snack while shopping, haven't since I was a little kid, so really it wouldn't directly impact me in any case. But I wouldn't choose to shop at a store that opted for the pathetic tactics of the one in this story. Post a sign asking people to not nosh, politely remind anybody who does it and make sure they pay, and only with repeat offenders do you need to get harsh. I'd be fine with that sort of thing. Charging people for shoplifting when they simply forgot to pay, and were more than willing to do so? I'll shop elsewhere, thanks.

Sure the store is acting like a dick here, but it's perfectly within its rights to act the way it is. Don't want to get in trouble for eating the store's property? Don't eat the store's property; that way you don't face any risk of "forgetting to pay", or whatever. It's really quire straightforward.

I really don't see how you're getting any of this from what I'm typing.

I clearly said (and will repeat) that IT IS COMPLETELY WITHIN THE STORE'S RIGHTS TO CHOOSE TO BE DICKS ABOUT THIS. Absolutely, they are within their rights. I think they're being jerks and I wouldn't shop there, because the stores I go to aren't dicks like that and I'd rather give them my money.

I'm not saying "everyone's doing it so it's okay" or anything of the sort. I am pointing out that, where I grew up, this behavior was the norm and wasn't viewed as stealing at all because, duh, you'd pay just the same. I'm also pointing out that there are plenty of stores who don't view it as shoplifting and won't prosecute, and I'd rather shop at those stores because I like their attitude more. I'm not saying, like, we should pass laws requiring everyone to snack, or requiring all stores to allow it, or anything remotely close to that.

Where's the disconnect?

[Keronians]

The store's being ridiculous.

But they do have a point. They can arrest them for shoplifting.

[The Rich Port]

In other words, she's being persecuted (I refuse to call this prosecution) not because she forgot to pay for the sandwiches, but because she fucked with store policy.

Fuck that. This is ridiculous. I hope the store isn't counting on this as good PR.

[Dakini]

You're more prone to do the illegal thing of eating an item you haven't yet purchased.

I guess, but frankly I think that's not a bad thing. The lesson I learned was that it's okay for hungry little kids to have snacks as long as they pay for them, and that most stores are nice places where you can ask politely and the adults will say "yes" more often than not.

Most stores don't care too much, this is true. That doesn't mean that they couldn't start arresting people left right and centre for this behaviour since they're well within their rights.

If you're hungry while you're shopping, buy your food, eat it and then resume your shopping. Usually you can get them to tape your receipt to the bag to show that you purchased the things you're eating while you peruse the store.

They would absolutely HATE that at the stores I know, because you'd just end up clogging the check-out lines and creating more paper and more hassle for the clerks. Hell, I once was leaving Trader Joe's and realized they hadn't rung up the second of two identical items, and the guy at the door said "Just go, it's okay" because they were so busy that they didn't want to bother having me go through the line again!

The stores I visit have self-checkout setups in addition to cashiers and you can also pay for some items at the deli (conveniently where snackable foods are located). Granted, I make sure that I eat before I go grocery shopping (that way I don't see all the food and go "omg, delicious, must have it!!!") so I've never had to do this. They do have tables and chairs set up for people who have purchased items from the deli and wish to consume them in the store though.

Also, I probably wouldn't notice if they forgot to ring in one of my items until after I'd left the store. I've never had this issue though.

Also, I'm not sure how much of a cultural thing this is. My parents are from the US and they never let us snack in the grocery store. Even when we saw other people doing it.

Oh, I don't think "US" is a culture, I think there's much bigger regional differences. I'm hearing all these people (yourself included) react as though this behavior is "stealing," but literally where I grew up I think people would stare at you like you'd grown a second head if you said that. including store managers and store owners. It's just not perceived that way at all.

Like, to the point where I have to actually think this out, because it's been such an internalized concept. Let's see. It's okay to eat any unpackaged fruit or veggie, because you weigh out the amount first and put the little sticker on the bag with the amount, so you'll know you'll pay the right total. It's okay to eat anything you get from the deli or bakery because, again, you just have them note on the bag what it is you bought, and then it will ring up right at the end. One never opens anything packaged, with the exception of single beverages (like a bottle of water or can of soda) which are acceptable but one shouldn't make a habit of it (I don't know why this last bit, it's just one of those things). When in doubt, one asks the nearest clerk, who invariably replies that it's quite alright.

Here they weight fruit at the cash register. They have scales out, but they're analogue and not entirely accurate (plus there are kg and lbs and probably everyone would end up confused as hell).

My parents are both from small towns in Ohio where this behaviour was unacceptable though. So it's not a big city thing or anything like this.

But no, it's stealing to consume something you haven't purchased. Just because most stores don't treat it as such doesn't mean that they couldn't if they wanted to. Further, this lady didn't just eat the food in the store and pay for it when she left. She ate the food in the store, "forgot" to pay for it and left the store. What she did is no different from stuffing the sandwich in her pocket and walking out.

[Bottle]

Of course, the whole idea of not being able to wait those thirty minutes is grating to me.

This boggles me, too. Is that really so crazy to people?

I'm used to being hella busy, so it doesn't seem weird to me at all for somebody to find themselves famished while running errands once in a while. I especially find it bizarre when people get cranky at parents who let their kids have snacks because, I mean, have you ever BEEN around kids? They're like...always hungry. And if you're having to bring your kid along for errands, lord knows they're not going to cooperate by getting hungry at convenient times, and there's always some unexpected delay like the train being held up or the traffic being awful or somebody needing to go potty RIGHT NOW MOMMY RIGHT NOW, so yeah, sometimes you're in the middle of grocery shopping and a little tummy gets rumbly. You let em have a roll from the bakery or an apple from the cart, and you pay for everything when you ring up, and the store gets the same amount of money with one less screaming kid in aisle 2.

[Unslavery]

In other words, she's being persecuted (I refuse to call this prosecution) not because she forgot to pay for the sandwiches, but because she fucked with store policy.

Fuck that. This is ridiculous. I hope the store isn't counting on this as good PR.

Of course it's not good PR. But she did break the law.

If you eat at a fast food restaurant, you pay before you eat.

If you eat at a proper restaurant, you eat then pay.

In either case, if you eat and forget to pay you are a thief. Store policy doesn't even come into it.