When shopping, is it okay to eat groceries before paying for them?
We asked you this vital shopping question and you came back with your honest answers.
Is there any harm if you decide to open a bottle of water at the shop before paying for it?
Now, at first glance, many of us would say that's stealing! And the truth is that if you consume something before paying for it, that is considered stealing.
But after asking you all the above question, we were interested to hear what you all had to say.
Read more: Don’t fret, here’s how to shop safely online
Michelle Maistry said: "It was summer and extremely hot and inside the supermarket it was packed as it was month end. I was thirsty so I opened a buddy bottle of coke and drank while shopping. I kept the empty bottle in my trolley and paid for it when I got to the tills. Usually, supermarkets employ security to walk around and act like a normal shopper but they keep an eye out for customers who eat or steal items."
Sandra Teresa Cromhout: "Yes, my ex-daughter-in-law was charged at PnP Hillcrest a few years ago as she ate a pie and forgot to pay before she left the shop. Security cuffed her just outside the door but they had obviously had someone following her around the shop."
This a clear-cut indication that things aren't always as black and white as it may seem. Human error is possible and this could ideally be taken as a criminal offence.
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Kurt Drimeyer: "It can be classed as theft and you can get into serious trouble for it depending on the shop owners. Almost all shops have signs up saying that no eating or drinking is permitted in the shop .."
Senzo Xulu: "On a serious note some may have chronic diseases so they need to fuel up because of low-sugar blood level and end up forgetting to pay for the empty packet after eating in long ques. Some are just plain criminals, they just eat and run. So it all depends on the situation but I find eating before paying wrong."
Now, this is a real problem, when you have a chronic condition such as diabetes and your blood sugar level drops, naturally, you would reach for something to help you with your condition, but, of course, provided you pay for it.
It certainly is something of a special circumstance kind of decision. But just to be clear, it is not legal.
All this after this TikTok influencer shared that she snacks whilst shopping. Courtesy of TikTok.
@cecilybauchmann OPENING FOOD IS A NORMAL THING AT THE GROCERY STORE K?🍓✨#relatablemom #relatablemomlife #groceryshopping #groceryhaul #grocerystore ♬ original sound - Cecily Bauchmann
Image Courtesy of Pexels