Anonymous wrote:Just curious. For everyone saying it's illegal to open a box of crackers and eat some in the store (even if you pay for it at checkout), can you please cite the law? From what I have seen, it's only illegal if there is no INTENT on paying. At least in VA. It may be different in HI. Does anyone have the citation that proves otherwise?

"Shoplift" means any one or more of the following acts committed by a person without the consent of the merchant and with the purpose or intent of appropriating merchandise to that person's own or another's use without payment, obtaining merchandise at less than its stated sales price, or otherwise depriving a merchant of all or any part of the value or use of merchandise (...)"

2006 Virginia Code § 8.01-44.4

Thanks for citing the Code - but how does one prove/determine intent in this situation - either way? At the time that your DC is consuming the item, how does the store manager or store security KNOW what your intent is? Oh, and just telling them after the fact may not be sufficient. Remember, there is a difference between being detained/arrested for shoplifting (where intent need not be established) and being convincted of shoplifting (where proof of intent would be applicable).

No. It is actually possible to go an hour without eating, especially if the kid is old enough to sit in a cart. Self-control, anyone? Tolerance of a tiny bit of discomfort? You or your child won't die of hunger/thirst in an hour of shopping.

Just curious. For everyone saying it's illegal to open a box of crackers and eat some in the store (even if you pay for it at checkout), can you please cite the law? From what I have seen, it's only illegal if there is no INTENT on paying. At least in VA. It may be different in HI. Does anyone have the citation that proves otherwise?

"Shoplift" means any one or more of the following acts committed by a person without the consent of the merchant and with the purpose or intent of appropriating merchandise to that person's own or another's use without payment, obtaining merchandise at less than its stated sales price, or otherwise depriving a merchant of all or any part of the value or use of merchandise (...)"

2006 Virginia Code § 8.01-44.4

Anonymous wrote:Seriously. It's not shoplifting until you actually pass the cashier without paying for it. Same way it's not illegal to drink outside until you step out of your yard.

Not according to the law. By law, it is not yours to consume until you pay for it. Until then, it is the property of the store. The store can choose not to enforce the shoplifting rules, but please know that you are clearly violating the law by doing so. And don't complain when someone, like a store manager, decides to call you on it. This is like the people who think that just because everyone speeds, they don't deserve a ticket. Sorry, you do so at your own risk.

While on this topic, how many times have those who opened or consumed food in the store forgot to pay for it?

I am the PP who posted the mantra. It was a tongue in cheek comment, but clearly there is some truth to parts of it. As parents, we often push the envelope in favor of what is expedient for us. I thought about it a lot in the context of the stroller/escalator discussions last week. Most of us are guilty of it at some point. We all KNOW that it is not intended for someone to open and consume food in the store before paying for it. Yet, folks justify it by saying it is no big deal or that they are preventing a meltdown, etc. Lucky for us, we live in an area where most people do not give a damn 99% of the time. Beware! There are states where that is illegal and there are local stores where (there was mention of one store where the manager will approach you about it) your justification may not fly. Just curious though. Would any of you take your kid to Target, open a toy and let your DC play with it while you shop? Would your thoughts on this issue be different if your 3YO took it upon themselves to grab something and start eating it without your permission?

Once when my son was about a year I was shopping in my small local corner grocery. Got a bag of grapes, and son started eating a few. I was exhausted, he had been cranky all day, and I let him. One of the owners of the shop saw us, and just stared at me in shock. "Come and weigh them first, and then he can eat as much as he likes" she said. I sort of snapped back to myself - I had been totally absorbed in feeling sorry for myself and my bad day, and also feeling like DC was just so darn cute eating those grapes and humming that it must be okay.

That was the moment I realized I had fallen into one of those mommy behaviors everyone seems to revile - the stroller taking up the sidewalk, the kid allowed to kick the seat, the mom who thinks her kid is more precious than any other.

I still blush when I think of it, I was so shamed. I considered never going back to the store because I was embarrassed, but I forced myself because they are a small local shop and need the business. And they seem to have forgotten or forgiven!

Seriously. It's not shoplifting until you actually pass the cashier without paying for it. Same way it's not illegal to drink outside until you step out of your yard.

Ummm, yes it its.

The level of self-absorbtion and entitlement on this forum never ceases to astound me. I am terrified what the next generation of DCUM'ers will be like. Ignore the rules. Ignore the laws. Do what is convenient for ME, ME, ME!

Anonymous wrote:It's pretty clear that it PPs see my kid eating a granola bar or muffin at the store, how to you know if I've paid for it or not? I bet you're judging me anyway. Good thing I'm not worried about the opinions of anonymous DCUM harpies. And no, I'm not remotely worried about being arrested for muffin theft either.

I've got great kids who behave well almost all the time. Shopping is boring for them, even though i talk to them and bring books. I have no problem keeping them happy with a healthy snack. For those of you who have the luxury of shopping without kids, or can get a week's worth of groceries in 10 minutes, I salute you. But our system works for us and doesn't hurt anyone else, and we're pretty happy.

See you at Safeway! I'll recognize you by the scorn in your eyes.

PP here. No scorn or judgment here. Knock yourself out. Although you are not worried about the harpies, you gave a pretty long defense/justification. Just saying. LOL!!

The OP asked a question. I answered the question in the negative and gave my reasons. I certainly do not anticipate that anyone here on DCUM will inconvenience themselves based on my opinions. We just have different views on societal norms and personal convenience. No biggie.

It's pretty clear that it PPs see my kid eating a granola bar or muffin at the store, how to you know if I've paid for it or not? I bet you're judging me anyway. Good thing I'm not worried about the opinions of anonymous DCUM harpies. And no, I'm not remotely worried about being arrested for muffin theft either.

I've got great kids who behave well almost all the time. Shopping is boring for them, even though i talk to them and bring books. I have no problem keeping them happy with a healthy snack. For those of you who have the luxury of shopping without kids, or can get a week's worth of groceries in 10 minutes, I salute you. But our system works for us and doesn't hurt anyone else, and we're pretty happy.

See you at Safeway! I'll recognize you by the scorn in your eyes.

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it with packaged items or drinks. Those stay closed until check out.

Do allow it with the ready-to-eat food from the buffet. Will often feed the kids dinner from the buffet and they eat it while we do our shopping.

Save the wrapper with the bar code and pay on way out.

In some sense the supermarkets are inviting this behavior when they blur the line between grocery store and restaurant.

But see, this makes less sense to me, because the buffets typically charge for the food by the pound. If you're eating it, how do they know how much you ate? If it's a package of cookies, it's $2.99 or whatever no matter if there's a cookie missing.

Anonymous wrote:I opened a juice and let my son drink it when he appeared to be choking on a cookie that we brought from home. If that's illegal, I'm willing to do the time.

You didn't consider the heimlich first? But I get you - he was sputtering and needed a drink, etc; do what you've gotta do.

My husband does this all of the time. I HATE it. I don't really care when I see other people doing it and don't think it is the end of the world, etc, and yeah, if for some reason I had some emergency that would somehow be resolved by eating or drinking I guess I'd do it, but I thankfully have never had to go there. My husband mocks me because when I do forget snacks, I just go to the express line, buy something, ask them to tape it to the item, then my son can eat it.

I've sent DH the story about the couple in Honolulu (which is terrible, btw, shame on everyone involved for taking it to that level). I think that should help me win this battle!!

Don't do it with packaged items or drinks. Those stay closed until check out.

Do allow it with the ready-to-eat food from the buffet. Will often feed the kids dinner from the buffet and they eat it while we do our shopping.

Save the wrapper with the bar code and pay on way out.

In some sense the supermarkets are inviting this behavior when they blur the line between grocery store and restaurant.

I feed my kids lunch at the grocery store while shopping. We start in produce with grapes and work our way to the deli/prepared foods for free samples. Then in the bakery we wrap it up with a cookie or roll from a bin. All without paying! It's awesome.

I opened a juice and let my son drink it when he appeared to be choking on a cookie that we brought from home. If that's illegal, I'm willing to do the time.