Is It Tacky To Eat Groceries While You Shop?

Grocery shopping can be hard and expensive work these days, and some folks find the need to eat while they shop. Some people think it's tacky—others think it's downright illegal. Some think it's fine; others claim it's immoral. 

We recently asked our Facebook and Instagram followers this question: "Is it tacky to eat groceries while you're shopping?" They weren't shy about commenting—here's a snapshot of their hot takes on the matter.

It's Stealing—Period.

Many commenters, more than half, in fact, felt VERY strongly that eating groceries while you shop is not only tacky, it's ILLEGAL. Here are a smattering from the moral high ground:

"It’s not yours to eat until AFTER you pay for it."

"If it has to be weighed at checkout, then do not eat.

"I’ve known of ones to eat out of a peanut jar, then set it back on the shelf. It’s stealing. They got caught too."

"Just yesterday I watched a woman take grapes out of a bag she tore open then put them in a produce bag as she ate them. Next she went to the salad bar and filled a container eating as she went. The produce manager and security were talking so I pointed her out."

It's Not Stealing…If It's Grapes

A surprisingly sizable number of commenters felt that eating groceries without paying for them was legally dicey and morally questionable—with grapes being the exception.

"I always eat 1 small grape to make sure they are seedless if it doesn’t say and sweet! Never a problem."

"I always taste the grapes. I’m not paying 6.00 for grapes and get home and they are sour. They don’t like it, tough. I won’t shop there."

It's Not Stealing—If You Have A Medical Condition

A very vocal group of commenters granted immunity to shoppers dealing with acute medical issues or pre-existing conditions. All agreed that you should keep the package and pay for it.

"When I was pregnant years ago I craved olives. I would buy 2 jars. One for home and one for grocery shopping."

"I have been known to sneak a cracker or two if my blood sugar has bottomed and I feel like I can’t function. Shopping after work is extremely stressful."

"My grandmother was diabetic and half of my family hypoglycemia; sometimes eating has to be done in that moment."

Some Folks Called For Back Up

Not content to rely on the weight of their own gut feelings, some commenters sought justification for their opinions from well-known sources.

"It's unethical. Albert Einstein said, 'Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.'"

"I’m pretty sure it’s in the Bible not to muzzle the ox while it’s plowing but I don’t know what the store manager thinks about that…"

Some Folks Got Real Riled Up

A heated group of folks took umbrage at the very notion of eating groceries while shopping—whether the shopper intended to pay for them or not.

"Why do people feel it necessary to eat in a grocery store?? Do they not have kitchens?? If you are that hungry then maybe you should eat something before shopping. What I hate is those that eat the food in the stores with their mouth wide open while inhaling a product that doesn't technically belong to them cause its not theirs yet."

"It's as classless as wearing pajamas to the grocery store."

"The sloppy way people eat today and make a mess… yes. Too many parents let their kids eat while food crumbs are going everywhere… not to mention the sticky fingers. Disgusting."

"It’s tacky, and it’s gross. You’re putting your hands on a grocery cart and then putting food in your mouth? People put their dogs in the cart. I'm more concerned about that."

Some Folks Just Had Fun With It

Whether they were being serious, mischievous, or nostalgic, a heartwarming handful of commenters shared some stories that made us laugh and smile.

"I actually learned this apparently bad habit from my father. He would always crack open a Coke, drink it while in the grocery store, then show the checkout clerk the empty bottle. That said, we lived in a small town, everyone knew everybody, and no one would have thought twice that he wasn’t going to pay for a $1 Coke. Even if he brought his own Coke in, he probably still would have paid for it, lest he appear untrustworthy."

"I see nothing wrong with a slice of roast beef open face with mashed and gravy . You need energy to walk 5 miles in huge stores."

"Chugging a beer while shopping is super fun and the look on the cashier's face is priceless when hand them an open 12 pack."

What We Think

Naturally, we have an opinion, too! If you need to eat while you shop for whatever reason, do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Just pick something not sold by weight that you can pay for it and not commit theft. Eating a grape is technically stealing, but it's just a fraction of a cent, so we think you can justify that little slip. As for the hygiene factor, that's up to you!

Now, the big question: Is it tacky to eat groceries while you shop? My personal opinion is yes, a little. I rarely do it. But my desire to avoid tackiness evaporates when subjected to the heat of a warm box of Publix chicken tenders riding shotgun in my grocery buggy. That's when I duck down an abandoned aisle, rip open the box like a maniac, and shame-eat a chicken tender in peace.

Nothing tastes better than a "stolen" chicken tender devoured on the pet food aisle.

Sometimes you just have to be an animal.