Originally Posted by
BamaVol
Would you be as horrified to see me drinking a cold bottle of soda as I shopped? Sometimes you get thirsty and checking out is still 30 minutes away. It's not like I'm going to stash the empty behind the Cheez-its. Technically, it's not mine yet. But, I'll continue until a shop employee objects. I think I've adequately expressed my intent to pay by opening it.
As far as kids eating in the store, it may not be the first stop of the day. Maybe Mom's gathering up a few staples after 4 hours in a Doctor's waiting room. And it's 2 hours past Junior's regular lunchtime. I know some people would strongly object to a demonstrably cranky kid in the store. I think opening the box of graham crackers is preferable. Kids aren't machines. Finding the on/off and volume switches isn't always simple.
Also for the record, I never said I was
horrified but that I was surprised. Yes, that goes for adults drinking soda as well. I see it happening often enough that it must now be acceptable, but it makes me wonder how on earth we ever survived before... and while I understand the reasons you give in your reply, yes, it still does surprise me when I see it.