Are you making this embarrassing deed every time you shop for groceries?

Let’s be honest—most of us have seen some pretty odd things while doing the weekly shop.

Maybe it’s a lone sock in the freezer section, or a half-eaten chocolate bar behind the Weet-Bix.

But every now and then, a story comes along that makes you wonder: 'What on earth is going on in our supermarkets?'


Recently, supermarket staff and shoppers alike have been sharing tales of the most bizarre—and, frankly, grubby—behaviour they’ve witnessed in the aisles of Coles and Woolies.

And if you’re guilty of any of these, you might just be an official 'grub' in the eyes of your fellow Aussies!


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Coles shopper ate full roast chook in-store, leaving only bones in tissue aisle. Credit: Reddit


Let’s start with a tale that’s equal parts shocking and, dare we say, impressive. At a Coles in Southland, Victoria, a staff member stumbled upon a bag in the tissue aisle.

But instead of a plump, juicy roast chook, all that remained was a sad pile of bones—the evidence of a customer who had devoured an entire rotisserie chicken right there in the store, then stashed the remains and walked away.

Social media had a field day with this one. Some were in stitches at the sheer audacity: 'Gotta commend them for not only their commitment but discretion. I mean, how does one eat an ENTIRE chicken without getting caught?'


Others speculated about the logistics—was it a tactical move to eat in the tissue aisle, where fewer people might notice? Or perhaps the work of a hungry gym-goer in desperate need of protein?

This isn’t the first time supermarket snacking has sparked debate. Many of us have nibbled a grape or two while picking out produce (though technically, that’s not on either!).

But eating an entire meal—let alone a whole chicken—takes things to a new level.

Some commenters were quick to call out this 'grub behaviour,' while others showed a bit more empathy.

'If it was a homeless or hungry poor person, I’m glad they ate it,' one person wrote.

Another added, 'In this economy, I can kinda respect it.' It’s a reminder that sometimes, what looks like bad manners might be a sign of someone doing it tough.


The chicken incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Supermarket workers have seen it all: open chip packets left half-eaten on the shelves, used nappies (yes, really!), and even the occasional 'surprise' in a vase.

One Woolies worker in Coffs Harbour found a half-eaten kebab hidden among the groceries, while another discovered a corn relish dip shoved into a box of Chicken Crimpy Shapes.

And who could forget the infamous Pick and Mix section? From pigeons helping themselves to the lollies, to shoppers brazenly grabbing a handful for the road, it seems no snack is safe.

It’s easy to laugh (or groan) at these stories, but they do raise some interesting questions.

Is it a sign of the times—people feeling the pinch and resorting to desperate measures? Or is it just a lack of respect for the staff and fellow shoppers who have to clean up the mess?


Whatever the reason, it’s a good reminder to treat our supermarkets—and the people who work there—courteously.

After all, nobody wants to reach for a box of tissues and find a pile of chicken bones instead!

If you’re ever tempted to sneak a snack or leave your rubbish behind, remember: someone has to clean up after you.

And with security cameras everywhere, you’re probably not as sneaky as you think! Most supermarkets have clear policies about eating before you pay, and it’s always best to ask if you’re unsure.

And if you see someone doing it tough, maybe there’s a kinder way to help—like buying them a meal or pointing them towards local support services.
Key Takeaways
  • A Coles customer was caught eating an entire rotisserie chicken in-store and left just the bones in the tissue aisle, shocking both staff and shoppers.
  • Social media users debated whether the act was impressive, desperate, or just 'grub behaviour', with some sympathising if the culprit was homeless or struggling.
  • Supermarkets like Coles and Woolies frequently report shoppers leaving bizarre or unhygienic messes, such as half-eaten food, used nappies, and spilt eggs around the store.
  • Staff and shoppers agreed that unusual in-store discoveries happen more often than people realise, with many sharing stories of finding discarded or hidden food items.
Have you ever witnessed 'grub behaviour' at your local supermarket? Or maybe you’ve got a funny story of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more: Are these the healthiest nuggets you can buy? One Aussie says they’re a game changer
 

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Did the Coles staff actually see a person eating the chook, or just found the bag with bones in it?

How do they know the person who left the bag of bones didn’t eat it beforehand, perhaps in their car and wanted to get rid of the bag and bones?

This doesn’t sound right to me.
 
I cannot believe seeing stuff left on shelves which some "I don't care " people leave
behind in Supermarkets..
 
I cannot believe seeing stuff left on shelves which some "I don't care " people leave
behind in Supermarkets..
Yes!! I agree!! Especially when something from the fridge or freezer is left with non-cold foods. 😡
 
It’s not so much eating around the store as walking out with a full ( yes full) trolley of shopping. One staff member says there are a group that come in and steal their breakfast stuff then come back for lunch THEN come back for dinner. !!!!
 
It’s not so much eating around the store as walking out with a full ( yes full) trolley of shopping. One staff member says there are a group that come in and steal their breakfast stuff then come back for lunch THEN come back for dinner. !!!!
Why hasn’t the staff member reported the thieves then? Or is the staff member in on it? Doesn’t sound right.
 
Can get 4 or 5 meals out of 1 roast chook and a few packets of soup. But it's true, there are some deadshits out there, I'm always seeing half eaten/opened drinks/lollies all over the place.
It’s school kids most of the time. So entitled
 
Witnessing two women walk through a supermarket, use a roll-on deodorant, re-cap it and then return it to the shelf was pretty nausiating.
 
I watched a couple of well dressed private school teenage males eating the free fruit in Coles one day and kept coming back for more. You would gather if the parents could afford private school they could afford fruit. But the staff didn't stop them at all. Too bad if younger children came in with their mum's shopping and wanted some fruit and it was all gone.
 
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My dump story is a little different. I found a mobile phone inside a pair of shoes I was buying at bigw. Of course I handed it in to the service desk, no idea if it got claimed.
 
Witnessing two women walk through a supermarket, use a roll-on deodorant, re-cap it and then return it to the shelf was pretty nausiating.
Oh no...that disgusting. Now I will make sure I grab one from the back of the display.
 
Once saw a woman grab two loaves of bread,toss them on the floor,then kneel on them so she could reach to the back of a low shelf. Was so shocked I couldn’t even process it!
WTF I just don't understand some people at all.
 
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A couple of years ago in Coles in Dandenong Plaza, I moved a leg of Christmas ham into the halal meat section.

I should have stuck around to witness the reaction!!
That's funny. :ROFLMAO: 🤪
 
so many grubs in australia. also very rude. must be labour voters. heaps of air space between the ears.
Now that is a very liberal statement. 😇
 
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Really!! Is that the best you can come up with? You seem like an expert about air space between the ears
Thank you, you speak for many….
 
Years ago when you could scoop potato salad, pasta salad etc into containers at Woollies I saw a woman scoop up a spoonful then shove it in her mouth. She then put the spoon back into the salad mix and went to walk off. I couldn’t help myself, I went ballistic and called her a filthy pig. Staff came out, I told them why I was yelling at her. They took her to the staffroom and then they had to clean out the entire lot of salads. Woollies changed the salad bar to within the deli away from customers after that. Disgusting woman.
Wow I can't believe someone would do that ! Good on you for calling her out

In supermarkets in Sydney the salads have always been at the deli behind glass counters which the deli lady has to put.
 
so many grubs in australia. also very rude. must be labour voters. heaps of air space between the ears.
Why are you still living in Australia, you seem to hate everything about it. New Zealand isn't that far to hop on a plane and go back
 
If the person genuinely needed food, it is a very sad action to have to resort to. :cry:
OMG needed food. you agree to what happened.
 
Why are you still living in Australia, you seem to hate everything about it. New Zealand isn't that far to hop on a plane and go back
Some people just aren’t happy unless they’re complaining. A warped sense of happiness. 🤪
 
OMG needed food. you agree to what happened.
I do not condone dishonesty but just feel sad that some people are forced to do this from sheer necessity (maybe they are unaware of services available to assist them) 🌷
 

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