This mum's supermarket act with her kids raises eyebrows: ‘They are FOR SALE’
By
Seia Ibanez
- Replies 38
Navigating the aisles of a supermarket with children in tow can be a challenge for any parent. It's a balancing act of keeping the kids content while managing the shopping list.
But one mother's approach to this challenge has sparked a debate on parenting and supermarket etiquette that has people talking.
The incident unfolded in a Coles supermarket and was shared by a bystander on social media.
‘I was out doing groceries, and I saw a mum with two kids. One in the trolley, the other one, might be five or six years old, walking beside her,’ she said.
The mother in question, shopping with her two children, was seen peeling and handing bananas to her eldest child right in the produce section.
‘I was a bit shocked,’ she admitted. ‘And was in shock some more when she came back and got another one.’
‘She peeled it and gave it to the same kid. They were big bananas, too.’
She added that there was no ‘free fruit for kids’ stand in this Coles branch.
The post quickly ignited a conversation online, with many jumping to the mother's defence.
Fellow shoppers pointed out that the financial impact on Coles, a company that reported a $1.1 billion profit last year, would be negligible.
'I think Coles will pull through,' one commenter remarked.
‘I’m pretty sure the billion-dollar grocery chain will survive another day. You should see what they throw out,’ another said.
‘I love how you said big bananas too, like would it have made a difference if they were small?’ a third noted.
Others shared their own experiences.
‘I’ve asked the ones that don’t have a free fruit stand if we can get something. They said it was more than okay, they just removed the free fruit stand because teens were coming after school and abusing the system. Two kids = two bananas,’ one shared.
‘I always ask a Coles employee if there is no free fruit stand, and they are more than happy for children to have an apple/banana/pear. Leave this woman alone,’ another said.
‘Definitely have done this before; most shops have a free kids area, and when they don’t, my girls don’t understand that,’ another parent admitted.
'My child cracks it if she doesn't get a banana. I totally get this mum's situation,’ a commenter added.
However, the original poster stood her ground, expressing concern over the message this behaviour might send to children.
‘I myself have experienced my toddler asking non-stop for a banana. So I go and pay for some before I continue my shopping. LOL,’ she wrote.
'Responses here are why kids today seem very entitled.’
‘Yes, they’re just bananas. Yes, Coles has a huge profit. But still, they are FOR SALE.’
While ‘Free Fruits for Kids’ programs are successful in some supermarkets, people still take advantage of the free fruit meant for children.
In a previous story, a Woolworths customer attempted to take bananas without payment from the store’s ‘Free Fruit for Kids’ stand despite not having any children with him.
The incident was shared on social media, sparking debate among other shoppers. You can read more about the story here.
Have you witnessed similar acts in supermarkets? Do you think the mother's actions were justified, or do you agree with the original poster that it sets a bad example? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
But one mother's approach to this challenge has sparked a debate on parenting and supermarket etiquette that has people talking.
The incident unfolded in a Coles supermarket and was shared by a bystander on social media.
‘I was out doing groceries, and I saw a mum with two kids. One in the trolley, the other one, might be five or six years old, walking beside her,’ she said.
The mother in question, shopping with her two children, was seen peeling and handing bananas to her eldest child right in the produce section.
‘I was a bit shocked,’ she admitted. ‘And was in shock some more when she came back and got another one.’
‘She peeled it and gave it to the same kid. They were big bananas, too.’
She added that there was no ‘free fruit for kids’ stand in this Coles branch.
The post quickly ignited a conversation online, with many jumping to the mother's defence.
Fellow shoppers pointed out that the financial impact on Coles, a company that reported a $1.1 billion profit last year, would be negligible.
'I think Coles will pull through,' one commenter remarked.
‘I’m pretty sure the billion-dollar grocery chain will survive another day. You should see what they throw out,’ another said.
‘I love how you said big bananas too, like would it have made a difference if they were small?’ a third noted.
Others shared their own experiences.
‘I’ve asked the ones that don’t have a free fruit stand if we can get something. They said it was more than okay, they just removed the free fruit stand because teens were coming after school and abusing the system. Two kids = two bananas,’ one shared.
‘I always ask a Coles employee if there is no free fruit stand, and they are more than happy for children to have an apple/banana/pear. Leave this woman alone,’ another said.
‘Definitely have done this before; most shops have a free kids area, and when they don’t, my girls don’t understand that,’ another parent admitted.
'My child cracks it if she doesn't get a banana. I totally get this mum's situation,’ a commenter added.
However, the original poster stood her ground, expressing concern over the message this behaviour might send to children.
‘I myself have experienced my toddler asking non-stop for a banana. So I go and pay for some before I continue my shopping. LOL,’ she wrote.
'Responses here are why kids today seem very entitled.’
‘Yes, they’re just bananas. Yes, Coles has a huge profit. But still, they are FOR SALE.’
While ‘Free Fruits for Kids’ programs are successful in some supermarkets, people still take advantage of the free fruit meant for children.
In a previous story, a Woolworths customer attempted to take bananas without payment from the store’s ‘Free Fruit for Kids’ stand despite not having any children with him.
The incident was shared on social media, sparking debate among other shoppers. You can read more about the story here.
Key Takeaways
- A Melbourne mum was criticised online for peeling and giving her children bananas in a Coles supermarket without paying first.
- Other parents came to her defence, pointing out that Coles is a large corporation likely unharmed by the act and mentioning that the store has profited significantly.
- Some commenters admitted to doing similar things, with many stating that other Coles supermarkets offer free fruit for children and staff often allow it even without a dedicated stand.
- The original poster reiterated her position, suggesting that allowing such behaviour contributes to a sense of entitlement in children.