sharing a drink at mcdonalds - is it stealing?

[GagHalfrunt]

why is that any different than me drinking it and refilling by myself?

What's the difference between a person buying a single plate at a buffet and feeding two people off the one payment or one person buying a single plate and eating twice as much himself? One is stealing, the other isn't. You've clearly made up your mind and are going to keep doing it, but the fact that you're trying so hard to rationalize it and get us to approve your actions shows that you know what you're doing is wrong. If your conscience was clear this thread wouldn't exist.

 

[brianmanahan]

I don't believe this happened.

I also can't believe people have actually formed and defended an opinion on one side or the other.

oh it happened

 

[TallBill]

It's stealing an op is an idiot

 

[brianmanahan]

It's stealing an op is an idiot

well, that's just like, your opinion, man

 

[Rakehellion]

i did not sign an agreement for the popcorn or the drink.

Some places have signs prohibiting this type of behavior, particularly buffet sharing. I guess it depends on how fancy the establishment is.

 

[Rakehellion]

lol, every time my brother-in-law goes to the movies he grabs an empty mega-sized popcorn container from the trash and gets free refill popcorn all night

he asked me if i wanted some one time - i politely declined

What a dummy. I just bring my popcorn container from when I went to the movies the previous month.

 

[brianmanahan]

What a dummy. I just bring my popcorn container from when I went to the movies the previous month.

how do you sneak it past the guards though? roll it up and put it in your pocket?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Who gives a fuck? It's 5 cents worth of sweetener and fizzy water. Soda has the biggest profit margin of anything in a fast food joint... why do you think they give free refills?

 

[WHAMPOM]

sometimes my brother and i will go out to eat at McD's and we buy one meal (sandwich/fry/pop) + another sandwich. we'll each eat a sandwich and split the fry and pop, then get a pop refill for the road if we are still thirsty.

i mentioned this in passing on a facebook post, and a guy that we both know saw it and FLIPPED OUT. he insisted that it was stealing and despite laughing it off he continued to post several more walls of text about how evil i am.

next day, he posts that he called the McD's AND the police and says they both agreed with him! he also says that he did not give my name to the police, even though he thinks he should have. at that point i was sick of the crap and unfriended him.

does anyone split drinks? i honestly think the store does not care, otherwise why would they have pop dispensers and free refills?

Free refills are free refills, I don't see and difference if you share it or dump it on the floor.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hell, I'd bet that the cup cost more than the soda.

 

[JEDIYoda]

how do you know what the theater expects?

and what does the expectations of the theater (or the restaurant) have to do with my usage of the popcorn or drink?

i did not sign an agreement for the popcorn or the drink.

I know what the theatre expects because they know that when you buy a large tub of popcorn that you are going to share that tub! They also know that you will most likely buy drinks for everybody because they are eating the popcorn! Their prices also reflect that fact!!

When you go to a restaurant especially some restaurants they just don`t care. Yet I know of pizza restaurants that if they catch your sharing the drink they will come and tell you.

I am sorry but these businesses are trying to make a profit and you are trying to rip them off by sharing your drink and refills.

The concept is really pretty simple to understand!

 

[glazer1972]

Stealing.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Can I check my understanding.

Could I go into a free buffet/soft-drinks place, and pay for a meal (e.g. $10).
Sit down with a party of 50 (friends) people, who pay NOTHING.
Then continually refill my plate with buffet food, and refill the drink, and pass it round my 50 friends ?
So that they can eat/soft-drink for free ?

I think that paying for the meal, for a single person, and sharing it is NOT too bad.
BUT refilling the drink and passing it to different people is WRONG, as they were only expecting ONE person to consume the drink.
TWO or more people, can drink a lot more, which costs the place more money.

Confuse fast food free drink with all you can eat buffet much? Get off it, two people sharing a free drink not fifty.

 

[Denly]

It is as bad as

Stopped by McD just for the washroom
Sit @ McD and use their wifi without purchase

Meaning? It is not a crime and I don't really care.

 

[TheSiege]

If its posted that drinks are only for one person, then maybe its stealing. But if its free refills they are basically saying that its a bottomless drink and he is free to do with it what he wants. Doesn't make one difference if he shares it and doesn't refill or shares it and refills. Would it be any different than refilling it and throwing it away? Would that be theft? Or what if he drank it all, refilled it and gave it to his brother at that point. They both drank 16oz does it matter in what order?

 

[jlee]

If I share a drink, I won't get a refill afterwards.

Personally, I don't feel it to be honest. Whether it costs the company 5 cents or $3, if you want two drinks, buy two drinks. Is it okay to steal a pen from walmart if it's on sale for $0.05?

 

[TheSiege]

If I share a drink, I won't get a refill afterwards.

Personally, I don't feel it to be honest. Whether it costs the company 5 cents or $3, if you want two drinks, buy two drinks. Is it okay to steal a pen from walmart if it's on sale for $0.05?

What if it was unlimited pens with the purchase of one and you took 2? And then you gave one to your brother?

 

[CZroe]

My twin brother and I often order one drink but I avoid sharing until after we leave with the refill. The way I see it is that once I leave with my refill it is mine to do with as I please.

 

[jlee]

What if it was unlimited pens with the purchase of one and you took 2? And then you gave one to your brother?

Let me know when you see that offer and I'll answer.

My twin brother and I often order one drink but I avoid sharing until after we leave with the refill. The way I see it is that once I leave with my refill it is mine to do with as I please.

Yup, same (except no twin brother).

 

[TheSiege]

Let me know when you see that offer and I'll answer.


I am just making it a more accurate analogy to the soda offer.

 

[Crono]

Intent is what matters. If you share refills in order to avoid buying two drinks, it's theft. It's understood that free refills entitles one person to refill and drink per visit, even if that rule isn't a written one.

But it's such a low grade theft that it doesn't bother anyone - no one is going to go after you for it with just two or three people sharing a drink, because it's such an inexpensive item. Just like no one will harass you for taking a few extra napkins (but if you walk out with every available napkin and condiment you can, someone might have a problem... doesn't matter if it's not "illegal" in your eyes).

Because fast food management, police, judges, etc aren't going to ever bother about how much you cost the fast food place by not buying another drink for $1 or whatever the price is, most people don't worry about it. It's one of those things people view as grey and will do regardless of whatever anyone else thinks; it's not dissimilar to what you are or aren't allowed to take with you from a stay in a hotel room.

 

[jlee]

I am just making it a more accurate analogy to the soda offer.

Except it's not.

 

[waffleironhead]

Keep stealing germs from your bro, bro.

 

[jagec]

It's more "tragedy of the commons" than "theft".

Free refill policies only exist in wealthy countries. This is why.

 

[jlee]

It's more "tragedy of the commons" than "theft".

Free refill policies only exist in wealthy countries. This is why.

Hey I can get coke in a glass bottle for ~30 cents in Mexico. I'll take that over free refills.

But I don't wanna move to Mexico.