# Accidentally dropped a bagel while trying to put it in the bag. Was I supposed to pay for it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 27, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243 "2013-12-27T00:00:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/41 "2013-12-28T13:14:44Z")
Possible third option: buy it and then peel off the part that actually touched the floor. I’m not sure I’d do that, myself, but it’s definitely something I’d consider. My real answer would vary depending on how much money I had. Chances are, if I’m buying a single bagel by itself, I only have enough money with me for one, and I would not like to go hungry. (If I had more money, I’d probably be buying a whole package, so I’d have some for later.) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/42 "2013-12-28T13:34:56Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I wipe the lids of my cans before opening them, too. They sit on shelves here there and everywhere, and I don’t know what’s in that dust on the lid. I’m 51 years old, and have never washed a can in my life. So far, it’s working out just fine. I’m not licking the top of the can; I’m relying on an appliance to sheer a slit around the perimeter. There’s probably more to worry about on the cutting wheel of the can opener than there is to worry about on the can itself. And I rarely worry about what’s on my can opener, although I do sometimes rinse it after tuna, for example. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/43 "2013-12-28T14:25:41Z")
I would feel obligated to point out my mistake and offer to pay for it. I would also be fully expecting the store to decline the payment. If they did want me to pay, I would probably have to remind myself that any resentment was childish and should be quashed discreetly. P.S. I wash cans. I also wash the top of the can opener - it just pops off and goes into the dish washer like any other kitchen tool. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/44 "2013-12-28T15:00:42Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > The floor in my house? I’d probably eat all of those after brushing it off. > > The floor of a supermarket? Absolutely not. oh ffs, you wouldn’t wash a green pepper and eat it after if made contact with the floor of your local grocer? You do realize that your produce is not picked or transported wrapped in cellophane right, what makes you think it hasn’t already hit the floor of the truck, back room or parking lot? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/45 "2013-12-28T15:23:12Z")
> [@chela](#): > > oh ffs, you wouldn’t wash a green pepper and eat it after if made contact with the floor of your local grocer? You do realize that your produce is not picked or transported wrapped in cellophane right, what makes you think it hasn’t already hit the floor of the truck, back room or parking lot? :dubious: Not to mention is was grown in dirt and fertilized with shit. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/46 "2013-12-28T16:25:18Z")
But there is a difference between a green pepper or an apple and a bagel or a donut. The produce is designed to be washed, with an impervious layer while the pastry or bread product is not (although bagels are boiled, this is before they are baked). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/47 "2013-12-28T20:41:44Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’m 51 years old, and have never washed a can in my life. So far, it’s working out just fine. I’m not licking the top of the can; I’m relying on an appliance to sheer a slit around the perimeter. There’s probably more to worry about on the cutting wheel of the can opener than there is to worry about on the can itself. > > And I rarely worry about what’s on my can opener, although I do sometimes rinse it after tuna, for example. Let’s start with the top of your food can - [diseases you can get from rodent droppings.](http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/diseases/direct.html) I’d be shocked to hear that a warehouse _didn’t_ have rats and mice in it. Now the can opener - [foodborne illness from a dirty can opener?](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/26/health-kitchen-germs/2880125/) I don’t go crazy for cleaning my cans or my can opener, but I do wipe the dust (and rodent droppings) off the top of my can before opening it, and I do clean my can opener after each use, just like I do my utensils and kitchen implements. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/48 "2013-12-28T21:00:22Z")
I switched to a side-opening can opener that mechanically separates the lid from the side of the can. I think there is less chance of contamination of the food with this type, although that’s not the reason I use it. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/49 "2013-12-28T23:06:08Z")
> [@chela](#): > > oh ffs, you wouldn’t wash a green pepper and eat it after if made contact with the floor of your local grocer? You do realize that your produce is not picked or transported wrapped in cellophane right, what makes you think it hasn’t already hit the floor of the truck, back room or parking lot? :dubious: Are you serious? Who the fuck would _wash a bagel_? Or a croissant? ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/50 "2013-12-29T15:31:39Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I would most likely buy it and eat it. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/51 "2013-12-29T16:03:11Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Let’s start with the top of your food can - [diseases you can get from rodent droppings.](http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/diseases/direct.html) I’d be shocked to hear that a warehouse _didn’t_ have rats and mice in it. It’s not like cans are just stacked in warehouses with the tops exposed. All canned food is shipped in cardboard cases. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/52 "2013-12-29T19:36:42Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > It’s not like cans are just stacked in warehouses with the tops exposed. All canned food is shipped in cardboard cases. And cardboard is a great defense against mice and rats, right? I’d actually guess that most factories don’t have a rat or mouse problem, or they’d have a lot more damaged packages. As for washing cans off–why wouldn’t you? They get filthy after being in the cupboard for a while. What happens in the store doesn’t matter nearly so much. But cupboards are dust collectors, and are hard to clean out. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/53 "2013-12-29T20:02:37Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And cardboard is a great defense against mice and rats, right? Right. For the vast majority of canned food that passes through warfehouses, the cardboard case keeps the tops of the cans as clean as when they left the factory. > [@](#): > > As for washing cans off–why wouldn’t you? They get filthy after being in the cupboard for a while. I don’t have that problem, as most of th cans in my pantry date somewhere after the Dust Bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/54 "2013-12-30T02:33:36Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I would be very surprised if any supermarket or bakery would expect you to pay for it. I agree, but I think you should plan on paying for it until they relieve you of that cost. After all, you damaged their product. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/55 "2013-12-30T02:44:45Z")
If it was only on the floor for a second, I’d buy it and eat it. Again, 5 Second Rule. There are probably more germs on your own hands. Otherwise, pay for it? No. Stores write this stuff off as a loss. Most of them would probably just decline your offer. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/56 "2013-12-30T02:52:05Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I agree, but I think you should plan on paying for it until they relieve you of that cost. After all, you damaged their product. While I would be willing to pay for it, I wouldn’t “plan on paying for it” because as I said in my experience hardly any business would expect you to. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/57 "2013-12-30T03:38:14Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I agree, but I think you should plan on paying for it until they relieve you of that cost. After all, you damaged their product. I think by having products such as bagels and donuts available for handling by random customers, the stores are risking things like bagels dropping on the floor, or donuts getting damaged by people who are clumsy with the tongs. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/58 "2013-12-30T18:53:56Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > While I would be willing to pay for it, I wouldn’t “plan on paying for it” because as I said in my experience hardly any business would expect you to. I don’t want to get into an argument that is probably just semantics; especially since I’d probably lose. My point is that if I’m the one who dropped it; I should be prepared to pay for it since I’m the one who ‘ruined’ it. Until the store says not to worry about it (which they probably will), I am responsible for ruining their product. It’s a cop out to use the argument that it’s written off. So what? Something being written off doesn’t mean there’s not money lost. If you ruin a product through your own doing; why is it someone else’s responsibility to cover its cost? On something as inexpensive as a bagel, it’s worth every penny to forgive you of the mistake of dropping it; just for good customer service. That’s a courtesy I extend to you; but I certainly don’t owe it to you. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/59 "2013-12-30T18:58:51Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I don’t want to get into an argument that is probably just semantics; especially since I’d probably lose. My point is that if I’m the one who dropped it; I should be prepared to pay for it since I’m the one who ‘ruined’ it. Until the store says not to worry about it (which they probably will), I am responsible for ruining their product. It’s a cop out to use the argument that it’s written off. So what? Something being written off doesn’t mean there’s not money lost. If you ruin a product through your own doing; why is it someone else’s responsibility to cover its cost? On something as inexpensive as a bagel, it’s worth every penny to forgive you of the mistake of dropping it; just for good customer service. That’s a courtesy I extend to you; but I certainly don’t owe it to you. Ethically, do you owe them the cost or the price? If it cost them a dime to make and was priced $1, what is your obligation? There isn’t really an opportunity cost issue, because the store normally over-prepares baked goods and has to dispose of some: end of the day, they won’t sell fewer bagels because of your actions. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243/60 "2013-12-30T21:36:56Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I don’t want to get into an argument that is probably just semantics; especially since I’d probably lose. My point is that if I’m the one who dropped it; I should be prepared to pay for it since I’m the one who ‘ruined’ it. Until the store says not to worry about it (which they probably will), I am responsible for ruining their product. It’s a cop out to use the argument that it’s written off. So what? Something being written off doesn’t mean there’s not money lost. If you ruin a product through your own doing; why is it someone else’s responsibility to cover its cost? On something as inexpensive as a bagel, it’s worth every penny to forgive you of the mistake of dropping it; just for good customer service. That’s a courtesy I extend to you; but I certainly don’t owe it to you. Kramer: “It’s a write-off for them.” Jerry: “How is it a write-off?” Kramer: “They just write it off.” Jerry: “Write it off what?” Kramer: “Jerry, all these big companies, they write off everything.” Jerry: “You don’t even know what a write-off is.” Kramer: “Do you?” Jerry: “No, I don’t.” Kramer: “But they do. And they’re the ones writing it off.” Jerry: “I wish I had the last twenty seconds of my life back.” _- Kramer and Jerry, in “The Package”_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accidentally-dropped-a-bagel-while-trying-to-put-it-in-the-bag-was-i-supposed-to-pay-for-it/677243.md?page=4)