# Help settle an annoyance: Can potato chip/crisp bags be stored on the kitchen counter? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519 "2011-04-07T14:14:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/21 "2011-04-07T16:10:34Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > She says it’s “not normal” to have the chip bag on the counter and that she thinks most people would put them away in cupboards. This really cracks me up. Why are moms so obsessed with the way things are “supposed to be” and what is “normal”? They really care about rules and seeming proper in ways I cannot relate to. Maybe if I had a kid I’d suddenly have a medical requirement to insist that everything is done “the right way.” Thing is, though, I didn’t know there was a right way to store potato chips. I can’t remember the last time I had any at home, and don’t know where I put them. Either the cupboard or the counter. What difference does it make? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/22 "2011-04-07T16:14:31Z")
Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot all used to keep their chips on their kitchen counter. If you have any tendency to kill millions of your country folk, maybe you should listen to your mother. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/23 "2011-04-07T16:21:40Z")
Are we related? My mom makes the same kinds of comments. As for “normal,” yeah, it’s perfectly normal to keep a bag of potato chips on your counter. Mine generally go on the cupboard, but I keep my bread on the counter so I don’t forget I have it. ---
**Author:** ![Tamarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tamarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamarin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/24 "2011-04-07T16:44:54Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I once lived with someone who insisted that towels be folded in thirds, not halves. Anyone who was not born with this very obvious knowledge was some sort of cretin. OMG. I lived with someone like this. I thought it was crazy, but since I was basically a guest I just learned how she liked them folded and did it that way while secretly rolling my eyes. Then, years later I realized something. I have been indoctrinated into the Towels Folded in Thirds Way Of Life. They fit in the damned linen closet that way, and it really does look nicer when you open a cabinet and see them that way…so I nicely asked my husband to fold them that way because it was _driving me crazy to see them folded in halves even though I realized it was insane_ and he rolled his eyes but did it anyway…and now…he has been indoctrinated as well. As for potato chips we leave them on the counter sealed with a chip clip if they ever last more than a few hours…but then, we are not neat freaks in our house…except for our excellently organized linen closet. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/25 "2011-04-07T17:00:14Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Her, she wants to put them away in the cupboards. She’s always doing this, nay insisting on it. She says it’s “not normal” to have the chip bag on the counter and that she thinks most people would put them away in cupboards. > > So my question is this: Is it weird to keep the bags piled neatly on a kitchen counter, say, in a corner? No. When you were growing up, did your mom ever tell you that you could do [you name it] your way when you grew up and moved into your own place, but as long as you were under her roof, you were going to do it her way? If she did (and do any moms raise a child without ever saying this?), gently remind her of this, and note that you are now, in fact, in your own place. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/26 "2011-04-07T17:06:45Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > If she did (and do any moms raise a child without ever saying this?), gently remind her of this, and note that you are now, in fact, in your own place. There was a commercial like that a few years ago. It might have been for a mortgage company or something. A guy was standing in the front door of his house, in winter, and was on the phone. “Dad? I’m heating the whole outdoors!” ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/27 "2011-04-07T17:24:52Z")
I have a walk in pantry in my kitchen - so no - because I have this rather large room to hold stuff like bags of potato chips. But where ever they work for you is fine. A basket or breadbox or something to hold them may make it look more like “these belong here” and less like “I didn’t get my groceries put away” - but you probably aren’t having the photographer for Martha Stewart showing up so who care? ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/28 "2011-04-07T17:26:32Z")
Your mom _really_ needs a hobby. My vote is, put the chip bags wherever you want them. Your mom can put _her_ chip bags wherever _she_ wants them. I rarely buy chips, and even more rarely buy them in sufficient quantity that I’d bring any home. If I do, I’ve had them on the kitchen table, on the counter, or, if there’s room, in the cupboard. There’s usually not room. If I had a pantry, I’d keep them there. Or on the kitchen table. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/29 "2011-04-07T17:31:22Z")
There are no rules. It’s your kitchen and having a bag of chips on the counter isn’t weird. Personally I have to put such things in a high place to keep little hands from getting a hold of them, but I would not think it odd to see a bag sitting out on someone else’s counter. I do know that some people get twitchy from seeing anything besides appliances sitting out on the counters, though. It doesn’t look “neat” to them. These people should be told that they can do what they want in their own kitchens. I know that’s hard to do with moms. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/30 "2011-04-07T18:10:40Z")
You are all wrong. They belong in the bedside table so you can eat them while watching TV in bed. _(Yes-I’m single-why do you ask?)_ ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/31 "2011-04-07T18:13:54Z")
I am a mom, so I can say this with complete authority: Chip bags take up too much valuable cupboard space to prevent crushing; of course they go on the counter! Or on top of the refrigerator. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/32 "2011-04-07T18:15:11Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I do know that some people get twitchy from seeing anything besides appliances sitting out on the counters, though. It doesn’t look “neat” to them. These people should be told that they can do what they want in their own kitchens. I know that’s hard to do with moms. I hate small appliance on the counters; put your toaster, coffee pot, mixer, etc. away. Then you will have more room for chips! ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/33 "2011-04-07T20:37:56Z")
They stay on the coffee table where they are closest to the TV. But not if the dog is going to be unsupervised. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/34 "2011-04-07T20:58:38Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > You are all wrong. They belong in the bedside table so you can eat them while watching TV in bed. > _(Yes-I’m single-why do you ask?)_ I’m not sure what being single has to do with snacking in bed. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/35 "2011-04-07T21:29:27Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I pile them on the fridge. Yep. Opened bags go on the fridge, unopened ones go in the pantry. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/36 "2011-04-07T21:48:16Z")
On the counter I guess – mutatis mutandis that’s how I treat tostadas and corn chips, so that’s how I’d treat potato chips. My mother comes to visit me sometimes, and if I use the men’s room, I’ll come back and find my blowtorch tucked under the sink, my fire extinguisher somewhere odd, and all kinds of weird shit. She’s not allowed to mess with my kitchen anymore – instead, I’ll set up the chess board if I need to make a phone call or step out for a smoke, and challenge her with a problem. I don’t even play chess, really, but it’s make-work for mama. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/37 "2011-04-07T21:51:55Z")
My family has never kept them anywhere but the counter top. OK, sometimes on top of the fridge, but mostly the counter top. Never “put away”. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/38 "2011-04-07T22:05:55Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > There was a commercial like that a few years ago. It might have been for a mortgage company or something. A guy was standing in the front door of his house, in winter, and was on the phone. “Dad? I’m heating the whole outdoors!” And for the other side of the coin: About a year after my brother got his own apartment he called me to laugh and complain. Apparently dad had visited and drunk all the milk but a couple of drops and put the container back in the fridge, left a tea bag sitting in the sink and a couple of other things that had been constant refrains during my brothers teenage years. Was awesome 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/39 "2011-04-07T22:16:48Z")
My mom used to ask me “if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?” so, I was trained by her to never do what ‘everyone else does’ - no matter what it was. It’s been a lonely life, but I keep my chips where I can find them - usually near whereever I put them. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519/40 "2011-04-07T22:22:04Z")
It’s your house. Keep on the counter what you will. I don’t “put away” the blowtorch, cordless drill, spice grinder, and dog food just because someone comes over! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-an-annoyance-can-potato-chip-crisp-bags-be-stored-on-the-kitchen-counter/577519.md?page=3)