8 comments

  • MisterTea 17 hours ago

    > Human folklore claims that “stolen food tastes better,” yet its effects on taste have not been quantified.

    Back in grade school I distinctly remember the time my friend stole half a dozen rice crispies treats then exclaiming "Damn! Food tastes so much better when its stolen." I stole from that store once too but did not enjoy the treat any more than paying for it and felt only remorse. I never knew it was so widespread of a belief until now.

    • dlcarrier 11 hours ago

      My brother and I were lamenting that food snuck into movie theaters isn't as good, when no one working there cares that you're sneaking it in.

  • gnabgib 16 hours ago

    You've messed up the title

    • bookofjoe 15 hours ago

      Actual title:

      >Stolen fries are spicier than justice: How covert larceny enhances taste

      My title:

      >Stolen French fries are spicier than justice: How covert larceny enhances taste

      You're saying adding "French" "... messed up the title?"

      • bookofjoe 4 hours ago

        One more thing: the paper's abstract (below), which uses the term "French fries:"

        Abstract

        Human folklore claims that “stolen food tastes better,” yet its effects on taste have not been quantified. In a within-subject experiment, 120 participants consumed identical French fries under four acquisition contexts: legitimate (own-portion), gifted, low-risk covert taking, and high-risk covert taking. Acquisition context strongly affected both taste pleasantness and overall enjoyment. High-risk covert taking yielded the highest pleasantness ratings, exceeding legitimate consumption by 39.3%. Context also shifted perceived saltiness, crispiness, and intensity. Across covert-taking trials, guilt was positively associated with enjoyment, as was excitement, though neither independently predicted enjoyment once acquisition context was accounted for.

      • dlcarrier 11 hours ago

        The poor Belgians aren't getting their representation.

        • bookofjoe 4 hours ago

          Memories of that wonderful little place on the Venice [California] boardwalk that introduced me to Belgian-style fries in a paper cone with an array of to-die-for dipping sauces. Must've been around 1970.

      • metalman 7 hours ago

          "stolen freedom fries" , which now that it's written, does have a certain alternative wierd double entendre thing happening, but if you are american, have no other red blooded option than to use.