What's Happening?
A trend known as 'pocket-packing' is emerging as diners increasingly take excessive amounts of free items from restaurants, such as condiments and utensils. Victor Carvalho, owner of a Dunkin' Donuts in Massachusetts, reports seeing customers take large quantities of items daily, impacting business costs. Etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall suggests that businesses should encourage customers to take only what they need, as the trend reflects broader economic pressures and consumer behavior during inflation.
Why It's Important?
The pocket-packing trend highlights the economic challenges faced by both consumers and businesses amid rising inflation. It underscores the need for businesses to balance customer service with resource management, as excessive consumption of free items can lead to increased operational costs. This trend may prompt restaurants to reconsider their policies on complimentary items and explore strategies to mitigate financial strain while maintaining customer satisfaction.
