Whether you're the person taking another person's chips or the victim of such an act, a new study offers an explanation: stolen food tends to taste more ap-peeling.
Some might call chips the universal language of love. Savoured by almost everyone, they’re the kind of food that brings people together in a joyful bond of golden grease. Unless, of course, someone is a chip thief.
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We’ve all been there: You’ve ordered yourself a big portion of fries, which your companion convincingly reassured you they did not want - they’re fine with just the salad.
You ask them if they’re sure.
They say they are.
But after the fries’ arrive, their halo suddenly slips.
First it’s a gentle request for "just one". Then maybe a couple more. Next thing you know, you’re returning from the bathroom to a near-empty bowl - only a few soggy stragglers left behind.
Researchers at the Russian Medical Academy decided to explore why this temptation to steal chips persists, and if “moral transgression might enhance gustatory pleasure”.
To conduct the study, which was published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, the researchers served each of their 120 participants the same portion of chips - first directly, then as an offering from another person.
Finally, they were asked to secretly steal chips from their fellow participants in both high and low risk scenarios.
The participants were then asked to rank the deliciousness of the chips on a scale from one to nine, with those stolen collectively ranking the highest.
Interestingly, the greater the risk of being caught, the greater the fries-induced high, with the stolen chips scoring 40 per cent more in flavour, crispiness and saltiness than those served directly.
According to the participants, the thrill combined with guilt of sneaking the forbidden fries made devouring them more exciting.
The results could also be linked to scarcity mindset, which refers to the way our brains become more anxious and fearful when there's a lack of something, making us more competitive and impulsive.
The same goes for anything prohibited. Often known as the "forbidden fruit effect", when we’re told something is off limits, it instantly becomes more valuable and desirable.
Previous studies have found that a scarcity mindset can also dampen our ability to empathise with other peoples' pain - or in this case, annoyance.
The study authors said their findings help expand "our understanding of how everyday transgressions engage reward circuits", and provide more insight into behavioural psychology and the human thought processes that underpin our eating habits.
And while it's unlikely to stop anyone from stealing your chips, the culprits have a good excuse next time, at least.
