I didn’t object – I decided there was no point in arguing, she was more experienced after all. After work I went to the store, bought two packages of eggs and some other food products. I usually buy a little extra so I don’t have to run every time. We often make fried eggs or omelets with different toppings in the morning.
When I got home, I left the bags in the kitchen and went to change and wash my hands. I hadn’t even taken off my coat when I heard a shout from the kitchen:
“Why did you buy those eggs? Never buy them again, even if they’re a good price!”
I was immediately startled – what did I do wrong? I checked the date – they are fresh, not cracked, they are big. What could be wrong? My mother-in-law continued, pointing to the box:
– Don’t you know that you can’t buy eggs like that?
– No… And what’s wrong with them? – I asked in surprise.
– Look carefully! Half of the eggs are lying with the sharp end up, and the others – with the blunt end up.
– Yes, I see. So what?
Then she explained to me that if the eggs in the box are stacked in different directions, it means that someone has touched them. And when they are moved, it is possible that they have been transferred from one package to another, especially if the store is having a promotion. Sometimes they even replace cracked eggs with whole ones.
Then I remembered how often I’ve seen people in the store open the boxes and shuffle the eggs, and then go to pay. I even witnessed a grandmother choosing butter – she unwrapped it, poked it with her fingernail and tried it! Then, without hesitation, she bought another one. Horror! I made a remark to her, and she told me not to interfere in her business. Really – people have no conscience!
