Exactly the same here. I'd heard the rule, but since I was the only person in the family that ever touched the Vic, it basically became mine, and I did whatever I wanted around it. And that included eating popcorn or whatever. And I always had a glass of water or soda when I was using it -- which was pretty much any time available... I was addicted to that thing.

Unsurprisingly, the Vic did not get ruined by moisture or crumbs. I used to take a screwdriver to it occasionally, and solder, so there is that, too. That was probably way more risky.