Stolen French fries are spicier than justice: How covert larceny enhances taste | Hacker News Reader

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

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10 pointsbookofjoe8 comments

> 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.

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.

You've messed up the title

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?"

  "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.

The poor Belgians aren't getting their representation.

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.

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.

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