Can't we all just share chips?

A manifesto for international 'Sharesies'

There have been multiple occasions when I've gone into a restaurant, starving my tits off, and seen another table with loads of spare food. Usually chips (aka: French fries). But sometimes it's nachos. Or a few slices of pizza.

I've been so tempted to ask them if I could have some.

But I don't.

Because that's weird.

APPARENTLY we've all agreed - without ever discussing it - that asking a stranger for their spare chips is social suicide. You may as well scream "white lives matter", or wear Sketchers.

This has to stop. We literally teach toddlers to share, it's in our nature.

But instead, the food gets binned. Chips. Perfectly good chips. Thrown away because no one had the guts to say:

"Excuse me. Sharesies?"

What is Sharesies?

Sharesies is the idea of politely requesting someone's uneaten food.

Sharsies is verbal. It's optional. It relies on respect, not entitlement. It's a societal upgrade.

There's zero expectation of receiving, but the asking should not be seen as weird.

This isn't a radical idea.

• In most Eastern cultures, sharing food is normal, even expected.

• In ancient times, people would pass around a loaf of bread and everyone would have a nibble (I was never good at history).

• At festivals, people share stuff the whole time, uninhibited by society's constructs.

• At kids' parties, the phrase "one each" is basically law.

The idea that eating is a solitary, guarded act is a modern invention that needs overthrowing like we did to Colonel Gaddafi or Greg Wallace.

The Real Issue!!!

Before we proceed, it's worth highlighting the real issue at hand: food waste.

That's the reason I'm writing this. Obviously.

In the UK alone, we throw out 10.7 million tonnes of food every year.
- Waste & Resources Action Programme, 2021

That has a substantial effect on global warming. We're producing more than we need, polluting our poor planet, when we could just… sharesies.

Oh, and if you think for a moment that I'm cynically using food waste as a reason to garner support for this initiative, then shame on you. Or even worse - no chips for you.

(Hypothetically, even if it were all about chips. You can't deny the fact that sharesies is good for the planet. So either way, you're in.)

The Sharesies Manifesto

No movement is complete without a manifesto. So here's mine.

Print it out. Stick it up. Send it to your MP.

The music video below is your reference for the energy I expect of you.

Just change the word 'love' for 'chips'.

(and ignore the poor grammar that creates)…

Sharesies
Normalising the act of asking for spare food at restaurants.

Aims and Objectives

• Cut UK restaurant food waste by 50,000 tonnes by 2030 (25% reduction from the current 199,100 tonnes annually)

• Bring a divided society together through micro-interactions (yes, there's that too)

• Share food, including but not limited to, chips

How it Works

You politely ask "Sharesies?"

They say “yeah sure”:
Thank them genuinely and enjoy responsibly. Judge the best way to make the food transfer - whether it's taking their plate wholesale, or passing them yours.

OR

They say “no, sorry”:
You say "No worries." Take solace in the fact that they're still part of Sharesies, even if they decline on that occasion.

Remember:
Sharesies is about normalising the ability for people to ask without shame or judgement. Not about guaranteeing a ‘yes’, or judging a ‘no’. If the question can be asked and responded to with mutual respect, whatever the outcome, it's a win.

Can People Opt-Out?

Sharesies is totally optional. Like organ donation in the UK, everyone is opted in by default.

If you don't want to be asked, just put your cutlery into a ⌃ position - the international symbol for 'I still want my food'. That's already a thing! It’s perfect. Nobody will disturb you.

How to opt-out.

When to Sharesies

In essence, it's a common-sense practice. Here's some guidance:

Good times:

• When there's clearly leftover food

• Relaxed atmosphere

• People finishing up

• Casual restaurants, pubs, food courts

Bad times:

• When people are still actively eating

• Clearly important moments

• If anyone else has already asked them

• If they're deep in conversation

Overcoming Risks

Risk: Social awkwardness for participants
Mitigation: Support network for early adopters. Clear protocol guidelines. Opt-out signalling system. Educational campaign featuring celebrity/influencer endorsements, podcast collabs (Off Menu?), Superbowl advert.

Risk: Rejection leading to participant withdrawal
Mitigation: Success story sharing on social media. Emphasise rejection as an acceptable outcome.

Risk: Restaurant revenue loss concerns
Mitigation: Develop a partnership model with restaurants which highlights the initiative and actually increases bookings of partaking restaurants.

Risk: Regulatory intervention or legal challenges
Mitigation: Proactive engagement with local authorities; legal compliance review (shotgun not doing that), Government lobby group.

Next Steps

1. Test it out - ask for sharesies. Chances are they won't understand initially, so calmly explain what it's about. Education is the key to revolution.

2. Cross your cutlery into a ⌃ if you're not up for sharing when someone asks you.

3. Inform others - Forward this to a mate. Spread the word.

4. Thank me later when you're living in a world where you can eat spare chips. Oh and the planet-saving stuff etc.

End Notes

It might feel weird at first.

There's a social barrier. It's awkward. You'll seem mad.

But that's how every good idea starts.

Progress always feels strange at first. The smoking ban. Contactless payments. Women voting. Sharesies is the same.

Just ask yourself, which side of history do you want to be on?

One where we're all smoking indoors, paying in smelling old cash, only letting idiotic blokes vote and binning all the leftovers?

OR...

One where we don't get lung cancer, pay smugly with our phones, let everyone have a say, save the stupid planet, and yes - share chips.

Your Voice Matters

What did I miss?

How can this be improved?

Will you join me?

Let me know in the comments…