If you saw someone shoplifting..

[anna09]

I always snitch on them at work and I'd snitch on them if I saw them steal anywhere else. It's just simply a lazy, selfish thing to do that other people have to pay for.



Although, the only thing I don't mind people stealing at work are condoms--at least they're not reproducing.

[tattuchu]

I've got a real problem with stealing, so I'd probably tell the management. I might physically intervene, depending upon what kind of mood I was in, and if the person looked like a real scumbag. If the person looked pathetic or desperate, I might be sympathetic and just say, "Hey, not cool, man." Or I might do nothing, I guess. All depends what kind of mood I'm in. And I'm moody

[statichaos]

Nothing. I don't snitch under those circumstances.

So where does the line get drawn for you? The thief doesn't play for the items, will you pay for yours?

Yes. I choose to be someone who pays for his items, as that is how I wish to see myself.

[redunderthebed]

I don't give a fuck big supermarkets jack up prices anyway so they can go fuck themselves.

[Atheist-Lite]

Depends on my mood. I'd most likely watch on the sly to see if they got away with it. Then I'd have another useful technique, besides my glass cutting expertise, for if I fell on hard times.

[Santa_Claus]

I'd have a wank.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't give a fuck big supermarkets jack up prices anyway so they can go fuck themselves.

And they jack up prices to cover theft, among other things. Do you know what the profit margin is at your local supermarket? They depend on volume sales to make money, not a large mark-up on any item. If they had a big mark-up someone down the street could undercut them.

I haven't seen any good reasons for allow this thief to go undetected. Have I missed one?

[Robert_S]

I don't give a fuck big supermarkets jack up prices anyway so they can go fuck themselves.

And they jack up prices to cover theft, among other things. Do you know what the profit margin is at your local supermarket? They depend on volume sales to make money, not a large mark-up on any item. If they had a big mark-up someone down the street could undercut them.

I haven't seen any good reasons for allow this thief to go undetected. Have I missed one?

If I'm in a place that has a habit of doing things that I consider unethical and harmful AND if I consider it myself to be committing a breech of my moral standards to even be shopping there, then I have no real basis to feel obliged to stop a shoplifter.


Now, what about droplifters?

[charlou]

I've worked in a supermarket for years and I've seen people 'pocket' all sorts of things .. it really depends on individual situations and what they're taking as to how I respond ... It's either ignore it and let them take the essential to survive item*, or for other non essential things like cosmetics, cds, etc (in one case an iron ) let them know I saw them and suggest they put it back and leave, or pay for it. It's awkward and embarrassing .. Thank fuck, they always put it back and leave. I've not had to call security yet, but I suppose I'd have to do so if they didn't.


*I grew up in and worked in a community with deep social issues .. I would NOT make a criminal issue of a person, often an aboriginal child, stealing food EVER. I felt ashamed to be observing this while the best I could do was turn a blind eye to the 'crime'. Children deserve so much more.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I wonder how many times Winona Ryder got away with it because she was Winona Ryder?

[Hermit]

... it really depends on individual situations and what they're taking as to how I respond ... It's either ignore it and let them take the essential to survive item*, or for other non essential things like cosmetics, cds, etc (in one case an iron) let them know I saw them and suggest they put it back and leave, or pay for it.

Yes, context makes a difference. Some years ago, when "truth in sentencing" was a fad that took away discretionary powers from magistrates and judges, a report appeared about an old woman whom the magistrate was forced to sentence to gaol because she stole a tin of cat food. She stole it for her own consumption!

If, however, someone gets paid salaries and fees in excess of market rates, and then diddles the books to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars, on the other hand...

[Feck]

I would never see someone shoplifting ,this is because the store detectives are all following me so the shoplifters are at the other side of the store.

[maiforpeace]

*I grew up in and worked in a community with deep social issues .. I would NOT make a criminal issue of a person, often an aboriginal child, stealing food EVER. I felt ashamed to be observing this while the best I could do was turn a blind eye to the 'crime'. Children deserve so much more.

My feelings exactly.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

*I grew up in and worked in a community with deep social issues .. I would NOT make a criminal issue of a person, often an aboriginal child, stealing food EVER. I felt ashamed to be observing this while the best I could do was turn a blind eye to the 'crime'. Children deserve so much more.

My feelings exactly.

[Feck]

There is a by-law in this city that people cannot be prosecuted for stealing food and eating it in a shop ....I wonder if that extends to Booze shops ?????