Not to have done anything more than look at this lady disapprovingly....?

[FrenchLimeBlossom]

I was in Tesco on Saturday and as I walked past one of those wire baskets full of Tesco branded shopping bags (they have them at the end of the aisles) a woman walked past me going the other way. I was turning left into the aisle and she was coming out so we had to manoeuvre around each other IYKWIM.

She reached out across my trolley, i thought, to pick up a bag and instead she dropped a scrumpled plastic bag into the container - one of the ones they put your deli produce into. I looked at her and she was chewing some food (open-mouthed - nice) -which I strongly suspected she had eaten from the bag itself.

I almost could not believe it - she had an approx 13yo son with her and looked fairly smart - but concluded she must have ordered food from the deli counter, eaten it and chucked away the evidence. She saw me looking at her and blushed, which pretty much confirmed my suspicion that she had stolen and knew that I'd guessed it.

Ok, it's possible she'd picked up the bag from the floor, but who sees/picks up rubbish from Tesco's floor? And if she were so keen on picking up rubbish why would she have dumped it into a display container?

Is it just me who thinks that this is stealing? Isn't wandering round the supermarket eating (whether or not it's food you've not bought yet) a bit gross anyway, let alone if you're intending not to pay for what you consume?

I kept coming round corners and passing her and each time i gave her my 'disapproving look' but should I have spoken to someone about it? I guess if she had nicked the food presumably the CCTV would show her ordering from the deli counter and not producing any deli produce at the till, and dropping the rubbish?

I'm absolutely appalled particularly at the fact she had a child with her and apparently thinks it's ok to give an example at least of dropping litter wherever she feels like it and at most of stealing shamelessly.

Or AIBU? Is there another explanation?

[bigchris]

well its not as if you work there so I would have just ignored her , what did you think you'd get out of giving her disapproving looks, a fight? it's up to the staff to monitor these things not you surely?

[squeaver]

I don't understand. Is this a thread about a thread or something? Have you really been brooding on this since Saturday?

[HecatesTwopenceworth]

Yes it is stealing. And yes, I probably would have judged her too.

It's amazing how many people have a funny idea about what is theft and what isn't. Theft is what other people do. If I take a little something that doesn't belong to me it's not theft, it's what? Taking back some of the company's profit? only X so it doesn't matter? no big deal?

Theft is theft. If it's not yours it's not yours. Doesn't matter if it's an old lady's handbag or a penny chew from the pick and mix.

[random]

oh dear

[nickschick]

When I worked at tesco years ago my boss would always chuck me those rasperry coconut sweets.......one day I saw him filling his pockets at the pick n mix!!

[TheChilliMoose]

I'd have given her a dirty look for puttin rubbish in the display but then forgotten about it TBH.

[sherazade]

these baskets at tescos. the ones they keep near the aisles. are they wire baskets by any chance?

[Aeschylus]

If I am honest, I always eat some Grapes whilst I am doing the shopping, I always presume they accept it goes on, as I dont hide it...

[thefortbuilder]

another version of the grapes debate then

[giantkatestacks]

Who gives a shit? What business is it of yours? [huffy tonight-first day of hols today]

[squeaver]

Oh noooo, someone's mentioned grapes....

[junglist1]

I had a drink in tesco last week during the heatwave, then bought the empty bottle to be scanned. Shoppings thirsty work you know!

[Northernlurker]

Oh come on! You don't know what happened here and it is so minor a matter it's hardly worth thinking about.

'Woman sees other woman chewing unknown food and disposing of unknown rubbish in supermarket'

Hardky going to bring down governments with that one are we?

[hullygully]

You should have SHOT her. Good lord, what ever next? What is the world coming to? It's a rum do and no mistake.

[imaynotbeperfectbutimokmummy]

one of your disapproving looks? Now i have an image of you in my mind - quite uptight looking with a face like a cats bum!

Get over yourself hun!

[MumtoCharlieandLola]

Did you give her one of these ?

www.1stfortoys.co.uk/toys-90/paddington-bear-toys-15-6028-2600_zoom.jpg

LOL !

[Lulumama]

at hullygully. i've snorted with laughter and sprayed a bit too

rum do !

[HerBeatitudeLittleBella]

I think if you didn't dial 999 then and there, you are an accessory to a crime.

I urge you to turn yourself in. You will feel much better when you've got it off your chest.

[preciouslillywhite]

it was me

C'mon! what's half a pound of double gloucester with chives to Terry Leary??he can spare it!

[steviesgirl]

I'm sure Tesco can live with a tiny loss. They're only worth 3.5 billion! To be that bothered by something like that is a bit OTT. Don't you have any more personal concerns to be bothered about?

[Turniphead1]

Yes, she probably did. In which case, yes, she was stealing. Quite why anyone would care enough to write 8 paragraphs about it is anyone's guess (although obviously I applaud your use of said paragraphs). Hopefully though, your Paddington Hard Stare will be enough to make her reflect on her crime and mend her ways.

Maybe you could go into offices and give your dispproving looks to people going to the stationary cupboard to cut theft of post-it notes and tippex?

[FrenchLimeBlossom]

OK then, consensus seems to be that i am being unreasonable - thanks for letting me know.

[freya555]

i dont think youre unreasonable to feel its wrong not to teach right from wrong to children or young people - the womans behevoiur set an example to the person she was with .I know that the size of the " crime" was minor but that to me is not the point -its about being your childs first teacher -yes there is a book called that ! like holding doors open ,not spitting in street ,swearing in frount of children, good manners ,caring ,socail responsibilty and courtersey to add up to a more positive society- as someonesaid earler its not like the supermarket cant afford it -but to me that s not the point....