Would you report someone for stealing a loaf of bread?

[SneakyGremlins]

Just that really.

I didn't. But should I have?

246 ooooooooooooh 1.

24601 !!

I don't think I would, but it might depend on how they did it. I think if they'd looked along chosen carefully and then taken it, or looked like they just couldn't be bothered to stand in a queue, possibly.
If it looked like they needed it, no.

I once saw a young man steal two small jigsaws from ELC near Christmas. I kind of imagined they might be the only presents for a child where they couldn't afford to get things. I didn't say anything.
Where I worked we had a jar of hot dog sausages in brine stolen by someone who was clearly homeless. He left the chocolate biscuits and nicer things to eat in favour of what he knew would give him some sustenance, but not particularly nice to eat cold. If he'd come back we'd have done him a hot one (or two) in a roll.

It wasn’t jean valjean was it?

No, and I used to turn a blind eye to the streetkids stealing stuff as well when I lived in a less wealthy country. (Big supermarket not small business).

Yes, I would in my local shop

No. I imagine that they would have been desperate.

What's with the 24601?

Have you been parachuted in from the medieval era?

24601?

I mean I know they may not have needed it but with bread, I'd always assume someone would. It's not like it was alcohol.

No I wouldn't have said anything

I would have turned a blind eye too. Was a supermarket manager for years. Never called the police when it was clearly someone struggling. Even brought a struggling mum a dinner in the cafe after I caught her stealing "value" items. Poor lovey my heart went out to her.

Definitely don't tell Javert.

I’d check the sewers myself.
And probably buy a red flag.

Google suggests these are references to Les Miserables. Not seen it

Ah damn you all beat me to it with the Jean Valjean quotes ;)

I've put the film on now

The Led Mis. quotes are a bit off GI end the subject matter.

Some poor bastard living here today is desperate enough to be stealing bread, and MN lights up with people anxious to parade the fact that they've 'read the book/seen the show'.

Anyone want to joke in the original French, just so we all know for sure that you're well placed to laugh at the poor?

No.

No I'd happily get it for them. If they're stealing bread they're obviously needing it

chill your boots phosphorus, we could all handwring along with you in earnest but that doesn't actually do anything constructive either does it, beyond signal virtue

I am sure all/most people who replied in a manner you deem unacceptably flippant have in the past donated to food banks/written to their mp about something or other

people can be both things, just because someone on the internet didn't conduct themselves with the gravitas you think they should have doesn't mean they go round lighting fifties on fire in front of tramps or whatever

It's not laughing at the poor though is it Phosphorus.

The whole point of Les Mis is that the protagonist was such a desperate situation that he stole a loaf of bread and that subsequently being branded a criminal and sent to prison changed the course of his life and made it near impossible to redeem himself honestly - only the kindness of others (and a new identity) meant he could live a better life.

So, when referring to it no-one is 'laughing at the poor', they are saying that reporting someone for the crime of stealing a loaf of bread could give them a criminal record which makes getting themselves out of that situation less likely, so don't as wouldn't be right to do it. That is empathy/sympathy and understanding despite a moral issue isn't it?

Feeling antagonised by people referring to a well know play or book comes across as very defensive/chip on shoulder stuff. It's not a big deal, no-one is laughing at the person who stole the bread & the point is valid - it may not be right to steal but whomever is doing that is probably desperate, so don't report.

I'd have probably given the shop keeper the money for the bread

I always remember catching my 1st shoplifter (middle class mum in beckenham) who had taken a bottle of vodka. She pleaded poverty, the store manager said to her that he had no issue with people nicking the bread and if they asked he sound give it to them (1990). That stuck with me.

Yes I would do. However I work in a shop and I know how much the " small " amounts add up to every day/week/year. Stealing is stealing

I don’t think I’d report the specific person but if a small business then probably inform them that their bread near the door was being nicked.

To be fair, a lot of alcoholics are going to need booze far more than a poor person needs bread. You can die from alcohol withdrawal in hours