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Original poster

I shoplifted today and I'm kicking myself so much

128 replies

Shittyperson · 09/12/2022 16:51

..and I don't know why, or what I was thinking.

I could have bought the item. It wasn't something I needed either.

It was a tester tube of concealer in a department store. I had to wait around for my online order to be found, saw the concealer and had a sudden urge to put it in my pocket.

I regretted it as soon as I left the shop and wanted to go back in to apologise but bottled it.

I haven't done anything like that before and wouldn't again, but what the fuck is wrong with me that I would risk being arrested for something as pointless as a tester tube of concealer I didn't need.

There's no excuse.

I'm going to have to go back and show my face aren't I? Can I pay for it, even though they don't sell the testers?

NC for obv reasons. I'm a regular. MN could verify.

OP posts:
trevthecat · 09/12/2022 16:52

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Summerhillsquare · 09/12/2022 16:52

Are you feeling generally ok in yourself. If it's out of character I'd be looking into what else is going on in your life.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/12/2022 16:53

Just put it back on the shelf, say nothing, and don't do it again!

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Beauty
Setyoufree · 09/12/2022 16:53

I think just take it back and explain that you absent mindedly put it in your pocket. I doubt they'll even raise an eyebrow, they'll just be glad to have it back

Setyoufree · 09/12/2022 16:54

Or like the PP said, just go in and put it back, no drama!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 09/12/2022 16:54

Even if you take it back, they won't be able to re-sell it. So don't bother. Just stop making a drama out of nothing.

AngelontopoftheTree · 09/12/2022 16:54

Bring it back and say this must have fallen into my bag while waiting... they may or may not believe you, but it'll clear your conscience.

Notanotherwindow · 09/12/2022 16:55

Just take it back and say your toddler took it without you noticing. And yes, what a stupid thing to risk a criminal record over. You couldn't even really use it, testers are so unhygienic.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/12/2022 16:55

Btw I've never shoplifted but my DS went through a phase of swiping everything he could reach from his buggy, so I have lots of experience of running into stores, shovelling hair scrunchies and fruit pouches and phone cards back onto the shelves, and running like the wind. Nobody ever commented.

theemmadilemma · 09/12/2022 16:56

If you've never done it before and it was a real impluse thing I would see your Doctor.

Kleptomania is a mental disorder and can be caused by low serotonin, anxiety and other causes. Are you under particular stress at the moment?

Janieread · 09/12/2022 16:57

Just chuck it in the bin and forget about it. If you are anxious /tired then try and get to the root of why.

theemmadilemma · 09/12/2022 16:57

The way you describe your own surprise at it, really reminds me of something I saw about someone under stress who started doing this.

Seaweasel · 09/12/2022 16:57

It makes a difference that it was a tester, not something that they could have sold. If it were me, I would go into customer service, as a PP has suggested and say that I had accidentally pocketed it. Lots of people would have been using it so it's a dozy thing to shoplift.

weaseley · 09/12/2022 16:58

Only you know how incongruous it is with your usual behaviour/thought processes. It sounds like you did something immature/immoral and regretted it, but posting here makes me wonder if you’re more worried than that. Are you concerned about other aspects of your behaviour seeming unusual?

RJnomore1 · 09/12/2022 17:00

I don’t know if they could put it back out as a tester in case you had interfered with it so I wouldn’t bother taking it back. But as the others say, are you all right? Some good questions being asked

Flossflower · 09/12/2022 17:04

Take it back and say you thought it was a free sample. They might not believe you but it doesn’t matter

RaRaRaspoutine · 09/12/2022 17:15

I wouldn't take it back. I wouldn't do it again either. But it's done, it hasn't harmed anyone financially or otherwise, so shrug it off and move on.

saraclara · 09/12/2022 17:20

Setyoufree · 09/12/2022 16:53

I think just take it back and explain that you absent mindedly put it in your pocket. I doubt they'll even raise an eyebrow, they'll just be glad to have it back

Yep. If you want to draw a line under it, this is what I'd do. They won't care, but you'll feel more comfortable knowing that you no longer have it, nor have you destroyed it. And it's only the tiniest of fibs.

Beaucielblues · 09/12/2022 17:21

I suspect that something is upsetting you in your life. Please don't beat yourself up. Bring it back, make a joke of how you accidentally put it in your pocket instead of on the shelf. You are obviously very moral but I think you're🤗 hurting about something.

Oblomov22 · 09/12/2022 17:23

Take it back and that'll make you feel better.

MamaFirst · 09/12/2022 17:28

They really shouldn't put it back on the shelf for hygiene/safety/security purposes, so I wouldn't bother returning it at all.
I would have a think about why you did it though and where your mental health is at.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 09/12/2022 17:35

They are so unhygienic. Please don’t use it.

Original poster
Shittyperson · 09/12/2022 17:36

Summerhillsquare · 09/12/2022 16:52

Are you feeling generally ok in yourself. If it's out of character I'd be looking into what else is going on in your life.

Life is a bit shit at the minute, family stresses and I'm waiting for biopsy results which I'm scared to death about, but none of it excuses stealing 😔

OP posts:
BobbyBobbyBobby · 09/12/2022 17:36

It’s a sign of other problems as you didn’t steal to benefit from it and it was an unusable item so will have to be thrown away anyway.

Are you feeling low about yourself and are testing your self worth believing that by stealing you are confirming to yourself that you are worthless?

Feelings like that can happen after a relationship breakdown or at times when we believe we have failed at something.

Flyinggeesei234 · 09/12/2022 17:36

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 09/12/2022 16:54

Even if you take it back, they won't be able to re-sell it. So don't bother. Just stop making a drama out of nothing.

It’s a tester and not for sale.

Just place it back OP.