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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:
Prescottdanni123 · 09/12/2022 17:37

Another one saying get yourself checked by a gp, especially if you start feeling these urges again. And go easy on yourself. I hope you get to the bottom of why this happened.

DepIndoChridmadWidMe · 09/12/2022 17:37

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.

How many people do you know with a criminal record after shoplifting one time?

MamaFirst · 09/12/2022 17:38

The brain is a funny thing though, OP. Don't be so hard on yourself, you subconsciously chose something practically valueless and felt instant wtf did I just do. Learn and move on.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Beauty
DepIndoChridmadWidMe · 09/12/2022 17:39

What are your instincts saying, op? Do you want to return it or bin it?

eurochick · 09/12/2022 17:41

Just put it back in the shelf.

Windtunnel · 09/12/2022 17:41

I did this years ago as a kid, I think I was feeling really unloved and unlovable.
Go easy on yourself, grow and learn.

You've got some stuff going on and transgressed once so don't beat yourself up too much but do some sympathetic work with yourself.

dolor · 09/12/2022 17:41

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.

This. Mountain out a molehill mentality here.

CowsInFields · 09/12/2022 17:46

@Shittyperson reading your latest update, sounds like you are dealing with a lot, so please don't beat yourself up about this.

As pp have said, you can always pop back into store and say how you accidentally put it in your pocket.

More importantly, I hope you have a support network around you, and you are able to take care of yourself first and foremost Flowers

Zone2NorthLondon · 09/12/2022 17:47

Bin the item and don’t disclose this,one off aberration. Ignore the you must confess posters. I mean what’s actually gained from a crushing confession
I do wonder about stress/anxiety as an underlying factor. It’s not uncommon to be risky or shoplift under stress

Dreamsoffreedomjoyandpeace · 09/12/2022 17:48

You said there’s no excuse but then you gave the perfectly valid excuse that you’re waiting for biopsy results and are terrified.

Just put it in the bin and forget about it. It really is a non event.

DarkKarmaIlama · 09/12/2022 17:49

Don’t take it back. I think you just had a moment of madness which is quite common over the course of a lifetime. Do you usually act impulsively?

SirVixofVixHall · 09/12/2022 17:51

I Would just say that I’d been absent mindedly looking at concealer while waiting to pay, and put it in my pocket without realising, then give it back.
They won’t think anything of it, these things happen.

ShimmeringShirts · 09/12/2022 17:52

You’re not a shitty person, you’re clearly under an enormous amount of stress. It might have been a crap thing to do but that doesn’t make you a bad person, sometimes we go a bit haywire when there’s so much stress and uncertainty and worry about. I hope your biopsy results come back clear and the new year looks a lot brighter for you Flowers

Howdoyoulikeyourtea · 09/12/2022 17:53

Your username is inaccurate. Should be stressedperson .
If you’d feel better for it I would take it back and say you absentmindedly pocketed it but if that will stress you even more then bin it.
I hope your results come quickly and are good news.

Zone2NorthLondon · 09/12/2022 17:54

people need to stop advising she return & confess. You don’t know how the store will react. Store may have a strident proceed with charges irrespective of circumstances. No one here can definitely say the store will be nonplussed

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 09/12/2022 17:55

Shittyperson · 09/12/2022 17:36

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 😔

Show quote history

It might not excuse 'stealing' but it probably does explain your behaviour on that day.

You are telling yourself that you need help. Flowers

Rainraindontgoaway · 09/12/2022 17:55

I was in pandora getting a bracelet for my daughter and I was trying different sizes. It was not until my husband and I were sat in the pub later on I realised that I was still wearing one. I called them straightaway and explained as I was worried about cctv and I went straight back. Go back and tell them it was an accident, they won’t be bothered but it might stop you fretting about it.

CockSpadget · 09/12/2022 17:59

This does not make you a shitty person, so please go easy on yourself. Extreme stress can do some very strange things to us, and waiting on biopsy results is definitely a huge stressor. Hope your results are good news.

Ellie1015 · 09/12/2022 18:00

Put it back if it helps. Main priority for me would be why did you do it and how can you resolve that. Feeling like taking something then actually stealing is not usual behaviour so definitely worth speaking to a professional.

TERRRYsnotmine · 09/12/2022 18:01

Do not take it back OP. Its ridiculous I thought you had actually stole multiple items of clothes or something.

Do not risk getting a criminal record.

username8888 · 09/12/2022 18:01

Take it back and say you were using it and when your order came you must have slipped it in you bag with the purchase. I'm sure it won't be an issue. It wasn't a sale item anyway so they wouldn't have had a significant loss. Say you were distracted as you have a lot of family issues at the moment, and say sorry.

TERRRYsnotmine · 09/12/2022 18:03

Zone2NorthLondon · 09/12/2022 17:54

people need to stop advising she return & confess. You don’t know how the store will react. Store may have a strident proceed with charges irrespective of circumstances. No one here can definitely say the store will be nonplussed

I know. Not everybody is a kind person.

OP willing stole why the hell would she go back? Do not listen to the majority on here OP. Just put it in the bin and delete the thread!

username8888 · 09/12/2022 18:03

DarkKarmaIlama · 09/12/2022 17:49

Don’t take it back. I think you just had a moment of madness which is quite common over the course of a lifetime. Do you usually act impulsively?

And what if they suspect someone stole it (its gone after all) and check through CCTV?

Buteverythingsfine · 09/12/2022 18:05

I would not take it back. Too much stress and risk for you. Just bin it and see this as a warning you are struggling, confide in friends or partner, think about what support you need to get through this time.

CampervanKween · 09/12/2022 18:05

Come off it don't be ridiculous. They're not going to check cctv for a tester ffs. Bin it op and move on.