AIBU to have said nothing?

[Fibbertigibbet]

This happened yesterday but I'm finding it still playing on my mind.

I was in the Post Office sending a parcel when two teenage boys (they looked around 14 or 15) come in with a little girl (around 8). The boys pick up some sweets for the little girl and a drink each, then ask the cashier for a pack fo cigarettes. To my shock, the cashier gives them the cigarettes, and then the boy realises he doesn't have enough change (not even close!), so pays by card, and they leave.

I can't help feeling I should have said something. The boys clearly did not look over 18, and not having a clue about how much a pack of cigarettes costs suggests to me that they are new smokers. Should I have said something? Or is it none of my business and I should just let young people make their own mistakes?

Ah, another poster on MN getting all clammy-palmed at the excitement of being able to report someone for something.

Thisjustinno I don't think that's particularly fair- I haven't reported anyone! I work in healthcare and see people dying of smoking-related illness on a daily basis, and it just made my stomach churn a little bit seeing two boys who were so young making a mistake.

I'm wary to report the shop as the Post Office is run by a nice family and whilst I think the shopkeeper has made a lapse in judgement, the idea of him possibly being prosecuted and his family being torn apart doesn't sit right with me either.

The reason why I believe these boys are not regular customers and are genuinely underage is that they were surprised by the amount the cigarettes cost- they bought two bottles of fizzy drink and some sweets as well as the pack, and were surprised when the £8 or so they had in cash was not enough. Clearly not regular smokers.

I'm a 35yr old smoker and I'm constantly surprised at how much they cost

Also, when I moved house and started using a new shop, one particular cashier asked me for ID every day for a week, I was 26.