16 year old son stole a sandwhich from Tesco

[Mollydoggerson]

Received a call from Tesco to say my 16 year old consumed a sandwhich in the shop and was stopped while walking out. He said he had no money to pay for it (true, but he has plenty of cash in general, just not on him). They asked him for my number, and left a message on my phone.

I drove there, paid for it and apologised. He had left by then. They told me he is barred.

I ve offered two options to him, apologise to the staff or go to confession (we are culturally catholic) apologise or atone! 😅

He is not willing to do either. I Don't want this to ruin Christmas, his attitude is f*ck Tesco, they have plenty of money. I ve told him Tesco don't owe him anything!!!

He has apologised to me and told me he would repay me(after coaxing, both were my suggestion) is that enough?
How would you respond?

I totally agree with you. Well said...

The only people that actually think like this are thieves. Normal people that aren't thiefs do not think this.

Theft is a crime. Cancel his Christmas, he can sit in a corner and watch his family enjoy it. No presents, no dinner. Or he can sit in his room, if he has a computer or games console in his room, remove it.

She can't do that, not at Xmas !

What is normal ? I'm not a thief I'm just bloody angry at greedy Tesco Asda and Sainsbury's.

You are a thief. You've just done the mental gymnastics that thieves do to rationalise it.

I'm not a thief I took a bottle of water out a shop because I was about to collapse. That's survival

And I guarantee you would have done the same

I don't have any regret either. It's not the same as stealing an old woman's purse

You are a thief.

Merry Christmas, thief!

Well I'm just glad I'm a nice person and I'm not arrogant. Merry Christmas.

You know supermarket profit margins are famously low? That's why small independent shops can't compete because they don't have the negotiating power to screw over their suppliers the way supermarkets do. So, the people supermarkets are fucking over are farmers and producers, not generally customers. I assume your ethics mean you only shop at small independent shops and only steal from supermarkets anyway though?

He needs to go to Tesco and apologise himself, you go with him if needed. He does need to do that. How to get him to is another thing, I would have a talk to him, keep it simple, that stealing is wrong and that it's against the law because if everyone stole from each other there would be chaos. And if he had his own business he wouldn't like it. Make it clear you aren't impressed and then give him space. I would give him Christmas presents as normal but make it clear you are disappointed and don't say too much more after your talk with him. Boys especially like to make mom happy. Give him space after talking to him and he might just suprise you

Fine. I'm a water thief. I'm not going to crawl into a hole and die about it. I think mumsnet is for some reason full of judgmental people and you can't even see the hypocrisy that you are treating others like that yet act like you're a perfect human being and better than the people you insult. Like I said, at least I'm a nice person, and I would rather be a water thief than an arrogant hypocrite

His response does suggest it's not the first time he has done this and possibly not the last........We have all seen on TV the volumes of people walking brazenly into Greggs and other places grabbing what they want and walking out while security watch. So maybe he has seen this and feels "what's good for one is good for all". I would however withhold the top 2 Christmas presents he asked for and give to him another time when he has reflected on his behaviour.

It's theft. My Mum got a little faint in a supermarket, the First Aider took her out the back to a room for a sit. Gave her a drink and something to eat and a taxi home.
Tesco would probably have done the same for you, if you had just asked.

And what if they didn't ? It's theft of a bottle of water. Who TF cares. I was about to collapse, my brain saw water and I drank it. If I told the full version of events I'd still be getting hate for it, so I won't bother. I needed water. That's it. I don't care about this, it doesn't define me and if I'm a water thief out or a bunch of judgmental I will be a water thief and be happy with my actual morals. You people judge and you judge and you judge on this site. What does that say about you. I'm not a bitch and I'm happy with that

I knew society was on the decline

but fuck me I'm amazed at the amount of if people can justify or dismiss blatant theft

there some shocking entitled attitudes on here

some of the replies or laughable
like I desperately needed food or water even if they were in that life and death situation and acted on impulse surely the first response once they come back from the brink of passing away would be to sort it and make arrangements to pay or explain
but no it’s just fuck it they can afford it

I honestly fear for they future with people like this in society

My son s big gift, hasn't arrived in time. Karma.

@xmasdemon to be honest, you are starting to sound a little unhinged now.

@Mollydoggerson sod everyone else, enjoy your Christmas. Tell your son to make some sandwiches and pour yourself a large drink 🎄

Most people would not.

I have had some very difficult times, no food, no hot water, no heating and no electricity. I’ve been at the point of collapse quite a few times.

Never once have I ever stolen anything, or even been tempted to.

You stole, no ifs and buts about it.