Real Life MMD: Should I tell on the little girl shoplifter?

W_s_n

Completely right to say something. I would without any doubt.

fleur38

i agree with some of the other posters: in a light but jovial voice say to the girl rather loudly 'this is a shop darling, you need to pay for that before you can put it in your pocket', everyone will laugh at her little antics and mum will either make her put it back or pay for it.

kenshaz

Do not be silly. We are talking about a 4 year old child below the age of responsibility.

RuthnJasper

lady_stardust wrote: »

Finally I didn't want to do it within earshot of the shopkeeper. She is a miserable old cow and I didn't want her to be involved and tell the child off when, as others have pointed out, she puts chocolate bars in a tempting place. If she wants to exploit parents by putting them in a place like that (so giving into a child's pester power) in my mind she should be prepared for a few thefts as well.

I do agree with Lady Stardust here; given the very young age of the child, I wouldn't have made a vocal fuss in front of other people in the shop. Gentle admonition and advice on what's right and wrong from a loving parent is one thing, but for a tiny child to be harangued and humiliated in public by, or in front of, people they don't know is the sort of thing that can stay in a young mind for a very long time - and not in a good way.

wonderbrawl

Inform the parent, the shopkeeper, the police and if necessary MI5.

Well, maybe that is a bit of an over-reaction. But as a shopworker myself, I have seen this happen a lot. A discreet word in the ear of the child's parents is usually enough to suffice, but if the parent is dismissive of this, then you should definitely tell a shopworker. In the long run, you'll be doing the child a favour.

piano_keith

I once worked as a supermarket assistant manager, & though I'm not saying this is one of those cases, some parents actually TEACH their children to shoplift whilst they keep store staff distracted!

My favoured approach would be (as someone has already suggested) "Don't forget to give that to Mummy/Daddy so they can pay for it".

Parents who genuinely haven't realised will normally be grateful for the opportunity to teach their child a valuable life lesson, & those who are not will not usually want to cause a fuss.

Of course, there are always exceptions...:think:

AfroKinky1

domprague wrote: »

Tricky one - I was in a similar situation, said something and nearly ended up in a fight with the girl's Dad and uncle.

I also saw a similar situation. I gave the little boy a stern look a doleful shake of the head and a 'tut-tut'. I really didn't fancy taking on his mother! These days I'm more inclined to mind my own business.

Talent

Tell her Mum. Say it quietly and nicely. Smile and walk away.

trickypockets

Not a dilemma that requires any thought, I would have just said : 'Excuse me, you little girl has just put a chocolate bar in her pocket'. It wouldn't occur to me that the parent wouldn't want to know and ask her to put it back. No major incident, I don't think she's a thief or a shoplifter at that age.

Note : discreet and discrete mean two quite different things !

mummytotwo_3

I would tell the parent and then they can decide to either pay for it or put it back. As a mum to a 2 and 1 yr old, I would hope that if anyone saw either of mine doing that then they would tell me.