Stop a shoplifter and hurtful words
Dear Lindsay,
When my friend and I hang out at Target, sometimes she slips
little things into her purse, like Lip Smackers, and then doesn’t
pay for them. When I say she shouldn’t do that, she just laughs and
says it cheap so it’s not a big deal. What do you think I should
do?
Stop a shoplifter and hurtful words
Dear Lindsay,
When my friend and I hang out at Target, sometimes she slips little things into her purse, like Lip Smackers, and then doesn’t pay for them. When I say she shouldn’t do that, she just laughs and says it cheap so it’s not a big deal. What do you think I should do?
-From a scared shopper
Dear Scared Shopper,
You and I both know that stealing is both morally and legally wrong, and stealing is exactly what she is doing. Shoplifting is a serious crime, no matter how “small” or “cheap” the item is. Tell her all of this, and if she doesn’t listen, go to her parents.
It may seem like you are tattling, but it’s for her own good. She needs to realize that there are some serious consequences if she is caught. The consequences can be small like paying for the stolen items, or big like jail time. Even if her first time is little, she may think that it will always be that little. Let her know that it will just get worse if she keeps doing it. There are security cameras in every store, and chances are she will be seen if she keeps this up. If she keeps doing it, chances are it will be a habit, and she could go on to thinking she can get away with bigger stuff. Stop her while you still can.
Dear Lindsay,
When my friends and I hang out, some of them make comments like “that’s so gay” and I don’t think they should say things like that. How can I get them to stop?
-From no mean comments
Dear No Mean Comments,
I know exactly where you are coming from because of one of my close friends does it. Sometimes you get used to it from hearing it so much that it slips out. I’m not saying that it is right; I’m just saying that sometimes it is hard to break old habits. Just let them know that some people take offense to it. If you keep telling them to stop, and watch what they say, soon they will get it drilled in their head and learn to control it.
