We all have our reasons for stealing. Terry is in a hurry to grow up, Peter spends too much time attached to a machine for his lungs, Steve just likes a giggle and I’m bored shitless of being skint. Peter has stuff, Steve and Terry too, if a little less; none of them has to choose between sweets or school dinner. All each of us needs is a little courage for every Saturday to be like Christmas.
I am still emotionally scarred from my one foray into shoplifting aged 12. I'd become friends with someone who turned out to be consumate at it which meant that I got caught and she did not. I was in Colchester and after being stopped by the store detective, taken to the office and the police called, was then frogmarched through the street to the nearby police station by the coppers. We bumped into my grandparents on the way which was devastating as I adored them. I was roundly told off at the station and when my grandparents told my parents my mother went mental and nearly shook the teeth from my head. My father's response was to drive me back to the store in Colchester so I could apologise to every member of staff there. I still hold my hands in the air above my waist whenever I am at a consmetics counter for fear of anyone thnking I am on the pinch.
I've had a few of these conversations since I posted this - the deep shame, the wild reactions from parents, the escalation into the big world of the police...and - for good or bad - the short sharp shockedness of none of us ever shoplifting again. For 2 months or more I was petrified that the shop owner would tell my dad, before I realised he didn't have my address or know my dad and had no way of telling him.
I'm glad your dad wasn't told. My mother tormented me for years over it. Every time we went out, she'd pull me away from the makeup counter because 'we know you like to steal'. (Yes, she was/is a sociopath. )The shame will never really go, I think but it helps to read about the experiences of others and see how common - and normal- it is.
I don't know many from my childhood who didn't have some experience of this and I don't know how much is wanting the 'thing', wanting to be more grown up or wanting a thrill, some escape from the lack of excitement in a small coastal town in the turn of the 80s
also, testing boundaries, getting one over adults with power and wanting to 'have' things. It was thrilling, even on that one occasion (scrumping apart!)- until it was.... not
I always favoured sliding Marvel or DC comics into a bigger mag at WH Smith and then paying. Most of the staff couldn’t give a toss and if the comic was found I’d have plausible deniability.
I am still emotionally scarred from my one foray into shoplifting aged 12. I'd become friends with someone who turned out to be consumate at it which meant that I got caught and she did not. I was in Colchester and after being stopped by the store detective, taken to the office and the police called, was then frogmarched through the street to the nearby police station by the coppers. We bumped into my grandparents on the way which was devastating as I adored them. I was roundly told off at the station and when my grandparents told my parents my mother went mental and nearly shook the teeth from my head. My father's response was to drive me back to the store in Colchester so I could apologise to every member of staff there. I still hold my hands in the air above my waist whenever I am at a consmetics counter for fear of anyone thnking I am on the pinch.
I've had a few of these conversations since I posted this - the deep shame, the wild reactions from parents, the escalation into the big world of the police...and - for good or bad - the short sharp shockedness of none of us ever shoplifting again. For 2 months or more I was petrified that the shop owner would tell my dad, before I realised he didn't have my address or know my dad and had no way of telling him.
I'm glad your dad wasn't told. My mother tormented me for years over it. Every time we went out, she'd pull me away from the makeup counter because 'we know you like to steal'. (Yes, she was/is a sociopath. )The shame will never really go, I think but it helps to read about the experiences of others and see how common - and normal- it is.
I don't know many from my childhood who didn't have some experience of this and I don't know how much is wanting the 'thing', wanting to be more grown up or wanting a thrill, some escape from the lack of excitement in a small coastal town in the turn of the 80s
also, testing boundaries, getting one over adults with power and wanting to 'have' things. It was thrilling, even on that one occasion (scrumping apart!)- until it was.... not
I always favoured sliding Marvel or DC comics into a bigger mag at WH Smith and then paying. Most of the staff couldn’t give a toss and if the comic was found I’d have plausible deniability.
You were way cleverer than I!
A fascinating insight into ‘fizzy drinks down a side alley’ world.
Thanks Yasmin - peculiar to drive or walk past those alleys when I'm in my hometown
Really enjoyed this. The micro attention to detail is what makes it so visual.
Thank you Amy, that's very lovely of you