Okay, I feel horrible.

Last night I was at a grocery store, and I noticed that the older lady in front of me in line, while putting her items on the conveyor belt, had accidentally dropped a can of food out of her hands, and it had rolled underneath her coat. I was going to point it out to her, but all I managed to get out was "Excuse me, ma'am..." before she shot me a nasty look and snapped, "What do you want!" It had been a long day for me, and getting snapped at like that really pissed me off, so I just shrugged and said, "Never mind, you old bat."

So, anyway, she paid for her purchases (minus the item underneath her coat), put her bags into her cart, and left. I paid for my items and as I was heading out, I saw her standing by the door while the store security tore through her bags. One of the security guards found the forgotten item and started yelling at her, accusing her of shoplifting and saying they were going to call the police. I was still in pissed off mode, so I left without a word. The lady was crying, and at the time I felt a certain satisfaction.

But I couldn't get to sleep at all last night. All I could think about was the lady, who might very well be in jail, and is most certainly in trouble, and all over an item accidentally dropped in her haste. Did she deserve all this trouble just because her bad mood ignited my bad mood? I'm usually not that mean-spirited, and now my stomach is tied up in knots over the whole thing.

I don't really expect any solutions or anything. I just had to get it out. I've been trying to squash my guilt all day, and it's not working.

and explain why you didn't act at the time. If they really did press charges, that should clear it up.

sounds like you are, so go to the store

you tried to warn her. I think nearly everyone would have reacted the same way. That said, I agree with the above advice, if you feel that bad about it, call the store.

She truly may have been shoplifting, and that may explain her hostility when you tried to get her attention.

There are many ways shoplifters work. Extra pockets, pockets in their sleeves (you drop an item into your sleeve while your arm is raised then it becomes trapped in the pocket when your arm is lowered), etc.

One is what looks like a shopping bag that has a box in it. The bottom of the (empty) box and bag is cut in such a way that you can put the whole thing over something on the ground and it will pick it up and conceal it, looking like a purchase from the another store.

But all the same, if you are troubled, I would go back to the store and see what you can do to help sort out the truth.

to warn her NOT to lay down in it.

Go to the back yard with a football and throw 9 Hail Mary's. You are absolved.

I can understand why you are feeling bad, but people (young and old) should learn to not be so uptight. I guess I would have walked up to her and told her "That's what I was going to tell you".
At least you tried.

But I've had items somehow appear in my bags I didn't pay for without my intent. Things like packets of gravy or ramen noodles. That guard was overzealous. Did they see her actually sneak in items?

I doubt they actually put her in jail, but you never know nowadays.

of arthritis or something. I know I'm unpleasant when I have a toothache. Still, your response was normal.

and called up the store. Talked to the manager on duty. He took down the information and said he'd tell it to the store manager, but he doubted that they had done anything but give the woman a tongue-lashing. He also said stuff like that happened a lot; he seemed to be amused that I had even thought much about it.

Thank you for the nudge in the right direction. :)

conscience was troubling you and that you called up the store shows that you are a very compassionate person.

*More hugs*

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Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

I try, even though my short temper does get the best of me sometimes.

:shrug:

The law of Cause and Effect.

Not your fault. Through her actions she created her predicament.

Don't worry about it.

Doncha feel better?