It's too early for whisky, I suppose

[cosmolinguist]

I was accused of shoplifting on leaving the Asian supermarket across the road from here, where I go all the time and had honestly just been thinking about how great it was. I didn't understand what the guy was saying at first or why he wanted me to follow him back into the store, so he dragged me by my bag, which was over my shoulder so the strap cut into my neck when the guy yanked on it, and had even the pockets of my jacket and my hoodie dug through. Another guy (who I think works the fish market at the back of the store and tipped off the guy who was doing most of the intimidation) came in the little room to "help" I guess, he was totally sure there was something in my bag and they both looked through it repeatedly before admitting that there was nothing there and saying sorry.

I left in a hurry, immediately trying to figure out how this could've happened. The only things I can think of are that I had a bunch of stuff in my bag already (DVDs magister has asked me to pass along to Andrew) or that it took me a long time to find some of the things I was looking for because some of the labels on things are hard for me to read. I couldn't figure out why I was desperate to explain this until I realized that I need to reassure myself that it's safe to go back there. Because I do love that place! Lots of cheap food and stuff that's impossible to get elsewhere, and it's the closest store to my house.

I thought I was fine but I got home and dropped the shopping (I had spent twenty quid in there! usual behavior for a shoplifter I suppose, that) and burst into tears.

Sod's law would have it that Andrew's at work today, when usually he works from home on a Friday, and the nearby people I'd next go to are in York or on their way to Brussels. So I've had to write it out to calm myself down enough to put the food away and do some laundry and all the stuff I want to do today.

Comments

[heliopausa]

I don't know you but I would say after an experience like that it's certainly not too early for whisky. They should have said a lot more than 'sorry'.

[cosmolinguist]

Aw, bless you, kind passerby. :) I too thought just "sorry" was pretty paltry, too.

[silveradept]

Whiskey in quantity after that, and perhaps an obnoxious sign that says in all caps "NO, I'M NOT SHOPLIFTING FROM YOU".

[withagreatlove]

Ugh! :(

[barakta]

Ouch. I am not sure they are allowed to physically grab you when "accusing you of shoplifting" in a shop but regardless of that it sounds quite upsetting and unpleasant.

I can understand the desire not to go back but also the nearest shop and cheap food factor. I don't know if it is worth you approaching the manager and letting him know that you are partially blind and that means you have to look at food for a long time to read labels so they can "get to know you" and realise you're not thieving from them. I hope they don't accuse you of shoplifting again :(

Sending you big hugs and a massive cup of tea

[cosmolinguist]

Yeah Andrew said they shouldn't touch you but I am sure they'd just say that grabbing my bag or shoving their hands in my pockets don't actually count as touching me or some bullshit like that. Andrew was pretty keen on reporting them to the police but I'm so exhausted from the resulting panic attack that I don't have the energy and he's worried it'd stress me out more anyway.

As for introducing myself, yeah maybe, I dunno. I will have to think about it when I'm less shattered. But I've been in that shop millions of times -- it was also close to our old flat so it's going on six years I've been shopping there and I've never had anything remotely like this happen before...

Thank you for hugs and tea. :) I have managed to eat something now and am feeling about as much better as I can expect, though I might have to have a nap soon.

[barakta]

*nods* It may well have been that they weren't as up on the law as they ought to be either - no excuse, but I can imagine some of the less corporate shops round here being more like your experience than is sensible.

Hope the panic attacks have fucked off and keeping busy has helped too.

[newandrewhickey.livejournal.com]

The rule is that you can be "forcefully detained" using "reasonable force", but only if they have a "reasonable belief" that you are committing a crime.
Reasonable belief is a *much* stronger test than suspicion, and to quote from a law website I checked about this:

"Reasonable belief means that a security guard cannot forcefully detain you unless their reasons for doing so are fair for example if you were seen taking something and hiding it somewhere on your person. To simply look suspicious would not be a reasonable belief."

As Holly was clearly *not* seen doing that, she should not have been detained. On top of that, she was physically searched, which (unless she gave her consent, which I doubt) would definitely be assault -- there's a right when performing a citizen's arrest to detain people until police arrive, but not to use any other force.

[uglybuffy.livejournal.com]

GIANT amount of sympathy and a big slurp from Semtex. I would have cried too. Probably in front of them. And then all the way home. Probably would have driven into a lamppost, blinded by tears. And then cried some more.

[cosmolinguist]

I was too angry at the time to cry at them. And also the whole thing seemed so surreal; I didn't believe it could really be happening, so I didn't react until later.

[starbrow.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey, how awful. *hugs*

I would be totally tempted to find the scummiest lawyer I could and lodge a civil case, especially as I don't think the police will be inclined to do anything in this case, but I can also totally understand not having the energy to think about such things. Take extra good care of yourself for today, that's the most important thing.

[cosmolinguist]

Thank you for your kind words. Taking care of myself today has so far involved making hummus (sort of) and peanut-butter-banana cakes. It might have to involve a nap soon, too. :)

[momentsmusicaux.livejournal.com]

Oh hell that sounds just awful.

And no, it's not too early for whisky when something like that happens.

[cosmolinguist]

I hadn't eaten anything yet (I'd gone out to buy something for breakfast, among other things!) and the panic attack made me sick, so it think it might have been. :) But there may well be whisky in my future this evening!

[momentsmusicaux.livejournal.com]

Ah in that case, very sensible :)

[dyfferent.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hope you are feeling better today.

[cosmolinguist]

I had lots of sleep, which helped me feel better. :) Thanks.