So -- here's the situation:
I was at Target this week with Youngest Daughter and we were in the cosmetics section. I watched a college-aged gal open a nail polish bottle and DO HER NAILS right there in the aisle, with people walking by, standing by (that was me) -- the regular, "CU is almost starting", kind of traffic. One older woman walked by and rolled her eyes at the gal. I was so curious as to what the gal would do next. Mind you, I was standing very near -- six feet away max! SHE PUT THE BOTTLE BACK ON THE SHELF and then walked right towards me!!! So ..... much to Youngest Daughter's dismay, I asked the nail-polishing gal if she thought that was weird. She said, "What?" I said, "That you used that polish and then put it back on the shelf." She said, "No, it's just nail polish." WHAT???? She gave me a very dirty look and walked away.
So I ask you, Bella-readers,
1. Was I wrong to ask the question I did?
2. Was she wrong polishing her nails and putting the polish back?
3. Am I just another crazy old lady?
4. Any other words of wisdom?
And not that I use a lot of polish, but I don't think I can ever buy polish at Target again, knowing someone might have used it already and gotten their germs in the bottle!
7 comments:
No you weren't wrong. I think it is gross and I don't want someones fungified nail juice getting onto my nails!
alrighty then.... that was STEALING and you are now an accessory. you might want to let your youngest know (I believe she is going into Law??)
well, I hope Target doesn't come and get you. You know me- I would have said something right then.
Of course, on the other hand, I never thought of shopping this way- I would never have to buy makeup again, or nail polish, or .........
Dont sweat the small stuff mom. Yes it is gross and the nail polish company should do something about it... like the rest of consumer products....(tape, annoying plastic locking devices that just fill up landfills, better security persons, college proof packaging, or heck put it under lock and key).....That being said, maybe she was on the way to her mothers funeral or she had a hot date...
I am amazed, still, at the audacity of people who believe that 'it is just ....' and so it is alright to do something. This fits under the adage that if you dont get caught it is alright to do. I believe you did the right thing; mostly because it may have made an impression on Lizze. If that is possible. But that said, tuck that away as small stuff. Be your spirituality and let others, who can and will, see you living your faith. What did Mother Teresa say .... God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try. You tried.
Your nail polish adventure is a jaw-dropping scenario for sure! I ran it by two of the grandchildren yesterday (12 & 15). Both agreed it was stealing; both said they wouldn't have had the nerve to say anything; both agreed their parents WOULD have said something to the girl; both agreed their parents are totally embarrassing!
I told the story again last night to a couple ladies I was hiking with - both were shocked, but neither was sure they'd have had the nerve to say anything (although both hoped they would have!) but both were glad YOU did - especially since you had Lizzie with you.
All the above mentioned finding a store clerk to tell, but the adults pointed out that might not be effective depending upon the age of the clerk.
Target has this bizarre CU student relationship. For years they took back anything, at any time, without a sales slip (the only Target in the country to do so) because they were afraid of losing student business. (Where else did they think they'd shop?) I know a woman whose son worked at Target who said students would buy things in August and return them in May - well-used, dirty, etc. and Target would refund their money no questions asked! I believe they finally changed that ridiculous policy.
I think your question to her was brilliant! It seemed to me quite a non-combative, yet direct, one. And, I'll bet, she'll think twice before doing it again (or at least look around to see if YOU'RE there! :-)
Mary
I told a former administrator/private school headmaster about the nail polish caper and he agreed that your specific question to the girl was an EXCELLENT one. He also thought you absolutely did the right thing on several levels, the most important being the example set for YOUR daughter - that YOU do NOT condone dishonesty on any level.
Regarding the nail polish thief - I think you absolutely did the right thing. I certainly would have said something to her and, given her age, I would have reported her to the management. If she looked big and tough, I might not say anything... just report her! Had she been a child/early teen I would have reprimanded her in a mild way, indicating she had made a mistake rather than committed a petty crime. I suppose this situation is the reason many things come in tamper-proof containers now.
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