This might sound like paranoia to some ppl but a lot of mums will recognise what im saying. I go into town a lot in the day as I have shopping to get but also to keep my daughter amused. I've noticed in most stores I get followed by staff, I even caught one guy bending down trying to see what was under the pram & another time a snotty looking woman suddenly appeared with her arms crossed, stern look on her face directed at me, it upset me so muc I left the shop. The security always seem to be swaning around me, my friends noticed it too. Maybe its because we both look young. Whenever I go on my own (which is rare) they pay me no notice. The funny thing is, why they're watching me who has no intention of stealing, someone else could easily pinch things.
Do you notice this too?
2007-12-05 01:10:30 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
It might possibly be my pram as its a big one & I tend to take everything bar the kitchen sink with me so yes it may appear suspicious, but still its unfair. Many items have tags anyway so why not wait to see if i go off before suspecting me.
Im glad im not the only one to notice this, its not right that i should change anything just to shop comfortably without being watched.
2007-12-05 01:23:40 · update #1
The security guard in my local Peacocks seems to think that all women with prams are shoplifters! He follows me around the store every time I take my son in. If I go in on my own he doesn't even bat an eyelid.
2007-12-05 02:19:14 · answer #1 · answered by chelle0980 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes this happened to me and my friend.. We were in Morrisions getting some shopping as we were staying at her brothers for the weekend with her daughter ( who was about 6 - 8months old, now 3) & we quick got the buggy out the car and didn't realise that her formula was in the bottom of the buggy.. So when we paid the security stopped us and searched the whole buggy, her poor daughter was asleep and he made us get her out so he could search for "stolen goods" makes me sick.. They made us stand there for about 40 mins while they checked stock & tills to see how many should be left on the supermarket floor.. & we proved them wrong, we hadn't stolen it.. Then they gave us some discount vouchers..
But its not the point, he had been looking at us they whole time we were there just because we had a buggy and looked a bit young at the time..!! Ur not the only one.. x
2007-12-05 01:52:38 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa Lou <3 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm not a father and I've never taken a stroller into as shop... er store... however...
I have been alerted to being followed around. I was wearing a big coat with big pockets and a hood. It made me wonder how often I've been eyed suspiciously and not realised.
Anyway, what really matters is that if you are accused of stealing something when you haven't, you can sue the pants off the shop for defamation of character.
What goes around comes around.
2007-12-05 01:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by xenobyte72 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I myself have experienced this myself, mainly because I shove the coats, the bags and everything in the basket and at this time of season, people tend to steal more and you'd be surprised how many people steal with their kids in tow. I worked at a mall and either it was the person with kids or the lone man walking around aimlessly. Sounds sick but they've been told to keep watch on people like you or I, I wouldn't let it bother you if you've done nothing wrong. I've tended to actually just stop and stare at them and ask if I can help them, they get embarrassed and ignore me on the rest of the trip.
2007-12-05 03:45:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used to work in retail where we get lots of training on recognizing shoplifters. One of the things we look for is a way to hide the merchandise. Unfortunately, while you, and most mothers with strollers, are honest, strollers and prams have been used to conceal merchandise. And sometimes little ones grab things without mommy noticing until it's too late. But to me, it seems that you are getting a little more attention than is warranted. Is your pushchair loaded down? Consider carrying just the basics and maybe getting a lighter stroller where people can easily see. I know this isn't fair, but sometimes, that's just the way it is.
2007-12-05 01:18:38 · answer #5 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yeah because some people use their kids to pinch stuff and then they hide it in the pushchair. Its a horrible feeling but its the society we live in now everyone is always under suspicion.
2007-12-05 01:15:26 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If someone follows you around the store like that again, talk to management and tell them about that behaviour. You should not be harassed just for pushing a stroller around a store.
I've never experienced that, and I've pushed strollers through stores many, many times.
2007-12-05 01:15:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
the next time it happens ask them politely, can i help you? was there something you wanted? make them aware you know that they are watching you. your age shouldnt matter , i work in a shop and am disgusted at this narrow-minded ageism.be confident and dont be intimidated by anyone. you deserve to shop as well as anyone else.
2007-12-07 17:51:29 · answer #8 · answered by kazzy3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So true, similar things have happened to me.
Once, I became so annoyed that I turned right around and told the store employee, "Look, I'm not going to steal anything, so you can stop watching me."
They got huffy and walked away. HA!
They follow me when I am dressed in my sweats and I look scruffy. When I am dressed in nice clothes they don't follow. It is very noticeable!
2007-12-05 01:41:44 · answer #9 · answered by greengo 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
i know what you mean. it has happened to me a few times.
one shop even insisted that i carried a basket even though i hadnt picked up anything. ever tried pushing a pushchair, holding a basket while trying to keep hold of two older kids as well
2007-12-07 12:41:36 · answer #10 · answered by Courtney and Jazmine's mummy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋