I work at a daycare during the week, but on weekends (Fri.-Sun.), I work in a little supermarket in the neighborhood. As some of you know, I live in NYC, Brooklyn to be exact. So, earlier today, I was just at my job at the market and this woman, her boyfriend, and baby (the baby must've been 2 or 2 1/2 years old) came in. Now, I must tell you, the woman was very well dressed in designer clothes, and the boyfriend wasn't shabby at all, in fact, he had a bag with new sneakers from Sneaker Corner and judging from the label on the box of shoes, they were of a pricey brand.
The woman first tried to leave her baby outside the store, unattended and in a stroller. I saw the baby from the window. I tracked her down in the store and said that she can't leave her baby like that in NYC or anywhere for that matter, does she know what can happen???? She brushed me off, went out and brought the baby in. She then went to the deli section, ordered two expensive seafood salad sandwiches and picked up a Snapple, candy and a one of those gossip magazines. Please understand, this market is tiny, a very small place for the neighborhood, so when you are there, you can see what everyone is doing. This woman comes up to the counter, pays for the Snapple, candy and magazine, but she had the sandwiches hidden in her baby's things. When I asked her about the sandwiches (I saw her order them and take them from the deli to be paid for in front), she denied that she ever ordered sandwiches. I insisted that she did and my supervisor noticed the whole thing.
When the supervisor came over, she took the sandwiches out and put them on the counter. She said "Can you just forget this??". I knew that if the police was called, that little baby was going to CPS and get taken away from her. This woman was not a woman in need at all...People in need don't wear designer clothes or buy expensive shoes. Now, mind you, the boyfriend was no where to be seen, he slipped out when the trouble started. My supervisor was insisting on calling the police and I pulled my boss aside and asked her if she can let it go for the sake of the baby. Foster homes can be cruel places. This is not to say that all foster homes are bad, but there is the exception and besides, this little one would have no idea what is happening and why his mother isn't there with him.
My supervisor relented and she let this woman go in peace with her baby. Before leaving, the woman turned to me and said "You couldn't look the other way? You're mean!" and stormed out of the store. I was in shock....I'm MEAN?????? I was just doing my job and ethically speaking, I was not going to let someone just steal merchandise. I was really floored by this!
We had a situation once where a woman and her baby came in, and this woman was obviously poor and she asked if she can have something to eat. All the cashiers chipped in and bought her sandwiches, baby food, a drink and diapers. This woman was not a thief, this was someone who really was in dire need. However, what happened today made me think alot and it made me feel bad too. I don't know why I feel bad, but I do.
One of the cashiers said to me "That kid would be better off if he was taken away from her." I just shrugged and didn't say anything. So now, what is everybody's opinion of this??
Johanna
The woman first tried to leave her baby outside the store, unattended and in a stroller. I saw the baby from the window. I tracked her down in the store and said that she can't leave her baby like that in NYC or anywhere for that matter, does she know what can happen???? She brushed me off, went out and brought the baby in. She then went to the deli section, ordered two expensive seafood salad sandwiches and picked up a Snapple, candy and a one of those gossip magazines. Please understand, this market is tiny, a very small place for the neighborhood, so when you are there, you can see what everyone is doing. This woman comes up to the counter, pays for the Snapple, candy and magazine, but she had the sandwiches hidden in her baby's things. When I asked her about the sandwiches (I saw her order them and take them from the deli to be paid for in front), she denied that she ever ordered sandwiches. I insisted that she did and my supervisor noticed the whole thing.
When the supervisor came over, she took the sandwiches out and put them on the counter. She said "Can you just forget this??". I knew that if the police was called, that little baby was going to CPS and get taken away from her. This woman was not a woman in need at all...People in need don't wear designer clothes or buy expensive shoes. Now, mind you, the boyfriend was no where to be seen, he slipped out when the trouble started. My supervisor was insisting on calling the police and I pulled my boss aside and asked her if she can let it go for the sake of the baby. Foster homes can be cruel places. This is not to say that all foster homes are bad, but there is the exception and besides, this little one would have no idea what is happening and why his mother isn't there with him.
My supervisor relented and she let this woman go in peace with her baby. Before leaving, the woman turned to me and said "You couldn't look the other way? You're mean!" and stormed out of the store. I was in shock....I'm MEAN?????? I was just doing my job and ethically speaking, I was not going to let someone just steal merchandise. I was really floored by this!
We had a situation once where a woman and her baby came in, and this woman was obviously poor and she asked if she can have something to eat. All the cashiers chipped in and bought her sandwiches, baby food, a drink and diapers. This woman was not a thief, this was someone who really was in dire need. However, what happened today made me think alot and it made me feel bad too. I don't know why I feel bad, but I do.
One of the cashiers said to me "That kid would be better off if he was taken away from her." I just shrugged and didn't say anything. So now, what is everybody's opinion of this??
Johanna
