Today, I went to my favorite store in Portland to grab a sandwich. The owner was in an argument with a cowering man who had stolen a bottle of wine. In an attempt to redeem himself, the thief was returning it a day after. Also, the thief was an employee (obviously, being fired on the spot)! The owner screamed profanity, calling him out on his theft, pointedly saying ‘I’ll pay you back every penny I owe you just like I always have, and, by the way, you’re an asshole!’ The guy left with his head down, a red ball cap covering greasy black hair, pleading in apology. A white haired customer said ‘Well, handled!’ The owner said he believes in ‘public shaming.’ It was intense and I left with mixed feelings. How do we come to terms with this reality of theft and know the right way to deal with it?
–Adam Chittenden
Funny, Adam, but I think I may have been there with you that day! Or else I witnessed a shockingly similar scene at a certain sandwich/general store in town. “Public shaming” is a great way to put what went down–I was the public and witnessed every second of the interaction; and the ex-employee was definitely shamed.
Whoa.
Public shaming?!
I stole a pack of gum once when I was 7. I wonder what the store owner would have done to a child.