All grocery stores think that I'm a thief

[dzerklis]

I'm so anxious and suspicious that they think I've come to steal. At my local store there is one employee woman who gives my so horrible death stare each time, I have a fantasy of going to their management and complaining. In wintertime I usually buy groceries in morning when there is less people and leave them in my car for the day, but now in summertime I have no choice but to go in evenings. I never go to the big malls because the security guys always start following me and discussing my behavior through their radios, I lose 99% of my intellect from stress.

 

[LoyalXenite]

You could try to email or ring in a complaint? otherwise is there something in your appearance that may be attracting their attention, i.e wearing hoodies

 

[dzerklis]

My appearance? I'm anxious as *uck, of course that attracts their attention.

 

[PugofCrydee]

Have fun with it - because you're not stealing! Lead the security on a figure eight path throughout the store, I bet you can!
If you manage to do this reward yourself with something nice.

 

[Miserum]

Really try to fake that smile. Practice it in the mirror. You'll get it down in no time. Strain the fakeness when it's painful and itll become easier to smile through the pain.

 

[PugofCrydee]

Or... you could grab a full size watermelon, open up one side of your jacket and try to put it inside. Make sure you're being watched as you do this. Zip up your jacket so it's really obvious you have the watermelon in it. Like, it'll look like you're pregnant.
Then, walk away in a really sly way.. then go around the store once or twice.. and put it back.

 

[dzerklis]

I don't think smiling will help in my situation, they will just think I'm trying to trick them lol

 

[Miserum]

I don't think smiling will help in my situation, they will just think I'm trying to trick them lol

Possibly, but maybe not.

If we walk through this logically, they shouldn't suspect you of thievery.

A) You are a long-term customer that has paid for merchandise every time you've walked in the store. Why would you randomly steal something now?
B) Wearing a scowl doesn't necessarily mean they think you're going to steal something. They might just think you're mean or have other motives besides stealing.

So really, if you smile, and you keep that pattern up, they might just think you were at a rough patch in your life and now you're over it! And that you're actually a kind person. If you smile, like, twice, and go back to scowling, yeah, they will think something is up.

But if you are consistent with your smiling, they will realize that you are just a normal person. It doesn't even have to be a smile. Just a slight upturn of the lips and raising of the eyebrows is fine.

You could also restart at a NEW grocery store.

 

[LoyalXenite]

it doesn't even have to be a smile. Just a slight upturn of the lips and raising of the eyebrows is fine.

The small tight smile and head nod that you do when passing a stranger or someone you only slightly know

 

[Miserum]

The small tight smile and head nod that you do when passing a stranger or someone you only slightly know

The rule of thumb seems to be down nod for people you don't know, and up nod for people you do. Lol.

 

[LoyalXenite]

The rule of thumb seems to be down nod for people you don't know, and up nod for people you do. Lol.

Omg I'd never noticed but this is actually very accurate

 

[Miserum]

The small tight smile and head nod that you do when passing a stranger or someone you only slightly know

I believe this is what you are referring to?

https://imgur.com/xKEhDA7

I'm guilty of doing this... so damn cringey lol.

Guess it's better than not even acknowledging a person though.

What I originally was referring to is not that type of smile, but more of a constant facial expression that other people will read as a content or neutral expression, instead of reading it as an upset or angry one.

 

[PugofCrydee]

The small tight smile and head nod that you do when passing a stranger or someone you only slightly know

You mean this?

WTF does that expression actually mean anyway???

 

[LoyalXenite]

You mean this?
View attachment 4603
WTF does that expression actually mean anyway???

Thats the one

 

[SoScared]

I'm a tramp so that makes security follow me. To make life easier I make sure that i don't have an open shopping bag with me.

 

[dzerklis]

I never put my hands in my pockets in shops but apparently that is not enough for them, guess I should walk around with my arms raised?

 

[PugofCrydee]

I never put my hands in my pockets in shops but apparently that is not enough for them, guess I should walk around with my arms raised?

Aha! Actual footage of you 'shopping'...

 

[Miserum]

Aha! Actual footage of you 'shopping'...

Little does she know that the tables have turned...

 

[Miserum]

You mean this?
View attachment 4603
WTF does that expression actually mean anyway???

It means,

"I'm not gonna kill you, but I will acknowledge this awkward encounter to make it 'less' awkward."

 

[theoutsider]

I'm afraid to go back into stores with things I bought from them, especially clothes. It's never happened to me but I have this nightmarish scenario of being accused of stealing the item and, since I no longer have a receipt, being unable to prove otherwise. I've read stories of this happening to people.