So you've admitted to stealing...guess what I'm going to do!

[customersruinmylife]

Ah those poor helpless students. Don't they realise that stealing is against the law?

A massive group of them walks in. A couple of them order burgers. My co-worker takes out the burgers, goes to the group and basically has to shout over them.

CW: My co-worker
SS: Stupid student who believe the law does not apply to him
PS: Poor student
Me: Person who is ashamed to have once called himself a student

CW: WHO ORDERED THE CHEESE BURGER?
SS: OVER HERE!

She gives him the burger.

About half an hour later, a different student comes up, complete with reciept.

PS: Hi, I ordered a cheese burger quite a while ago and it hasn't showed up.
Me: OK I'll check that out for you.

I go over to CW.

CW: Oh...someone has taken his meal. It wasn't him I gve the burger to.
Me: Do you know who you gave the cheeseburger to?
CW: I know EXACTLY what he looks like.

She leads me over to SS.

Me: Hi, did you take a meal that did not belong to you?
SS: Ummmm...
Me: Because it belonged to that gentleman over there. *points to PS*
SS: Well, make him another one.
Me: Did you take his meal?
SS: Well...SHE offered it to me.

Points at CW.

Me: Did you take something you did not pay for?
SS: Yes I did take it.
Me: OK, can you give me the money for it please?
SS: No. I've eaten it now. You can't prove anything.
Me: But you admitted to taking it.
SS: Yes, I took it. Now what are you going to do about it?

DO NOT say that to me!

Me: Are you going to pay for it?
SS: No.
Me: Then I'm calling the police.
SS: Wha...wha...what?
Me: *VERY cheerfully* I'm calling the police.
SS: Wha..it's just a burger...
Me: You took something that you did not pay for. This is a place of business, if you were in a shop, it would be classed as shoplifting. I'm calling the police.
SS: Please...please...please don't! My parents...if they find out!
Me: You have two choices. Pay up and get out, or you can talk to the police about this.
SS: Please...please don't!

He hands me the money.

Me: Now get out. And while you're on your way apologize to my co-worker and the customer whose meal you stole.

Ahhh that felt good. Smart arsed student turned into a snivelling baby within a couple of seconds.

Sounds like I was being a bit harsh, but this is the second time students have done this in just one week, and the first time they got away with it!

[Plaidman]

You weren't harsh. You did it right.

I strongly dislike shoplifters. If they learn early, maybe they can do good.

[Crazeyal]

Oh not harsh at allll. I would have made him wait for the cops THEN made him pay for the meal.

[Becks]

You rock!!!

[marasbaras]

Definitely NOT harsh. People need this more often.

When I was fairly young, about 7 years old, I was in the store with my mother. I went to the bakery to get a donut and basically demanded one.

The girl behind the counter (she was 16, I know because I went to high school with her younger brother later) said "aren't you going to say please and thank you?"

I did, but complained to my mother later.

My mom said "the girl was right!"

35 years later, I still remember.

While I'd prefer to agree with Crazeyal ... I'd hate to bother the cops over $2. I might've, tho, demanded his parents' phone number to call them under the threat of calling the cops instead. He seemed more afraid of his parents.

[RebeccaOTool]

That was awsome. Lets hope you scared him straight.

[ReadyToRetire]

Definitely NOT harsh. People need this more often.

When I was fairly young, about 7 years old, I was in the store with my mother. I went to the bakery to get a donut and basically demanded one.

The girl behind the counter (she was 16, I know because I went to high school with her younger brother later) said "aren't you going to say please and thank you?"

I did, but complained to my mother later.

My mom said "the girl was right!"

WHAT? You mean your mother didn't yell at the girl for scolding you?
She didn't go to management and complain that the counter girl dared to say something like that to her sweet angel?
What kind of mother is she?!

[Cyphr]

a damn good one - that seems like something my mom would do and i turned out damn good if i do say so myself

[d962831]

this is nothing but WIN, you rule.

[myswtghst]

customersruinmylife - I love your stories. They're like a lovely little bit of pwnage that more of us wish we could do on a regular basis like you.

[XCashier]

Sounds like I was being a bit harsh

Not at all. This would've been "a bit harsh":

What you did was exactly right. Put the fear of God / police / parents into him and gave him a desperately-needed reality check. Hopefully, the lesson will stick.

[bainsidhe]

~blink blink~ Wait a minute. What type of students were these and what type of restaurant? Why do I get the feeling these were high school or college kids? And if it's a fast food restaurant, who would wait a half hour before asking for their food.

Way to call the little thief on his suck. He was apparently led to believe that those little workers in customer service must always bow down to the almighty customer (or in his case, non-customer). Way to set him straight. Let's hope he actually learns from his suckl.

[marasbaras]

WHAT? You mean your mother didn't yell at the girl for scolding you?
She didn't go to management and complain that the counter girl dared to say something like that to her sweet angel?
What kind of mother is she?!

I tip well and am usually polite to store workers (except when THEY suck). You tell me.

[Tuxian]

While I'd prefer to agree with Crazeyal ... I'd hate to bother the cops over $2. I might've, tho, demanded his parents' phone number to call them under the threat of calling the cops instead. He seemed more afraid of his parents.

Depends on the type of restaurant. And given what was told, that it's an "order, sit down, and the food is brought to you" place, then I'd wager to guess that a burger is probably in the $5-6 range, if not more. Just a thought.

[cinema guy]

CRML works in a pub. In the UK pubs tend to be order and pay for your meal at the bar and it will be brought out to you. Students usually refers to college kids, ie 18+ and legal drinking age.

CRML, correct me if I'm wrong.