Evil Man Steals A Pencil

[MrsSpringsteen]

I've always wanted one of those Home Depot pencils, or maybe one of their aprons

Seriously, I can't believe this, and to have 4 employees escort him out


http://www.boston.com/news/local/ma.../a_sharp_apology_in_store_pencil_case?mode=PF

"Panorelli went to the Home Depot in Methuen just before 9 a.m. Thursday with his client, well-known Lawrence business owner George Salas. Salas grabbed a pencil near the cash register so that Panorelli could do some quick math. Panorelli pocketed the pencil and, with Salas, picked up and paid for the lumber.

The loss-prevention worker was waiting for them outside the door, Panorelli said. An assistant manager was called. Panorelli had to give a copy of his driver's license. The loss-prevention worker snickered and asked if he needed a pencil so badly that he had to steal one, Panorelli said.

''He wanted me to sign a confession saying I knowingly took something of value from the store," Panorelli said. ''I didn't sign."

The worker who stopped Panorelli, identified by the store as Scott Jordan, gave Panorelli a statement saying he was banned from Home Depot. Panorelli was then given another letter from the legal department, he said.

Panorelli decided to go to the newspapers. His story was first reported in the Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence. He figured he didn't stand a chance against the consumer giant.

''It said I might be hearing from Home Depot's law firm," said Panorelli, referring to the letter he was given.

Salas, who is Hispanic, thinks the incident is racially motivated. ''The guy followed us; he was watching us," Salas said. ''The whole thing was race. Mike may not bring it up. But I know."

Panorelli, who is Italian, would not comment on that."

 

[DaveC]

Of course, he's brown.

He's obviously going to steal something. A pencil's just the start. Next thing we know, he's going to be blowing up the State Department.

 

[Muggsy]

hmm... I couldn't help giggle. so much trouble for a pencil...

I don't know if it was really a race thing or what... but sometimes I feel that there's certain "paranoia" (couldn't find a better word) around it, from both sides. Is like some years ago when a lot of people where nervous to show their colombian passports in another countries cuz they were affraid to be taken as drug dealers...

 

[beegee]

a patron took a full pad of tiny post-its from my desk once.

on his next visit, he was surprised when circulation informed him that he owed twenty cents on his card.

it had nothing to do with race.

it had to do with the fact that those were my post-its.

 

[verte76]

All of that fuss over a pencil? Sheesh!

 

[nbcrusader]

Too bad stupid decisions are lost when the race card is played.

 

[deep]

Of course, he's brown.

He's obviously going to steal something. A pencil's just the start.

that's why they wear baggy pants
so they can hide stuff

 

[nbcrusader]

Home Depot Apologizes to Pencil Thief

On Sunday, Atlanta-based Home Depot issued a written apology, saying the incident was prompted by a narrow interpretation of its shoplifting-prevention rules.

Should heads still roll?

 

[verte76]

Home Depot Apologizes to Pencil Thief




Should heads still roll?

Yes. There's no excuse for behavior like this. What were they thinking when they went after a guy for a stupid pencil?

 

[nbcrusader]

I hope no one else makes a mistake....

 

[deep]

Home Depot Apologizes to Pencil Thief




Should heads still roll?

there should be better training for their loss staff

i hope no one gets fired

they most likely have others depending on
their meager wages

i hope the victim?
is big enough to feel this way, too.

 

[Dismantled]

alittle extreme for a pencil...but stealing is stealing I suppose...its pretty obvious to me that it was an accident

but...I hate when people play the race card...what a cheap ass way to try to get out of something...take some responsiblity for your actions people.

 

[yolland]

My feeling is that if you're subjecting someone to that much rigamarole over a pencil (as opposed to simply saying, "Oh sir? I'm sorry, that's our pencil--thank you"), then you've already strayed into sadistic, bad-cop-for-the-fun-of-it territory. Not reason enough to fire someone IMO, but certainly reason enough to give them a customer service reprimand.

There's no doubt in my mind, though, that it's easier for most of us to override our don't-be-an-asshole-over-nothing inhibitions with someone we perceive as belonging to a socially stigmatized group. Kind of like what Dreadsox was saying in the "bad principal" thread about finding that teachers are less likely to give a kid with a bad rep the benefit of the doubt.

Likewise, those who have experienced (directly or indirectly) stigmatization based on whatever trait are more likely to perceive that stigmatization underlying future unpleasant social incidents. It's interesting in this regard that the Italian-American who was actually accused of stealing *apparently* didn't think to associate the incident with racial stigmatization, whereas his Hispanic friend did.

Before rushing to apply a one-size-fits-all, "hypothetical reasonable person" analysis to such situations, why not stop to consider such nuances first. No, it doesn't have to dictate what course of action anyone takes, but it helps avoid building ill will unnecessarily.