Yes, that's a normal reaction, I think, but that doesn't make it the best one.
What if you politely and very discreetly tell the mother? Then she will either have to pay for it or have the child put it back. If she leaves the store without paying for it, you could inform the clerk because now it is not the child stealing - it's the mother.
I think it depends on how you approach her about it too. You don't want her to get her back up. Get her attention discretely and whisper to her that you think her son just shoved a candy up his shirt. I think her attention would be on her son by then. And if she gets hostile, apologize and let her walk out the door. Then it's up to you to alert the cashier or not.
I didn't do anything to stop a shoplifter when I saw him steal...
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Yes, that's a normal reaction, I think, but that doesn't make it the best one.
What if you politely and very discreetly tell the mother? Then she will either have to pay for it or have the child put it back. If she leaves the store without paying for it, you could inform the clerk because now it is not the child stealing - it's the mother.
I think it depends on how you approach her about it too. You don't want her to get her back up. Get her attention discretely and whisper to her that you think her son just shoved a candy up his shirt. I think her attention would be on her son by then. And if she gets hostile, apologize and let her walk out the door. Then it's up to you to alert the cashier or not.