What would you do?

[Been Jammin]

I don't know how popular the "Next Door" app is nationally, but the app basically creates an on line community for you and everyone that is in your neighborhood. It is actually pretty cool. People share critiques of new restaurants that have opened nearby. It helps a lot in locating lost pets, finding someone who can use something you are about to throw away, etc.

Yesterday, one of my neighbors used the app to post a warning to the rest of the neighborhood. Apparently a cashier, at the nearest grocery store, had tried to charge a 25$ Visa gift card on this customer's grocery bill hoping that the customer would not notice the additional charge. When the customer called him out, he claimed it was a mistake, but the customer contacted the manager and he informed the customer that this had happened once before.

So, as I am reading this crazy story, I realize that not only do I know this particular cashier, but he is the son of a friend of mine. (the customer gave his name and description). Now, this young man is about to start his Sr year in HS and his father is not a great friend, but a guy I see socially on a fairly regular basis, and who I like.

Would you share this story with the father, or just let the chips fall where they may?

 

[tcpoke]

Tough. I would assume he has lost his job and that his dad will be looking for an explanation. I would likely let it work itself out. Especially given the fact that you weren't directly involved in the incident.

 

[MajorMike_Ret]

It's not loss of life or limb so let it run its own course.

 

[ctrawick]

Kids are stupid, I was one once. Let it play out itself.

 

[SamuraiFred]

I don't know but I like Nextdoor and have found it very useful.

 

[3Gamma]

If it were my son, I'd want to know.

 

[purkey]

tell him....it doesn't look like an isolated incident. Hope the dad accepts the info as he should.

 

[Been Jammin]

I had already made my decision before I posted the story here, but I did wrestle with it. I told the father. I decided that this was the right choice for 2 reasons. First, I felt like I would definitely want to know if it were my son. I remember when I was in HS, that I did a ton of things that my parents had no idea about. I turned out OK, but I was not really the kid my parents thought I was, and I felt that this boy's parents probably had no idea that he would do something like this. My second reason for telling the father is that I decided that the son will only be living under their roof for 1 more year and they are running out of time to help shape him into the adult he will soon be.

The father took the conversation very seriously and was very surprised. He said he planned to investigate and asked me to forward the post to him so that he would have more information when he confronted his son.

I have not heard back from the father (this all happened about 48 hours ago), but did have a conversation with the victim on the Next Door app. According to the store manager, the young man was terminated and they are considering contacting the police. At least, if that happens, the parents won't be completely be completely surprised. The victim, after finding out that the young man was still in HS, told me that he plans to drop the whole topic and move on. He said that kids make mistakes all the time, and he doesn't want it to be something that ruins his life.

 

[Air_Thurman]

NextDoor in my neighborhood is 99% lost dogs, people bitching about loose dogs and warning of suspicious people (ie Mexicans) walking through the neighborhood.

 

[The Duke]

I think you did the right thing Jammin.

 

[JonnyVito]

NextDoor in my neighborhood is 99% lost dogs, people bitching about loose dogs and warning of suspicious people (ie Mexicans) walking through the neighborhood.

I would be way to tempted to just post ridiculous made up stories on there.

 

[CrazyChuckCarbo]

I would be way to tempted to just post ridiculous made up stories on there.

Or you could regale everyone about your gopher tales..... Those were pretty good.

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

warning of suspicious people (ie Mexicans) walking through the neighborhood.

You need to stop taking that all so personally. That and lose the sombrero when you walk the dog.

 

[Air_Thurman]

I would be way to tempted to just post ridiculous made up stories on there.

Oh it happens and the results are outstanding. The trolling that goes on is top notch.

 

[HighStickHarry]

I'm glad I grew up when I did. Kids can't even steal anymore without all the newly digitized old ladies at the salon knowing about it. I can just imagine my dad waiting up for me and going straight to the back of my truck to discover all of the stop signs and mailboxes I had just harvested because of a phone app.

 

[shortbus]

It's a lot of nonsense but it's helped me find my dog twice!