A buddy and I got caught shoplifting back in 5th grade. He got the belt. I was grounded for a bit, but the worst was seeing the disappointment in my old man’s face and voice.
I never stole anything again. Even if I saw something on the ground I wouldn’t pick it up “It must belong to someone and they might come back to pick it up.”
It took me until my Junior year in High School to be respectful to police. I got pulled over and made some comments for getting pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. The cop was going to put me in jail overnight until the Sheriff walked in and gave him hell and cut me loose.
I do pick up things.
I’ve chased people through parking lots trying to return wallets and money.
Sometimes they freak out but what am I supposed to do?
If no one likely is around, I take it into the store and give it to the manager in case the person manages to somehow backtrack and come looking for it.
Sunglasses, car keys, phones, you name it.
People sure do drop a lot of stuff here.
Worse than that, if I see some idiot has left their poor dog in the car, whether it be too hot or the dang windows rolled down enough for the dog to be stolen [happens here...”youths” snatch them for dope money and sell them in parking lots, or worse] I will sit there watching over the dog until the dimwit comes out to their car.
They get a lecture.
I saw one repeat offender who promised me she’d never do that again, at the same store, same parking space, getting read a righteous, loud & scary riot act from a woman less finessed than I.
Haven’t seen her do it again.
That doesn’t sound like you actually learned anything...