Letter to the Editor

No need for the attention

Sunday, April 3, 2011

To the Editor:

Recently, while doing some grocery shopping at a local store, an old man approached me and started poking around in my cart.

I had a grocery bag with soda and a receipt with my backpack, which acts as a purse for my belongings, in the cart.

I realized the old man was an employee of the store and he thought I was suspicious because of my backpack.

I am in my 30s, so I was embarrassed that I was being confused with teenagers that use backpacks to steal out of stores.

I happen to walk wherever I go, so carrying a purse is not convenient. I have lived in Brazil almost three years and never had a problem up until now, and always carried my backpack as my purse.

Nor do I have any history of stealing, and though I realize it is a rampant problem, it is offensive to be obviously watched and followed when shopping.

Nichol Jackson,

Brazil