How to Steal
Neeva Kadria ’27
The silent man, who had rolled a cigarette in his mouth, was handing out pamphlets titled, “How To Steal.” Worried that he would be too discouraged to make his way to the back of the bus to offer me one, I reached out and grabbed one myself, filled with a curiosity that all of my fellow bus riders seemed to lack.
As I’ve come to learn, laying eyes on people on the M-14D isn’t exactly the best idea if you’re trying to avoid trouble; but there was something about the pamphlet man that struck me. He was, in his own way, serene. Although I got a somewhat-disgusted, “typical teenager,” scoff from the lady across from us, who saw the title of the pamphlets, I fell back down into my seat and started flipping through pages. As the title suggested, the pamphlet contained an infographic on how to steal successfully. The man had provided plenty of helpful tips and tricks on how to steal, ranging from how many towns over one should be to ways of psychologically maneuvering the employees of a given store, but that’s besides the point. “Pamphlet man’s” goal wasn’t to get us to steal successfully from our local chain department store, his goal was to show people how “they” steal from us customers. I believe that “How to Steal” brings forth a bigger discussion about our own temptations to buy from places that make us want to thieve in the first place.
Though I am not here to encourage anybody to head into Target with the intention of sliding a tube of mascara up their sleeve, I do believe it is important to share this pamphlet. In a society where extensive shopping hauls, brand deals, and “click the link in my bio to get twenty percent off!” has become the new normal, it’s important to remember that corporate-led materialism is becoming as prominent as ever. Being aware of the slight surreality of it all is the first step to rejecting it. Realize that this is not normal. Realize that this is unnecessary. Realize, then work towards avoiding the creation of desire to own and buy, within your own life. “Pamphlet man’s” intention wasn’t to provide the public with a more pocket-friendly way of building up the new “summer closet,” but rather he brought attention to the fact that we are actively fueling a consumerist society, by willingly paying corporations to produce things we simply do not need.
In the age where we pay for convenience, it is hard to build up the will to go to the pharmacy to buy a five dollar toothbrush, when Amazon has one for two. But, we also need to realize that not everything should be so easy. Difficulty brings purpose– going out of your way to put on your shoes and support your local independent business will keep you off the internet for half an hour. Conversely, one could argue that, as highschoolers, we have better things to do with our limited time. However, spending a few minutes outside, taking a walk, interacting with neighbors, and supporting our community can only be good for us. Let’s give it a try.
An article published by the Economic Policy Institute in 2014 states that the wage loss of the average low-wage worker (in NYC, LA, and Chicago) was estimated to be around $17,616, over the course of a year. In 2014, the poverty guidelines were as follows: for a single person household, the poverty line was at a mere $11,670 (ASPE). The money small businesses weren’t making could have very well made the difference between their employees living above or below the poverty line.
Stealing is about not letting yourself be robbed. The best way to steal (back) from our generic corporations is by not giving them the chance to hold importance in our lives. “How to Steal” is “pamphlet man’s” plea to the public to shop locally, and to avoid falling into the temptation to go big (corporation). Steal by setting restraints on yourself, monitoring how quick you are to pay the price of convenience. Steal by trading and bartering with your friends and family. Steal by not even wanting that “cool” skirt anyways. Don’t hold back! Steal, steal, steal!