It’s rare to see people agree on social media, but one woman’s tweet about shoplifting has everyone in consensus about right and wrong.
Twitter user @oonskie posted a photo Wednesday of a store sign that reads, “Help us build safer communities–report shoplifting to a member of the staff.” The sign is notably located in front of boxes of tampons and pads.
“Spotted by @HMPSurvival. We really need a genuine conversation as a society about what ‘safety’ means,” oonskie tweeted.
https://twitter.com/oonskie/status/1222509293204844545
Twitter users quickly banded together to defend the hypothetical shoplifters. “If I see someone shoplifting pads or tampons im helping them like we in this together now fam,” Twitter user @INDIEWASHERE wrote.
noah fence but if i see someone shoplifting pads or tampons im helping them like we in this together now fam https://t.co/LNSODV9Rtq
— indie (@INDIEWASHERE) January 29, 2020
help us build safer communities – if you see someone shoplifting fuckin tampons cover for them https://t.co/t9ZirJU5H3
— $1000 crab (join CATU) (@punchedmonet_) January 29, 2020
Others were similarly quick to look the other way. “If I see someone stealing tampons my lips are SEALED eyes SHUT didn’t see a thing,” Twitter @emmymhartman wrote.
If I see someone stealing tampons my lips are SEALED eyes SHUT didn’t see a thing https://t.co/dqe1KNDo0X
— EMMY (@emmymhartman) January 30, 2020
if i see someone stealing feminine hygiene products of all things from a huge chain supermarket, i’m minding my business…. and you should too. https://t.co/1vcSMMBTmU
— Eleanor Neale (@ELEANORXNEALE) January 29, 2020
Some users pointed out the difference between a community and a grocery store.
“Don’t grass on your class: Tesco’s board of directors is *not* your community,” Twitter user @dogsectionpress wrote.
Don't grass on your class: Tesco's board of directors is *not* your community https://t.co/cAQnvjjxPt
— Dog Section Press (@dogsectionpress) January 29, 2020
Tampons and pads are still subject to a higher tax than other “necessities,” like food and medicine, and can be hard to access in public spaces, so many users took the opportunity to advocate for free and accessible sanitary products.
“Shoplifting isn’t the problem. It’s the fact that sanitary products aren’t free and accessible to those who menstruate,” Twitter user @TaylorEenaHoe wrote.
Shoplifting isn't the problem. It's the fact that sanitary products aren't free and accessible to those who menstruate. https://t.co/eCg3YUsNCu
— Puebl-Hoe Revolt (@TaylorEenaHoe) January 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/alexgough_/status/1222650445472116736
https://twitter.com/omfgitsmeheaven/status/1222949319172489217
Some users pointed out that communities aren’t really “safe” when residents can’t afford basic human needs.
“If i see someone stealing pads, I’m helping them out because a safer community is when someone doesn’t have to steal for a basic need,” Twitter user @JaysVillas1 wrote.
A safer society is one where no one needs to steal tampons because they can't afford them. https://t.co/z2tBQv22xI
— claudia (@shrillandchill) January 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/JaysVillas1/status/1222848470048026626
And some Twitter users even started meme-ing the sign to show how they really feel.
“Help us build safer communities–shoplift,” one user’s edit reads.
https://twitter.com/Eonimv/status/1222799061146853376
— the irreducible (@anguilline) January 30, 2020
Though the signs were allegedly posted all over the store, not just by the tampons, Twitter users were nevertheless outraged. The “tampon tax” or “pink tax” has become a hot-button issue in recent years. While some personal care items, like ChapStick and Viagra, are exempt from higher sales tax, tampons and pads are not. Consumers point out that even though the tax may seem small, it adds up over time–as women on average get their period once a month for roughly 40 years, and they end up paying more than some say they should for basic hygiene.
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