Oh, all right then.
My first ever shoplift was when I was about ten. And the worry that I might have been seen and that I might get into an ocean of trouble played on my mind for days. I had crossed a rubicon. The whole family, as far as I was concerned, would be shamed: the facade of stout, dependable, yeomanry would slip, and we would - somehow - be ceremonially thrown out of the middle class. For my crime was heinous. What I stole was...





... wait for it...




a pistachio nut.



A single pistachio nut.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:12, 4 replies)

Did you shell it?
I once made a faux pas at a scientific conference in Athens. At the reception evening, the usual nibbles were on offer, so I dipped my mitt into a bowl of nuts, scooped up a few and lobbed them into my mouth.

Two cycles of jaw oscillation later, my mate looked at me, laughed at my grimacing visage and said, "They were pistachios. You're supposed to shell them".

"I know", I mumbled through a mouthful of nut debris. "I've just discovered that".

I wandered about for a bit before eventually spitting them into a napkin and stuffing them surreptitiously into a hedge.

I've been very conscientious about checking my nuts ever since.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:25, closed)

Pfffft.
No, I didn't shell it: it was in one of those shops where you scoop dry goods out of a bin and pay for the weight. I just slipped the nut into my pocket and ate it after I left.

Criminal mastermind, me.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:28, closed)

Heinous!
Lock 'im away! Throw away the ruddy key! Bring back hanging!

(Brilliant, as usual...)
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:29, closed)

Devil...
Thank you. I've been off form for the past couple of weeks, but this QotW is promising...
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:31, closed)