An interesting and instructive story: A young man reported to his boss that he had been arrested for shoplifting. It was clear and well documented with video surveillance cameras and the young employee admitted the act. He was arrested and went through several hours of arrest processing. He explained the procedures were quite simple and banal; he described them as "routine" and he seemed unfazed by them. The process was close to an algorithm, automatic and noncritical. Just another pathway. When he finished the story he said to his boss that he regretted his "mistake." His boss said a mistake was a faux pas, an error on a bill or poor tie and shirt combination. A mistake was something that did not judge you. This was a crime and he was thief and a criminal.
The young man was shocked at this judgment which seemed to transcend apology, forgiveness and restitution.
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