Ever done something completely normal but felt like the police might show up at any moment? Some actions just have that weird, sneaky energy—even when they’re totally legal. Here are 13 things that feel super illegal but aren’t.
1. Walking out of a store without buying anything
Why does leaving a store empty-handed feel like you’re on a heist? You just browsed, but suddenly you’re convinced security is watching you like a hawk.
2. Taking extra napkins from a restaurant
Grabbing a reasonable amount is fine, but the moment you take a stack, you feel like a criminal mastermind pulling off the ultimate heist.
3. Pressing too many buttons in an elevator
There’s no rule against this, but if you do it, you might get side-eyes from fellow passengers who think you’re up to no good.
4. Using the employee bathroom at a store
You’re not an employee, but the door was open… technically, no crime was committed, but you feel like you just trespassed into a secret world.
5. Running to your car after Shopping without a bag
Somehow, carrying your purchase without a bag makes you feel like a shoplifter. Bonus paranoia points if you make accidental eye contact with security.
6. Walking through a metal detector and expecting to set it off
Even if you have zero metal on you, the sheer anxiety of walking through a detector makes you feel guilty for… existing?
7. Switching checkout lines at the last second
Nobody cares, but it still feels like a low-key betrayal of the cashier who almost had you.
8. Throwing away food before finishing it in a restaurant
No crime here, but somehow it feels like the food police might show up to lecture you about wasting food.
9. Looking at someone’s phone in public (accidentally!)
Your eyes just happened to land on a stranger’s screen, and now you feel like you hacked their private messages.
10. Walking through an exit without buying anything
Leaving a store without a purchase is one thing, but going through the exit door? Feels illegal, even though it’s not.
11. Using a fake name at a café
You didn’t want to spell your real name for the millionth time, so you said your name was “Batman.” It’s not fraud, but it sure feels shady.
12. Speed walking past security guards
Even if you’re doing nothing wrong, walking past security gives you the sudden urge to act as normal as possible—which makes you look even more suspicious.
13. Counting your cash after the ATM gives it to you
You just want to make sure, but counting money in public instantly makes you feel like a mob boss plotting something illegal.