Stealing napkins, toilet tissue, soap...REALLY?

applecruncher

applecruncher

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Earlier today I walked into Walgreens and commented to the cashier that there were no little shopping baskets (which I found odd because there were only a couple cars in the parking lot). She said, "Oh, people steal them, and we're not allowed to confront or follow them." I can't imagine what I'd do with a 2-handled Walgreens basket at home.:confused:

Last time I was at McD waiting on my fish filet I noticed someone take a huge bunch of napkins on the way out (even though they usually put several in the bag). Of course, most people want a handful of ketchups. I get strange looks when I ask for only 1 or 2.

A friend and her husband owned a deli for several years. She said they had to change the soap dispenser from liquid to foam soap because people would bring empty containers and fill them. WHAT?! Extra rolls of toilet tissue stacked in the corner were a lost cause. They installed those large institution sized dispensers.

Wow. o_O Back when I was working at a job that required travel I sometimes kept the little bottles of shampoo, conditioner,and hand lotion. Never took the little soap bars. Toilet tissue? Umm, no. 🙄
 

applecruncher said:
Earlier today I walked into Walgreens and commented to the cashier that there were no little shopping baskets (which I found odd because there were only a couple cars in the parking lot). She said, "Oh, people steal them, and we're not allowed to confront or follow them." I can't imagine what I'd do with a 2-handled Walgreens basket at home.:confused:
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Last year the nearest neighborhood Walmart grocery store got a whole bunch of those smaller shopping carts. I really liked them because they were just right for someone that's only shopping for two people. But over the past year it's gotten harder and harder to get one because there are hardly any left. I've been wondering what happened to them. Now I know. :(
 
I occasionally eat at Sonic. They USED to have bins of the condiments on the counter where you order. No more. Just napkins. Plus there are no napkins on the tables. Like Apple said, they usually give you some napkins in your bag. But if you are eating in, and forget to grab a few napkins at the counter, you are kind of stuck. For just me, a couple napkins are fine, but I know kids can be a bit less tidy. I have often told them they do not need to put the condiment packs in my bag, as I do not use them. If I still get them, I just leave them at the front counter when I leave..much to surprise of workers.
Some folks forget that even if we as the customer do not get charged for these, the restaurant still has to pay.
 

Trade said:
Last year the nearest neighborhood Walmart grocery store got a whole bunch of those smaller shopping carts. I really liked them because they were just right for someone that's only shopping for two people. But over the past year it's gotten harder and harder to get one because there are hardly any left. I've been wondering what happened to them. Now I know. :(
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Yeah I like those smaller carts. Kroger has them, but lost of people use them so sometimes I can't find one. I heard a few years ago that some stores have carts that are somehow programmed not to go beyond the parking lot. I hear the big carts are expensive....and heavens knows they sure take a beating.

One of the dollar stores has those carts with a tall rod attached, so I guess it makes stealing them more difficult.
 
I notice similar things in my neighborhood.

Towards the end of the month, I see people cashing in their stash of scavenged cans in an effort to make it to the next check.

Sometimes I think that the giant handful of napkins is the only source of toilet paper for the folks that try to subsist on McDonald's $1$2 $3 menu.

Even in my apartment complex, the lightbulbs in the common areas turn up missing so folks can pinch a few pennies.

Seeing these things makes me thankful that I have enough to live a quiet little life in relative comfort.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I notice similar things in my neighborhood.

Towards the end of the month, I see people cashing in their stash of scavenged cans in an effort to make it to the next check.

Sometimes I think that the giant handful of napkins is the only source of toilet paper for the folks that try to subsist on McDonald's $1$2 $3 menu.

Even in my apartment complex, the lightbulbs in the common areas turn up missing so folks can pinch a few pennies.

Seeing these things makes me thankful that I have enough to live a quiet little life in relative comfort.
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There are a lot of people out there living on the ragged edge. I've been there myself. I can't really blame them for doing what they can to survive.
 
I ordered supplies for my office. One day I realized that we were averaging 20 coffee packets a day for a small office. Twenty. Sugar packets were disappearing at an alarming rate, too. Paper towels? Walking out the door, obviously. This was in an office where everyone but me was making over $50,000 a year. The majority were making $75,000-$100,000.

So I started locking up the supplies and only putting out a bit at a time. Coffee consumption fell to about four packets a day. Sugar lasted a long time. Paper towels stayed around.

Same thing happened with office supplies.
 
@jujube

We had the same thing happen at an office where I worked. Remember those little boxes of 3 1/2" diskettes? Those and printer toner cartridges flew out the windows.
 
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It's definitely a mix of people with different reasons.

It seems like when I was a kid people were too proud to steal little items from work or accept handouts and today some people feel a sense of entitlement to take as much as they can.

Like the busboy in the buffet restaurant told a group of elderly ladies: "It's all you can eat, not all you can carry!" :)
 
applecruncher said:
Earlier today I walked into Walgreens and commented to the cashier that there were no little shopping baskets (which I found odd because there were only a couple cars in the parking lot). She said, "Oh, people steal them, and we're not allowed to confront or follow them." I can't imagine what I'd do with a 2-handled Walgreens basket at home.:confused:

Last time I was at McD waiting on my fish filet I noticed someone take a huge bunch of napkins on the way out (even though they usually put several in the bag). Of course, most people want a handful of ketchups. I get strange looks when I ask for only 1 or 2.

A friend and her husband owned a deli for several years. She said they had to change the soap dispenser from liquid to foam soap because people would bring empty containers and fill them. WHAT?! Extra rolls of toilet tissue stacked in the corner were a lost cause. They installed those large institution sized dispensers.

Wow. o_O Back when I was working at a job that required travel I sometimes kept the little bottles of shampoo, conditioner,and hand lotion. Never took the little soap bars. Toilet tissue? Umm, no. 🙄
Click to expand...
Well, you don't know what situations people could be in...just send them love if anything. Hugs!
 
Marie5656 said:
I occasionally eat at Sonic. They USED to have bins of the condiments on the counter where you order. No more. Just napkins. Plus there are no napkins on the tables....
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One of the nursing homes I consult is located between an affluent area and an area that's in a pretty sharp decline. I've noticed the same fast food chains still have condiments and napkins out in the affluent area but keep them behind the counter in the poorer neighborhood.
 
Not long ago I heard about a guy who, on a regular basis thinks its amusing to find out when there's a conference at a hotel near his downtown office. At lunch time he and a co-worker blend in and get a free lunch then slip out. These are professionals earning decent salaries. They have homes and cars. They're just cheapskates... con artists. No need to take pity on them. 😏😒
 
I have had hard times too but never would I steal anything. I believe what you put out into the universe comes back to you one way or another. Have experienced the office deal too and I would only put out limited amounts of things. When asked why I told the truth. We have too many thieves working here!
 
applecruncher said:
Not long ago I heard about a guy who, on a regular basis thinks its amusing to find out when there's a conference at a hotel near his downtown office. At lunch time he and a co-worker blend in and get a free lunch then slip out. These are professionals earning decent salaries. They have homes and cars. They're just cheapskates... con artists. No need to take pity on them. 😏😒
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An ex of mine makes in the six figures, yet she goes all over town to grocery stores, art openings, festivals, etc., anywhere there's free food to be found. She then scarfs up the food, putting it into her plastic bag lined coat pockets. I told later girlfriends about why I ditched her, with her insane ways. Most I told probably thought I was exaggerating. Then, one day, one of these gals, an ex gf, by then, called me to say, "OMG, I saw your ex, last night, at an art opening. She was doing exactly what you told me about. Wow!" I was over at her place, doing trees, a few years ago. I opened her refrigerator: Only plastic bags with food in them! Also; when I asked for a glass of water, I got a used styrofoam cup with dried coffee at the bottom. Yeah, crazy!
 

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