I know there's another current one about lady and cactus but was going to write mine anyway before reading that one.
A few years ago, my best friend was asked to leave a group because of alleged stealing . For context let's say a nature based type of group for social and worship . They had like a shrine/ altar to represent parts of nature eg flowers, crystals, little effigies etc. Friend left in fury and I was outraged on her behalf. Had been thinking of joining them myself but vowed to have nothing to do with them after this.
However in the years since..she's become something of a klepto/magpie. She says she didn't take anything from this group but I've been with her when she's taken items from similar (identical really) settings
eg we went on a workshop in similar vein to this group , they had decorated items that we made when there and when we were leaving she slipped on in her pocket that someone else had decorated. Didn't ask if anyone wanted it or was it ok to take , just walked out with it. We then went on to an outdoor shrine type of place (this was Glastonbury so if you go there regularly you'd understand the sort of place) and again slipping all sorts into her pocket straight off the 'shrines'. I did make a comment as this was a place where people could go and sit, meditate or just enjoy the surrounding and it's not going to work if people keep removing objects. It's a place of trust as it's not usually manned. So people decorate for others to enjoy. eg items to represent Spring, or Summer, etc to celebrate the seasons.
Yesterday we were on a day out and came across an old chapel that's being done up but the outside open to public as place of contemplation. Lots of flowers and plants as the garden has been restored. She started pulling bits off plants and then I asked what she was doing and she started moaning saying I have nothing to dig with..she was trying to unearth an entire plant to take home. I questioned it and she said oh it's just one plant, I'll replant it at home, it's not stealing. I said yes but imagine if everyone took from this tiny flower bed..and it's National Trust.. (my DP pays yearly membership) so the building is now owned again, it's really not a free for all...everyone would like to see the flowers here, not empty beds.. she left the plant but then stuffed her pockets with several broken tiles that were off the original roof of the chapel (that had just been left on the ground). A bit odd to me but I guess no one would want them..but it's part of that buildings history and surely should be left with it?
But am I just as bad.. like I wouldn't dream of taking plants or from a public place of worship for eg..but in the past on beaches I've taken loads of driftwood, pebbles, seaglass, shells, I made things with them. You could say that's a place of 'natural worship' too in a way and what would happen if everyone took them.
But the way she takes items off what (in her path) are shrines/ altars, I do wonder re the groups allegations.