What do people think about stealing a glass from a bar?

[Wintersnow234]

Was on holiday with friends recently and one of the group stole a glass from the bar - as they liked the glass. The group was a bit divided afterwards when we found out. I was in the camp where it was thought to be wrong... and a bit cringey..what do others think?

I went out for lunch today and the waiter noticed me eyeing up the condiment bowls so he gave me three and I gave him a decent tip. I wouldn’t have stolen them.

17 year old me however would have done, when I first moved out all of my cutlery and glasses came from wetherspoons.

@Doodoobear, god yes the pictures. I remember buying those fancy fixings to screw all the pictures to the wall permanently of the bar where I worked. Along with replacing toilet rolls multiple times a day and cruets and teaspoons weekly.

@goodwinter stealing glasses might not be “crime of the century” you’re right, but where do you draw the line; I’ve had people pinching TVs, pillows and bedding from hotel rooms. Would you class that as the same thing? Why not take a couple of bar stools and a table while you’re at it? I’ve had people walk behind the bar and help themselves to bottles of spirits while the bar staff were clearing tables or down the cellar. Is that ok too?

Knock yourself out with your faux self-deprecation @Thefemalekeithrichards. The thread is awash with ‘amusing anecdotes’ or when people have shoplifted from pubs and restaurants, you’re hardly alone.

So many people do this all the time.

Lots of people drink and drive - I think doesn’t make it right.
It’s stealing unless you ask and have been given permission by someone with authority to do so. Stealing is wrong.
John Lewis sell glasses if you need them.

I don't think anything about it but it's something I've not done since my student days

@JassyRadlett

Okay Saint Radlett - am returning it now as I can tell you are really anxious, sorry to upset you

😇

@gingersausage

Oh God yes teaspoons! We just have them on repeat order from the supplier I think. Thing is I don't work in a rough place either, it's pricey for the area. And the owners put a lot of thought, and money into buying things that fit in with the style of the place, are nice and are also good for the use they're intended for.

@Wintersnow234 I said alcohol changes the goal posts, I think it's because it lowers inhibition and therefore people do/say things they're thinking of but their usual decency filter would put a stop to. Plus egging each other on in groups, and the general disdain some have for people who work in hospitality plays a part too, that and how some hold the belief they're being ripped off in some way, shape or form, by any business they come into contact with. The latter was the reason a lady (stone cold sober) tried to pinch a coffee cup "Well the coffee's that expensive I thought it included the cup!" We charge the average for barista style coffee.

In the day and age where staff in some establishments are charged for anything they break, I think it's wrong to steal something from a pub/restaurant/hotel. It does come back on the staff ("I only ordered those new glasses a month ago, where are they all? You lot need to be more careful!") And it pushes up prices for customers too if stuff is constantly having to be replaced.

I've worked in hospitality and, as bar staff, I didn't care

As bar staff you had no reason to care. They wren't stealing from you. they were stealing from whoever owned the premises.

I mean , no, no-one is going to call the police if you half hinch a glass from a pub (though Tesco probably would if you nicked it from a shelf there...) but that doesn't stop it being theft and it doesn't mean there is no victim.

Okay Saint Radlett - am returning it now as I can tell you are really anxious, sorry to upset you

Don’t project love. What you see as ‘anxiety’ is actually ‘mild disgust’ at anyone who thinks this is a charming anecdote to be shared with a tinkly laugh.

It doesn’t take a saint not to nick stuff. Just a baseline level of decency.

It is theft and really unnecessary.

I know someone who works in a cafe and their teaspoons, little teapots and salt cellars are regularly pocketed.

Awful...don’t agree with it..chop off their thieving hands.

I used to do it a lot when I was a teenager. But it's theft.

It's stealing. I have a friend who does it, we are 35 so she knows better. Lots of things from various places, she's always picking up "souvenirs" from various places. Makes me very uncomfortable.

I was once (10 yrs ago) charged £12 for a glass of standard whiskey in a hotel bar. Not even room service. I assumed the glass must have been included in the price at that rate. I love that glass. I don't feel bad about taking it with me in the slightest.

I assumed the glass must have been included in the price at that rate.

Bollocks. You didn't think that at all. You just thought it was very expensive, so you decided to steal the glass.

...well yes that was obviously implied.

See, I just don't think it is either clever or funny.

But. whatever.

Thing is I don't work in a rough place either, it's pricey for the area. And the owners put a lot of thought, and money into buying things that fit in with the style of the place, are nice and are also good for the use they're intended for.

My BIL has always said he gets more thefts the nicer the pub he is running is

This is the kind of thing that I would have thought was ok when I was 16, not something I would dream of doing as an adult.

@JessyRadlett

Please don’t call me ‘love’ it make me feel more than ‘mildly’ disgusted

Thank you

Not something I could get worked up about.
The branded glasses being used out and about, away from the pub is free advertising for the brewery / brand - which is why they were given to the pub in the first place.

It rates alongside taking a pen or some post its home from work or not traipsing down to the police station if you find a fiver in the street. Yes, you know it isn't something a person ought to do, but there are a lot of things I could get worked up about without this hitting my radar.

On a closely related matter, where do people stand on cutting off bits of plants you happen to take a fancy to (not digging up the whole plant) to root as cuttings for yourself? Normal/canny or embarrassing property damage/theft? Does it matter where the plant is : National trust garden, neighbours front garden or garden centre?

All three completely wrong. If we get to help ourselves then there won’t be any plant left ! If a neighbour just ask and if they don’t want you to (there can be good reasons) then they’ll be able to help you with what it is etc.

Please don’t call me ‘love’ it make me feel more than ‘mildly’ disgusted

Let’s make a deal - if you don’t spout patronising bollocks, I won’t respond in kind.