to think this IS stealing and it DOES count?

[Snuffalo]

Sister in law has a little piece from a fishbone cactus potted up on her windowsill, just starting to show new growth. I asked if I could have a cutting once it's established, and she said sure, or I could just go to (fancy houseplant shop up the road) and see if there was a bit on the floor, because that's where she got the cutting.

She swears she didn't break it off - that it was already broken off and on the floor near the 'parent' plant (this is believable, the shop is really crowded and you have to brush by the plants to get through).

Her argument is that it was a tiny piece (true - it's an inch long at most) and that it would have just been swept up and thrown out anyway.

My arguments are 1. unless she took the piece to the proprietor and asked if she could have it, it's still stealing. Who's to say the shop owner wouldn't have potted it up herself? and 2. the proprietor paid for the rent, soil, plant food, and put in the labour to create and nurture the plant that dropped that little one-inch cutting and SIL is effectively stealing that money and effort.

This wasn't an ACTUAL argument, just a discussion, I'm not dobbing her in or cutting her off over it, but just curious to see how other people view it.

Ha ha I think my Grandma, Mum, Aubtue and Sister have all commited crimes as have taken cuttings from places of interest and so forth for as long as I remember. And said cuttings have spent time in a bottle on kitchen window sill with them hoping it grows roots.
Don't all gardeners do stuff like this

It is classed as stealing, she took something without permission.

I wouldn’t class it as stealing no.

Loving the way people think they can rewrite the law on this one. It was the property of the shop owner, it was taken without his or her consent with the intention of permanently depriving the owner. That 100% fits the legal definition of theft.

It's a long time since I read a more pious precious ludicrously sanctimonious piece.
You have too much time on your hands clearly.

It's like if you find money on the ground it's not stealing assuming you did not see it being dropped, if you take said money out of someone's purse it is.

@Isatis

No one's rewriting the law, they're saying morally since it was rubbish to the shop owner it wasn't stealing.

It is stealing eg if in a supermarket and an apple from a burst prepacked bag is on the floor and you pick it up, take it away without paying you have stolen it.

Give the OP a break! My sister and I love to ponder nonsense like this (branded pint glasses nicked from a pub; theft or not?), so I’m amused that it’s being discussed.

Sounds like you’re having a lovely day. Enjoy your cake.

Don’t wish to be rude but get over yourself!!!!!!

Earthakitty

I agree 😊

Too dull to even think about.

Asking for a friend......
To take a cutting, do you just take a piece from the plant? Don't you need roots?

Yes if u go by law it's stealing but it's really not that big of a deal.

To all those saying that picking up a note on the floor isn't stealing ...someone got nicked in a shop for picking up a £20 note after being caught on cctv. I've picked up a £20 note off the floor before like the next person...but it makes you think ...

By the letter of the law, yes it’s theft:
Dishonestly appropriating property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving them of it.

It ticks all those boxes

If you really believe it's not a problem, then it should be no problem to say to the owner, "this was on the floor, is it OK if I take it?"

On the other hand, if you don't ask because you're afraid they'll say no, if you do it furtively, in a way so the owner won't see you doing it, or simply hoping the owner won't see, then you already know you are being dishonest.

Technically, it counts as stealing and the very virtuous would not condone it or involve themselves in the deception. It was not a scrupulously honest act.

However, in the grand scheme of things it is an act of minor harm, if any harm came of it at all.

Many people do far worse, even if that is no excuse.

Actually, as a plant grower and breeder who sells plants to the public in my nursery yes this is stealing. The original plant breeder has the growing rights to the plant, may even have a legal title to it if a new variety they have bred, and yes I'd be pretty pissed off if someone did that to me in my nursery and shop as at the very least that plant, ALL of it, is MY property until someone purchases it.

And "taking" cuttings, unless you've asked permission, is theft.

Tbh who really really cares that much???

Well as the owner of the stolen plant material, I do

It's the! Why can't you understand this?