I accidentally stole a saucer

[WomanStanleyWoman]

This is going to make me sound a bit mad, but what the hell

Where I live it’s quite common for people to leave things they’re giving away on their front wall or outside the house (books, toys, old cups/glasses etc.)

I went past this house a couple of streets away the other night and there was a saucer and a little bowl on the wall. The saucer had the exact pattern of the china my grandma used to have. I don’t usually believe in ‘signs’ or anything like that, but it would have been her birthday last week, so I was feeling a bit sentimental and decided I’d take the saucer.

Then last night I went past the house again. The bowl was still there, but with a different saucer… and they both had cat food in them. Obviously the first night the cat must have already eaten the food, or the owners hadn’t replenished it… but yes, I basically stole their cat food dish.

Do I put it back (creating the mystery of the disappearing and reappearing saucer in the process)? Or do I accept that it probably wasn’t a family heirloom if they’re using it for cat food and keep schtum (and keep the saucer)?

🙈🙈🙈

@Arabellla

Where I live it’s quite common for people to leave things they’re giving away on their front wall or outside the house (books, toys, old cups/glasses etc.)

It’s the same here (London ‘burn)!

I would take her a different saucer and ask if she would be willing to swap?

Why would you ask her to swap?

It's her saucer, OP should return it. No offers to swap or leaving it in the dead of night.

Just a quick knock "hi, I'm so sorry I took your saucer thinking it was to take rather than the cat dish I now realise it is! Here you go, and sorry for the confusion!"

Put the same saucer back. Just because they are using it for a cat doesn't mean they don't like that particular saucer!

@TibetanTerrah

Put a different saucer back, then swap it with yet another different one another day etc. Sit back and wait for a mystified MNer to start a thread here about it

I’m so looking forward to this thread.

@TheHaka

😆

As a woman bumped into me in a shop my bag dropped from my shoulder. I pulled the bag back in place, but unbeknown to me I accidentally hooked a red blouse on a coat hanger from a clothes rail under the strap of my bag at the same time. I walked out of the shop, through the shopping centre, walked the length of the very long queue at the bus station with the red blouse floating behind me on it's hanger. Rather than take it back to the shop for fear of being arrested for theft I tried to give it to the woman behind me in the queue, & the one behind her. As I did my walk of shame back through the bus station & shopping centre I held the red blouse high in the air as proof that I wasn't a shop lifter. The shop owner actually slid down the wall as she laughed whilst I explained the situation. If that wasn't bad enough the bus was still in waiting for me when I got back to the bus station, & they all knew.

😂 😂

Who feeds a cat on a wall? completely misses point of thread

Probably feeding local strays.

I would knock on the door and explain. They might have more of the set....

If you take it back and explain, you might find that they have more of your GM's crockery that they don't want and would be happy for you to have.

@2bazookas snap!

@3scape

I would definitely leave a different saucer (complete with cat treats).

Yes I reckon they don't have a cat and aren't bothered about the saucer.

@Svara

Put the same saucer back. Just because they are using it for a cat doesn't mean they don't like that particular saucer!

Who puts their best China on a wall filled with cat food though? Really?

I love this, reminds me of a friend who arranged for a 'bulky collection' from the council for her defunct fridge freezer. We helped lug it down several flights of stairs to the pavement the evening before the collection day, as instructed by the council. Item was there when she left for work and gone by the time she returned from work. She didn't give it another thought, until 2 days later the fridge freezer was back on the pavement with a note attached from some random person who had taken it away, complaining it wasn't working....she had to ring the council and re arrange the collection, apparently this happens quite often.

Who puts their best China on a wall filled with cat food though? Really?
Never said it was their best China. I have bowls I use for my cats that I chose from a charity shop that I like, I wouldn't want them replaced!

Oh god that made me laugh so much 😂😂

Keep the saucer, put another one - or dish - in its place

I would take it back with some cat treats and explain (and secretly hope they let you keep it!)

OMG, IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO IT?!

Kidding

I would just put it back on the wall where you found it. They might be a bit confused but at least they'll have their saucer back.

@RumTumBum

OMG, IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO IT?!

🤣🤣

@WestendVBroadway

Who feeds a cat on a wall? completely misses point of thread

It’s only a couple of bricks high. I think it’s just a barrier between the flower bed and the pavement.

They probably won’t use it for food dishes anymore 🤭

I'd just pop it back on the wall.

Take it back and explain. With any luck they'll tell you to keep it and give you the matching cup as well.

Unless it is the cat's favourite saucer and it refuses to eat from any other.