To feel too embarrassed to give back something we accidentally stole…

[NickD87]

You know how people leave things outside their houses sometimes for people to take?

Today, my husband came home with a Lloyd Looms washing basket. It’s quite nice and we need a new one. I asked him where he had got it and he said there was a house with lots of good things outside it. He brought this but said there were a few other bits we might want to look at.

I went back out and round the corner to this house, to realise that people were actually moving in to the property and the stuff was their ACTUAL stuff.

I find this hilarious and embarrassing in equal measure.

How do I go about returning this item without being weird? Or do I even? Should this be a lesson in leaving things in the street? (Jokes obvs, I should definitely return it).

I'm sorry op! But this is right out of a sitcom and has cheered me up no end, dh needs to stealthily go and return the basket at midnight. And never mention it again especially in front of the new neighbors who you will become firm friends with in the future.

I love this thread OP; thank you for giving me a giggle 🤭

Right. Here’s what we are doing.

I have written a Christmas Card with a sorry message explaining. Signed our names and in brackets (definitely not thieves). Husband is at the shops now buying some fizz.

We are going to knock on the door and say we have their washing basket. Give it back with the card and hopefully have a giggle.

We’re going at around 8.

Why am I nervous?!

I so wish I could witness this haha. It should be fine, most people would see the funny side. I would if it was me and you knocked on my door.

Agree! Get your DH to take it back and tell him not to take things from other people's property unless there's a sign saying to do so

If I’m honest, it’s hilarious and embarrassing and awkward in equal measure and I’d feel so bad making him to it alone. We’re in this together.

We made vows and although these didn’t explicitly mention washing basket related mishaps - I think this needs to be a team effort.

I can’t imagine him having to knock on the door himself!

I will absolutely stitch him up and ensure they know it was him and not me though…

Did you just watch him walk off with it without saying anything?! 😂

'm sorry but people DO NOT leave stuff outside their house for you to take... well not in the UK anyway (although if your American I heard it may be different in some areas).

I've lived all over Scotland and it's perfectly common here. Although I suspect you've never been further north than the Watford Gap.

while I wait, I should add that my husband just thought it was a really nice washing basket. I can confirm he doesn’t have the eye to recognise it as a Lloyds Loom or know its value.

I should also add that he is a magpie in general and is usually really good at it. So I think he just got over excited when he spotted this treasure trove - especially as he made us go back 😂 He wasn’t out on the rob or anything and probably acted very quickly on instinct.

He is a funny thing.

One day I may tell the story of ‘The Bin’.

@NickD87 not quite! I was browsing the cold meat section, turned around and my trolley wasn't there. Saw a guys back as he strode off with it, I stood there for a minute and he reappeared around the corner looking very

Incorrect. I put out high hairs, cots, old toys and they all go within a day. So handy as saves going to the tip. North London, not rough not posh area. Thought it was a thing everywhere but clearly not. I don't know how you can say it absolutely doesn't happen so confidently just because it doesn't in your area 😂😂

Op you sound fab, if I was the neighbour I would roar with laughter at the two of you fessing up on the doorstep. Hope this is the beginning of a good neighbourly friendship!!

I needed something like this tonight. Brilliant !

I've just got images of the OP and her DH sneaking out the house, lugging a washing basket up the road and sheepishly walking up the neighbours garden 😂

I'm sorry but people DO NOT leave stuff outside their house for you to take... well not in the UK anyway

I see this all the time in my village but there is usually a sign saying free.

It's really common around here to leave things outside. Lots of toys have been found on pavement, we've got some nice shelving unit and I also have a lovely garden spade and fork. I also found a huge bag of children's clothes in DNs size nearly all designer labels. Usually there is a notice along the lines of free to a good home .. but not always.

Take it back, apologise and hopefully they'll just laugh. They may not even have noticed yet if they're just miv8ng in and hVe so much to organise

People leave stuff on their front walls/end of drives all the time where I live (S. Wales), particularly since lockdown. I got some lovely picture frames last week.

OP, you must come back and update!!

This is so funny and my husband would do the exact same. Id just return it and explain. I'd find it very funny

Just seen you're going round. How lovely! Hopefully the start of a friendship!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155300696609?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749401&toolid=20006&customid=GB117000155300696609.141234980085~1872840831057-gCjwKCAiAyyCcBhBeEiwAcoMRHApGNzX1HHufpA9kiipe0uM0u43br60mq67A6wTxMzf4-P6pukkJRoCxdAQAvDD_BwE

Christmas present 🤣

We made vows and although these didn’t explicitly mention washing basket related mishaps - I think this needs to be a team effort

😂 that's the spirit, op!

This has made my day. Can’t wait to hear how tonight goes!

Yes, wear a balaclava and take a detour to get there....

Haha! This happened to me; took a mirror left next to some bins, then realised that they were moving in. Explain that leaving stuff outside is a signal round your way that it’s for taking, and not to do it again!

Shameless place marking to find out the neighbours reactions.
I thought it was normal to leave stuff out you dont want