Is ketchup worth stealing for?

[rob62521]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

Man, I reread the original thread the person was referring to, and I'm the supposed source of ketchup stealing! Jeezamarooni, that is distressing. I do not ever take extra ketchup or any other condiment. I do use up what I am given. I am saddened that I wrote so vaguely as to indicate that I thought stealing was acceptable. It's not, and I don't do it.

I didn't start this thread, but the article I am referring to is on a frugal site. It told folks should get extra ketchup packets to refill their bottles at home, take extra sugar and/or sweetener, take extra packets of crackers if you get a basket of them, and so on.

I also saw the piece on Camden and the dad getting the creamers to put with water. He didn't lift a case of them and I bet the restaurant owner would have given them to him if he knew what he was doing with them.

When we go out if the server brings two packets of saltines and I eat one, I do take the other home, but I don't consider that stealing. I don't ask for extras, but maybe I should be leaving them. I thought maybe they would be thrown away when the table was bussed.

[m.f.walters]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

Some things can be reused at a restaurant and some things can't. We routinely reuse butter and creamer packets because they are individually sealed and served in a bowl on the table. the extras that aren't used are still usable at another table, like the sugar packets. However, a packet of crackers, like a tea bag, usually come on a small plate with soup or hot water, and are much more likely to get dirty, wet or crunched. My point is that if plenty are brought to a table and customers can use as much as they need, don't feel like it is an 'all you can eat" and the extras free for the taking. Use what you need, leave the rest. To me that should be the motto for living in general.

[scfr]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

I'm with those who won't take extra packets when helping myself, and if the server asks me I just ask for exactly what I need; however, if they throw a handful in my bag and I find I have extras when I get home, I will use those up and have been known to squeeze them in to a bottle!

Okay, folks, what about soap and the little shampoos in hotel rooms ... Do you take them? I'll confess: I take them! Is that stealing?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

Nah, I leave the extras in the car or when we get fast food to go. I don't ask for extra unless needed. I use the extra napkins and stuff in the car, but I do not take anything that is not going to be thrown away.

[pearlieq]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

Okay, folks, what about soap and the little shampoos in hotel rooms ... Do you take them? I'll confess: I take them! Is that stealing?

That's an interesting question. I never considered taking the extra unused soap/shampoo to be stealing, even though it is technically unopened and could be given to another guest. I've always taken them.

I think it falls under the rules of "extra". They give me a bottle of shampoo each day. If I don't use it, I'm free to take it home. Stealing, in my mind, would be taking 10 bottles of shampoo off of the maid's cart.

Last week when DH and I were at Disney World we watched a family in the foodcourt (at least 8 people) purchase a loaf of bread from the store there and then proceed to use the packets of peanut butter and jelly on the condiment bar to make sandwiches for everyone at the table. I guess they "technically" were paying customers and not doing anything wrong, but that seemed really sleazy to me.

[BCHGRL]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

If the server hands you a bag full of ketchup, no it is not stealing. If you ask for more than what you need or take more than what you are given, it is stealing. The same for toilet paper. C'mon. If people abuse complimentary items or services, it costs the consumer money.

This is off the topic, but I hate the statement OPM or other people's money. Anyone who says this is either uneducated or lacking morals. The law of economics says that there is no free lunch. Someone will pay. My concious won't allow me to be a burden on anyone else, whether directly or indirectly.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

This is off the topic, but I hate the statement OPM or other people's money.

New term for me. What's it from? Where would I be likely to hear it?

[cschin4]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

There is so little actual ketchup in those things I can't imagine opening them fill a bottle. And, if you are taking them with the purpose of taking them home, knowing you are not going to use them while there, then that is stealing.
But, I have a whole ziplock bag full of little soy sauces, arby's sauce, ketchup, etc that we got with take out.
I should probably get them out and just use them in recipies.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

LrJohnson, dunno bout your post and leading people to believe you steal ketchup (I never thought that of you) but I do remember eons ago a different poster, who doesn't often post here anymore, actually stating they took ketchup with intent to fill a bottle, even when they only stopped for a potty break...that is wrong IMO.

As for the spare packets, if I can't put them back I take them if we don't have a drawer full, if we do (and we rarely use ketchup, so well we have tons still) then I tend to leave them with misgivings...I figure they will prolly be thrown away...but what can I do?

Now Taco bell..there we take packets of sauce, because they do not sell it, and we like it...I use their mild for my salads....if I could buy it here I would...however we always buy tacos when we go fill up on sauce, and often we are ONLY going there to fill up..so I call it fair return for a sale....

[tinapbeana]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

there was a really yummy thai sauce that A&W used to have in the dispenser pump, so no packets. we asked the cashier if we could buy a container of it from them it was so good. instead, the manager filled a to-go cup and gave it to us! moral of the story, never hurts to ask.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

I really, really wish that Taco Bell would sell their mild sauce by the gallon.

Right! Back on topic.

[sakigt]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

I usually dont like the shampoo/conditioner at hotels.

The only exception was when we got stuck in Japan for a night when our flight to China got cancelled. The hotel they put us in had nifty Toothbrush/toothpaste packages and other mini freebies with Japanese writing...I couldnt resist! And of course, I dont use them for their intended purpose. I have the toothbrush/paste set in my box of memories from that trip. lol

[tabbycat31]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

I personally have a drawer at work with various napkins, condiments, and plastic silverware that restaurants have given me. It's usually napkins, and duck sauce, as it's one of hte only condiments I like (ketchup and mustard gross me out). Napkins always come in handy if i spill something at my desk, etc.

I also have various sauces from places like Mc Donalds, Wendys, etc. I awlays ask for extra sweet and sour sauce because I use it on fries. I'm willing to pay for extra if it so comes to it.

My dad on the ohter hand hoardes sugar from everywhere he gets coffee, and actually dumps the packets into the sugar bowl. He had me do this for him like once or twice, and it's not worth the effort because it's very time consuming.

[shengmei]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

I used to work for a fast food restaurant. Because of the health laws, any unused packets of any condiments left on the tables must be thrown away.

Because of that, I often keep the extra ones the cashier give me....since otherwise they will be thrown away.

In Taiwan (where I am from) you have to buy condiment packets separately with your meal, since so many people steal them.

[disneysteve]

Re: Is ketchup worth stealing for?

I used to work for a fast food restaurant. Because of the health laws, any unused packets of any condiments left on the tables must be thrown away.

I wonder if that's the law here in the US. I know if we eat at a fast food place and have extra, I always put them back in the bins on our way out.