I get frustrated that nearly every time I go to Dunkin Donuts, condiments are snuck in my bag reguarldless if I need them or not. I am an environmentalist, and I don't know what it is called, but I don't like causing needless financial loss to others. Especially not when I do not benefit in any way. If I go through the drive-thru I check my ashtray, inventory what I have, and only ask for what I need. The other day I threw my ketchup packets on the sidewalk, after thinking about the bowl of packets getting old at my house, and full stock in my car. I would have used them if I wasn't eating in my car, and fearful of a mess, but them being put in my bag was a dis service. Today I'm eating at Dunking Donuts, and just leaving them on the table. Hopefully they get put back, or somebody has a use for several ketchup packets. The Napkins are always good for the car tho ;)
Ruthie1234 - 9 years ago
I stole a pack of musturd but left a real turd on the toilet seat.
Pat MaGrowin - 9 years ago
I just go to the grocery store and steal the whole damn bottle.
Pat MaGrowin - 9 years ago
I had to steal sugar cause sugar stole me!
A. - 10 years ago
I take from chain restaurants and food courts. I know what its like to go without basic foods and what it's like to look in a refrigerator and have nothing to eat and not having the money to change that. Or going to the grocery store and wishing i could be like other people stocking up their grocery carts. Instead of having to make the most out of scraps of cash. So. I don't have a problem with what I do. It saves me money and helps my food taste great. I take chopsticks, soy packets, creamer, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, honey, marmalade. I never take napkins however.
peekaboomom - 11 years ago
Only if I'm traveling and the hotel room has provided me only two hard, crusted packets of creamer.
jack - 12 years ago
take ALL the ketchup
Ann - 12 years ago
I'll sometimes do this when I'm travelling. Not condiments - if I'm eating something later that requires a condiment, I'm sure it will be available. (And it would never occur to me to stock up for home!) I'm more guilty of raiding the hotel's breakfast buffet and saving something for later in the day - some fruit, a bagel and a packet of peanut butter, for example.
Mostly it's because if I'm on a trip, I don't like to eat at a restaurant for both lunch and dinner. Too much food. If I have a fridge in my hotel room, I'll often find a grocery store early in the trip and just stock up on lunch items.
Slvia - 12 years ago
I think taking an extra few napkins at a takeout place is ok; using common sense seems not so common these days. If you feel the need to take mustard, ketchup, splenda, and all these little extras, maybe you should re-think your budget and priorities in life, and not go out to eat as much. Some young people are just as cheap as the older generation. I personally can't stand someone who doesn't tip the waitstaff what they deserve. To me, that's worse than taking a plastic fork home. Sheesh!
dave - 12 years ago
really? with all thats going on in the world this is what the topic is, Please
Ruthie1225 - 12 years ago
If something is served with my meal I might take it with me. If it was on the table when I sat down I probably won't, not because of some overpowering moral law, but because I'm just not inclined to do so. I have never seen or been aware of my parents or grandparents taking anything from a restaurant in my life. I don't make a lot of money, but I've never been so hard up I had to take ketchup or soy sauce to survive. Who needs ketchup to survive anyway? A person can buy a lot of sugar and napkins and other groceries with the money spent on one single restaurant meal.
That said, I really resent using "Grandma" in the title. The worst pack rat I ever knew was my ex-husband from the time I first knew him. I could never figure out where the hostility came from that made him think the restaurants owed him anything beyond the food he ordered and ate. I'm a grandma now and we don't need this kind of uncalled for P.R.
Come to think of it, I think most people who steal from restaurants do so out of hostility in other parts of their life, perhaps because they are poor or perhaps, like my ex, because they are just plain hostile.
Auntie Viv - 12 years ago
If it came to my table as part of my meal I will keep it. Anything brought to the table, isn't supposed to be recycled back to another customer.
yoho - 12 years ago
I take whatever I can even the silverwear and cloth napkins, my house looks ssooo good!
Guest4Me - 12 years ago
Stealing is stealing and what goes around comes around. To everyone that steals from others, do not be surprised when someone steals from you. And when they do, please do not whine!
It costs all of us to replace these items, so those of you who think "It causes no harm" or "it doesn't cost anything", you are idiots, for we all pay. f I see you steal, I will report you and hopefully you get arrested for Petty Theft!! Same as shoplifting..........
Jeff - 12 years ago
Try to justify taking these any way you want. A thief is a thief and we all know it. I'll pay my own way and not have to make up excuses to make myself feel better.
Emily - 12 years ago
Only if I am certain something will be thrown out do I take it. For example, I have never been given used crayons with a kid's menu in a restaurant, so I take the crayons home.
Joe Sixpack - 12 years ago
If your income hovers just above the poverty line (Disability. I worked from 1969-1994.), as mine does; going out to eat is a treat in itself. Taking the 6-8 Spenda packets from the assortment of sweeteners offered in the caddy left on the table saves me several dollars, and costs the restaurant next to nothing. I see no harm done.
jpepper - 12 years ago
I might take a pack of sugar or a creamer, but I don't clear out the container just because I can. That would only cause prices to rise in the restaurant. Reasonableness is something that generally doesn't exist anymore.
Ma and Pa - 12 years ago
Paying forward?!!
What a pile of CRAP!
Ma and Pa - 12 years ago
For most restaurants profit margins are around 4%. It hurts small restaurants when people steal this way. I own a small restaurant and instruct my employees to ask how many condiments. If people ask for more that 5 packets of ketchup, etc, there is an extra charge. It's tough enough to survive without having to worry that people are stealing from you. At 4% profits, every penny counts!
Briana - 12 years ago
I don't take condiments; always carry my own supply of Splenda because many restaurants don't have it. But as far as anybody else taking them? I just don't even think about them or why they may be doing it. I don't think it comes in the category of a crime, though. Certainly, it would be counter-productive for a restaurant owner to ban or press charges against someone who took packets of sweetener or condiments.
mc - 12 years ago
It's not theft if the restaurant gives you something (on your tray or in your bag) which you're not going to use immediately. It's yours. Similarly, I think, if you take it from a rack in good faith thinking you are going to use it at that meal. Would it be more ethical to throw these things away? That is the only alternative. It would only be theft if you go to the rack and get something that you could have left there and do not need for the current meal.
terri - 12 years ago
No matter how creative one is, the bottom line is called "petty theft". In the long term, you will repay the cost, plus. The only time taking these items from a restaurant is ok is IF you know for sure they will be thrown out. Napkins are one of these "tossed" items. They cannot use them for another guest after you have handled them. Look at it this way, folks: If every guest who enters your home helps themselves to something to stuff in their purse/pocket, how would you feel about that guest? And if you are a Christian, ask yourself: would Jesus take these? If he wouldn't, you shouldn't!
Stingy - 12 years ago
It used to be that restaurants (both fast food and family) would offer packets of condiments, sugar, etc. readily. Now, I find that I'm having to ask for them, especially when I go through the drive-thru or get take out. At McDonald's, not only do I have to request sugar/sugar substitute, but the employees always ask me how many. Same goes for some Dunkin' Donuts restaurants. A few days ago, I went into a restaurant to eat and took some sugar packets off of the table before I left so that I don't have to ask at the drive thru.
Jay - 12 years ago
I take condiment/sweetener packets by the dozens, but I ask if it's okay 100% of the time. 100% of the time, the answer is along the lines of, "Sure. Thanks for asking." I have never, ever in thousands of instances been told no.
Charles - 12 years ago
If I order a carry out or extra I'll take a few things but usually not, they only clutter up the the drawer, rip, tear or burst and you have a mess to clean up.
Lulu - 12 years ago
Yes; I take certain items because it's convenient for on the go.
MsWinston - 12 years ago
Years ago I used to believe it was okay to take small packets of condiments in the belief that restaurants, like hotels, wanted us to take these items. After all, hotels used it as a means of advertising for us to take small soaps, lotions, and hair care products with their logo on the packaging. But over the years I have come to realize that most restaurants, like supermarkets, operate on a very small profit margin, and in taking these items the consumer may have the cost passed on to him or her. I don't have much more money now than I did when I took the condiments, but I realize now that realistically I can afford a bottle of catsup or mustard, and even leave behind some soy sauce packets which Chinese restaurants so generously pack in take out boxes, having my own at home as well.
KT - 12 years ago
The more concerning thing for me is when I get a drive-thru order, and I ask for 5 packets of sauce and they throw a handful in the bag. Educating employees can also help the bottom line
KT - 12 years ago
If eating in and they put it on my tray and I dont use it, then I take it for I feel it is going to be thrown out when the table is cleaned. Normally, other folks do not want to use items that have been just left on the table as someone may have tampered with them.
KT
beetlebear - 12 years ago
Restaurants figure those items on the table as part of the food cost. Every time you sit at the table, you are in fact paying for all the items on the table.
Noddy - 12 years ago
It used to be that when I traveled and was getting leftovers, I'd take enough condiments to finish the meal later, but so many places have stopped providing condiments that I now bring my own.
I bought an insulated caddy that has a place for an ice blanket to store my sugar, salt, pepper, savory seasoning blend, sweet seasoning blend, honey sticks, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustards, butter, sour cream, steak sauces, salad dressings, spoons, forks, butter knife, steak knife, tomato knife, and cloth napkins.
I've had restaurant managers get mad at me for providing my own, but I blame them for not providing adequate condiments and utensils. Next thing you know, they won't be providing beverage glasses or plates and I'll have to bring those, too.
Unknown - 12 years ago
I have no need to take any home. Whenever we do any kind of takeout they always pile in the napkins and packets of whatever. I have a container of Ketchup, piles of Soy and plenty of Sugar, splenda and whatever else they throw in when you get large take out orders. Taking from a restaurant on the table is kind of silly in my opinion.
Angela - 12 years ago
We have two small children and require a fair number of napkins. I ask for a few more but inevitably, the server bring too many. I do take home whatever is left on the table; otherwise it will be thrown away.
JLI - 12 years ago
I think it's wrong and I have a problem with other people who take condiments because in essence, by taking the condiments, they are increasing the cost that you and I pay for our meals in order to make up the loss the restaurant is experiencing due to the theft.
Z - 12 years ago
I don't take condiments, etc but I do save the extras from take out. They are great to take on picnics, etc.
I think it is sad that seniors have to struggle to have condiments, napkins, etc.
linda - 12 years ago
I have occasionally taken a couple of extra catsup or mustard when I have been traveling because not every where provides packets. I have never taken salt/pepper, and never taken condiments if returning home.
Marvin - 12 years ago
If I am going to pay the inflated cost for a restaurant meal I am also going to help myself to as many condiments as I see fit.
Igor - 12 years ago
The cost of it sooner or later will be recovered through the increase in the cost of menu items. So, it is all eventually paid by us, customers.
jean - 12 years ago
I just don't feel packets of sugar, ketchup etc are worth taking, The ones I get with delivery pizza get to the refrigerator by finally get thrown out.
kp - 12 years ago
I occassionally take salt and pepper, catsup, and napkins when I am taking some of the meal home. There was a period of time when I took crackers or sweetener, but found that they ended up on the floorboard or in the bottom of my purse. I recognized the absurdity of that waste, so only take items needed for the original purchase now.
hotdog13 - 12 years ago
I normally don't take stuff like that, but I do take a few napkins for my car. When I use them I get more. Sometimes at home, if on the road and find I don't have any, the next fast food place get a few.
There are some old folks on small incomes that live off these. I am sorry it comes to that. They spent 40+ years working and didn't save enough, or some, to provide for a retirement.
I like the large dispensers where people can't steal... I don't think you should prosecute old folk, but create an environment that prevents, or limits the amount someone could take.
JKT - 12 years ago
I take a few packets because the restaurants want us to! No, I'm not crazy: hear me out.
Businesses print their names on pens and give them away, right? It's advertising. Same for matchbooks, pads of paper, etc. So if restaurants didn't want us to take packets of sugar, WHY DO THEY PAY EXTRA TO HAVE THEIR NAMES PRINTED ON THE PACKETS? Hooters, for example, is the last place I took packets from. All the packets have "Hooters" very prominently displayed on them. That is ADVERTISING. Every time someone sees a "Hooters" packet, they get the same effect as having watched a Hooters TV ad.
I'm sure some of you will still think I'm nuts but I'm not. Mom & pop restaurants who have generic packets on the tables: I don't take those. I just take the ones that have obviously been meant as promotional items. The restaurant gets their name out there, I get a few emergency packets. EVERYONE IS HAPPY.
Eric - 12 years ago
I take Splenda packets because I take 1 cream and 3 sweeteners in my coffee and the restairant people never seem to get that right - I get 0,1 or 2 sweeteners and the coffee tastes horrible. So I take it to correct THEIR future mistakes. (Always the same restaurant)
Unknown - 12 years ago
I think that it is extremely irresponsible to smuggle condiments from resteraunts because after a while the condiments add up and can become a problem to owners of joints and such. But i do admit to taking soaps from hotels but i think this is very different because they leave the whole bottle for you anyways.
micah peden - 12 years ago
I take extra fire sauce everytime i go to taco bell. THEY DONT SELL FIRE SAUCE AT THE STORE. end rant thank you.
Colin - 12 years ago
I take the extra napkins that I don't end up using, because I can have it in the car and use it for the future instead of them throwing it out!
Sherry - 12 years ago
I don't take condiments. I never thought about it as a right/wrong issue, though I guess it's wrong on some level. Those who take the condiments should consider that they are passing along the cost to the other consumers. Thanks a lot, stealers! Seriously, though, I would never take the condiments because I don't tolerate clutter and junk. My grandmother had hundreds, if not thousands, of "freebies" around--in drawers, jars, boxes, table tops.
Luke Haugen - 12 years ago
You guys are all idiots. Who takes the time to write this article? Worse yet, who takes the time to write passionate statements about sugar packets?
Steve - 12 years ago
I have to admit it, I save (and reuse) plastic utensils. I also reuse plastic bags from the produce that I purchase at the supermarket. When I do buy something that comes in a jar, I clean the jar, and use it as a container for items that I purchase from the bulk bins. I use reusable cloth bags - instead of plastic/paper from the supermarket. I don't pilfer condiment packages, but when condiment packages are included in takeout, I save them and I use them - rather than waste them. My lifestyle choice is based upon my beliefs that when possible people should make choices that are good for the environment.
Greg - 12 years ago
I operate several restaurants and it really bothers me that people feel they are entitled to take all the condiments they please, stuff them in their purse/bag/pocket and leave. Yes you maybe my customer, and are paying for the food but in the end you are stealing from me. For those who think its nothing that there is no impact if you take a few extra sugars, creamers, napkins, etc. think about this. A packet of sugar costs me $0.006 cents. No big deal right? however if 50 packs are taken and stuffed and taken from my restaurant a day, thats $100 dollars a year I am paying you to take sugar out of my restauant. Sugar is my least expensive condiment and it is no far fetching to see that with all of the other condiments that are taken I am loosing thousands of dollars a year. If I am losing money like that, the only thing I can do to recover it, is to increase my prices. Sure I could pay someone to distriubte the condiments on an as needed basis, to my customers, but there again, that is thousands of dollars a year that I am having to pay because people think they are entitled to my product. Go ahead, take what you want, but realize you are going to pay for it, because I will increase my prices, because of your entitlement mentality.
David - 12 years ago
its a dog-eat-dog world.
David Johnson - 12 years ago
I think it is stupid, and irresponsible to steal little packets of condiments. Why would you want to do that?
David Johnson - 12 years ago
I think it is stupid, and irresponsible to steal little packets of condiments. Why would you want to do that?
Bill - 12 years ago
The rationalization that they are saving money is ridiculous. Take the money you would have spent at the restaurant and buy wisely at the grocery store, prepring your own food. I have seen "vultures" descend on hospital family waiting areas that put out drink packets and other small food items for people waiting for hospitalized family members. After taking everything from that waiting area they move on to other floors to do the same. Saving money? No, theft!
unknown lady - 12 years ago
I have occasionally taken them while traveling for use during the trip. Not ever for use at home.
B - 12 years ago
I have on road trips a few times taken two or three sweet and low packets from the fast food places for later use in the car. Places that sell tea sometimes don't carry that brand, so I will use them when needed. I don't do this at home however. I buy what I use at home at the store.
I have known people that will take the extra ketchup packets, soy sauce, etc. and empty them into the bottles they have at home. I think that is wrong not only from a cross contamination standpoint, but because a restaurant owner shouldn't have to pay for what we use at home.
jan - 12 years ago
Yes, I take the small packets of brown suger whenever I find it...the grocery store sells them
in boxes of 300...I will not live long enough to use that many(howeve Costco sells them in
packages of 1000) I use,maybe, one a day
I get frustrated that nearly every time I go to Dunkin Donuts, condiments are snuck in my bag reguarldless if I need them or not. I am an environmentalist, and I don't know what it is called, but I don't like causing needless financial loss to others. Especially not when I do not benefit in any way. If I go through the drive-thru I check my ashtray, inventory what I have, and only ask for what I need. The other day I threw my ketchup packets on the sidewalk, after thinking about the bowl of packets getting old at my house, and full stock in my car. I would have used them if I wasn't eating in my car, and fearful of a mess, but them being put in my bag was a dis service. Today I'm eating at Dunking Donuts, and just leaving them on the table. Hopefully they get put back, or somebody has a use for several ketchup packets. The Napkins are always good for the car tho ;)
I stole a pack of musturd but left a real turd on the toilet seat.
I just go to the grocery store and steal the whole damn bottle.
I had to steal sugar cause sugar stole me!
I take from chain restaurants and food courts. I know what its like to go without basic foods and what it's like to look in a refrigerator and have nothing to eat and not having the money to change that. Or going to the grocery store and wishing i could be like other people stocking up their grocery carts. Instead of having to make the most out of scraps of cash. So. I don't have a problem with what I do. It saves me money and helps my food taste great. I take chopsticks, soy packets, creamer, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, honey, marmalade. I never take napkins however.
Only if I'm traveling and the hotel room has provided me only two hard, crusted packets of creamer.
take ALL the ketchup
I'll sometimes do this when I'm travelling. Not condiments - if I'm eating something later that requires a condiment, I'm sure it will be available. (And it would never occur to me to stock up for home!) I'm more guilty of raiding the hotel's breakfast buffet and saving something for later in the day - some fruit, a bagel and a packet of peanut butter, for example.
Mostly it's because if I'm on a trip, I don't like to eat at a restaurant for both lunch and dinner. Too much food. If I have a fridge in my hotel room, I'll often find a grocery store early in the trip and just stock up on lunch items.
I think taking an extra few napkins at a takeout place is ok; using common sense seems not so common these days. If you feel the need to take mustard, ketchup, splenda, and all these little extras, maybe you should re-think your budget and priorities in life, and not go out to eat as much. Some young people are just as cheap as the older generation. I personally can't stand someone who doesn't tip the waitstaff what they deserve. To me, that's worse than taking a plastic fork home. Sheesh!
really? with all thats going on in the world this is what the topic is, Please
If something is served with my meal I might take it with me. If it was on the table when I sat down I probably won't, not because of some overpowering moral law, but because I'm just not inclined to do so. I have never seen or been aware of my parents or grandparents taking anything from a restaurant in my life. I don't make a lot of money, but I've never been so hard up I had to take ketchup or soy sauce to survive. Who needs ketchup to survive anyway? A person can buy a lot of sugar and napkins and other groceries with the money spent on one single restaurant meal.
That said, I really resent using "Grandma" in the title. The worst pack rat I ever knew was my ex-husband from the time I first knew him. I could never figure out where the hostility came from that made him think the restaurants owed him anything beyond the food he ordered and ate. I'm a grandma now and we don't need this kind of uncalled for P.R.
Come to think of it, I think most people who steal from restaurants do so out of hostility in other parts of their life, perhaps because they are poor or perhaps, like my ex, because they are just plain hostile.
If it came to my table as part of my meal I will keep it. Anything brought to the table, isn't supposed to be recycled back to another customer.
I take whatever I can even the silverwear and cloth napkins, my house looks ssooo good!
Stealing is stealing and what goes around comes around. To everyone that steals from others, do not be surprised when someone steals from you. And when they do, please do not whine!
It costs all of us to replace these items, so those of you who think "It causes no harm" or "it doesn't cost anything", you are idiots, for we all pay. f I see you steal, I will report you and hopefully you get arrested for Petty Theft!! Same as shoplifting..........
Try to justify taking these any way you want. A thief is a thief and we all know it. I'll pay my own way and not have to make up excuses to make myself feel better.
Only if I am certain something will be thrown out do I take it. For example, I have never been given used crayons with a kid's menu in a restaurant, so I take the crayons home.
If your income hovers just above the poverty line (Disability. I worked from 1969-1994.), as mine does; going out to eat is a treat in itself. Taking the 6-8 Spenda packets from the assortment of sweeteners offered in the caddy left on the table saves me several dollars, and costs the restaurant next to nothing. I see no harm done.
I might take a pack of sugar or a creamer, but I don't clear out the container just because I can. That would only cause prices to rise in the restaurant. Reasonableness is something that generally doesn't exist anymore.
Paying forward?!!
What a pile of CRAP!
For most restaurants profit margins are around 4%. It hurts small restaurants when people steal this way. I own a small restaurant and instruct my employees to ask how many condiments. If people ask for more that 5 packets of ketchup, etc, there is an extra charge. It's tough enough to survive without having to worry that people are stealing from you. At 4% profits, every penny counts!
I don't take condiments; always carry my own supply of Splenda because many restaurants don't have it. But as far as anybody else taking them? I just don't even think about them or why they may be doing it. I don't think it comes in the category of a crime, though. Certainly, it would be counter-productive for a restaurant owner to ban or press charges against someone who took packets of sweetener or condiments.
It's not theft if the restaurant gives you something (on your tray or in your bag) which you're not going to use immediately. It's yours. Similarly, I think, if you take it from a rack in good faith thinking you are going to use it at that meal. Would it be more ethical to throw these things away? That is the only alternative. It would only be theft if you go to the rack and get something that you could have left there and do not need for the current meal.
No matter how creative one is, the bottom line is called "petty theft". In the long term, you will repay the cost, plus. The only time taking these items from a restaurant is ok is IF you know for sure they will be thrown out. Napkins are one of these "tossed" items. They cannot use them for another guest after you have handled them. Look at it this way, folks: If every guest who enters your home helps themselves to something to stuff in their purse/pocket, how would you feel about that guest? And if you are a Christian, ask yourself: would Jesus take these? If he wouldn't, you shouldn't!
It used to be that restaurants (both fast food and family) would offer packets of condiments, sugar, etc. readily. Now, I find that I'm having to ask for them, especially when I go through the drive-thru or get take out. At McDonald's, not only do I have to request sugar/sugar substitute, but the employees always ask me how many. Same goes for some Dunkin' Donuts restaurants. A few days ago, I went into a restaurant to eat and took some sugar packets off of the table before I left so that I don't have to ask at the drive thru.
I take condiment/sweetener packets by the dozens, but I ask if it's okay 100% of the time. 100% of the time, the answer is along the lines of, "Sure. Thanks for asking." I have never, ever in thousands of instances been told no.
If I order a carry out or extra I'll take a few things but usually not, they only clutter up the the drawer, rip, tear or burst and you have a mess to clean up.
Yes; I take certain items because it's convenient for on the go.
Years ago I used to believe it was okay to take small packets of condiments in the belief that restaurants, like hotels, wanted us to take these items. After all, hotels used it as a means of advertising for us to take small soaps, lotions, and hair care products with their logo on the packaging. But over the years I have come to realize that most restaurants, like supermarkets, operate on a very small profit margin, and in taking these items the consumer may have the cost passed on to him or her. I don't have much more money now than I did when I took the condiments, but I realize now that realistically I can afford a bottle of catsup or mustard, and even leave behind some soy sauce packets which Chinese restaurants so generously pack in take out boxes, having my own at home as well.
The more concerning thing for me is when I get a drive-thru order, and I ask for 5 packets of sauce and they throw a handful in the bag. Educating employees can also help the bottom line
If eating in and they put it on my tray and I dont use it, then I take it for I feel it is going to be thrown out when the table is cleaned. Normally, other folks do not want to use items that have been just left on the table as someone may have tampered with them.
KT
Restaurants figure those items on the table as part of the food cost. Every time you sit at the table, you are in fact paying for all the items on the table.
It used to be that when I traveled and was getting leftovers, I'd take enough condiments to finish the meal later, but so many places have stopped providing condiments that I now bring my own.
I bought an insulated caddy that has a place for an ice blanket to store my sugar, salt, pepper, savory seasoning blend, sweet seasoning blend, honey sticks, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustards, butter, sour cream, steak sauces, salad dressings, spoons, forks, butter knife, steak knife, tomato knife, and cloth napkins.
I've had restaurant managers get mad at me for providing my own, but I blame them for not providing adequate condiments and utensils. Next thing you know, they won't be providing beverage glasses or plates and I'll have to bring those, too.
I have no need to take any home. Whenever we do any kind of takeout they always pile in the napkins and packets of whatever. I have a container of Ketchup, piles of Soy and plenty of Sugar, splenda and whatever else they throw in when you get large take out orders. Taking from a restaurant on the table is kind of silly in my opinion.
We have two small children and require a fair number of napkins. I ask for a few more but inevitably, the server bring too many. I do take home whatever is left on the table; otherwise it will be thrown away.
I think it's wrong and I have a problem with other people who take condiments because in essence, by taking the condiments, they are increasing the cost that you and I pay for our meals in order to make up the loss the restaurant is experiencing due to the theft.
I don't take condiments, etc but I do save the extras from take out. They are great to take on picnics, etc.
I think it is sad that seniors have to struggle to have condiments, napkins, etc.
I have occasionally taken a couple of extra catsup or mustard when I have been traveling because not every where provides packets. I have never taken salt/pepper, and never taken condiments if returning home.
If I am going to pay the inflated cost for a restaurant meal I am also going to help myself to as many condiments as I see fit.
The cost of it sooner or later will be recovered through the increase in the cost of menu items. So, it is all eventually paid by us, customers.
I just don't feel packets of sugar, ketchup etc are worth taking, The ones I get with delivery pizza get to the refrigerator by finally get thrown out.
I occassionally take salt and pepper, catsup, and napkins when I am taking some of the meal home. There was a period of time when I took crackers or sweetener, but found that they ended up on the floorboard or in the bottom of my purse. I recognized the absurdity of that waste, so only take items needed for the original purchase now.
I normally don't take stuff like that, but I do take a few napkins for my car. When I use them I get more. Sometimes at home, if on the road and find I don't have any, the next fast food place get a few.
There are some old folks on small incomes that live off these. I am sorry it comes to that. They spent 40+ years working and didn't save enough, or some, to provide for a retirement.
I like the large dispensers where people can't steal... I don't think you should prosecute old folk, but create an environment that prevents, or limits the amount someone could take.
I take a few packets because the restaurants want us to! No, I'm not crazy: hear me out.
Businesses print their names on pens and give them away, right? It's advertising. Same for matchbooks, pads of paper, etc. So if restaurants didn't want us to take packets of sugar, WHY DO THEY PAY EXTRA TO HAVE THEIR NAMES PRINTED ON THE PACKETS? Hooters, for example, is the last place I took packets from. All the packets have "Hooters" very prominently displayed on them. That is ADVERTISING. Every time someone sees a "Hooters" packet, they get the same effect as having watched a Hooters TV ad.
I'm sure some of you will still think I'm nuts but I'm not. Mom & pop restaurants who have generic packets on the tables: I don't take those. I just take the ones that have obviously been meant as promotional items. The restaurant gets their name out there, I get a few emergency packets. EVERYONE IS HAPPY.
I take Splenda packets because I take 1 cream and 3 sweeteners in my coffee and the restairant people never seem to get that right - I get 0,1 or 2 sweeteners and the coffee tastes horrible. So I take it to correct THEIR future mistakes. (Always the same restaurant)
I think that it is extremely irresponsible to smuggle condiments from resteraunts because after a while the condiments add up and can become a problem to owners of joints and such. But i do admit to taking soaps from hotels but i think this is very different because they leave the whole bottle for you anyways.
I take extra fire sauce everytime i go to taco bell. THEY DONT SELL FIRE SAUCE AT THE STORE. end rant thank you.
I take the extra napkins that I don't end up using, because I can have it in the car and use it for the future instead of them throwing it out!
I don't take condiments. I never thought about it as a right/wrong issue, though I guess it's wrong on some level. Those who take the condiments should consider that they are passing along the cost to the other consumers. Thanks a lot, stealers! Seriously, though, I would never take the condiments because I don't tolerate clutter and junk. My grandmother had hundreds, if not thousands, of "freebies" around--in drawers, jars, boxes, table tops.
You guys are all idiots. Who takes the time to write this article? Worse yet, who takes the time to write passionate statements about sugar packets?
I have to admit it, I save (and reuse) plastic utensils. I also reuse plastic bags from the produce that I purchase at the supermarket. When I do buy something that comes in a jar, I clean the jar, and use it as a container for items that I purchase from the bulk bins. I use reusable cloth bags - instead of plastic/paper from the supermarket. I don't pilfer condiment packages, but when condiment packages are included in takeout, I save them and I use them - rather than waste them. My lifestyle choice is based upon my beliefs that when possible people should make choices that are good for the environment.
I operate several restaurants and it really bothers me that people feel they are entitled to take all the condiments they please, stuff them in their purse/bag/pocket and leave. Yes you maybe my customer, and are paying for the food but in the end you are stealing from me. For those who think its nothing that there is no impact if you take a few extra sugars, creamers, napkins, etc. think about this. A packet of sugar costs me $0.006 cents. No big deal right? however if 50 packs are taken and stuffed and taken from my restaurant a day, thats $100 dollars a year I am paying you to take sugar out of my restauant. Sugar is my least expensive condiment and it is no far fetching to see that with all of the other condiments that are taken I am loosing thousands of dollars a year. If I am losing money like that, the only thing I can do to recover it, is to increase my prices. Sure I could pay someone to distriubte the condiments on an as needed basis, to my customers, but there again, that is thousands of dollars a year that I am having to pay because people think they are entitled to my product. Go ahead, take what you want, but realize you are going to pay for it, because I will increase my prices, because of your entitlement mentality.
its a dog-eat-dog world.
I think it is stupid, and irresponsible to steal little packets of condiments. Why would you want to do that?
I think it is stupid, and irresponsible to steal little packets of condiments. Why would you want to do that?
The rationalization that they are saving money is ridiculous. Take the money you would have spent at the restaurant and buy wisely at the grocery store, prepring your own food. I have seen "vultures" descend on hospital family waiting areas that put out drink packets and other small food items for people waiting for hospitalized family members. After taking everything from that waiting area they move on to other floors to do the same. Saving money? No, theft!
I have occasionally taken them while traveling for use during the trip. Not ever for use at home.
I have on road trips a few times taken two or three sweet and low packets from the fast food places for later use in the car. Places that sell tea sometimes don't carry that brand, so I will use them when needed. I don't do this at home however. I buy what I use at home at the store.
I have known people that will take the extra ketchup packets, soy sauce, etc. and empty them into the bottles they have at home. I think that is wrong not only from a cross contamination standpoint, but because a restaurant owner shouldn't have to pay for what we use at home.
Yes, I take the small packets of brown suger whenever I find it...the grocery store sells them
in boxes of 300...I will not live long enough to use that many(howeve Costco sells them in
packages of 1000) I use,maybe, one a day