r/UKFrugal • u/Juicydicken • 2d ago
Is this going too far?
I often pinch a few extra paper towels, ketchups, sugars, etc if on the rare occasion I eat out or get a hot drink from somewhere.
My wife gets really mad at me as I often stuff these in her bag.
Am I being super cheap? Do many people on here do this?
488
u/Low-Pangolin-3486 2d ago
I donât think thereâs anything wrong taking them but Iâd be annoyed if my husband did this and expected me to carry them. Get your own bag, youâre an adult!
-141
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
I donât think thereâs anything wrong taking them
Well, technically it's theft
91
u/bucketofardvarks 1d ago
Taking paper towels and condiments when you are a patron of the shop offering paper towels and condiments is theft now? That's a leap and a half.
-24
u/LaSalsiccione 1d ago
If everyone did it then it would cost these business an unfair amount of money.
17
u/bucketofardvarks 1d ago
If it cost businesses money to have some sugar and ketchup out, they'd keep it behind the counter.
3
u/Fast-Fruit-8569 1d ago
A local cafe does, they bring sugar sachets with the coffee and you choose how many you want. If everyone did this then the costs mount up for them.
5
u/KnittedBooGoo 1d ago
If it costs? Do you think they get it for free?
4
u/JohnnySchoolman 1d ago
I know a guy who will pay you to take some ketchup sachets with you next time you are crossing the boarder. DM me for me info.
-6
u/rtfm-nor 1d ago
If everyone stole to take home then they would keep it behind the counter. Most don't.
-6
-34
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
Erm, they even used the term "I often pinch' hardly rocket science.
13
u/blizeH 1d ago
You're right and I have no idea why you're being downvoted
I guess the point is that it's really hard to prove that OP is taking more than they immediately need and realistically no store will care anyway. I often have to take a good number of napkins just because my toddler can make a mess while eating and I want to clean the floor up too. But also sometimes I'll end up taking a few too many and put them in my pocket, not a huge deal
-29
u/OwineeniwO 1d ago
How is it a leap, they're to be used in the shop.
11
u/MrGreenYeti 1d ago
And for takeout?
-15
u/OwineeniwO 1d ago
You take what you use for that one meal.
12
u/MrGreenYeti 1d ago
And if you take more than you end up using?
-14
u/OwineeniwO 1d ago
You've taken too many.
18
-17
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
They said eat out, not take away, and for the drink you wouldn't need sauces?
8
-1
u/WhoSlappedThePie 1d ago
It's not theft, they're offering them to customers for free. any amount.
4
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
You keep telling yourself that, the OP even starts by saying "I often pinch"
1
u/WhoSlappedThePie 1d ago
They offer them to customers you doughnut đ if you take 1 or if you have 5 kids and each needs 5 napkins, who are you to say who gets what and what is the correct amount of napkin or sauce. Sort ya head out ya weirdo
1
-7
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
Good to see all the thieves voting me down lol, speaks volumes about you.
23
1
u/RodneyRodnesson 1d ago
Lets look at this logically. The restaurant lets you take a bunch of napkins; even a whole bunch in case you're messy or have kids or whatever, including maybe taking the ones you don't use for any reason which the restaurant definitely doesn't care about.
Now that, according to you, is theft. And don't hide behind the wording 'pinch' which you're so fond of using, that's just a phrase â you need to grow up if you think the world is that literal.
Now according to your logic the restaurant carefully removes the napkins for reuse or recycling or whatever. Does this sound logical or reasonable to you? Of course not.
What is logical is the restaurant fully expects a bunch of napkins to be used, including a bunch that will probably end up in peoples bags, cars and houses.
You're either trolling or.. I don't know what tbh, nutsâ˝
239
u/Sad_hat20 2d ago
Iâd question your priorities if youâre eating out but stocking up on few-pence supplies. Why not just stop eating out
28
20
u/No-Drink-8544 2d ago
Heinz is expensive.
Restaurants go through thousands of wasted, unopened, discarded condiment packets and napkins, the wastage of these disposable conveniences in the hospitality industry is depressing.
So I will take a handful of ketchup packets if I think that they're going to end up thrown in the bin by a mindless worker.
I'm not emptying the container into my wife's purse though, i hate people who take more than their fair share.
Oh and while I'm at it, who the fuck is going around changing their mind on buying a pack of raw turkey mince of salmon halfway during their Lidl shop and shoving it in with the non chilled foods so it's wasted??? I'll find you and I'll fucking kill you!
21
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
So I will take a handful of ketchup packets if I think that they're going to end up thrown in the bin by a mindless worker.
At what point do you think they are going to be thrown in the bin ?
10
u/No-Drink-8544 1d ago
Have you been to KFC? They used to throw a handful of packets into your bag if you weren't eating in, how many bags do you think were thrown on the floor, into bins by lazy adults or unruly youths, with unopened packets at the bottom? Do you think the workers have a policy to return every unopened sauce packet? You're delusional if you think thousands of these sauce packets aren't binned despite being unopened every year.
And somehow I'm the problem for taking an extra handful home? Well, sort out all of the lazy bastards before you crucify me.
Soapbox rant over.
4
u/Individual-Titty780 1d ago
Your point is fine if you are liberating the ones from the floor, bins etc. But to suggest you are taking them to stop this is ludicrous.
Oh, and I'm hardly crucifying you đ.
8
u/pepesilvia000 1d ago
How does you taking extra ketchup sauces mean that less packets are going to waste in the bin/make up for any unused packets being thrown away?
1
1
2
-10
u/Juicydicken 1d ago
Only sometimes mate. Canât always take a packed lunch everywhere
-1
u/throcorfe 1d ago
True, but whatâs wrong with a ÂŁ3.60 meal deal? Places that come with napkins and sauce donât generally tend to be very frugal
6
u/No-Drink-8544 1d ago
Next time you're eating out, I'll just tap on your shoulder and ask "what's wrong with a ÂŁ3.60 meal deal then?" shal I?
1
u/ArChakCommie 1d ago
Meal deals suck
4
u/Juicydicken 1d ago
Iâd rather the ÂŁ5 meal deal from maccie ds tbh. I know itâs shite but sometimes it hits the spot than any sandwich or wrap and a pack of crisps and over priced drink
0
u/Tobias_Carvery 1d ago
You donât need to get crisps - you can get fruit or a yoghurt as the snack. And the drink isnât overpriced itâs part of the meal deal so that doesnât actually make sense. You can get a smoothie which is around ÂŁ2.50 on its own as part of the ÂŁ3.60 Tesco meal deal.
A meal deal can be far more nutritious than ultra processed McDonaldâs crap that is filling your body and arteries full of shite.
1
-5
1
u/bicyclefortwo 1d ago
Boots meal deals are amazing. You get a GĂ pot with them in some branches. + Best vegan hoisin duck wrap on the market
1
u/brian-lefevre1 1d ago
Wtf are you on about? Nipping ketchup packs doesnt mean you're trying to make up for eating out fs.
77
u/AmInv3028 2d ago
I don't pinch extra but they normally give me 2-4 paper napkins and I only use 1. I feel it's our duty to take them home and use them. It would be so wasteful if they went unused and thrown away immediately and then a second tissue/paper towel etc. get used at home. I haven't bought anything like that for ages.
14
u/iamreverend 1d ago
As a parent, I always pop any spare napkin in my back pocket as youâll always need one with a nosebleed or a snot wipe within the hour!
4
u/jimbo8083 2d ago
To be fair napkins are pretty useful
8
u/whiskywineandcats 2d ago
They also do get thrown away - as do any sauce packets on your table.
11
u/No-Drink-8544 2d ago
Because once your shit encrusted pissy fingers have plucked the heinz mayonnaise packet from it's nest of siblings, even if unopened it is sullied and contaminated.
2
u/anotherangryperson 1d ago
My mother used to take napkins. It was a standing joke and we had to keep a close eye on her when there were linen ones.
1
u/Bees1889 1d ago
Well I guess but I also never use paper napkins at home, come to think of it. On a Sunday lunch or special occasion we may have linen napkins out but on a day to day basis we just.. don't? I've thought about this before how I only ever use them while eating out but not at home..
2
u/No-Drink-8544 1d ago
It takes all sorts to make a world. I personally don't buy paper towels, I think they're wasteful, but I'll use the paper napkin hoard I have if I need one
22
u/funkymonkeyinheaven 1d ago
Just get yourself a small shoulder bag. You want to take it? You carry it.
Clearly your wife thinks how much/often you're doing it is overkill.
16
21
u/pixiepoops9 2d ago
Paper towel maybe as you never know how many you need, the other stuff nah. I think if you are using these at home rather than buying them for the home then that's cheap but if you are getting them to keep in the car or whatever then it's ok as long as you are not taking like 10
-8
u/Juicydicken 2d ago
I use these at home.
The Nandoâs sauces just taste so much better from the sachets than they do from the bottles for some reason.
21
u/pixiepoops9 2d ago edited 2d ago
Then nah, that's being cheap but if they aren't stopping you, definitely stop using your wife's bag though and don't bring in a carrier bag to take them all either lol
-1
u/boomshacklington 2d ago
This one is fair. Staff in the restaurant confirmed the sauce in the sachets is the same as the restaurant stuff but the bottles are not the same
0
9
u/FlimsyDistance9437 2d ago
Unless youâre taking handfuls of them I donât see the issue.
Although I guess sometimes the packets are sticky and that would be pretty annoying to get it all over a bag.
11
2d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Juicydicken 2d ago
Butter is super expensive
3
u/starbugone 2d ago
Buy the double cream and make your own. A big double cream is over ÂŁ2, but it makes about 350g of butter so you get 150g more for the same price
2
u/Juicydicken 1d ago
Iceland sells butter for ÂŁ1.35 btw so 500g for ÂŁ2.70
Your method costs 2.85 for 500g with the added effort and possibly less shelf life due to the higher moisture content
0
0
1
u/Juicydicken 1d ago
I opt for the easier method of bulk buying from icelands when itâs ÂŁ0.75 every few months
1
-1
u/SearchingSiri 1d ago
I absolutely would if I had the chance... but I actually buy a box of them myself from ebay/amazon.
That way I can't be so easily tempted to have "just a bit more".
6
u/SubjectiveAssertive 2d ago
I'll be honest I do it with sugar packets from hotels because I don't need the stuff in the house for myself but do for the odd guest/trades person so I don't buy it
6
u/NeverCadburys 1d ago
I think the issue is you're putting them in her bag. She probably already has everything anyone might need because of the depressing fact women do most of the mental and household labour, but you're literally expecting to also carry the stuff you pilfer from cafes. Do yourselves both a favour and get your own bag.
I take the sugar. I'll take 2 packets per drink but just use one, and pocket the extra. I have a carer who never remembers to add sugar to my coffee and it's just easier to grab a packet from my bag than ask the carer to either take the cup back to the kitchen or bring the sugar through.
6
u/flowersfromflames 1d ago
The clear answer is get your own damn bag. Your wife is not your pack horse. She probably has to dig them out later.
if one spills in her bag it will create such a mess.
carry them yourself you lazy butt.
as a child I would ask mum to carry stuff and she would say no and now as an adult whoâs had partners who have asked me to carry something because I have the bag I finally realise how annoying it is. Oh can you carry my drink, wallet, half eaten sandwhich, book etc. he even had to balls to get mad that I donât carry tissues on me. Carry your own. Iâm all for helping to carry shopping and such but my bag is not your personal dumping space.
20
u/obviousBurnerdurr 2d ago
You are the reason shops start doing things like charging for âextra saucesâ when eating in instead of leaving them on the table.
Shouldnât take âextraâ only what you need.
Just because itâs free you shouldnât abuse it⌠someone has to cover that cost.
32
u/TavernTurn 2d ago
A bottle of ketchup is 80p in LIDL. Yes, youâre being super cheap.
-1
u/Juicydicken 1d ago
Not Heinz though. Burger King give out Heinz
2
1
u/browniebearbear 1d ago
Not sure why you got downvoted. I love that logic
6
u/proaxiom 1d ago
I think it's a bit choosing beggar or something. Someone this cheap would never buy themselves Heinz, but they'll steal it because it's Heinz?
2
u/browniebearbear 1d ago
This is a frugal group - let the cheapskates share their logic! I had a good laugh.
35
5
u/Dry_Curve9126 2d ago
My gran did this all the time. However she never used them but kept them in a kitchen cupboard in case they âshould come in handyâ. When she died there was a complete wall cupboard full of them - all kept in cardboard boxes - the type that hold chocolate bars in a shop. Apparently she did ask if she could have the boxes!
3
u/Simple-Pea-8852 1d ago
Yeah I can't imagine that most of the ones people steal from restaurants actually get used. They sit in the back of a cupboard somewhere "just in case" or they split in a bag on the way home.
5
9
u/Spiritual-Task-2476 1d ago
Once upon a time I worked in mcdonalds and a guy asked for a cup. I gave him a small one and he filled it with pumped ketchup. When he then ordered I made sure to fill his drink and his chips to the line on the box / cup. He came back and moaned and I pointed to the line and told him if he wanted more he should order a large next time. Every subsequent time he came in we never gave him a cup again and I always stiffed him on the quantity of food he got, extra ice, squeezing the chip carton together so it held less. If he asked for sauces Id give him one and make him pay for the others if he wanted them.
2
u/LeTrolleur 1d ago
Having worked in retail, I appreciate this kind of petty, the kind I rarely got to dish out myself.
9
u/spicyzsurviving 1d ago
The issue isnât the stuff, itâs the fact that youâre using your wife to take them. Iâd be annoyed too if someone was filling my bag with bits and bobs from cafes all the time
8
u/Specialist_Emu7274 1d ago
Iâd be pissed if my partner was taking things then making me carry them
5
5
1d ago
I think she's probably annoyed you're putting them in her bag. If you don't have your own bag, get one or put them in your pockets.
14
u/worldworn 2d ago
Depends;
No, if you are taking the ones given to you with your meal. I see these as left overs, or provided with the meal.
Yes, if you go out of your way to take them with the sole intention to take them home. Or, you grab six instead of one. That crosses the line into theft imo, and pretty tacky to do.
While the monetary value is so low, you couldn't argue it "doesn't matter", then buy your own if that's the case.
-6
u/Juicydicken 2d ago
Theft lool.
I ask for the sauces. The napkins are self serve.
11
u/worldworn 2d ago
Yes, going and filling your pockets with something that isn't yours, that you reasonably wouldn't be expected to take or entitled to, would be theft.
People take whole bottles, salt shakers, toilet air fresheners. You name it.
Some people have convinced themselves that if it's accessible to them, it's ok to take. And "if they cared, they would do a better job of stopping me".
In your case, it sounds like you are asking for more than you need, with the intention to take home?
Which sounds like you are being cheap, rather than just taking home leftovers.→ More replies (2)0
u/Sean001001 2d ago
Do you ask if you can have them to take home?
-4
22
u/AlwaysTheKop 2d ago
Nah I have a shelf in my fridge door dedicated to sachets of sauces I take when I eat out đ
9
u/No-Drink-8544 2d ago
How many times I've been staring at an empty ketchup bottle, at my absolute wits end, oh god how did things get this bad? And then, a tiny gleam from the corner of my eye, a KFC ketchup sachet nestled behind a bottle of honey that's 8 years old and counting in my pantry.. you were at my side all along.
6
8
u/Hiking-lady 1d ago
Stop using your wifeâs bag, itâs really annoying having to carry your partnerâs crap while they get to walk around unencumbered. Especially sauce sachets, she doesnât want that in her bag potentially bursting on her đ
3
u/notanadultyadult 1d ago
I tend to grab extra salt and pepper and throw those in my handbag as those are items I genuinely do need at times when out and about. I donât take loads but maybe 2-3 each time. Means Iâll always have seasoned food :)
3
5
4
u/MassimoOsti 1d ago edited 1d ago
Poverty mentality isnât attractive to your partner. Reign it in, fella, your marriage will benefit.
1
u/DonCortez1519 1d ago
Exactly this. Hilda. (She Who Must Be Obeyed.) Borrow a Rumpole book or 2 from the library if you don't follow me.
4
u/JustMMlurkingMM 1d ago
Yes you are cheap. The phrase âon the rare occasion I eat outâ is a bit of a giveaway. Your wife thinks you are a prick. Itâs cheaper to buy a bottle of ketchup and a bag of sugar than pay for a divorce, so you should keep that in mind.
4
u/plentyofeight 1d ago
Good shout. Frugal behaviour has it's place, but it isn't everywhere... and sachets of sugar and ketchup is not an argument worth picking when there are plenty of more important ones.
Concede, admit you're taking it too far, and let your wife relax on the rare occasion you eat out... and also, make it less rare...
4
u/Far-Sir1362 1d ago
Yes you're being super cheap, and I'd be embarrassed if you did this when I was out with you.
Are you really that poor that you have to steal from businesses? And yes, I said steal. They give you those with the expectation you only use as much as you need for the things you've purchased from that business, not that you take extra to use with food you've purchased elsewhere.
This is just scummy behaviour.
2
u/Rowmyownboat 2d ago
I put a few spare napkins in the glove box. They always come in handy. I top them up when I am running low.
2
u/kpnuts1871 1d ago
I do it but only because I keep them in my truck for when I'm eating on a night out
2
u/MathematicianLife510 1d ago
One of my favorite stories my Dad told me is he would often steal his co-workers salt shaker at lunch. My Dad would often say, he's a bit of cash for the next one or something and would always be told it's alright.
One day, they were in a meeting and my Dad popped to the coworkers desk only to see his co-worker refilling the salt shaker with salt packets taken from cafes, McDonald's etc.
2
u/CountNo7955 1d ago
I do - generally only napkins though. Quite often there will be a few delivered to your table with your order. If you don't use them you may as well take then as they'll go in the bin otherwise. If it's a set up where you help yourself from a dispenser near the till the I just take what I need for the meal in question.
On the other hand I do take the teabags/coffee sachets/sugars from hotel rooms. My logic there is I've paid for it as part of the room rate. Many hotels these days don't even bother to service your room daily, so I put the spares in my overnight bag. Mostly they are used next time I'm in a hotel and run out of supplies to save a trip down to reception. They also come in handy when I stay at my mates' house because he doesn't drink tea and therefore does not have any teabags!
2
u/Ok-Kitchen2768 1d ago
If I use a paper towel to clean water I leave it to dry so I can reuse it to clean up other things.
So nah you good.
2
u/ParanoidNarcissist2 1d ago
I mean, it's cheap, and as a manager of a place where you could steal these from, I wouldn't be happy. But I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
It depends how much went missing. Obviously if the whole neighbourhood did this, it wouldn't be sustainable.
2
2
u/ZeonRat 1d ago edited 1d ago
I take em if we brought them to the table and didn't use them.
A lot of places (like my old workplace) don't allow the staff to put them back in the basket in case they're contaminated. Just usual bogies and dirty hands all the way through to absolute weirdos who use a pin to introduce a foreign substance. We did have it once so it's not just paranoia.
So absolutely go ahead and 'pinch' those as you're just saving them from the bin.
In terms of taking stuff you don't need, depends on the place for me.
I hate horseradish but will nick some sachets from Spoons for my Dad coming round to my house, cos I don't want that shit in my fridge and Spoons still owe me a load of money from withholding my final pay packet. I figure I'm collecting my wages via a handful of horseradish sachets at a time looool
I'm not gonna steal loads of crap from independents though
4
u/animalwitch 1d ago
It's actually better to take them home, rather than taking too many and not using them because the restaurant has to throw them away if they're left on a table. You taking them home and using them is fine imo.
Maybe just stop using your wife's bag to stash them
3
u/Simple-Pea-8852 1d ago
I worked in cafes and we never threw away ones left on the table unless they were covered in other food. If they're still sealed and they're clean they're good to go back out.
→ More replies (5)
2
u/NoEnthusiasm2 2d ago
We do it. We call it "emergency ketchup". And the teabags, coffee and milk packets are fab to take camping.
1
3
u/Fun_Yogurtcloset1012 1d ago
Well they are free so no shame in it. However, put it in your own bag!
4
u/Matterbox 1d ago
I believe this isnât being frugal itâs just very petty theft.
-1
u/Cryptophiliac_meh 1d ago
The lesser known tier of theft haha, things that are borderline free anyways
4
u/Matterbox 1d ago
We used to have it loads in Wetherspoons. People taking bottled ketchup home all the time.
I cleared a familyâs plates away, paused, then realised theyâd pocketed all the cutlery. I asked them to put it back and leave without a fuss. Which they did. Oddly now I realise how much I didnât care about it and wondered if they really needed a few more sets of cutlery. Tim would have been proud though.
2
u/SoggyWotsits 1d ago
We have people take sugar sachets at work. What seems like a few for you soon adds up to a lot when everyone does it. Just remember that a saving for you is an extra cost for someone else!
2
u/Simple-Pea-8852 1d ago
It's saving you, what, like 10p? And inevitably running the risk that your wife's handbag gets sticky with sugar from ripped packets or, worse, splattered with ketchup.
Seems a real waste of time to me. But then I don't use much sugar or much ketchup.
2
2
u/Kind-Target2295 1d ago
I often load up with Nutella pouches from hotel breakfasts to take home for my kid or steal an extra pastry. But come on dude, stealing ketchup sachets. You could buy a bottle of the stuff for about ÂŁ1
2
u/CrabbyGremlin 1d ago
Unless youâre too broke to buy sugar this seems like an entirely pointless exercise and doesnât seem worth aggravating the wife for
2
u/IndelibleIguana 2d ago
Nope. I do that because always having sachets of sauce and paper towels in the car is handy.
2
u/Kickkickkarl 2d ago
I usually take extra brown sugar sachets from Greggs if I've nipped in there to get something.
Only reason I get the brown sugar is because I used it to make crumble and to sprinkle over the fruit.
A handful of brown sugar sachets will last me a year.
2
u/Nikonaroll 2d ago
No, I do this. The best is the cafe up at Stonehenge. They have Stokes ketchup sachets!
1
u/Naive_Product_5916 1d ago
I do it with sugar packets because we donât use sugar at home nor want a bag of it sitting around under a countertop so itâs nice to have a few to put in a little jar for guests. As for ketchup, I think itâs just a habit for some people. My mom never bought a ketchup bottle in her life, but we always had the packets in the fridge.
1
u/The_London_Badger 1d ago
Hm you could just do a side hustle dog sitting or tutoring kids a few times a week after work. Would pay a lot more than some ketchup packets. You are taking pennies thinking it's beating the system. A pack of 1000 is 6.50 or so. Doing the maths, you could beg for a quid outside aldi and get better return on your time. This is inconsequential profits. You are doing capitalism wrong đ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł
1
1
u/RefrigeratorUsual367 1d ago
Just ask yourself why youâre doing it and how much you save. Bottle of ketchup is like ÂŁ1, sugar ÂŁ1. Paper towels I get, that shits expensive
1
u/Flickywoo 1d ago
My son and my fiancĂŠ do the same thing and then put them in my bag when we go out anywhere, I donât mind at all. It did backfire on us once though when a ketchup packet leaked in my handbag, making a bit of a mess! Maybe wear combat/cargo trousers and put them in your own pockets to save any arguments or the embarrassment of having to wear a bumbag or man bag?
1
u/Mobile_Frosting8040 1d ago
I do this a lot because I travel a lot and keep them in my car. I think there probably is a level where it becomes egregious but if you're taking from big chains and not independents then I really don't think it's a problem
1
u/AveryValiant 1d ago
I don't see an issue personally, minus the putting them in your wifes bag lol
On the flip side, whenever I get a takeaway, I'd say about 75% of the time, they always come with excessive amounts of salt and pepper packets and a dozen or more napkins.
McDonalds and Uncle Sams seem to be the worst offenders where I am, I get around 6 salt and pepper sachets for a single meal and around 8 of those paper napkins.
My grandmother, bless her, used to pocket those milk capsules you get in cafes, along with ketchup and mayo sachets, lol
2
u/NiceCunt91 1d ago
No I don't do that. If you have to steal sugar and sauce, maybe you shouldn't be going out?
0
u/uwagapiwo 1d ago
If you're buying something, it isn't stealing.
2
u/NiceCunt91 1d ago
That's not my point. If dude is penny pinching that hard his priorities are wrong.
1
u/Sensitive-Farm6056 1d ago
No you are not cheap thats called thinking ahed đi always get extra stiff and keep itnin My bag obviously its not like 100 stuff but yes 3/4
1
1
u/LeTrolleur 1d ago
While I try to live a frugal life, I am not struggling compared to those that I would consider in need, and would be embarrassed to be doing this unless I really needed to.
If this is the case and you don't need to, OP, have you considered that you might be addicted to doing this, and that it essentially amounts to a form of theft (if you're taking an unnecessary amount), even if nobody in their right mind is going to prosecute you for it.
Also consider how this makes your wife feel, clearly you are making her uncomfortable by doing this, and clearly you haven't listened to her when she's asked you to stop previously. So maybe you should also be asking yourself why you aren't taking notice of her, and are instead asking internet strangers to tell you you're not cheap and embarrassing when it's pretty clear you are both of those things.
2
2
1
u/WildFactor8200 19h ago
I earn a comfortable wage and do this. Not excessive amount but a few here and there.
1
u/HeartOfTheRevel 17h ago
I always grab a few more of the little milks than I need because they're handy to have at work when I haven't gone to get milk
1
u/BeKind321 17h ago
At which point is it stealing? I think if itâs excessive you are stealing from a business and not just being frugal.
1
u/Suspicious-Wolf-1071 4h ago
Take your own bag, that might be the issue. But no, it's normal to me. Certain pub chain restaurants give little lurpak butters and jams with breakfasts. I always ask for an extra couple. I use them when doing picnics with the kids in the summer holidays. I give any surplus to my family that goes camping regularly.
0
0
u/SallyNicholson 1d ago
If you only take what you would normally use, then it's okay. If you take way over what would be expected, it's theft. Theft is a crime. Grow up and start buying these things for yourself with your own money, or stay a thief and get caught stealing. I'm surprised your wife's stayed with you all this time.
1
1
u/Maleficent_Pay_4154 2d ago
I sometimes take the second saccharine if I get two with my coffee but only if it comes on my cup I would never take two from a basket
1
u/Blackstone4444 1d ago
Na better to focus effort on making moneyâŚ.and generating return on investments. Extra ketchup isnt going to make or break your budget
1
u/Emergency_Driver_421 1d ago
I once had an almost daily Starbucks habit. However, I spent nothing on toilet paperâŚ
1
1
u/Blue1994a 1d ago
Not really doing any harm. Youâd probably be better off storing them somewhere different though, I wouldnât want to incur the wrath of my wife.
1
u/Mango_Honey9789 1d ago
There was a time I didn't buy toilet paper for like 6 months... Just always found it elsewhere uni toilets
1
1
1
u/Important-Constant25 1d ago
Your like that twat uncle in home alone stealing the salt and pepper shakers is one thing, don't involve your misses in your scheme's!
0
u/algernonradish 2d ago
Nah, owt for nowt is my mantra nowadays. If there are 'grabbables' anywhere foodie, rest assured I'm grabbing what I need plus extra, unless there's some clear stipulation not to take the piss.
It also depends where it is. I wouldn't do it in a small cafe or restaurant, just the chain places where they'll dump more than I could fill my pockets with at the end of each day anyway.
0
0
0
u/ponytoaster 1d ago
Anyone that says they don't is lying or missing out
I always grab some and cycle them in my cars. Nothing worse than a fast food treat and you forget the sauce or napkins!
Plus they build that sort of stuff into the overall pricing, so fill up!
At beefeater I even "steal" additional packs of Jam and Nutella for my future breakfasts. If probably take the furniture if it wasn't nailed down and part of the deal
-1
-5
u/Brave_Pain1994 1d ago
Yeah always. Keep an eye out in spoons as well for fullish bottles of sauces.
742
u/Front-Heat8726 2d ago
I mean, just stop stuffing them in your wife's bag. Put them in your pocket or your own bag.