Petty theft in plain sight

[sandy brake]

Like the restaurants don't know what's happening! Give me a break. Get over it.

[tumbleweed]

Like the restaurants don't know what's happening! Give me a break. Get over it.

Really? REALLY??? So because they "know" it's ok? What if they didn't know? Then it wouldn't be ok?

Maybe if someone were stealing from YOU it would make a difference? Let's say you leave your house and one of your neighbors, or even someone you don't know, decides to hook up a hose to your spigot and wash their car? Is that ok?

Because basically what you're saying is, if it's there for the taking, then it's a free-for-all. Where do you live? My car needs a bath.

[FloMoDa]

People here really like to take liberty with what another person says. I think what sandy brake says is the restaurants were really concerned they would remove the fountains and serve the drinks from behind the service counter. They know their costs involved and they set their price. If you don't like the price, go to a different restaurant.

[tumbleweed]

People here really like to take liberty with what another person says. I think what sandy brake says is the restaurants were really concerned they would remove the fountains and serve the drinks from behind the service counter. They know their costs involved and they set their price. If you don't like the price, go to a different restaurant.

I know what she's saying and you are both missing the point.... if you take something that you didn't pay for, that you are SUPPOSED to pay for, then it's not ok, PERIOD.

[FloMoDa]

And you're missing the point....It's not your problem.

[tumbleweed]

And you're missing the point....It's not your problem.

You're right, not unless I'm the business owner. Screw him, right?

And not unless I'm a parent who wants to teach my kids that taking something without paying isn't right, or that I'm part of a society that wants to know that my fellow neighbors and citizens have scruples... oh wait, I AM! Sorry you don't feel the same.

[neighbor]

And you're missing the point....It's not your problem.

It's everyone's problem. Free drinks are only free to those that steal them. The rest of us pay for them when costs are increased for what we buy. We pay for it when employers pay employees less.

[sandy brake]

Stealing hurts businesses. I think this is a case where the business may turn a blind eye to patrons who steal i.e. don't pay for their fountain drinks. In any case, use your observations as a teachable moment for your kids. Your family and companions want to have a nice meal, so try not to stress it.

By the way, check out the forum here regarding cans versus fountain drinks. Ugh.

[FloMoDa]

Trust me, I am very pro-business. All I'm saying is I think the businesses have more important things to worry about, like how in the heck they're going to pay for healthcare costs under the Obama reforms, or how they can keep customers during a recession. You don't know, maybe they feel they are willing to accept those losses at the soda fountain if they just get customers.

[JKTex]

Like the restaurants don't know what's happening! Give me a break. Get over it.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I agree. It's their business and they manage their own shrinkage and loss.

The societal issue is a separate thing all together. You have to pick your battles. If it makes one feel better to let someone know how you feel about them steeling the drink, go for it. But I'm betting the restaurant would rather you leave it to them to keep the peace.

[Pipeline]

And for the soda police, there might have been a buger or something less appetizing hanging off the water dispenser.

I think I misspelled buger. I think it should be BOOGER.

[tumbleweed]

Like the restaurants don't know what's happening! Give me a break. Get over it.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I agree. It's their business and they manage their own shrinkage and loss.

The societal issue is a separate thing all together. You have to pick your battles. If it makes one feel better to let someone know how you feel about them steeling the drink, go for it. But I'm betting the restaurant would rather you leave it to them to keep the peace.

I went back and re-read the very first post in this thread and I think this discussion focuses on both issues. I agree also, it IS up to the restaurants to manage their own shrinkage and loss. Yes, I am sure they know that people do it. Yes, I am sure the cost is built in, or will be if losses exceed a certain percentage.

BUT that does not negate the fact that taking something without paying for it is both immoral and illegal. My lawyer friend says this is called a Tort of Conversion... depriving the rightful owner of their property rights in something -- in this case, money.

Do I advocate the poster giving $2 to each violator to "make it right?" Not really. Again, I think handling it is up to the restaurant owners. It's just sad that there are people who think it's perfectly ok to lie and steal.

[Common Sense Al]

I wonder what would happen if the restaurants got special water cups that clearly said "WATER ONLY" (in big letters) on them and everyone could see what was in them (clear).

1. Would people still get dark soda, clearly making it obvious they have soda in their "WATER ONLY" cups?
2. And if so, would it be considered "cool" to steal soda instead of "shameful" in today's culture?
3. Would people still get soda, but limit themselves to the clear stuff, like Sprite (but people might still see the bubbles and fizz)?

[Uther]

I wonder what would happen if the restaurants got special water cups that clearly said "WATER ONLY" (in big letters) on them and everyone could see what was in them (clear).

1. Would people still get dark soda, clearly making it obvious they have soda in their "WATER ONLY" cups?
2. And if so, would it be considered "cool" to steal soda instead of "shameful" in today's culture?
3. Would people still get soda, but limit themselves to the clear stuff, like Sprite (but people might still see the bubbles and fizz)?

The "water only" cups at Rosa'a are clear (transparent) and are clearly marked "water only." Yet people still put iced tea, Coke, Dr Pepper and other colored drinks in them.

I guess they argue that technically more than 95 % of what's in the cup is in fact water?

I think some thieves are simply brazen and rely on the fact that the restaurant is in a lose-lose situation here.

[Common Sense Al]

The "water only" cups at Rosa'a are clear (transparent) and are clearly marked "water only." Yet people still put iced tea, Coke, Dr Pepper and other colored drinks in them.

I see... so if they are doing it in plain site and it's very evident to people around them, then perhaps they have little shame... or rather, I bet it is more of the relativism argument— that it's not really wrong because they found some way to rationalize it and make it "right".

By the way, I did email WFAA about this because I thought it would make an interesting "investigation".