What do you think of people who use your personal belongings?
By maple_kisses
@maple_kisses (2156)
Philippines
July 9, 2008 5:41pm CST
My God! I can't understand these people! And they're supposed to be educated? I'm really angry! I mean, this just ruined my day and it just got started! 6AM, I walked in at 6AM in the office. It's just 630AM and I wanna go home! I'm really mad!
I'm pregnant, ok, maybe that explains my hormonal imbalance and sudden anger but I don't think I can excuse this! You see I'm fairly new in this company. They have this mug station where you put your mug for use every time you're thirsty. Being pregnant compels me to drink 3 liters of water a day, so I must have a mug there.
Well, that is my personal belonging. Mine. I can't understand how other people can use something that isn't there's as if it's a pretty normal thing that you do all the time. It's just so, so unscrupulous! I saw these other people here, not minding who owns the mug, just use them all the time. So what I do every morning when I get in is get my mug and wash it in the sink because I'm not sure who used it on the other shifts! Well, there was a time though that somebody used my mug and just left it unwashed on the sink! Shucks! Talk about bad attitude! I used to carry my mug home when I saw this but I got really tired doing it everyday, and sometimes I tend to forget my mug at home...
Now, my mug is gone, I don't know who used it last night. Now it's gone. Somebody must have used it and accidentally dropped it... Now I don't have a mug to use today, no 3 liters for me, I don't wanna be like the others who use something that belongs to someone else.
Sigh... this ranting makes me tired... still I was able to let the anger out of my system... Sigh... I better go out and buy me another mug... Shucks! The stores won't be opened until 10AM... I'll be dehydrated...
What do you think of such people? Do you know someone like them? Do you have them in your workplace? Do you see them as thieves? :(
7 people like this
30 responses
@Vladilyich1 (1454)
• Canada
10 Jul 08
I personally think this behavior is abhorrent. Unfortunately, these days it's more the rule than the exception.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
10 Jul 08
I am with you, Vlad. Now you know why I'm so possessive of my STUFF, even more than is healthy; because I've told you about the crap in my background.
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Hygiene, health, ownership, respect... ahh! Seems elusive here in the office...
@roniroxas (10560)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
when i worked abroad we are 19 girls all in one house. and some girls does not care of what we call personal belongings. but i do. so i know even i tell them not to use my things i know they will still use it. so what i do i keep my things. after i wash it i keep it in my bed. i dont care if my bed gets crowded with my things. in our house we also have our own things. ows mugs and own glasses to drink at. some people thinks its wierd but i would rather keep my things for i dont care what they say this is what i am.
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
I can't blame you if you hide your things! Those are yours anyway. It's just a matter of ownership and hygiene.
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
9 Jul 08
Yeah, you're right. I got angry but I would never let this stress me or my baby... So I posted the incident here in mylot, and it's out of my system at last. Not angry anymore actually, just a little disgusted...
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
10 Jul 08
That is so rude of them. Do you have a lock on a drawer in your desk? Maybe you can lock it up there.
1 person likes this
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Yes, really rude. Unfortunately, this is not one of those companies who have one station for one employee policy. So I share this station with two others, the employee from the 2nd shift and the 3rd shift.. So they don't have lockers here... sigh...
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
9 Jul 08
That really is horrible that someone would do something like that! They could have at least left a note admitting it and offering to replace it.
People where s/o works will do the same kind of things though. We doesn't even bring a lunch from home anymore because too many people would just go in the refrigeratior and take whatever food they wanted or spill things other had brought and not clean it up. It really is amazing what people will do when they know they won't get caught.
1 person likes this
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Yes. People have amazing attitude. Talking about lunch makes me hungry now. I haven't had breakfast yet. I brought food with me but I have no appetite anymore, besides, no mug here, can't drink water. Have to wait for the 7:15 break so I would be allowed to go out and buy bottled water or another mug if I find an open store....
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
10 Jul 08
maple kisses I think people like that are pigs. Nobody
should use your personal cup but you. each person should
use his or her own cup and keep it clean. we at the library each had our own mugs and woe be to anyone who took our personal
mug. It is so unsanitary you would think anyone would
know better than to do that. its a sort of thievery.
1 person likes this
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Yes, pigs! That's just a word for them. I wish people here can be scrupulous as the people there in your library... Now with my missing mug, it seems the thief got away with it and will strike again..
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
9 Jul 08
This happened to my step-father once. Mom, sister and I bought him a mug to take on the road with him, since he only came home on weekends It was a funny mug and it was meant to be just for him. Well, he caught some other construction worker using it, and gave the guy heck. Then he told the guy to turn the mug around and read what it said on the other side. The guy did, and he promptly APOLOGIZED to Dave, and never used the mug again. The mug said "PI$$ ME OFF, PAY THE CONSEQUENCES" ($ signs in place of S's so this didn't get censored)
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
10 Jul 08
Why not have a mug made that says "This Mug Was Stolen From [YourName]"? Maybe that'll get the poin across, and the thief sure won't be able to hide his misdeeds.
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Hahaha! Now that told him all! Gosh! I'm glad justice was at least served on your side. Too bad I don't know who had my mug. The janitor looked for broken pieces if somebody dropped it yesterday and he found none. Not even on yesterday's trash can... Hmmm... someone brought it home? Now that's really something!
1 person likes this
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Nice idea! I might do that... Thanks for suggesting :)
1 person likes this
@knight_rlc26 (362)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
people have different character and attitudes may it be in a group or as room mate or buddy... i think they are just showing a sign of disrespect and maybe they have "cowboy" personality... but, we can't please everyone and ride for them... next time, just take good care of your belongings and kept it by your own to avoid another incident to happen if you don't want this kind of behavior...
i had a friend in college that had a roommate who used her underarm roll on... then, there is the hair that was left in the roll one... by that unhealthy person... ahehehe' yuckie one... huhuhu' better the mug experience... lol'
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
10 Jul 08
Hi maple...It happened to me a lot of times and no matter how much I will confront and be mad at this girl in our apartment. She always used it again and again...I even put some note in the place like saying "mind your own things" but it didn't stop her from using and my sister will always caught her! I was very mad at her and been confronting her but she is not affected nor it didn't absorb to her soul..LOL! I guess it's upbringing in the home..I just bring my mug in our room and never put it back in the kitchen...it helps and now we are very good friends..LOL!
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I tell you maple, I'm not that nice and forgiving..I have a friend whom I forget that still alive after she took advantage of my kindness and goodness to her..
About this girl, she is also nice and I have just noticed that in her family, maybe that was the upbringing and she has a hard time living with another way like using only her own..I confronted her a lot of times and I was mad at her a lot of times but she always talk to me...So, what I did, I just hide my mug so she will stop using it and start being friend with her again!
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Hmmm... It's a surprise that you still found the heart to become very good friends with her... well, I'm sure you're a nice and forgiving person...
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
9 Jul 08
I too am pregnant. I would be angry at this. There is no question. I think this is rude. Not to mention unsanitary. Then to have it disappear, wow. I would get another mug. Make that two. One to keep at the station, and one you might keep in your purse or on your desk. Hope the situation improves.
1 person likes this
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
9 Jul 08
I swear I'll buy me another one and carry it with me, even if it looks bulky in my bag. I'm not putting another mug in that station anymore. Learned my lesson well... Yeah, I do hope the situation will improve ...
@baebieDARNA30 (788)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
if people use my personal belongings without asking any permission to borrow it, i sometimes label them as thieves. first and foremost, the act itself is already a form of stealing. the only difference is that they are bound to return it once you have recognized that they are using your own things. i hate these kind of people, and having them in our life seems a little scary. we might even know that they are already stealing our things. good thing if we recover it, what if not. so better be careful.
1 person likes this
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
I think it is rude to use someone else's mug. Plus they have no scruples, they haven't even considered that someone who owns that mug is a pregnant woman. 
I hadn't really had any experience like that before. But I've heard from my friends telling me the same experience.
I hadn't really had any experience like that before. But I've heard from my friends telling me the same experience. @maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
Well, they really don't care if the owner's dying. I mean, they really don't know who the owner is, as long as it's there and they want to use it, the owner be pregnant or not. I admire the strength of their stomach though.
@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
9 Jul 08
i have had this happen to me.
even by a "friend"...i didn't think you would mind.
i see it as a sign of disrespect.
i would never take or use something which is on someone's desk.
maybe get one of those water bottles with the pull-up lid. that looks very personal and may stop someone from using yours. it looks private !
1 person likes this
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
9 Jul 08
Actually, there have water bottles here.. looks really secured, you're right. But that didn't stop those unscrupulous creeps, I can still see them use it just like that when all mugs are used by the rightful owner. Really sad. Sigh...
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
10 Jul 08
most every job i've had people took your stuff. your work tools and personal stuff. didn't matter. i started buying my own work equipment and took it home with me every night. in restaurant work they wanted my tongs. at a childcare i worked my co-worker stole my avon order. they'd steal my markers and stapler that i needed constantly. can't trust your co-workers. i learned the hard way.
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
That's just sad. I wouldn't have minded if they take my pen or my stapler or other stuff on my desk, a mug or a spoon is just too personal, you put it in your mouth... This is the first time that this happened to me. In my previous jobs, I've had my own drawers to keep my personal belongings. Sigh... I hope I have one now.
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
10 Jul 08
it's just the stapler and marker were used constantly in the work that i did. and everyone was given one but they didn't take care of theirs and stole from others. and every minute counted in your work. your productivity was measured with numbers and how much time it took to do your work. looking for your tools or getting new ones knocked your number down.
i hope you get your drawer.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 Oct 09
Well, unfortunately we deal with this kind of thing where I work all of the time as well, and it can be quite maddening for sure. Especially when you do not have a replacement for it as well. The problem where I work is people taking your lunches from you even if they are marked and in the refridgerator or freezer. It often makes you wonder where there manners are, and why would they take something that does not belong to them as well? Personally I can see someone asking if they can use it, but to not have it there is annoying for sure.
@silverglint (2000)
• Philippines
29 Sep 09
There are a lot of people who are like that. I don't like the thought of people using my personal stuffs, especially without my permission. Luckily, I have my own office and I have drawers where I can lock my personal stuffs only to bring it out when I come to the office. We used to have mugs in our pantry too, now all of them are gone. That is why I don't ever leave my stuffs in the pantry.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I've had similar things happen to me so I know how you feel. As disgusting as it may sound put an unused (of course!) tampon in your mug. I bet no one would touch it after that.
Yes, they are thieves. I always said if it isn't yours, don't touch it!
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
My God! That's just unforgivable! That's disrespect alright! You're right, they shouldn't be touching something not theirs.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
20 Oct 09
hi maple kisses oh yes when i worked in the library we all had spaces that were ours in our fridge in the staff room. one person used to steal food that was clearly marked with the owners name on it then when the right person came in for her snack, it was missing. we finally caught the culprit and he was banned from using our staff room, it was a janitor who was there before we opened, we started locking the staff room until we came on shift.
@MorningFlower (17)
•
10 Jul 08
People like this are sooooooooooooooooo strange. Once my friend came to visit me at my office, I had to leave my office for a while, when I returned back I saw her sitting on my chair, my drawer was open and she was looking at my papers!!!!! Since then I do not allow anyone to sit in my office if I'm not there.
This is life! people do more than this so be calm and no need to get nervous. danishcanadian idea is very nice, try to apply it.
@ctobler0609 (361)
• United States
10 Jul 08
Actually, today at work, one of my employees had brought their lunch and placed it in the refrigerator. When it came her lunch hour, she found that someone has stolen her lunch. It disgusts me! You can not even trust the people you work with anymore.
@maple_kisses (2156)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
No way! That's thievery! You should report that to management... Disgusting alright!
