Post #703830 by finky099 on Sun, Jan 5, 2014 12:27 PM

Theft is theft. If someone lifts a mug or a menu without permission or paying for it, it's the same as walking out of a Target or WalMart with stuff under your arm that you didn't pay for. And just b/c it's a big "faceless" corporation like Disney or Target are often percieved to be, doesn't make it "less wrong", which I have heard some people use as a justifcation.

Agreed that this kind of thing (menu/mug theft) should be viewed differently with items from places that are no longer open (particularly ones that are long, long gone). But, with a place like Trader Sam's that doesn't sell their menus and still has its doors wide open, there's no excuse.

There's a similar perspective on swizzles and location-specific cocktails napkins. If you want some extras for souvenirs and friends, just ASK a bartender. Don't reach over and grab a handful from behind the bar. Don't ever reach behind the bar for anything, period.

If I saw a Sam's hardback menu in a thrift store, I'd buy it just to consider returning it to the restaurant. Sam's has updated their menus a few times since they first opened (usually to reflect new mugs), so if it's not going to be a version they can easily re-use (which I'd ask one of the many skippers who I'm friendly with there), I'd perhaps keep the menu discreetly in my own collection.

But, buying a menu directly from some schmuck who openly admits "I was just recently at Sam's and got this!" certainly deserves a "no sale" or at least alot of scrutiny as to how they obtained the menu when it's well-known not to be for sale.

Thanks for letting me borrow the soap box...