Thieves

It's happened many times; I turn my back or leave the closet for just a moment (to run a glass to the bar or towels to the kitchen, etc.), and someone snatches something. Most disconcerting to know that there are people out there that do not care enough about their fellow man to reduce themselves to stealing a $1.99 tin of Altoids or a $9 bottle of VS lotion. I know there are bank robbers and desperate druggies, but not from every day, normal women out for an evening.

Friday night, I'm in the middle of setting up - I'm right there, and had just put out a brand new tin of Altoids. I turn around and that tin is gone, my tip sign is in the sink with water running on it and my kitty picture is on the floor. Weekend before, it was my half-empty Victoria Secret Love Spell lotion. WTF?

Why? I just don't get it. And then to be even meaner on top of the theft by trying to ruin my property.

The worse theft was near the beginning of my restroom career; someone helped themselves to my tip jar. And it happened while I was in the room! Just replacing empty roles of TP - came out and of course, I noticed right away that my jar was empty. Can't remember now exactly how much it was (wasn't much - like $10 or $15, but still), but I do remember how upset I was. That I was busting butt so that someone could go and buy themselves a drink or whatever with the fruits of my labor. I hurt so bad over something so hateful - I wanted to quit right then. I now empty my jar many times a night - it goes into a velvet draw-string bag that I keep down below with my kit - takes once to get bitten, I guess, but I learned.

And these women think nothing of helping themselves to things that they think are free. I've stopped many a woman from walking out with a fistful of chocolates or lollies - had one once take a new package of cough drops and stick it in her pocket! Another that went into one of my containers and took out a four-pack of Twisps (the water-less toothbrushes) and put that in her purse. Amazing. And then they're surprised when I call them on it and ask them to put it back. "Oh, I thought it was free," is the common statement I get. I swear if I hear "are these free?" one more time, I'm going to lose it. Do you not see the "Gratuties are appreciated" signs? Get a freakin' clue. And yes, sure, you can take a chocolate or a cough drop or a toothbrush, but not the whole damn thing. They're surprised to learn it's coming from my pocket and not the restaurant's.

These are the women I see at an "all-you-can-eat" buffet with plates piled yea high and putting it in a plastic bag that will go into their purse to take home. Pigs. Selfish pigs.