Is it Stealing?
 

Another survey.

During a recent hotel stay, I took the tissue box (not the dispenser or fancy wall unit holding the box) from my hotel room for use on the remainder of my trip. Since most people don't have an issue with taking the shampoos, soap or other toiletries that the hotel makes available, and which I consider part of the cost of the room, I thought nothing of it.

When my trip was finally over and I was unpacking, my partner saw the box and suggested that I "stole" the tissues, since they were for my use while in the room. I know, lighten up, but I insisted that since I considered them for my use, and for the taking as a hotel guest, it was no different than taking the sewing kit. I saw no issue with it.

It's really more of a joke at this point, but do others agree that it could be considered stealing?

Not much different than taking the shampoo or other "consumable" room amenity, IMHO. Since you needed it, I'm certain your hotel would be glad that you could use this on the rest of your trip. That's why they call it the hospitality industry.

I once asked a maid if I could have one from her cart for a long drive I was headed out on. She was happy to give it to me.

I guess you have to ask if the hotel would have charged you for the item if they knew you took it. In this case the answer is almost certainly "no".

If you want to feel guilt free, next time just call the front desk and tell them you need the darn thing and ask if you can take it. But frankly I think they'll think you're a bit overboard to even ask on this item! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Raffy,

You can sleep with a clean conscience. And the two lamps that I took from my last hotel stay look great in my livingroom (just kidding).

Tonight, during dinner, I looked my my water glass and realized that it had the Westin logo. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Tissue boxes are not as bad as towels or tvs. If I need one, I do take it.

And If I'm lucky, the maid's cart will be standing right outside full of goodies...

timchen .. tv's?? come on .. lool
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

how about the whole bed

haa haa haa

If I had a shampoo bottle for every night I have spent in a hotel I would be the largest rebrander of Shampoo in the world.

I take soap, for use at hotels that supply crummy soap, especially from places that wastefully replace the soap every day.

But I also know people who take the unused replacement rolls of toilet paper, to use at home. That's a little tough to defend.

Don't feel guilty. I know a counselor who used to spend school holidays working at a very toney hotel in Naples, FL. She related how the hotel EXPECTED the guests to take the soaps, leatherbound stationary folder, etc. Tissues would be a very minor item.

If I imagined myself a hotel property manager, and a guest called to ask me for permission to take a box of tissues, I would say, "Please, help yourself," and probably think afterward, "What, do they think this is some kind of a tissue-box museum?"

The stuff is there to be used!

"leatherbound stationary folder?"

My wife actually scolded me for taking a pen with the hotels name on it! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

You'd think I'd have taken home the bed! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

of course its stealing --
the amount they charge for those rooms --
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by magic111 (edited 07-04-2000).]

My confession. Once we were staying at the Plaza in NYC and all of us (business trip) received a very nice crystal vase from our manager as an appreciation gift. To protect it on the trip home I wrapped it in a bath towel. The other managers I was with did the same and we all expected the hotel to charge us for the towels. I thinkk we even went as far as telling them we were taking a towel. They never did. Of course at the prices they charge for a room maybe they don't worry about these things.

Just remind her that they WANT you to take the pens. It's a small billboard promoting their hotel.

And if your still feeling guilty about taking anything not bolted down, do what I do and donate all that soap, shampoo, etc. to your local church or soup kitchen. They can make great use of it. I "give" them a shopping bag full of stuff every couple of months and they are certainly happy to receive it.