Taking exrta napkins when eating out-is it petty theft?

I don't see anything wrong with it to a point. Since you are eating out, you have the right to get something but why don't you just buy napkins and not worry about it? I don't think anyone would press charges against you if you are just taking a few. Now, if you go back to their stock room and get cases of them, well, then, you might get in trouble. LOL

yes I do specialy if they have gave them to me and I didnt use them I take them home . My hubby was the worst of going to go get more to take home with our take out order but like you said we pay for them and might as well get some not many but some.

I can't see a problem with it as long as you take only a few. But why not make cloth napkins and save yourself the trouble? You can wash them with the rest of the laundry and just toss them in a drawer, ready to use again and again. All you have to do is cut a square (or any shape, really) from old clothes and hem it. You can make enough to last all week in a couple of hours if you have a sewing machine.

I've worked on some fastfood chains before, but I've never heard that bringing home some napkins could be a petty crime.. I bring some home, as I also prefer to use it when going out. For scrubbing off dirts on my skin, for wiping some sweat when I go out during hot and humid days. I can never be sure when I'll be needing some, so I make it a habit to grab some more after I eat.

I will never think the same about all thoes yellow wendys napkins we have. We usualy eat at the drive up and then they decide how many to give us so I dont feel to bad about that. It is all the extras we are taking when we sit there. And all the ketchups and sauces. I feel a bit guilty now. Its like a library fee.

So long as you do not empty the dispenser it si all good

Yup, you paid and definitely entitled. No, I don't think it's wrong cause if it is, they shouldn't put the napkins where people can just grab some. And besides, napkins are just napkins, no biggie.

I do not see this as theft, nor do I see it as wrong. I really think that we are entitled to it as long as we do not overdue it. I take napkins as well sometimes and I will keep doing it. Here I know that it is not illegal though

Hah. That's pathetic. Of course it isn't petty theft. I'm sure some places have policies on reasonable napkin usage, but if you take an extra handful, you are still using them as intended and there is no way they can stop you. They know most of their napkins that aren't used in the store are thrown out in the store or taken as extras. Those napkins cost them next to nothing. They have stocks of them and they don't mind. It was dumb for her to berate you.

I don't see why it would be considered theft. You paid, and everyone needs napkins when you eat out, and you usually end up grabbing more than you really need anyway. Why not put them to use instead of just throwing them away when you really could save a few extra pennies by using them. Nothing wrong in it.

when I was younger, I worked at Burger King, and the Manager had a limit of one ketchup per person. (luckily not all employers are this stingy) I hated the rules, but followed them. My boss however never had any rules about the napkins, and it was take whatever you need, even when I complained someone had taken such a large handful of napkins it was completely ridiculous! but I think it is the responsibility of the owners of the restaurant to put signs up limiting the amount of how much product they are willing to give, when someone orders, as silly as it seems, or it is up for grabs, and is not considered theft. so, in conclusion, to answer your question, NO.

I take a few extra napkins myself and put them in my car or my pocket..but I do buy paper towels as my wife uses a lot of these for cleaning etc etc You don't have to worry about taking a few extra..but I know in some places they are cuttig back on everything..extra condiments? some people have a habit of taking a lot of these ..so restaurants are cutting back and you have to ask for salt, pepper, ketchup..etc etc..In Germany at the Mc Donald's in Berlin I had to pay for ketchup for my wife..the cost is not much but I can see this as coming to the U.S. sooner or later i remember eating out in a restaurant in the U.S. and the first thing the waittress would bring with the menu is a glass of ice water..but those days are gone..you have to ask for water...well in the places i go..maybe not in ritzy places..lol No. you are doing no wrong. But sooner or later we will be cut back on the freebies...even paper napkins..I have been to countries where they don't even put out TP..as the peope steal this ..you have to bring your own..I hope we don't have to see this!

I would not say that taking napkins is theft. If the place gives you free refills on soda, they can afford the few extra cents for the napkins. If the place started seeing a trend (everyone starts taking hundreds of napkins) they can add an extra charge to make up for it, and noone would know. I'm sure they already do that, especially with the cost of fountain sodas. The markup on that is at least 1000% or something like that. I used to work at a gas station, so I got to see how much a cup of soda actually cost, and it is literally pennies to a dime at the most. Then they turn around and charge a dollar or two for it?