Breakroom refrigerator theft

[Emergent]

Both of my jobs have signs on the fridge from exasperated coworkers telling people to stop stealing the food of others.

Seriously? If it's not yours, don't take it folks. If you forgot your food, do not, I repeat, DO NOT steal the food of others.

And on a related topic, please take your rotting leftovers out of the fridge after a month or two, ok?

[Garden,RN, ASN, RN]

I keep it simple, I don't really carry food, I'd rather just get by on a cup of coffee. I read the post and am shocked that nurses are talking about putting things in food to hurt someone over few dollars. I find it petty, and avoid this stuff at all costs. I find it all petty and yes that includes someone that would steal anothers lunch, dinner, snack or anything else. I just think it is petty. Why am I taking the time to write, because I am sharing a different point of view.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I keep it simple, I don't really carry food, I'd rather just get by on a cup of coffee. I read the post and am shocked that nurses are talking about putting things in food to hurt someone over few dollars. I find it petty, and avoid this stuff at all costs. I find it all petty and yes that includes someone that would steal anothers lunch, dinner, snack or anything else. I just think it is petty. Why am I taking the time to write, because I am sharing a different point of view.

And your point of view is an unpopular one. As a night nurse who cannot just run to the cafeteria and buy another healthy meal after someone steals mine, I am offended by someone who claims I'm being petty to get upset about it.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Yeah - my dog does actually go to the pantry door and "asks". :)

(This was supposed to have a quote with it - the comment where someone said this is why some folks prefer their animals over humans!)

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I keep it simple, I don't really carry food, I'd rather just get by on a cup of coffee. I read the post and am shocked that nurses are talking about putting things in food to hurt someone over few dollars. I find it petty, and avoid this stuff at all costs. I find it all petty and yes that includes someone that would steal anothers lunch, dinner, snack or anything else. I just think it is petty. Why am I taking the time to write, because I am sharing a different point of view.

Getting by on a cup of coffee is as unhealthy as the person who eats pizza and cookies every night. But to each their own. You may not care to eat. Some of us do. And we're not spending our money to feed the masses.

I'm more than a bit intrigued by the fact that you find theft and raging immaturity among fully grown adults - because pulling stuff like stealing someone's food is definitely immature - "petty".

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I am well aware if my stuff is missing no one is going to replace it and all the rest. I just can't be bothered with worrying about who took my food from the fridge. I wouldn't even go through the trouble of writing a sign about it. I have bigger fish to fry.

I'm not a fan of paying to feed someone that I didn't invite to my meal. Somehow, and for some reason, I expect more from adults.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Call the waaambulance

It's all fun and games until someone steals something - ANYTHING - of yours, food or not.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Let her (Garden, RN) keep doing it. Ghost Pepper Sauce is waiting...

(ETA: Quote went AWOL. OOoops....)

[Emergent, RN]

I keep it simple, I don't really carry food, I'd rather just get by on a cup of coffee. I read the post and am shocked that nurses are talking about putting things in food to hurt someone over few dollars. I find it petty, and avoid this stuff at all costs. I find it all petty and yes that includes someone that would steal anothers lunch, dinner, snack or anything else. I just think it is petty. Why am I taking the time to write, because I am sharing a different point of view.

Thank you for the explanation. I'm glad there is someone above the pettiness of wanting to eat the meal they packed for work.

[GenieToBe]

The place were I used to work had a measly cafeteria. I've had food stolen from me on countless occasions. Half the time it was my subway sandwich. Even though I would label it, it still gets stolen.

So one day, I decided enough was enough. I sprinkled some finely chopped bird's eye chilies.(It's not as hot as some other chilies but it does the trick). It went back into the fridge with it's usual label. Around break time, it was gone. It turns out that my colleague tried picking it out after the first bite and had accidentally rubbed her eyes. She had to go down to ED and well let's just say she never stole my subway sandwiches.

[Asystole RN]

Here's a solution. Place crushed niacin tablets into a tempting drink. The co-worker who appears beat red and thinks they are dying is a fridge thief. You can also try this with a large dose of vitamin c but you might not notice someone with diarrhea as easily

Poisoning food, although funny, is generally frowned upon.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Poisoning food, although funny, is generally frowned upon.

Is it really poisoning when the food is intended for the person putting in the additives? Stealing food is risky business- never know if there's ingredients that will trigger an allergic reaction or

other reaction.

[Garden,RN, ASN, RN]

No I don't steal food, i stay away from the whole area to avoid all of this. I am sure if I skip a meal it won't kill me though. Some of this is cultural, we do have very interesting relationships with food in the US.