A group of American travelers were enjoying dinner at a Lyons Corner House in London. One of the party was intrigued by the tiny teaspoons that were part of the silverware and so asked a waiter if he could purchase one of them as a souvenir. It was the last night they were in London and the stores were selling these only by the dozen, he explained. The waiter replied in a broad cockney accent: “Well, suh, if you should happen to let one drop in your pocket, nobody would know or care, suh.” And so the traveler did just that. In that instance the waiter had as little respect for his employer’s property as did the traveler.

But most souvenir-collecting tourists do not even bother to ask. At least not many of those visiting the new John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., which, after the Capitol itself, is the city’s most popular tourist attraction. It is reported that tourists have removed virtually everything “‘reachable and detachable’ . . . All the original ashtrays and salt and pepper shakers have vanished from the center’s three restaurants, along with . . . a dowry of china, glassware, silverware and table linen. Souvenir hunters . . . cut swatches from rugs and drapes​—and even snatched prisms costing $86 each from the elegant Waterford chandeliers.”

Besides the cases of reported theft, there is ever so much petty theft that never comes to the attention of the police authorities. This is true both at places of employment and in various kinds of residences where large numbers of persons share the same facilities. We do well to ask ourselves, “Am I guilty of this?” If something looks desirable but belongs to another person or to the management, are you tempted to take it if you think your act will not be noticed or discovered? Do you rationalize your efforts by telling yourself that you deserve more than you are being paid or that your employer is profiting greatly from your labors?