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I'm always amazed at the different ways people view 'theft.'
For many, it's wrong to do XYZ, but perfectly OK to to do ABC. A fellow I know thinks nothing of sticking a ream of printer paper into his brief case at work when no one is looking, but is shocked when he sees a homeless man steal a sandwich from a convenience store. How many fudge (stealing from the company) an extra 10-20 minutes at lunchtime a couple of times a week, yet would never in a million years think of stealing money out of the petty cash drawer (the same 'stealing from the company.)
It always reminds me of the scene in 'Casablanca' where Rick is talking with Ugarte, Ugarte saying that Rick despises him, rationalizing that he performs a service for the people at a lower rate than the other crooks, and Rick responds with; "I don't mind a parasite. I object to a cut-rate one." We all have our own rationalizations for the petty criminal acts we do, convincing ourselves we aren't breaking any 'real' laws. How many pens and pencils do you have at home that came from work? Is that really costing your company anything? If you work for a major multi-national, and every employee took home one cheap pen a week for a year, do you have any idea how many thousands of dollars that would add up to?!?
Let's face facts. Diogenes is still searching for his honest man.
Stitchawl
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