Is it Stealing?

       Last week I posted something on Facebook about how I started taking packets of sugar and Splenda from restaurants like my Aunt Irene used to do. See, my Aunt Irene grew up during the Great Depression and anything that she could get for free was to be coveted, especially things like sugar. However, my dear aunt did not fill up her purse with sugar packets; she only took two per each cup of coffee she drank, since she drank her coffee without sugar. She felt that she was entitled to the sugar, so that made it okay. My aunt had thousands of sugar packages spilling out of drawers and closets in her home, along with tiny cups of jam, peanut butter, salt, and pepper. My aunt and uncle went to restaurants nearly every day. Which made me wonder why in heavens name did she have to steal sugar packages when she had all this money to eat out? But I digress...
       My original point was that I started doing this, too, and I wondered why. Even though I don't have a full time job, I can still afford to buy Splenda now and then. And when I posted my queries on the social network, I had a gazillion (exaggeration, I just like the word gazillion) reponses from other people about stuff they take at restaurants. Some of the favorites are honey packets, wet naps, plastic forks and knives, mini-moos (the little cups of half and half), and other condiments like mustard, mayonnaise, and hot sauce. Most of the comments from my friends expressed delight over having received these items for free. And I guess I'm pretty delighted over free stuff, too.
       I used to own a restaurant and I suppose I wouldn't care if my customers purloined a few mustard or sugar packets. I mean, if they're paying for a $10 lunch, I can turn a blind eye to the kidnapped mini-moos jostling around in their purses. But if every single customer took three or four of these items every day, maybe that would be a problem.
       I think we just like getting things for free. And things that make our lives easier - a packet of honey to use in your tea while you're on the road, a packet of hot sauce to flavor your ramen noodles while on a backpacking trip. And lots of Splenda. Because you can never have too much Splenda.