I’ll be real- being stollen from sucks but I do at least have some manner of respect for thieves Who are somewhat mannered and professional- steal the wallet and return the items other than cash, steal the laptop but return the files, steal the car radio but don’t break the windows or wreck the dash…. I mean- it sucks to be stollen from but there is bad and worse. I once had someone try to steal a car project I was building but the motor was removed and nothing of value like a radio or gauges etc. we’re in the car. I left a screw driver in the car and they used it to… repeatedly stab the drivers seat- presumably in frustration. Like- there wasn’t even material gain to that, it was just malicious.
One time someone stole a jacket from one of my cars. It wasn’t super expensive but it was still like a $200 jacket that had been a gift from a friend and I was fond of it. But- they didn’t mess anything up and only took my jacket. It was fall going on winter and I figured if they needed…
.. a jacket that badly, I couldn’t really be upset. It isn’t like I didn’t have more jackets or couldn’t just buy another jacket even if that one was sentimental.
So I mean, when one is in a position that the thing being stolen isn’t some major set back, that’s what I try to focus on- especially if it’s something I can say- “well someone needed it more…” but I’ll be clear- I’m. It confining thrives or saying that it’s fine. I mean- the law asides and the general moral prohibitions in theft or the concept of ownership also asides… how does the thief know? How does the thief know that you aren’t as bad off or worse? How do they know that you own something and that it isn’t borrowed or rented or leased and you could lose your job or any number of consequences?
How do they know you didn’t save up so much money or get something as a once in a lifetime sort of gift? They don’t know your life or circumstances or even if you were in a position you needed to pawn it. At that point they are saying: “no matter what your needs are, I’m more important. My need is greater..” and unless they are literally at risk of IMMINENT death or something if they don’t steal it- like stealing a rifle from a truck nearby to defend against an attacking creature- how do they know their need is greater? As someone who has been stolen from- there can be a sense of real violation from theft.
Knowing someone was in your home or your car etc. knowing that what you thought was safe isn’t. Knowing that at any time that thief or another may come and do it again, wondering what else might be missing or tampered with that you don’t know about, feeling totally powerless to protect what is yours or even get some sort of “retribution” or “justice.” That’s without even going in to sentimental and other value that can make something irreplaceable or personally important. In the end “stuff” is just “stuff” but I’ve been in the position of being stolen from and not minded at times and been very effected at others.
I also understand being in a position where you feel like you have no options and might consider resorting to such actions.
All said I can’t condone theft like this even when the thieves are reasonably civil or “courteous,” but if one was going to steal something anyway regardless, I suppose it is better to have a civil thief with some form of manners.
One time someone stole a jacket from one of my cars. It wasn’t super expensive but it was still like a $200 jacket that had been a gift from a friend and I was fond of it. But- they didn’t mess anything up and only took my jacket. It was fall going on winter and I figured if they needed…
So I mean, when one is in a position that the thing being stolen isn’t some major set back, that’s what I try to focus on- especially if it’s something I can say- “well someone needed it more…” but I’ll be clear- I’m. It confining thrives or saying that it’s fine. I mean- the law asides and the general moral prohibitions in theft or the concept of ownership also asides… how does the thief know? How does the thief know that you aren’t as bad off or worse? How do they know that you own something and that it isn’t borrowed or rented or leased and you could lose your job or any number of consequences?
I also understand being in a position where you feel like you have no options and might consider resorting to such actions.