Is this wrong

[crazypoohbear]

I work as a receptionist at a credit Union.

There is a secretary who's desk is within sight of my desk.
She works for a different company than mine.

She keeps a small bowl of candy on her desk.

There are times when the "public" from my Credit Union has to pass her desk to use the facilities. I have noticed that many of these people will stop at her desk when she is not there and help themselves to her candy. Some of them take a handful!

I find this totally rude for a few reasons
1) they are not customers of her's
2) she is not at her desk
3) they take a handful
4) they look around to see if any one is watching before taking.
5) there is no indication that it is for the general public.I have things on my desk that I would not expect people to help themselves to!

P.S. She buys the candy herself it is not supplied by her company.

Am I wrong to think they should not be helping themselves??
What do you think???

[Altair]

While "handfulls" may be pushing the limits of good taste, I would think candy in a jar on a desk or counter is there for others to enjoy.:mickey:

[Dakota Rose]

I agree. People shouldn't be gluttons, but she's put it there for people to enjoy.

[disneydrmr]

I agree.. our receptionist has a candy jar on her desk and the public that comes in will help themselves also.. if it's not for the public to share then it should be placed where the public has no access to it. I do agree that taking a handful is pushing it though...

[NotaGeek]

I am a firm believer that people that put candy on their desk know it's going to be taken. If you don't want people to take a "handful" then don't put it out. Free is free ... and no one considers what is appropriate when it comes to candy! :)

I always have a candy bowl in my office for my employees ... I don't care how much people take, if it becomes a monetary issue, I will remove the bowl. I think it's equally in bad form to put out a bowl and then survey whats taken, it kind of defeats the purpose.

[crazypoohbear]

I just wanted to clarify that the people who are taking the handfuls of candy are not visiting the company she works for, they are passing by her desk on the way to the bathrooms and it always seems they only take the candy when she is not at her desk.
They don't acknowledge her when she is there.

[SBETigg]

I just wanted to clarify that the people who are taking the handfuls of candy are not visiting the company she works for, they are passing by her desk on the way to the bathrooms and it always seems they only take the candy when she is not at her desk.
They don't acknowledge her when she is there.

That's too bad, because I would guess that she puts the candy out expecting people to take it, true, but to be social and encourage people to stop by and be friendly when she is there, not to take it all and run off when she's not there. I don't think it's wrong to take some when she's not there, but to make it a habit to be grabby with it when they pass by her desk and she's not there does seem a bit rude.

[Scar]

... they are passing by her desk on the way to the bathrooms ...So, are these people eating this candy in the bathroom? :confused:

;)

[Love of Disney]

I would agree with you Crazypoohbear. Some people just don't have any manners. If she is concerned, she should remove the candy bowl when she is not around.

[crazypoohbear]

So, are these people eating this candy in the bathroom? :confused:

;)

Either eating it in the bathroom or they fill their pockets for later.
My personal fav. are the ones who take the candy on the way in and on the way out.

[MMouse6937]

I agree with Sheri that it is too bad. I don't think she's putting the candy there for people to take handfuls of as they're running to the bathroom. I would think she's doing it to be social, hospitable, especially to her clients that come in and sit at her desk to talk to her. If they wouldn't take it while she's sitting there then they know it's rude. It's not like the bowl is in a common area as people are coming and going and it's just there. These are treats she has put on her desk to make her visitors more comfortable.

I think it's rude, in my opinion.

[SBETigg]

But let's look at the bright side. What would Crazypoohbear do at work without the candy dish entertainment? :blush: When that gets old, try gluing a quarter to the desk and count how many people try to pick it up. :D But don't forget to report back to us with the results.

[crazypoohbear]

But let's look at the bright side. What would Crazypoohbear do at work without the candy dish entertainment? :blush: When that gets old, try gluing a quarter to the desk and count how many people try to pick it up. :D But don't forget to report back to us with the results.

Actually, when customers forget things in the common areas I put them on my desk so they will see it the next time they come into the bank, you'd be surprised at how many people will come and look at the items and ask "can I take this?" I'll ask, "did you lose it?", response is "No, but I like it":confused:

Yes, they are serious because they will come back and ask the other receptionist too.!


I guess I was just brought up in a different time. Wnen I was growing up we would NEVER ask someone for something or take something off someone's desk.
Most of the time even if something was offered to us we were trained to say "no thank you"

[MsMin]

I agree too that it's rude to take handfuls. I used to put candy on my desk when I worked at a desk and it was there for ppl to take. It was only cheap hard candy b/c I didn't want ppl's hands in unwrapped candy but it was just a gesture... but to take a handful behind her back is greedy and rude and if they don't have the decency to give her a warm friendly greeting any other time that's low. If you if you ignore her ignore her candy too! If she was like me I wouldn't worry b/c the good stuff is in the desk anyway.

[Stitchahula]

I guess the training is in our hard wire, I would never think to take a handful because I would hear my mom or dad in my head saying "mind your manners". Yes it is there to take but be respectful and keep it to 1 piece so others can have some too.
It's like the kids at Halloween that come to your door hand reach THEIR hand into the bowl and grab a handful of candy. I of course say something like oh no just 1 piece please there are other kids out there, now otherwise I'd be putting my hand in the bowl and handling them a few pieces.
I know it's a small thing but are good manners really that hard to teach, I hope not. I know my son's 1st word was please even though he needs to be reminded to say it now. When I've been out with my sisters having lunch or dinner the waitress has laughed at us because we would all say thank you after she gave us our drinks or food. They usually say something about how our parents raised us and they can tell we are related.

[Mrs. Bee]

So, are these people eating this candy in the bathroom? :confused:

;)

I thought the same thing when I read that. EEK!

I'm hoping this is candy in wrapper and not a bowl of M&Ms or something.

Personally, candy left in a bowl is usually there for pepole to take. I'd grab a piece when I walked by too, probably. (Unless it wasn't in wrappers. Or if it was something gross that I don't like.)

[pink]

I don't think it's wrong for the people to take the candy regardless of what company they work for as long as they candy jar is on top of her desk. If it is obviously not meant for others then it is wrong. However, it is rude that they take handfuls and I think it's wierd that they only take the candy when she is not around. :confused:

:mickey:

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

Is it good candy? I'll have to come by and see you if it is. They should only be taking a piece of cndy not a handful. Whether they are doing any business with her isn't the point. But to just take it only when she's not there is just plain rude!

[Stan]

My personal fav. are the ones who take the candy on the way in and on the way out.


I haven't been in any credit unions in the NE, but this would be me. :blush: :D

[HeyMrsL!ItsThisGuy!]

there's many candy dishes on the desks of many different people at my school and I always ask if I can have some. i do think its rude to not ask.

[wdwgrl377]

My personal opinion is I wouldn't take candy off a desk if no one is there. I just would rather ask. If I walked by a person's desk and saw candy, and they weren't there, being the person that I am, I'd just not take any.

now, if the person was there and I was visiting them or the company they are with, then I'd politely ask.

But just walking by her desk, on their way to pay their water bill, and she's not there...:shake: That is just not polite to me.

[Tiggerlovr9000]

Was curious how the person who owns the candy feels about this. Has she said anything?

[crazypoohbear]

Was curious how the person who owns the candy feels about this. Has she said anything?

She has not said anything directly but she has commented that the candy seems to disappear quicker when she is not at her desk.

I should clarify that she does NOT work for the credit Union, she works for a differenct company that has an office inside the credit union. IT's just that the public has to walk past her desk to get to our bathrooms.

ALso, there is only myself and one other person who will occassionally purchase candy to replenish her candy jar! He and I were talking last week there there is one particular employee who helps herself to handfuls of candy. However, when this " other" employee brings something in she does NOT offer it to the "candy lady" :confused::(

[ncscgirl2005]

I agree.. our receptionist has a candy jar on her desk and the public that comes in will help themselves also.. if it's not for the public to share then it should be placed where the public has no access to it. I do agree that taking a handful is pushing it though...

I agree with this. I put candy on my desk during different holidays or occassions like Halloween, Christmas, V-Day...
When it's there I expect people to get some. I don't care how much they get because once it's gone, it's gone. The rest of it is in my desk drawer for my enjoyment. :secret:


I just wanted to clarify that the people who are taking the handfuls of candy are not visiting the company she works for, they are passing by her desk on the way to the bathrooms and it always seems they only take the candy when she is not at her desk.
They don't acknowledge her when she is there.

Is it easy for them to tell that she does not work for the Credit Union? Perhaps they do not know she is not part of the CU?


That's too bad, because I would guess that she puts the candy out expecting people to take it, true, but to be social and encourage people to stop by and be friendly when she is there, not to take it all and run off when she's not there. I don't think it's wrong to take some when she's not there, but to make it a habit to be grabby with it when they pass by her desk and she's not there does seem a bit rude.

This is the main reason why I DO NOT keep candy on my desk (plenty of it inside my drawer though :secret:) on a daily basis. It causes too many interruptions and most times people don't respect that fact that I am on the phone or helping someone.

I personally don't take candy from someone's desk unless they are there but it doesn't bother me if someone does it to me. My co-worker has one of my favorite candies on her desk (Strawberry Creamsavers) and last week I wanted one but she wasn't at her desk when I walked by. So I came back later when she was there. She told me to get two because she knows that one is never enough. Those things are DEELISH!!! :cloud9:

[brownie]

I think she'd probably remove it from her desk if it was a problem.

If the candy is out, you can expect people will take it whether they are visiting your business or not.