If someone "borrows" without permission is that the same thing as stealing?

Have you done it or had it done to you and how did that turn out?

Question

If someone "borrows" without permission is that the same thing as stealing?Have you done it or had it done to you and how did that turn out?

jrose · Accepted Answer

Kind of depends on the item and the circumstances, as well as your relationship to the person.When my sister and I still lived together- borrowing without permission was like a way of life- we even had a whole drawer of stuff that was "nobody's" because we couldn't remember the rightful owner. Even now- if she visits me or I visit her- we raid each others' book shelves and movie collections, of course we end up finding stuff that's ours too and taking it back. While it might be irritating to go looking for a book I wanted to read and realize she took it, I don't consider it stealing...

It's much the same with my friends and small stuff- my best friend borrows a hair elastic or clip, a shirt, socks etc. without asking- I'm not real worried about it. The stuff usually returns eventually and it's not like it's a one-way thing.

I draw the line at borrowing important or expensive things- you don't borrow my car without asking (unless it's a life or death thing), you don't take my money without asking (again, unless it's life or death), and you don't take my expensive jewelry (I have only a few pieces, mostly from my dad and grandparents) without asking. All that, I would take offense at although I might not see it as stealing if you returned it, I'd probably just be angry.

And again, this is all with respect to people in my family or who are close to me- if I just met you- don't take any of my stuff without asking. I'm pretty free about lending people stuff if they need it, but if I don't offer and you don't ask, it's rude to take my stuff and if it never came back then, yeah, you stole it.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

yea its rude and selfish they should ask you first...

some things are too personal and sentimental other things like borrowing a pen or ruler who cares? as long as they put it back where it was lol

i remember at work my hands would get dry a lot and I bought a huge tube of my favorite lotion and kept it on my desk, and my two bosses initially asked if they can get some I thought it was a one time thing so I was like sure go ahead, even the next time it was fine, after a month though they kept coming to my desk to steal my lotion and it was even halfway gone plus I was so busy working I never had time to moisturize my hands its like I bought the lotion for them -_- that's when it gets annoying and becomes stealing when you take advantage of someone elses things...and are too cheap and lazy to get your own

CatholicVirginia · Accepted Answer

Technically it's stealing, but it depends on who and what. It's stealing if some person I don't know comes and takes my dress. It's borrowing if my best friend has to use my dress for some reason, and I trust her to take care of it, and she intends to return it. She's more invested in its safekeeping than a stranger would be, so it's slightly more acceptable for her to steal it than a stranger.

Also, it depends on the item. You can borrow my dress. You cannot borrow $5000 cash from my bank account.

THE_Godfather · Accepted Answer

Sort of. I picked something up & said "I'm going to borrow this"

I returned it. It worked out well.

people would borrow things from me & not return the item. Then when I needed it I had to go get it from them. That didn't work out to well for them.

aMuse · Accepted Answer

It depends on what it is and who it is from... For example taking something very personal to use like clothing without permission is messed up, but borrowing you fathers power drill for a quick fix and bringing it back is no big deal. =P

kairon156 · Answer

I rarely borrow from other people even when I ask. I like to be self reliant when ever I can. saying that I have borrowed without asking but it was only for a few minutes and they always got it back before they relized it was gone. If you borrow without asking and don't have a time frame set in mind when you'll give it back or keep it even after being told off for taking it than it's considered steeling.

most of the time I ask to borrow something if I really need to.

RedThread · Answer

lol for me it is.. I like to know where my things are and who's using them. I've had a lot of things disappear due to people just "borrowing" my stuff.. drives me BONKERS haha

Karass · Answer

As long as I get it back I wouldn't consider it stealing.

LoveLayne · Answer

Lol... well... when it's done to me then it's stealing! When I do it... it's just borrowing lol :P

TweetiByrd · Answer

"without permission" , I believe you just answered your own question.

infrea34 · Answer

I think if you're close to whoever you're "borrowing" from, it's fine. If not...bad idea. I do it a lot, and it turns out fine.

Anonymous · Answer

I happen to think so.

If someone "borrows" without permission is that the same thing as stealing? Have you done it or had it done to

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