Should you be FIRED for CHEATING on COFFEE?

[AviatorTom]

What do you think? Is this fair?

The principal of a junior high school in Japan was dismissed from his job on Tuesday after he was caught dispensing more coffee than he paid for at a convenience store.

The 59-year-old male, who wasn't named, said he'd been pouring himself large coffees during his lunch breaks even though he'd paid for the regular-sized option,.

Here's the complete story:

A junior-high principal was fired after he was caught pouring more coffee than he paid for

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

I get a bit of a cultural schizophrenia here since my Japanese side thinks this is normal but my American side thinks this is too harsh.

Also even if the principal wasn't fired, it is tradition for him to step down and resign for setting such a poor example.

Japanese society isn't designed to function well though with thieves. For example, it is common here for completely unarmed elderly men to unload millions of dollars worth of money in duffle bags, completely unarmed, from trucks into banks. It would be a complete disaster if we could not trust most Japanese people to refrain from stealing things.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

In the US, there is a lot more security to protect from thieves. But Japan doesn't have this type of security so it's designed more to function on the basis that people won't steal.

[DJB72]

Should a society that is best known for their honour code fire someone for a dishonourable act of repeated theft?

Yes. That's a no brain question. I'm British and I'd want to see a headteacher fired for that in the UK. I live in South Africa and I'd expect it here as well.

Theft is theft. Coffee or Cars.

[purplepoppy]

I wonder why the machine just doesn't dispense the correct amount. He should come to work in the UK. It's common for workplaces to provide as much free coffee as you want.

[Kelley1]

Theft is never justified, and those that attempt to justify theft are undesirables unfit to be called Americans.

[Kelley1]

Thank you for the MHO.

[OlderAndWiser]

It IS setting a poor example, but firing him for this indiscretion does seem to be a bit extreme.

[Paris13]

@Fireguy17 Dicker with This One, hun. lolxxoo

[RebelinSteel]

It is sort of crazy but he was helping himself. How would everyone feel if I paid for a watch at £50 but took a £125 one instead? Is that acceptable, I appreciate it is a high value but it’s the same principle. It was him being dishonest and pretty much stealing. Yes coffee places do tend to overcharge a bit, but if everyone did the same they lose profits which often create jobs.

[IslaTheWitch]

If he were a good principal... getting fired over coffee seems pretty extreme... Maybe it was just an excuse?

[CozyCoffin]

I think in America, it's too lax. I would much rather have people get arrested for small stuff like this, then watch people walking out of stores with shopping carts of stolen merchandise. A law is a law, no matter what country. It's just that, unlike the U. S., other countries choose to enforce their laws.

[Paris13]

STUPID But So Typical of Today's Sick Society. Give The Guy a Warning. xxoo

[Fireguy17]

@Paris13 Why does someone need a warning not to do something wrong?
He is an adult, he knew it was wrong but did it anyway. He is a principal, a leader who should be held to a higher standard in the first place because what does that tell the teachers and students.
It's ok to steal until you get caught and then it really doesn't matter, you will only get a warning.
Plus, in the Japanese culture they do not mess around.
He didn't get thrown in jail, he just lost his job.
He can get another job.
It set a good example to the kids, teachers, and parents of what happens when you steal.
No one put a gun to his head and made him do it, he just probably thought that he was getting away with something, which he did until he got caught.
If it wasn't a wrong thing to do, why wasn't he bragging about it to everyone?
Making sure everyone knew what he was doing?
Because it was wrong, so he hid the fact.
Ya it was coffee, but it was still stealing.
I don't feel sorry for him, he just made a very poor decision and had to pay for his mistake.

[Paris13]

@Fireguy17 Still, Dear, A Warning. For Anyone Of Any Age. xxoo

[Fireguy17]

I'm thinking we will just have to disagree, that is how I was raised.

[Paris13]

@Fireguy17 I Don't Find This a Big Deal. And I Was Yes, Raised to Be Honest and God is My Father But He Should Have Had a Chance to Be Warned. Only Right. xxoo

[Fireguy17]

granted the amount of money involved is very petty, however I'm sure he could afford it, and to risk your career over something that petty is just dumb.
Because of his position he was held to a higher standard. At what dollar amount in your opinion would losing his job be justified?
$10, $50, $100 or more?
How many warnings should he have gotten, 1,3 or more?
Just like our job, we are held to a very high standard.
Because we can legally make you naked, you would not want us gawking over you as you're laying there naked or go through a wallet or purse and take a dollar or two, or worse yet pictures.
At an accident scene years ago, I came across a ring box by chance in the grass, I opened it and it contained a diamond engagement ring.
The victim of the crash was a load and go, I can't remember if he made it or not.
I could have easily put the ring in my pocket and no one would have ever known but me, the truck was literally destroyed, parts were everywhere.
People would have just assumed that it was lost so of course I did the right thing, showed the ring to my partner and they went with me when I gave it to a Sheriff's Deputy for safe keeping.
I never for a second thought about keeping it.
We are there to do our job, not stop and look or help ourselves to anything.
Sadly there have been cases where things like that have happened.

[Iron_Man]

that’s absolutely ridiculous. Those places make so much money that’s uncalled for he probably goes there every day and gets coffee. I. myself would prefer hot chocolate

[Red_Arrow]

If he goes there every day and gets coffee, he has cheated them out of that much more money. And he has set a bad example for the students, so as a person who should be setting a good example for his students, he certainly should be fired.

[Iron_Man]

I 100% disagree. He’s putting more money in their pocket the store owner. five to 3 more cents for a little bit of a squirt come on man. As far as I’m concerned, whoever fired, the teacher should be fired themselves and the teacher should be brought back in

[lightbulb27]

ah... if cannot trust with a penny, cannot trust.

I would not fire, I'd demote and have to re-earn their place. make example. making someone elses problem not so great as the information is lost.

[jshm2]

Yes. Theft is theft and there is no telling what else he has stolen or been deceitful in.

This is not some lazy alcoholic we're talking about. But a man of substance and prestige with some cash in his pocket.

[strateguy632]

to set an example and teach stealing is bad. minor punishment would motivate students to steal.

[Sdexam]

I think coffee should be free government should pay for it and they should burn down the establishment that that gentleman was working at.

[loveslongnails]

It seems a bit harsh, but I don't know their culture. In the USA, he'd probably get a medal for doing his part to cut corporate profits at the local Circle K. LOL

[Fireguy17]

That is stealing, and teachers need to be held to very high standards, esp. in Japan.
They do not screw around with stuff like that.

[RavVid]

Japanese are really strict. I like their ethics. Well might he have been sacked.

[love_conquers_lust]

Why not just pay for the coffees with the money he made from his job. Now they can’t collect and instead spread bad publicity.

[Drumlin2001]

It's theft. And says something about his character. Knowing people like this, it wasn't a one off.

[OtterMan68]

compare Japan's crime rate and test scores to the US.

[AnusNdaPainus]

“ It’s better to be fired than to pay full price “

- Some old Asian guy

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

No but It's Japan, so what you expect? They are morons.

[VonDutch_daguys]

That is Silly. People consume beverages all the time. Hit chocolate, coffee, Tea, latte why should he punished for a product

[californianjoe]

you think so stupid

[NathanDavis]

in Japan, yes

over here... no

[californianjoe]

the manager is absolutely right

[Zestyassmf1997]

Seems like a Japanese thing.

[LiamJHayden]

Yes. Intentionally do that is stealing.

[Guido]

It's a bit excessive for the crime.

[msc545]

Sad and silly.