A growing trend of petty theft is being observed in high-end hotels and restaurants, with guests taking items ranging from miniature toiletries and cutlery to more substantial fixtures like sinks and even marble fireplaces. The phenomenon, dubbed 'refined robbing,' suggests a shift in behavior among affluent consumers.
Clare Foges, writing for the Daily Mail, confesses to a long-standing habit of taking small items from hotels, including pens, candles, and tea sachets. This personal anecdote serves as an entry point into a broader discussion of upscale pilfering. Foges notes that even affluent individuals are engaging in this behavior, questioning the motivations behind it.
Upscale Pilfering and its Manifestations
High-end restaurants in France are reportedly experiencing frequent thefts of items such as silver napkin rings and even cutlery. One Parisian eatery has resorted to adding the cost of missing napkin rings to guests' bills. A restaurant near Lyon reported the theft of 40 walnut-handled knives in a single year. In a more extreme case, a diner at a Michelin-starred establishment allegedly stole a toilet roll holder, complete with screws.
Hotel theft is also on the rise, with incidents escalating from common items like towels and robes to more audacious acts. Reports include guests in Berlin stealing ceramic sinks and rainfall showerheads, and a traveler in Austria absconding with a medieval broadsword from a hotel wall. The Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles, famously featured in the film 'Pretty Woman,' saw a guest chisel out and steal an entire marble fireplace.
Surveys indicate differing national preferences for stolen items, with British guests reportedly favoring bathrobes, Americans opting for pillows, and Italians taking wine glasses. The prevalence of towel theft is so widespread that some hotels are now implanting electronic chips in them, while others are embroidering their towels with the hotel's name as a deterrent.
Motivations Behind the Trend
Several factors are suggested as drivers for this 'refined robbing.' The thrill of engaging in a mildly illicit act, akin to Foges's early experience in Morocco, appears to play a role. Additionally, there's a psychological element of wanting to 'lock in' a positive memory associated with a luxurious experience. However, a primary driver is posited to be a desire to feel that one is receiving full value for money. As luxury hotel prices have surged significantly in recent years, some guests may feel entitled to take items, rationalizing that the establishment can easily absorb the cost. This sentiment is captured in the idea that 'they price it into your stay.'
This behavior is also linked to a broader rise in entitlement culture, where the ability to take something is justification enough. Foges expresses shame for her past actions but admits to reserving the right to take items like waffle slippers.