Etiquette Advice - Take Home Condiments?

Is It OK To Bring Condiments Home From Restaurants?

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I go out for coffee a lot and always take extra Splenda in my coffee. I also make coffee and home and Splenda is really expensive to buy at the store. Is it unethical of me if I occasionally take a few packets of Splenda from the coffee shop so I don't have to buy it as much? I mean, I give the shop enough business!

Sincerely,

Splenda Stealer?

April Masini's advice:

Dear Splenda Stealer,

The condiments left out at restaurants and coffee shops are meant to be used with the food served. If someone needs 20 packets of Splenda for their coffee that they just purchased then it's entirely right for them to take and use what they need. However, if they need 20 packets of Splenda because they're running out at home, and they decide to pinch the Splenda rather than buying it from the store, that's bad etiquette and morally wrong. Is there a way to right it? You bet. If you ask the manager - is it okay if I take some Splenda from your stash -- I'm running out at home? Then whatever the manager says is the morally correct answer. Having asked first, makes the action morally correct, although it's still not good etiquette.