[ggm]

Your idea is good. Marking them in a non-intrusive (to function) way would serve to make it clear this is communal property.

But, in essence we don't care, and I also think its not always wonton theft, I know I've shed spoons into the waste bin being uncareful.

[dylan604]

It hasn't worked for banks and all the various ways they've tried to keep pens from walking off, nor gas station bathroom keys. In effort you expend is ultimately wasted, as someone that wants to take will take and someone that is unawares they accidentally disposed of the utensil will not be stopped by any of the attempts. However if it makes you feel good and you enjoy the time spend over a weekend doing it, by all means have at. Just know what's to know going in. Which it sounds like you do.

[jjmarr]

I've always thought people stealing pens is just a form of advertising which is why any company offering pens puts logos on them.

All this post makes me think of is what other commonly-stolen objects one could put advertising on.

[mulmen]

I proudly leave my “This pen stolen from the Sloop Tavern” pen on my desk.

With that kind of marking it’s like they want me to take it!

[nomel]

No, there are effective methods. One is to attach a giant fake flower into it.

[gravescale]

Or make the pen a T-shaped or something. It does write on things but who wants an annoying pen that doesn't fit properly in a drawer and it difficult to do anything other than scribble a signature?

Some people also sloppily spray bikes with pink spray paint because then it's pretty much unsaleable. So all you have to worry about are the vandals who just want to ruin someone's day.

[fragmede]

thankfully, locks can now be digital, so the key is now your phone or a code, which has other problems, but can't walk off in the same way

[eternauta3k]

I'm not judging, but how exactly does that happen? Does the spoon fall into the trash while you're discarding something and you don't want to pick it up? Or do you throw out a container and miss that it had a spoon inside?

[gravescale]

In a common area, drunk people and children sloppily doing a chore they don't want to, I should think. And depending on how grotty users of the space are, people leaving cutlery in dirty piles of crap for others to clear up, and the others don't see the hiding cutlery. The cleaners in my old university accommodation would remove dirty dishes to a box outside called the Stank Tank as it wasn't their job to do student washing up. After a month, it was binned or scavenged and a lot fancier stuff than a teaspoon was in there!

I can't say I've thrown away a spoon knowingly myself, but I have dropped cutlery in the bin once or twice. I haven't ever abandoned it but you can imagine people might if they don't value it. And based on the university, some people would happily lose a £30 pan rather than reach into the Stank Tank, so I can believe it.

[yurishimo]

I've definitely been tempted to throw away a nasty container that might have gotten forgotten in the car or at the back of the fridge and someone left cutlery inside.

The really nice stuff is only brought out at Christmas. As long as there are enough forks/spoons/etc for 8 people in the drawer for day to day use, then I don't care that much.

[pimlottc]

But you don't even need silverware to eat wontons.

[labster]

Dim sum wise words, mon.

[wyclif]

I'm in the Philippines now, and one thing I've noticed is that when you go out to a fast food joint (Jollibee, Chow King, Mang Inasal, &c.) they don't even have any plastic fork/knife/spoon dispensers, napkin dispensers, or condiment dispensers anywhere at all in the dining area. I'm told it's because people here take them home. Sometimes they steal all the napkins.

If you don't get these things after paying at the counter, you are out of luck. You can try to approach the counter to get them, but most people don't bother because these places are always so crowded.