# Is it rude to scoop someone else's litterboxes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503 "2013-01-27T01:43:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/1 "2013-01-27T01:43:16Z")
I’m on my phone and can’t figure out how to set up a poll, so I’m going to just ask for opinions. Today, I was at my best friend’s house and while I was using the restroom, I noticed that their kitteh had recently used the litterbox. I do cat rescue, cleaning litterboxes is habit for me, so I scooped the poop into a plastic bag, washed my hands and took the bag out to the trash can. When I came back in, someone else told me that I had been very rude and thoughtless by doing that. She said that me scooping the box was making a judgement on how clean my friend keeps her home. Of course, I didn’t think that at all, I thought I was just helping out. I’m all confused and not in the very best of moods, so I thought I’d put the question to you folks. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/2 "2013-01-27T01:46:53Z")
I think any time you clean any part of someone else’s house unasked, there are some that will take offense to it, and some that will be glad for it. It just depends on the person, and your relationship with them. My best friend would probably take it in a better spirit than a mere acquaintance, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/3 "2013-01-27T01:51:54Z")
I used to do it sometimes at my neighbours place while she was there and I was visiting. She never complained. So she certainly wouldn’t complain if I did it while she was away. Hey don’t you use the bag to scoop it? You know, stick your hand in the bag, grab the poop and then reverse the bag over your fist. No hand washing needed. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/4 "2013-01-27T01:56:20Z")
It is not rude or thoughtless what you did. Maybe a little enthusiatic, but you’ve got an explanation. Was your best friend upset? If she wasn’t, then “someone else” is just stirring shit…probably vying for your spot. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/5 "2013-01-27T01:58:47Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > I used to do it sometimes at my neighbours place while she was there and I was visiting. She never complained. So she certainly wouldn’t complain if I did it while she was away. > > Hey don’t you use the bag to scoop it? You know, stick your hand in the bag, grab the poop and then reverse the bag over your fist. No hand washing needed. The scooper was there, so I used that. I had just peed and scooped litter, so of course I washed my hands. I don’t think that my friend even noticed, it was someone that I had never met that told me that I was rude. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/6 "2013-01-27T02:01:46Z")
Hell no. PM me for my home address. I’ve got a box of shit with your name on it. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/7 "2013-01-27T02:06:05Z")
No certainly not rude, in fact it seems very considerate to me. Of course it is something that has scope to be misinterpreted, but if you know them well-enough it’s unlikely that it would be and any misunderstanding can easily be resolved anyway. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/8 "2013-01-27T02:09:13Z")
Somebody scooped my litterbox once. I was highly offended. But I don’t have cats so it is obviously a bit more complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/9 "2013-01-27T02:32:58Z")
In my house there is a sign that reads: NO SCOOP, NO POOP! With an arrow pointing towards the litter box. /kidding. Bu seriously, you’re welcome at my house anytime. That other lady was just being a busy body. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/10 "2013-01-27T02:51:58Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > I’m on my phone and can’t figure out how to set up a poll, so I’m going to just ask for opinions. > > Today, I was at my best friend’s house and while I was using the restroom, I noticed that their kitteh had recently used the litterbox. I do cat rescue, cleaning litterboxes is habit for me, so I scooped the poop into a plastic bag, washed my hands and took the bag out to the trash can. > > When I came back in, someone else told me that I had been very rude and thoughtless by doing that. She said that me scooping the box was making a judgement on how clean my friend keeps her home. The proper response to this is to laugh loud and heartily. If the person doesn’t laugh with you, you can then look at them confusedly and say, “Wait… you were _serious_?” ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/11 "2013-01-27T02:56:51Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > The scooper was there, so I used that. \*\*I had just peed and scooped litter, \*\*so of course I washed my hands. I just wanted to say that this sentence is funny! I’m sure you didn’t intend it this way, but it is cute. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/12 "2013-01-27T03:50:31Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Hell no. PM me for my home address. I’ve got a box of shit with your name on it. Yeah, same here. It probably needs it right now. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/13 "2013-01-27T03:59:32Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Somebody scooped my litterbox once. I was highly offended. But I don’t have cats so it is obviously a bit more complicated. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/14 "2013-01-27T04:37:35Z")
Maybe Ok for a best friend if you visit each other’s houses all the time, but although I wouldn’t find it rude but I’d find it a bit strange and even creepy if it was somone I didn’t know to well. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/15 "2013-01-27T05:59:38Z")
I don’t have a cat, but if you scooped out his litter box I’d have been thankful. I wouldn’t have minded a bit. I appreciate anyone who likes my pets and is willing to help out with them. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/16 "2013-01-27T08:11:22Z")
If I knew I might find it a bit odd but not rude, however if I don’t know about it I will be looking for vomit under the bed because that is usually what is found when no deposits are made in the box. I don’t know how you would tell me without it seeming like you expect a reward treat or something so probably best to just leave it. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/17 "2013-01-27T15:20:53Z")
Thing to do was quietly take your friend aside and explain that you did it purely out of habit (working at shelter!), and hope they won’t take offence. If this is a close friend they will most likely understand completely. Just let the interfering fussbudget stew, none the wiser! That’s what they do best, after all! ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/18 "2013-01-27T16:15:19Z")
From the point of view of the cat, who is the party with the greatest vested interest in this scenario, you were very kind and not rude in the very slightest. That does matter, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/19 "2013-01-27T16:30:32Z")
It depends on the person and the relationship, and on how they go about things, and… Sometimes cleaning in another person’s house is insulting. Sometimes what’s insulting is how they receive you. Sometimes cleaning is the reason you went there in the first place. I’ve told before the story of having an interview in Madrid and spending the previous night in a friend’s shared flat. Rick’s brother was also there and also as an overnight guest. When we were leaving after breakfast, Rick sarcastically pointed out that “you know, it is considered polite of guests to do the dishes” and rolled his eyes towards the overflowing sink. I told his brother “allow me”, he did, I said “you know, that only applies when there wasn’t a pile of dry dirty dishes to start with. It is considered polite of hosts to receive their guests with all the dishes in the house clean, and with a bathroom which does not need to be washed before it can be used. FTR, the shower curtain in yours does NOT have black stripes. Not anymore, anyway.” And we left. I understand asking about the state of sinks and shower curtains has become an in-joke for Rick’s family. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503/20 "2013-01-27T17:09:21Z")
Why did you bother with the plastic bag when you could have just dropped it in the toilet? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-scoop-someone-elses-litterboxes/648503.md?page=2)