# The cleaning people threw out my FedEx packages **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 27, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419 "2005-04-27T19:27:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/21 "2005-04-28T04:07:36Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Fuck! We go out of our way for them, we give them free t-shirts, we offer leftover food, cards at Christmas. I listen to her stupid stories about her grandchildren because she’s old and lonely and wants someone to talk to. And after all that, they couldn’t be bothered to wait and ask us if it was really garbage? > > Aaaargh! What you need to do is withhold those free tshirts and the foodscraps until they learn a little more respect. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/22 "2005-04-28T05:34:18Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > we give them free t-shirts, we offer leftover food, cards at Christmas. Leftovers and t-shirts! WOW!!! :rolleyes: > [@Anaamika](#): > > I listen to her stupid stories about her grandchildren because she’s old and lonely and wants someone to talk to. Just amazing. > [@kambuckta](#): > > What you need to do is withhold those free tshirts and the foodscraps until they learn a little more respect. Totally. It’s SO hard to find good help these days … ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/23 "2005-04-28T06:40:55Z")
> [@wonderwench](#): > > Simple solution: tape a large sign that says “No Es Basura” on any boxes you want to keep. Or is it “No Esta Basura”? Hmm. I was going to jump in and enquire why you jumped to the conclusion that the Office Cleaner was a non-English speaker, but then I saw: > [@This Year's Model](#): > > Perhaps “Don’t throw away” would work. And he/she was able to do it a lot more subtly than I could. I predict this thread is going to get interesting when all you lazy fuckers on the other side of the world wake up. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Manatee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@Manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manatee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/24 "2005-04-28T06:48:07Z")
A moderate flogging will get the little pissants in line. How dare they cross you after you’ve offered them scraps from your table and everything! ---
**Author:** ![Zhen\_ka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zhen\_ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zhen_ka)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/25 "2005-04-28T06:48:57Z")
And to think I was just gonna come in here and tell you that your OP was misleading– > [@](#): > > “Thankfully I yanked them all out of the dumpster just now; they hadn’t thrown them out.” ARGH! “The cleaning people DIDN’T throw out my FedEx packages!” I’ve called you stupid and have read where others have done so. Care to state your case? ---
**Author:** ![stately\_plump\_buck\_mulligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@stately\_plump\_buck\_mulligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stately_plump_buck_mulligan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/26 "2005-04-28T07:15:59Z")
> [@wonderwench](#): > > Simple solution: tape a large sign that says “No Es Basura” on any boxes you want to keep. Or is it “No Esta Basura”? This is some vexing shit. If the peons can communicate with the OP well enough to regale her with grandchildren stories (when she is obviously busy handling **$967.00 checks!!!** ), it would be safe to assume that a note in English would be most fucking sufficient. Wouldn’t you agree? Pendeja. As for the OP - I’m holding out hope that parts of it are tongue-in-cheek. ---
**Author:** ![Nocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9fc348/32.png) [@Nocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocturne)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/27 "2005-04-28T10:24:51Z")
> [@Manatee](#): > > A moderate flogging will get the little pissants in line. > How dare they cross you after you’ve offered them scraps from your table and everything! Scraps from the table? How in the blue fuck did you get that out of what **Anaamika** said? I often offer leftover food to my neighbors and friends. It’s not scraps–we’re talking a trayful of empanadas here, or half-a-dozen brownies, or a tupperware container of spaghetti. Usually it’s stuff that’s fresh and I haven’t been dipping my germy fingers into. Usually it’s because I made too much for my husband and I to eat and I don’t mind sharing. As far as cleaning jobs around here go, you’re lucky if people don’t make fun of you or treat you like you’re invisible. I’d be ecstatic if the people I worked for offered me food and free clothes, especially at shit wages. I think (but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong) that you’re ripping on her for an attitude you’re reading into her words, not one that’s actually there. I’ll be honest. **Anaamika** has annoyed the ever-loving shit out of me in the past, but I really don’t think she’s being condescending here–I think it’s nice of her to give stuff to people who might need it. Of course, she can clarify that herself. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/28 "2005-04-28T10:34:03Z")
Yeah, man! 'Sides, even if this cleaning staff is treated poorly (though it doesn’t sound that way to me), two wrongs don’t make a right. They’re paid to do a job, and that does not involve throwing out important items. (Yes, **Zhen’ka** , putting the packages in the dumpster counts as throwing them out.) If they’re not paid enough, or there’s some other grievance, there’s a way to address that. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/29 "2005-04-28T10:37:19Z")
That said, there’s not necessarily a direct correlation between largesse like t-shirts and food and expecting the cleaning staff never to fuck up. But it’s reasonable to think that that could be a motivator. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/30 "2005-04-28T13:35:53Z")
They’re not my cleaning staff. I don’t pay them. I don’t understand how giving them half a box of muffins or whatever it is we don’t eat is condescending. They’re always thankful. They’re all old and have a hard time cooking. How the hell am I supposed to state my case? They were in the dumpster. I had to practically crawl in there and get them out. I had that check in there, which I had just taken all the cash for to the bank earlier in the day… oh, never mind. I don’t even understand why you people are ranting at me. I really don’t see that I’ve done anything wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/31 "2005-04-28T13:42:58Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > They’re not my cleaning staff. I don’t pay them. Oh, I didn’t mean you; I meant the company you work for! You said “ **We** give them…” > [@](#): > > I don’t understand how giving them half a box of muffins or whatever it is we don’t eat is condescending. Well, I don’t either. > [@](#): > > How the hell am I supposed to state my case? They were in the dumpster. I had to practically crawl in there and get them out. Which you shouldn’t have had to do; I agree. > [@](#): > > oh, never mind. I don’t even understand why you people are ranting at me. I really don’t see that I’ve done anything wrong. You haven’t. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/32 "2005-04-28T13:52:50Z")
It’s okay, the assholes in the Pit will jump on anyone, for anything. It makes them feel so much better about themselves. I’m glad you were able to recover the boxes. ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/33 "2005-04-28T14:25:05Z")
At my work, we had a constant problem with the cleaning crew throwing out important boxes. Now, no box is picked up and thrown out unless there is a bright orange sticker on it saying: Trash / Basura ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/34 "2005-04-28T14:28:16Z")
> [@Zhen'ka](#): > > And to think I was just gonna come in here and tell you that your OP was misleading– > > ARGH! “The cleaning people DIDN’T throw out my FedEx packages!” > > I’ve called you stupid and have read where others have done so. > > Care to state your case? True, placing things in dumpsters in no way constitutes throwing them out. Perhaps you could explain the proper method of disposing of items for those of us under the false impression that dumpsters are where one places trash. And you called **Anaamika** stupid? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/35 "2005-04-28T14:35:11Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Oh, I didn’t mean you; I meant the company you work for! You said “ **We** give them…” > > Well, I don’t either. > > Which you shouldn’t have had to do; I agree. > > You haven’t. Thank you. I just meant they don’t even work for the company I work for. They work for the building, and we’re just a tenant. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/36 "2005-04-28T17:08:49Z")
**Anaamika** , your rant was completely justified. When I was in junior high school, I had a teacher who insisted on collecting our notebooks a few times a month to make sure we were keeping up with in-class assignments. She would set up a big, labeled cardboard box on Friday to collect them, then return them to us on Monday. One Friday, she forgot to put the notebook box in her car. When she went back to get it on Saturday, she discovered that the janitor had determined that the notebooks were to be trashed. As they were spiral-bound notebooks, he had made sure to rip all of the pages out of each one before trashing them. :mad: :mad: She bought new notebooks for everyone, complete with photocopies of class notes. I don’t think the janitor was reprimanded at all. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/37 "2005-04-28T17:29:39Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > And he/she was able to do it a lot more subtly than I could. He. So, back to the forgotten main point of this thread - **Anaamika** , did you rent Fawlty Towers last night? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/38 "2005-04-28T18:41:09Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > He. > > So, back to the forgotten main point of this thread - **Anaamika** , did you rent Fawlty Towers last night? No, I’m going to get it on Friday! And watch it over the weekend. sandwiched around HHGG! WOOHOO! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/39 "2005-04-28T18:44:31Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > That said, there’s not necessarily a direct correlation between largesse like t-shirts and food and expecting the cleaning staff never to fuck up. But it’s reasonable to think that that could be a motivator. I didn’t expect them to never fuck up. I just added that stuff to show we had a relationship with them. It’s not like some offices where people never even see them. So they could have come and asked us the next day. Also, they’re not technically supposed to pick up until after 5 - yet FedEx man came a 4:50 and found nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419/40 "2005-04-28T19:00:24Z")
A classic ploy when the cleaning guy is attempting to steal something is to put it in the trash. Surveillance is usually tighter in the office than on the company’s garbage. A previous employer lost untold thousands worth of equipment to this type of theft. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cleaning-people-threw-out-my-fedex-packages/301419.md?page=3)