Should I Steal My Street Sign?

Question

i live on an american compound in saudi arabia but i go to boarding school in canada. im home for the summer and want to take back some momentos for my dorm room next year. i've been contemplating stealing my street sign, which is written in both english and arabic and would look pretty damn cool in my room at school. should i do it and risk A) getting caught in the act by compound security and/or B) facing the wrath of my parents who, somehow, wouldn't see the sentiment of my actions. any thoughts?

oh and they won't chop off my hands for doing so (but probably because i live on a compound so we have our own rules) .. oh the misconceptions of saudi arabia!

Answer 1

No! What about the poor saps who don't live in your area and will get lost forever in the 'burbs if you take it down. As a traveller, this is most annoying! Plus, the consequences seem like they far outweigh the potential reward.

Answer 2

NO! No matter how cool you think it is, stealing is never cool. Think about this: You steal the street sign and that night there is an emergency and the emergency personnel pass up the street because no street sign delaying the reaction time. Would you want to be the one in crisis only to not get help in a timely manner because some kid thought the sign would look cool in his dorm room. Even childish actions can have very real and dire consequences. By your descriptions it sounds as if your parents taught you better. and you are showing good judgment by asking. This tells me you really do not want to do it. Be a responsible adult and be proud of yourself. Now if you do take the sigh I hope you will wonder each time you see it if it delayed response time for someone in need. Good luck.

Answer 3

well i live in Saudi and i know the street signs aren't of much help anyway so take one a complementary from us lol just to keep the good memories oh and you are a girl don't worry about being caught ( Saudi security have issues with that believe me!)and the parents well then that's another issue but then I'm sure you can work that out

Answer 4

1. Take a picture of it... Oh, you've already thought of that...
2. Ask one of the local officials to give you the sign. Tell him/her that this would be a message to all your compatriots: people in Saudi Arabia are friendly and open minded. Maybe they he/she will give you even more things. Be smart.
3. DO NOT STEAL THE SIGN. You don't want the people in Saudi Arabia think that North Americans are thieves, do you?

Answer 5

Absolutely no. You could have someone take a picture of you under the sign. That makes sense. You don't want to go messing around in a foreign country even in an American compound. It is also stealing.

Answer 6

Take a picture, blow it up to life size, and mount it on a piece of wood that you can hang up on your wall. No one will know the difference.
There is a philosophy in the investment industry that says to balance your risks with the rewards. Is your reward (a cool street sign that most people really aren't going to care much about) worth the risk (getting caught be parents and/or security)? Sure doesn't sound like it to me.

Answer 7

Ok see if you can go to someone and ask if they have any old signs that you can have (or at least buy). The might have some they'll let you have. Otherwise, steal the damn sign but have some of your friends create a distraction and hide it under your bed so your parents won't find it.

Answer 8

Think of how you would feel knowing that you gave into to a petty, childish impulse. Think of how you will feel standing in the police station trying to explain why you stole the sign. Think of how you will feel when you parents find out.

Think of how you will feel every time you look at that street sign on your wall in your dorm room and it reminds you that you are a thief. That sign is not yours and you don't need to trade your honor for it.

My suggestion is to take a picture of the sign and have a nice 8x10 print made to hang on your wall. Leave the street sign. It's not yours.

Answer 9

No. They will beat you at the very least. but you will have to wait in a Saudi prison first because they have quite a waiting list. Ask the sign department if you can buy one and tell your college friends that you stole it.

Answer 10

You're going to do it regardless...you just want support...I'm behind you 200%. After you take it, just make an anonymous call about the sign missing; they'll replace it. Problem solved. Or pay a guy to do it for $20.