Are you a "pen keeper"?

1. 93

   Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years ago

   Are you a "pen keeper"?
   
   When you visit doctor offices or any place where you have to fill out paperwork, do you keep the pen the receptionist gave to you?  Or do you return it with the paperwork?

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2. 92

   lisavollrathposted 9 years ago

   As an artist, I'm incredibly particular about pens. I loathe cheap ballpoint pens! There's not a single ballpoint pen in my house, so for the most part, it wouldn't occur to me to take a pen. Unless they hand me a black Uniball fine point, they can keep their pens!

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Now a Uniball would tempt me. In fact I have one I kept last week from my spine doctor's office.

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3. 86

   M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

   I carry a pen with me so I don't need to keep theirs. Too often did I find myself without a writing utensil, so now I just carry one everywhere. (They're all super cheap so it doesn't matter if I lose one.)

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I carry pens in my purse, but sometimes one feels so right in my grip that I keep it. My doctor's receptionist last week said, "oh, that's okay. We just keep refilling the holder because we put the pens there for our patients."

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4. 94

   peeplesposted 9 years ago

   I keep EVERYONE's pen! Everyone! If you have a pen, don't let me use it! It doesn't matter if it is cheap, ugly, writes horribly, doesn't matter! If a pen comes to my hands it becomes mine. Most of the time I don't even realize I kept it until I find it in my purse. The good thing is, my children always steal my pens, so I always have back ups hidden at the bottom of my purse.

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      My sister does that. Once a pen is in her hand it is like glued there.

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5. 90

   Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years ago

   Many times at the end of the day, I find that I have more pens than when I started the day.  I don't know how they get there. Maybe they multiply!  I am making a concerted effort to make sure that I return any pens that I borrow.  I think it is stealing unless they say you can have it.  I've seen many cashiers hunting for pens since theirs were taken.

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Now I feel guilty for keeping pens that aren't mine. I will follow your example of the effort to return pens. Thanks.

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6. 59

   Penny Gposted 9 years ago

   Actually, I ask what they have they wouldn't mind me taking home. I worked in Doctors Offices, just cleaning but they always gave us pens, gadgets act. They had so much.

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Well, that is a good way to do it. Thanks, Penny.

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7. 60

   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   I keep one pen in my pants pocket (for places where there are no pens), one on my desk, and one in the kitchen.

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good idea, Kevin. Thanks.

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8. 64

   Loretta Lposted 9 years ago

   I usually am quite good at returning them. Almost all of the time.

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is nice. I think pens are like puppies -- they get attached to whoever is holding them.

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9. 87

   MizBejabbersposted 9 years ago

   I usually carry a pen or two that I like, like an inexpensive gel pen, but if I use one at a professional office, I always try to hand it back. As one person said, I don't like cheap or worn pens either. However, if there is a large container of pens with the office name on them, I may ask if they are for public distribution. If their answer is affirmative, I take one.

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   1. 93

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I never thought of that, but you are right. If their name is on the pen, it is advertising. So, it is good to ask if you can keep it.

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10. 0

    sheilamyersposted 9 years ago

    If I borrow a pen to fill out paperwork or the rare time I need to write out a check, I always give the pen back to the person who let me use it. Usually the only time I find myself keeping a pen is at work, but only if it's the generic pens the company buys by the box full. Since I usually have one of those anonymous looking pens, when I borrow one it's easy to think it was mine and I tuck it in my pocket. However, I do return it when I figure out I then have two pens in my pocket.

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    1. 93

       Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Sheila, when I worked in an accounting office I was the one to keep control of supplies inventory. I had to order generic pens, at least two boxes a week. Those pens disappeared fast !  It is good to make the effort to return pens. Thanks.

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11. 71

    Alastar Packerposted 9 years ago

    Lost and seek, Lost and seek, heavens NO! lol

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    1. 93

       Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Good answer, good answer.  LOL

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12. 79

    jlparkposted 9 years ago

    I'm a nurse - you never give us a pen. We're so used to using a pen at work then putting it back in our pocket that we do it with any pen!
    I have quite a number at home - mostly ones I had on me from work, that I didn't remember to put in the pocket of my next days uniform to take back!
    
    So, yes, I am!

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    1. 93

       Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Hahaha - my Mother was a nurse and she brought home pens all the time. She said "A nurse never has enough pockets or  pens."

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    2. 79

       jlparkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Your mother sounds like a wise woman - it's true, never enough pockets, or pens

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13. 47

    SimilarSamposted 9 years ago

    I always give the pen back! I used to work in a position where I would give people a pen to use for a form and I hated the pen keepers!

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    1. 93

       Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Ah ! You were on the side that gave.

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