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Another Sign That Appeasement Doesnt Work

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

October 11, 2007

1 Min Read
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Mike Buzalka

A German cottage owner tried to convince some burglars not to break into her premises by deliberately leaving food out for them, reports Reuters. She even included a polite note asking them to help themselves.

They did...to her stuff inside the cottage, which, like many German cottages, is often left uninhabited, making them tempting targets for petty thieves.

The woman not only misread human nature by assuming there is honor among thieves, but she compounded the mistake by making the food she left out so good that the crooks were motivated to look for more inside. Maybe if she left lousy grub they might have gotten the idea that she didn’t have anything better.

On the other hand, that might have made them feel insulted, and made them destructive, not just larcenous.

In any case, next time, we suggest that instead of goodies, she leave a German Shepherd. A hungry one.

The illustrations for FM's Just Desserts column are by Dave Clark. You can see more of his work at Clarktoons.

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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