more participants at Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday
Wikipedia explains that Kleptomania is an irresistible urge to steal items of trivial value. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value. Some kleptomaniacs may not even be aware that they have committed the theft (more about kleptomania here)
Long ago when we had often supper invitations or cocktail parties, we were invited by a collegue of Mr. G. for a cocktail party. There were several couples I don't remember, but one was really special. Before they arrived our friend told us to be careful because the wife of P. was a kleptomaniac. I had never heard about this disease, and he explained me, that Nicole stole little things in each house where they were invited. She stole and her husband brought the things back the next day. I found this really funny at that time, because I imagined myself stealing spoons or figurines or whatever and Mr. G. bringing them back the next morning.
This time she stole 2 silver spoons and a little silver plate, which P brought back the same evening, because he had checked his Nicole's purse and had found these things.
She was a very sympathic and beautiful woman, had a lot of charm and nobody ever would have believed that she was a kleptomaniac.
We met her often at suppers, parties or cocktails and I really liked her. And each time it was the same. She stole little things, and once even a perl necklace, and her husband brought all back wherever they were invited. Finally I did like the others, I found it normal, she was like that and that was it.
Fortunately she never stole in a shop only when she was with friends. Hard to explain such a behavior, she consulted psycologists and psychiatrists on her own wish, because she knew what was "wrong" with her, but nobody could help her. So she accepted her disease together with her husband and was even able to make jokes about it !
She was the first and only Kleptomane I ever met. Once in our house she stole a little "bonbonnière" in ceramic (A small, ornate box ) without any value and I hadn't even noticed that it was missing. Next day I got it back from her husband with a twinkle in his eye ! Today I wonder if he didn't find it exciting that he had a "thief" as wife !
Haha. Kleptomania doesn't only apply to humans. Check out this cat : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDX7tevXO1E&feature=fvst
ReplyDeleteHe probably had to take on that attitude in order to deal with it. Humor and acceptance. AS long as he didn't take her into the jewelry shop!
ReplyDeleteOh boy! That usually applies to kids lol
ReplyDeleteI don;t remember how many times I went to the store and my littel Nick would grab things. I'd go to the cash and pay and then I'd go out into the mall and sit down to check things out and wouldn't you know it I always jumped a foot i n the air when I would find something he put in there I didn't see.
Then I'd tell my older son to bring it back to the store to the cashier and tell them the baby took it.
But it was a routine I did every time I went to the store because last thing you want is to be arrested for nothing.lol
Really interesting post. It must very difficult for sufferers that know they have the disorder.
ReplyDeleteNo, I've never met any. She's some character! (and so is her husband who has to deal with this!)
ReplyDeleteGreat *K* post – such an interesting & reflective post.
ReplyDeleteHave a good Alphabe-Thursday and look forward to *seeing* you soon.
Alphabe-Thursday
I don't know of any kleptomaniacs among my friends. It must be frustrating that no one has been able to help her.
ReplyDeleteI know someone who is a kleptomaniac. Hubby's nephew's wife is a klepto he did not even know it then one day hubby was informed that his nephew and the wife file divorce because she did not tell the truth that she is a klepto then she also endanger the daughter of the nephew since the wife was caught stealing things in a store. She is in prison now because of what she done...Anyway, my first time joining the meme..
ReplyDeleteGattina, what a great story! It is a really sad mental disease, however. I could say something here about the kleptomaniacs in politics, but I will refrain.
ReplyDeleteSend me a photo of you when you were a child. When you read my latest post on KIDS, you will learn why.
xoxo
Terrific story, albeit sad in reality.
ReplyDeleteHow sad, what a sweet patient husband she had...
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story.
ReplyDelete=)
PS. Not related to kleptomania, but your post made me think of this:
My friend once had a dinner party. At every place setting was a wrapped gift. We couldn't believe she ahd bought us all gifts because we were so poor back then, (young parents). When we opened them, we laughed to find that she had come over to each one of our houses at one time or other during the prior month and "stolen" something from us. Her gift was returning it. So, so funny!
No I've never met a kleptomaniac. It must make life interesting to live with a person like that!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, what a story, what a woman. How very odd. I wonder what could start this kind of behavior... Very interesting indeed.
ReplyDeleteOut in society today, she might get locked up. Luckily her husband was so understanding. But he might not always be at her side, and that's sad {:-Deb
ReplyDeleteIve never met a kleptomaniac. I loved the cartoon!!!
ReplyDeleteMy brother has klepto cat. Every morning he cleans up the stuff it has brought back from the neighbourhood. He finds bills, towels, gloves, sponges, etc. Weird! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteThe cartoon is funny! In all my years of counseling, no one ever came with that problem to me. It's nice that everyone reacted to well to her!
ReplyDeleteinteresting that you knew someone with this disease and all those around her accepted her.
ReplyDeleteKleptomania has figured in a couple novels I've read.
I have a relative with this habit.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty awful.
She doesn't return things and, later, when you see something at her home she gets very angry if you mention it.
I have taken to checking her purse if she is visiting me for 'my things' and when I see something that is mine at her home, I just quietly take it back.
I've never really been sure how to handle this whole thing.
Thanks for your post today. It made me think that maybe I need to do a bit more about this problem!
A+