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Materialism in Elementary School aka The Lost Lunch Box

Back in the late 70’s early 80’s, Tupperware came out with this lunch box which for for all intents and purposes was inspired by a Japanese bento box.

We weren’t well off enough to splurge on Tupperware, nor did my family like to waste money on things that had simpler utilitarian alternatives (brown bags). So I’m pretty sure when I DID get one (after much parental convincing), it was close to the only Tupperware in the house and I treated it like the Ark of the Covenant.

I kept it so clean, mothering it, polishing it dry, all for the next day’s lunch adventure. Then after maybe a month of ownership, perhaps even less, it was stolen.

Two days later, I accused another student of stealing it because she had the exact same model and I could see my name scrawled on the bottom before she yanked it closer to her chest to hide my handwriting.

I never pushed the issue. I don’t know why. I think I was partially mortified that someone that close to me (small school) would do something so horrible. I was also smart enough to realize that if I asked again, the name might be removed so it was a pointless venture to try to ask or point it out again.

I felt injustice by my own hand by not doing anything. People steal, this wasn’t a new concept, but friends or classmates stealing and then protesting their obvious theft? I was dead inside after that. Dead to material ownership of things. Why bother lusting after something everyone wants? Someone will just take it. It’s not worth it.

I still miss you lunch box.

Photograph Provided by Vintage Goodness with permission. See Below for more Info.

I hope your new owner thinks about her theft every day and that it has carved a deep, stale, tupperware-plastic, smelly hole in her heart.

This post was inspired by a Reddit user posing the question: What mild injustice was done to you as a child that you are still mad about?.  I recommend you read the other responses, it will be an interesting respite from the harsh day.

The amazing photograph of The Lunchbox was published with permission by Mitzi Swisher of Vintage Goodness. Check out her fabulous blog for all things mid century.