More from The Weird World of Craigslist

Bostonist likes to think that we know a thing or two about the black market, and that we have at least heard about most of the major subcultures out there. But apparently, there is one practice going on right here in Boston that we never even imagined: The trading of stuff stolen from hotel rooms. Don't believe us? Just look at this craigslist ad:

will trade "No smoking sign" [sic] for....

I have a 2"-3" no smoking sign that was taking [sic] off a hotel door looking to trade for a hotel ashtray.

Now, the fact that someone would steal a "No Smoking" sign doesn't stun us. (This) Bostonist, in younger, more foolish days, couldn't resist prying off all the adhesive signs in airplane bathrooms every time we flew anywhere. But we did this to be able to stick them in weird places later (because there was something irresistibly amusing to high school Bostonist about a cop car with a sticker on it that said "Press Here To Flush"). What we find perplexing is the desire to trade. Are there people out there swapping pilfered towels and Gideons' bibles in the quest for the most complete collection, like so many Grateful Dead concert tapes? This is weirder than the grownups who wear diapers for kicks.

Image: What could Bostonist get in trade for some Hilton soap?