No one does it, yet everyone knows someone who does.

No, it's not drugs, sex or even listening to the Backstreet Boys -- it's stealing cups and mugs from bars.

"I don't condone the practice," said Kevin Nick (graduate-business administration), an afternoon patron of Sports Café and Grille, 244 W. College Ave. "I've just been around it."

And that seems to be the story.

Few openly admit to the practice, but many do it.

Stylish beer glasses, mugs and shot glasses have always been hot commodities in bars.

However, cup collectors do not steal just any mug, rather, they seem to be a discriminating bunch with high standards.

"I am usually going for the real unique items," said Javier Tejada (graduate-business administration). "You want something crafted."

Nick agreed that distinctive mugs are a plus.

"I look for something with a handle," he said.

Although Tejada and Nick said they have never taken a cup or mug from a bar before, Tejada acknowledges stealing other items such as shot glasses and a drink shaker.

Jerry Roscher (senior-english) takes pride in his craft.

"I furnish my apartment with them," he said. "They're my glassware."

But don't misinterpret Roscher's actions as acts of social deviance.

"I am far from an habitual criminal," he said. "It's just sort of a fun thing to do."

However, stealing mugs is a "fun thing" local bar employees see a lot.

"Our owner is aware of it," said Justin Vannucchi, a manager at Sports Café. "It's just something you have to get accustomed to or else you'll go nuts."

While the employees at Sports Café are familiar with the craft, they don't seem to be overly upset when customers take the glasses.

"My roommates and I had them before I worked here," Vannucchi said, referring to the glasses the café serves. "It's just par for the course."

He also said shot glasses are popular.

"They're another hot commodity," he said.

While some see cup collecting as a sport and others see it as harmless fun, the employees at Champs Sports Bar and Grill, 1611 N. Atherton St., are not so amused.

"It's similar to shoplifting," said Champs manager Paul Dixon. "I understand people like to take them, but I don't think they understand the cost involved."

At Champs, if a customer is caught trying to leave with a glass, management does not allow the person back into the restaurant.

"When you have to start assuming some of the costs, it takes all of the fun out of it," Dixon said.

Cost or not, students continue to take the glasses from area bars to add to their collections.

"They're collectable because you can't find them anywhere else," Vannucchi said.