Apparently, fresh produce isn't that far behind meat in terms of e.coli outbreaks. Spinach and strawberries had big problems a few years ago, IIRC. But whatevs. :)
I'm cool if people have some grapes in the store, whether they buy them or not. I don't know their situation. I don't usually do it though, I prefer to eat in private.
I don't call it theft, but I don't sample either, unless someone has them out for sampling and then only if it's a new variety or I'm not sure of the seller; I can tell by looking and feeling if they're ripe.
Also, I don't want to eat grapes that other people touched before deciding to sample a different grape. Or grapes that have pesticides on them. Wash them first!
Here's why I ask. This was kind of a trojan horse to think about the categorical imperative. -- Is it OK not to vote? My vote (much like my grape) isn't really detrimental to the system, so what's it matter? -- Is it OK to be rude to people? My rudeness (much like my grape) isn't really causally effective to the whole, so what does it matter? -- If I can't afford things and want them (grapes are not a necessity), is it OK to take them? Given that stores factor in some shrinkage into the prices, does that make it OK to participate in that?
I don't have answers to these, or to a dozen related questions. Do you?
It's mandatory to vote here in Australia. You can still Donkey Vote, but since you have to go to the polls, you might as well vote properly. I liken not voting at all to voting for the absolute worst possible candidate.
Being rude to people has a direct impact on the person you're being rude to. That's a big enough difference for me, except when my emotions sweep me away and I have a momentary lapse.
For the third one, that's a lot trickier. As someone who generally has the means to get the everyday comforts and knowing where the money for things I like goes, I definitely prefer to pay for those sorts of things - especially when I know the greater portion of the money is going to the creator and not to a big faceless company.
That said, I've been in a position where I could barely afford the bare necessities, so I don't judge those that get their grapes "for free"
TBH, since we shop at the farmers market, even stalls that don't have samples out probably wouldn't blink if I asked to try a grape or a strawberry or anything kind of odd, so it's easy to sample using a fully legit route. Shop farmers markets; they're friendly! :) I could easily get a full serving of fruit off samples if I wanted, guilt-free. (Ours takes EBT and gives two dollars credit per one EBT dollar, too, which helps with the cost.)
This got another vote yesterday, and I thought I'd do some analysis.
0: Contractualists, who do not violate their word. 1: People like me, who think it is AOK to violate a contract just a little. Around the edges. Utilitarians. 2: Folks in a bit more need, who need to make sure what they get fits what it is as promised. 5+: Please explain yourself, Ryan Ó Laoithe ! I'm thinking "anarchist", but that isn't very descriptive.
I picked that answer because I've been known to help myself to grapes even if I'm not buying grapes. just grab a handful. I've also been known to put link lady apples through as a cheaper, less delicious kind of red apple when I'm using self service check out.
yeah, it's theft. and i think any harm caused by it is negligible. it's basically a victimless crime. so I'd say it's okay. not gonna say it's necessarily moral or anything.
When thinking of victimless crimes, i try to ask what'd happen if everybody did it. That is, what happens if we universalize the behavior.
I think with a grape to five for samping problems, there's not much of a problem. Grapes get bought. Maybe with grazing on grapes there is? Because grapes get eaten but not paid for, so the grapes stop being revenue genertion and then they stop being carried and then i can't buy any grapes.
More like 'none, they're not washed'.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that, Michael Prescott ! I wash very few fruit and veg.
ReplyDeleteApparently, fresh produce isn't that far behind meat in terms of e.coli outbreaks. Spinach and strawberries had big problems a few years ago, IIRC. But whatevs. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah. I'm not necessarily defending not washing produce, I just usually don't.
ReplyDeleteExceptions for leeks and other things that are literally covered in dirt. Because that tastes bad.
I voted "none," but I wouldn't necessarily call it theft.
ReplyDeleteI'm cool if people have some grapes in the store, whether they buy them or not. I don't know their situation. I don't usually do it though, I prefer to eat in private.
ReplyDeleteI steal a grape on occasion. even when I'm not buying grapes.
ReplyDeleteAlso, peel bananas before buying them. That way you're only paying for the banana and not the peel.
ReplyDeleteNo so much theft as "these haven't been washed, and they're out where everyone handles them to check for mold spots."
ReplyDeleteI don't call it theft, but I don't sample either, unless someone has them out for sampling and then only if it's a new variety or I'm not sure of the seller; I can tell by looking and feeling if they're ripe.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I sample one. And then don't wash them.
ReplyDeleteFully two thirds have said zero! I am surprised!
ReplyDeleteIt's totally theft!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't want to eat grapes that other people touched before deciding to sample a different grape. Or grapes that have pesticides on them. Wash them first!
Here's why I ask. This was kind of a trojan horse to think about the categorical imperative.
ReplyDelete-- Is it OK not to vote? My vote (much like my grape) isn't really detrimental to the system, so what's it matter?
-- Is it OK to be rude to people? My rudeness (much like my grape) isn't really causally effective to the whole, so what does it matter?
-- If I can't afford things and want them (grapes are not a necessity), is it OK to take them? Given that stores factor in some shrinkage into the prices, does that make it OK to participate in that?
I don't have answers to these, or to a dozen related questions. Do you?
It's mandatory to vote here in Australia. You can still Donkey Vote, but since you have to go to the polls, you might as well vote properly. I liken not voting at all to voting for the absolute worst possible candidate.
ReplyDeleteBeing rude to people has a direct impact on the person you're being rude to. That's a big enough difference for me, except when my emotions sweep me away and I have a momentary lapse.
For the third one, that's a lot trickier. As someone who generally has the means to get the everyday comforts and knowing where the money for things I like goes, I definitely prefer to pay for those sorts of things - especially when I know the greater portion of the money is going to the creator and not to a big faceless company.
That said, I've been in a position where I could barely afford the bare necessities, so I don't judge those that get their grapes "for free"
TBH, since we shop at the farmers market, even stalls that don't have samples out probably wouldn't blink if I asked to try a grape or a strawberry or anything kind of odd, so it's easy to sample using a fully legit route. Shop farmers markets; they're friendly! :) I could easily get a full serving of fruit off samples if I wanted, guilt-free. (Ours takes EBT and gives two dollars credit per one EBT dollar, too, which helps with the cost.)
ReplyDeleteSamantha Anne -- you rang?
ReplyDeleteJesse Cox so weird, i just meant to +1 your comment about washing! Stupid phone app!
ReplyDeleteThis got another vote yesterday, and I thought I'd do some analysis.
ReplyDelete0: Contractualists, who do not violate their word.
1: People like me, who think it is AOK to violate a contract just a little. Around the edges. Utilitarians.
2: Folks in a bit more need, who need to make sure what they get fits what it is as promised.
5+: Please explain yourself, Ryan Ó Laoithe ! I'm thinking "anarchist", but that isn't very descriptive.
I picked that answer because I've been known to help myself to grapes even if I'm not buying grapes. just grab a handful. I've also been known to put link lady apples through as a cheaper, less delicious kind of red apple when I'm using self service check out.
ReplyDeleteRyan Ó Laoithe Is that theft? And is theft OK?
ReplyDeleteyeah, it's theft. and i think any harm caused by it is negligible. it's basically a victimless crime. so I'd say it's okay. not gonna say it's necessarily moral or anything.
ReplyDeleteWhen thinking of victimless crimes, i try to ask what'd happen if everybody did it. That is, what happens if we universalize the behavior.
ReplyDeleteI think with a grape to five for samping problems, there's not much of a problem. Grapes get bought.
Maybe with grazing on grapes there is? Because grapes get eaten but not paid for, so the grapes stop being revenue genertion and then they stop being carried and then i can't buy any grapes.
There aren't many "victimless crimes." Theft rarely falls into that category.
ReplyDelete