A_Muse_Mint101: Shopping Cart Theory-- “The shopping cart is the ultimate litmus test for whether a person is capable of self-governing."
“To return the shopping cart is an easy, convenient task and one which we all recognize as the correct, appropriate thing to do. To return the shopping cart is objectively right. There are no situations other than dire emergencies in which a person is not able to return their cart. Simultaneously, it is not illegal to abandon your shopping cart.”
"With no potential consequences for failing to do something and no exterior reward for doing so, returning the shopping cart to a place where it will not be in the way and is easily accessible to other shoppers and to store employees, this action becomes one of the simplest and best examples of moral choice."
“You must return the shopping cart out of the goodness of your own heart. You must return the shipping cart because it is the right thing to do. Because it is correct."
"The shopping cart is what determines whether a person is a good or bad member of society."
There's an alignment meme that corresponds to this ranging from lawful good being one who returns the cart back to store's stall inside to chaotic evil who hurles it into a ditch. The neutral trio is rather funny.
I'm unable to post more pictures, but you can search images for "shopping cart alignment". I do always return the carts to their stall, unless someone asks me for it or the cart collector employee is nearby collecting them; then I give them the cart.
Zlad: I don't think it's a good litmus test. At least here there's a bit of stigma attached to not returning your shopping cart, so that creates social pressure to do so.
And of course I always return my shopping cart out of the goodness of my heart.
A_Muse_Mint101: Yeah, it has a predominantly US-lean on its measure. The convenience of our shopping ways can desensitize people to thoughtfulness and consideration of others over the self-centered catering to their wants.
I think it has merit in a more general than specific context, here in the US.
“The shopping cart is the ultimate litmus test for whether a person is capable of self-governing."
“To return the shopping cart is an easy, convenient task and one which we all recognize as the correct, appropriate thing to do. To return the shopping cart is objectively right. There are no situations other than dire emergencies in which a person is not able to return their cart. Simultaneously, it is not illegal to abandon your shopping cart.”
"With no potential consequences for failing to do something and no exterior reward for doing so, returning the shopping cart to a place where it will not be in the way and is easily accessible to other shoppers and to store employees, this action becomes one of the simplest and best examples of moral choice."
“You must return the shopping cart out of the goodness of your own heart. You must return the shipping cart because it is the right thing to do. Because it is correct."
"The shopping cart is what determines whether a person is a good or bad member of society."
There's an alignment meme that corresponds to this ranging from lawful good being one who returns the cart back to store's stall inside to chaotic evil who hurles it into a ditch. The neutral trio is rather funny.
I'm unable to post more pictures, but you can search images for "shopping cart alignment". I do always return the carts to their stall, unless someone asks me for it or the cart collector employee is nearby collecting them; then I give them the cart.
What do you do?
And of course I always return my shopping cart out of the goodness of my heart.
I think it has merit in a more general than specific context, here in the US.