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Will you accept a straw from strangers? email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life3 years ago

The day was hot, but that was not what bothered me. I was walking from the train station to a shopping mall, and I was bombarded by noises from both the traffic and construction sites along the way. The noise volume was so high that I could not even hear the music from my earphones.

10 more metres. 5 more. There. I stepped into the cool comfort of the mall. Feels very good. I took a few steps forward and suddenly, a girl dashed out from behind me, from my left side, to block my path. She wasn't exactly fast, but she covered the distance in many hurried steps. It conveyed a definite sense of urgency.

I stopped. I had to stop, or I would have knocked onto her. I looked at her and saw that she was middle-aged, wearing office attire and donning a smile. So I asked her, "Do I know you?" She stuck out both hands and tried to shove something at me. What a "surprise". It turned out to be a handful of drinking straws. She said, "For shoppers". Despite her smile, I responded too quickly and too automatically. "Not interested, thanks". And I continued my walk.

With hindsight, why would I want those straws anyway? They were not sealed in packets so who knows how dirty they might have got despite the clean look. And it just strikes me as weird. Why on earth is this shopping mall giving out straws to shoppers? Surely they can afford something more expensive and practical?:P

So if you were me, what would you do if you were "confronted" by this lady under such strange circumstance? FYI, on my way out, I was met by another of her colleagues who tried to shove me some straws too. Do you accept strange things from strangers in public? Or will you actively approach them if you see them giving out things? Do share your thoughts.;-)


Will you accept a straw from strangers?
 
 
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anonymili (2895) response was accepted on 5/23/2007.
denotes best response.
tags:  strangers, straw, straws, free, freebies
 
31. myLot reputation of 90/100. timou87 (1523)   ranked 8,721 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

i wouldnt resuse such an act of genorisity! i mean this might be a simple and small gesture, but i would still be very much appreciative nonetheless. anyhow, im glad that there are still such nice acts of kindness still exists in this busy and hectic world that we live in nowadays.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

I wouldn't really label that as kindness or generosity though - since it is a shopping mall effort. This is commercialized stuff.

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32. myLot reputation of 64/100. paulinabhadra1577 (1407)   ranked 9,081 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

I guess they are just making themselves look like idiots! I am sorry lol, how can they give away straws? and with no cover, I am so shocked now, straws are so cheap, why would they do that for? who can give straws away to attrack costumers? I am kind of puzzled now, they could have given out something better like some examples, or something like that, but not straws for God's sake, I can go to any fast food restaurant and get as much straws as I want for free too, God, this is kind of funny though, well good luck to them if they think their cheap idea will work, I guess they are just hurting the image of their business doing this crappy thing.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

Yes, it is just so strange. You know what? I think I will write in to the mall to ask lol.

And you know what? I went to the website and got a funny runtime error. Can't even get that email.:P

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33. myLot reputation of 82/100. Strawberry_one (215)   ranked 3,193 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

If I were in the same situation I WOULD NOT have taken the straws from the lady. Who knows where they came from and why she was handing them out. As for your question about actively approaching someone handing stuff out, if it is something cool that I could use sure I'll head towards them but if they do not talk to me after looking for a second then I do not stay I move on and don't talk to them. As for the straw thing again that would have been WEIRD!


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

Yes, yes, I do agree it is very weird..

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34. myLot reputation of 82/100. Strawberry_one (215)   ranked 3,193 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

If I were in the same situation I WOULD NOT have taken the straws from the lady. Who knows where they came from and why she was handing them out. As for your question about actively approaching someone handing stuff out, if it is something cool that I could use sure I'll head towards them but if they do not talk to me after looking for a second then I do not stay I move on and don't talk to them. As for the straw thing again that would have been WEIRD!

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35. myLot reputation of 99/100. OURDEW (2391)   ranked 13 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

I don't except strange things from strangers. That is funny, I never saw anyone giving out straws. The only thing I see people give out are free is samples of food in the grocery stores. When I go to the mall, there has never been anyone giving out anything.


myLot reputation of 98/100. trinidadvelasco (9110)   ranked 152 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

one of these days you will experience to be handed some free items to include: shampoo sachets, toothpaste sachets, sanitary napkin samples, food additive packs, broth cubes, so many more. i usually take them and use those which are useful for me. i can give to neighbors those items which are of no use at home.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

Actually if getting free things isn't half bad lol.:P

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36. myLot reputation of 98/100. trinidadvelasco (9110)   ranked 152 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

if it happened to me, i would have accepted the straws. there is an old woman i know, who makes beautiful things out of straws. then she sells them in the city. it has been giving her a good source of income. but, to use the straws as they are intended for, no, i will have some doubts about it, too.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

I guess I should have taken them - then I could have snapped a pic and uploaded the image.:P

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37. myLot reputation of 98/100. ethanmama (1031)   ranked 2,192 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

That's quite weird. But, no, I probably wouldn't. Especially since you drink things with it, so any substance or microbes on them would get into my system. Maybe if it were something more practical, like wet tissues, sealed, of course.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

Maybe just take and use them for decoration.:P

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38. myLot reputation of 96/100. mssnow (4138)   ranked 93 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

Oh my Lord, if you handed me a bunch of straws I WOULD take them. But your special lol. But from a stranger probably not. I cant understand what in the heck those straws meant. Who know if she dug the out of a trash can or something. Maybe if they were wrapped but I would not take unwrapped straws thank you very much.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

They did look clean.:P

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39. myLot reputation of 98/100. bestre (1468)   ranked 647 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

In that case, I would still get the straw they are offering. There is really nothing harm in doing it. Besides I will not use the straw. Its just a sign of respect I guess. Maybe their working in that mall or in a particular booth within the mall. Its a way of helping them I guess. They too are tired of what they are doing. At least by getting some of their offers, they would be relieved. It doesnt matter whether we use those straws or not. In my case, I would really just take a few of those straws or any other offers I might get in the future.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

You are right. I should have taken them.

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40. myLot reputation of 97/100. GardenGerty (20272)   ranked 63 out of 38,167 in life   3 years ago

I have done product demonstrations, with the intent of selling what I was giving out. I wore gloves, worked at a workstation that I kept clean. I would not dream of giving out something that was not wrapped or served individually. I would not take the straws as offered either. In general most people will seek out the sample tables to try the item, or learn about it. I have taught how to make recipes, and given out lots of advise on how to serve things that I demonstrated. It was a fun job.


myLot reputation of 95/100. lordwarwizard (10401)   ranked 336 out of 38,167 in life  3 years ago

Good of you to find fun anywhere.;-)

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