Minor-League Ethical Quagmire

[danacara]

So I just took a spin to the candy machine for my late-day pack of Carefree. I deposited $0.50, depressed G-2, and out fired my pack of gum from the bottom row. But wait! Lo and behold, a second pack fell out along with it into the bottom area, which is covered by a black foldy door (you know the type).

So my question is: is it unethical to take the extra pack of gum?

[EROS]

Of course, Harvard students could answer your query in a second due to their strong foundation in PHILOSOPHY:) :) . On the other hand, Princeton graduates are left in a quagmire when confronting such choices:( :( ..................

[jsmith]

Has the machine ever taken your money and not given you any gum? In that case yes you should keep the gum.
Did the person before you deposit money and not get their gum?
In that case you should try to find the person to whom the gum belongs.
Was it a mechanical malfunction? in that case you can watch for the snack machine guy to come around and give him the money next time.
If you leave the gum on top of the machine or in the tray some one less honest than you will take it anyway.

[Sharon A.]

The real question here is do you really have a pack a day Carefree habit? That's a lot of gum!

Return it if you can, but if you just leave it in the bottom someone else will take it. If you can't return it easily, then enjoy!

[Kermit]

I agree that it would be best to return it if you could, but that would be hard. If you know what time the vending machine is usually refilled, you might be able to. Of course, when you tell the guy what you're doing, he'll look at you like you're nuts. :) Most people are usually very surprised when people try to be honest.

[GenePA]

Unless you know of another in front of you who got 'ripped off' by the machine, this is a non-issue! Take the gum and go on with your life!

[Kallison]

Keep the gum!! Of course I also sneak candy into the movies and last week I tried to get DH to sneak into Austin Powers III after Signs but he is so darn law abiding. No fun at all!

[BedKnobbery2]

I say keep the gum....and here's why! Sometimes, I'll put extra money in a soda machine (particularly at Walmart, where the sodas are cheap-cheap!), just to give the next person (preferably a child, but an adult works too!) a thrill at getting a free soda! So maybe you have a snack-fairy in your building who does the same thing! LOL


BK

Ps--(of course, now I have to wonder if the 'free soda' gives someone a thrill, or forces them to debate the ethical ramifications of having gotten it! LOL)

PPS--(and nope, I didn't 'rig' any gum machines today!)
:p

[DocRafiki]

keep it. i know i've lost more change in machines than i have gotten free snacks. it's payback :)