fauxklore: (storyteller doll)
fauxklore ([personal profile] fauxklore) wrote2013-12-14 04:03 pm

Moral Dilemma

One of the things I learned from my mother is never to turn down freebies. If, for example, someone is giving out samples of granola bars or toothpaste or whatever on the street or at a festival, she will make an effort to walk past them several times to get a bunch of samples.

Last night's commute home was a pain. The 5:20 bus never showed up and the 5:35 got stuck in traffic. So it was late and I was grumpier than normal. There was a group of people singing Christmas carols at the exit from the metro station. They were also giving out "free gifts." (Er, if it isn't free, it isn't a gift, but that is another rant.) I accepted a canvas shopping bag.

That's something useful but it has a quote on it. A New Testament quote.

Do I:
a) toss the bag
b) give it to someone who agrees with it
or
c) use it anyway?

Or is there some way to embroider over the quote and nativity scene on the bag?

[personal profile] ron_newman 2013-12-14 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Either cover over the unwanted slogan and graphic, or leave the bag empty in a place where someone might find it and use it (say, a Metro station or a bench in a shopping mall).

I've actually stopped accepting free bags, no matter what is on them, because I just have too many now. Ditto for water bottles and T-shirts.
Edited 2013-12-14 21:34 (UTC)

[identity profile] mortuus.livejournal.com 2013-12-14 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
If b is easy (i.e., you have someone in mind and it requires little effort since it is, after all, just a canvas bag) I'd go that route. Otherwise, just toss it.

[identity profile] john sherck (from livejournal.com) 2013-12-15 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Hmmm... is it a quotation that you could doctor up, either changing portions or adding to it or otherwise subverting its meaning? I'm just looking for options here.

My suggestion....

[identity profile] jenfullmoon.livejournal.com 2013-12-15 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
Flip the bag inside out and use it that way.