We were sightseeing and noticed a table full of books on a sidewalk, sitting there and no one insight. There were no takers, unattended. I thought someone was playing a trick on us. Perhaps, the person was sitting in the corner somewhere, hiding from the sun… because really, let’s face it, who does this now-a-days?! No one. It is unheard of, no longer a familiar sight!

The answer came to be as we got closer. It was all about the Honor System. They put so much faith in the residents and us visitors alike that they were confident we would “honor the system”. And why not? I take my hat to them because they would not be caught dead doing this in some places. The books would have been gone in a manner of minutes, on their way to becoming someone’s tissue or rapping paper.

Harvard Square

Like the box says, browse through the books, find one that you like, pay for it by dropping the money in the locked metal box and walk away with the merchandise. Simple as that! Who does that? They do!

And it got me thinking…

Honesty 101

First, you trust people will drop the correct amount.

Second, you hope people will not walk away with the merchandise without paying.

Third, you make sure that cheaters are not lurking.

Forth, glad to see that there are still some honest folks out there.