- The Daily Coach
- Posts
- Doing the Right Thing: The Shopping Cart Test
Doing the Right Thing: The Shopping Cart Test
Returning the cart is a small act of kindness, a sign of consideration, and a willingness to take a few extra seconds to do what’s right.
In partnership with
Going to the supermarket offers a glimpse into our true nature. It’s not about where we park or how much we spend, nor do the items in our cart necessarily reveal our character. Every person has unique tastes, and no two shopping carts look alike. The real clues to our self-governance aren’t in what we put in the cart—but rather, in what we do with it afterward.
Before stepping into the market, we grab a cart from the entrance. It provides space for our groceries, so naturally, we want a cart with smooth wheels and no leftover trash inside. Once we’ve checked out and loaded our items into the car, what happens next?
Do we return the cart to its designated place, or leave it behind for someone else to handle? Returning a cart is simple, requiring only a few seconds of effort. Supermarkets may not enforce a rule to return carts, as they often employ people to gather those left behind.
The “shopping cart test” offers insight into a person’s makeup: Will they do the right thing when no one’s watching or when there’s no reward? Returning the cart is a small act of kindness, a sign of consideration, and a willingness to take a few extra seconds to do what’s right.
In her article, Why Don't People Return Their Shopping Carts?, Krystal D’Costa explored this phenomenon for Scientific American. She noted that people often have reasons for not returning carts:
The receptacle is too far from their car.
They have a child they don’t want to leave unattended.
The weather is unpleasant.
They have a disability that limits mobility.
They perceive it as someone else’s responsibility to collect the carts.
They want to leave a cart available for the next person.
D’Costa also identified categories of cart users:
Returners: Always return their carts, regardless of distance or weather. They feel a sense of obligation and empathy for those who collect the carts.
Never Returners: These people never return their carts, believing it’s the store’s responsibility to gather them.
Convenience Returners: Return their carts only when parked near a receptacle or if they see a cart attendant.
Pressure Returners: Return their carts only if an attendant or nearby driver is present.
Child-Driven Returners: Often have children who enjoy helping, sometimes turning cart returns into a game.
D’Costa’s research suggests that those who don’t return carts aren’t necessarily bad people. However, those who do tend to approach everything with care and attention to detail. Returning a cart may seem trivial, but as the great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right now, how are you going to have time to do it right later?”
Sometimes, the little things become the big things. So, do what’s right—even if it’s a tad inconvenient.
Whiskey: The Tangible Asset for Your Portfolio
Most people fail to diversify their investments.
They invest all their money in intangible assets like stocks, bonds, and crypto.
The solution - fine whiskey.
Whiskey is a tangible asset, providing a unique appeal compared to other investments. Casks of whiskey have measurable attributes like size, age, and weight, making their value indisputable. This physical nature allows for clear identification of issues and adjustments to safeguard future value.
Vinovest’s expertise in managing these tangible assets ensures your whiskey casks are stored and insured to the highest standards, enhancing their worth over time. Discover how this tangible, appreciating asset can enhance your investment portfolio.
