Cynic posted
>
>When faced with making a decision, most people will make a decision
>that they believe is least likely to result in negative consequences
>for themselves. Prohibiting an activity is usually less likely to
>rebound than saying "yes".
I remember many years ago, during a warm spell like this one, suggesting
to my wife that we get one of those portable disposable tinfoil
barbecues and take it down to the park for a picnic with the kids. She
said, "I think you'd better find out first if it's allowed." So I rang
the council's Parks & Recs department and asked. There was an audible
gasp at the other end: "Barbecue? Park? Children? My God! Absolutely
not! Can't possibly be permitted! Don't you realise what could happen?".
So we took sandwiches instead. A week or two later we were down at the
park again, and I happened to see a family with a disposable barbecue
doing just what I had wanted to do, and having a great time. Just for
fun I rang the council and said I had seen some people having a barbecue
in the park and whether anything should be done about it. The reply, of
course, was: "Barbecue? Park? Children? Sorry sir. Nothing we can do
about it. None of our business."
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Les Invalides |