Ethics and Ice Cream

[oakenguy]

I went over to the Pru for Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day. When I got there I saw a line, but at the end of the line there was this clot of people eating from cones, and it wasn't clear where the line actually began.

ME: Is this the line?

WOMAN EATING CONE: Yup.

ME: But...you're already eating?

WEC: The rules just say you can only have one cone *at a time*.



I've been going to these for the last 3 years, and this NEVER OCCURRED TO ME. I still can't decide--greedy? Or brilliant?

Comments

[mdyesowitch.livejournal.com]

I think it's not just greedy, but also responsible for the decline of western civilization. When kids go trick-or-treating, they're taught to take one and only thing unless invited to take more by the giver so that everyone can have one and throughput is optimized. Why should you be forced to spend additional time waiting so someone who has already received something can receive it again.

Even if we assume you have infinite time to spend getting an ice cream cone, they have infinite time in which to hand them out, and there's an infinite supply of ice cream, I'd still object on the grounds that free cone day was intended to be "free cone" not "free stuff your face."

At least pretend to walk away before coming back. Don't stand in the line EATING your free cone while waiting to get your next one.

[kissedbythegods.livejournal.com]

I agree with this. Who really needs two cones? Especially with the obesity problem that we're seeing in North America right now. I'd almost rather see Ben & Jerry's doing a 100-percent-of-the-proceeds-go-to-charity day than a free cone day.

[magickcat.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. That's freakin' insane man.
Boyfriend drove he and I to Salem to get a free cone because I haven't eaten a single solitary thing all day (tummy ache) and ice cream helps, and both of us are broke, and what better than free Ben & Jerry's, right? (don't say free Cold Stone, we did that last week and they give you two bites, yeesh!) but anyway, WE thought it was bad when this parent who was completely barricading the entrance with her family said "You have to go in! It's free cone day!" while making it impossible to enter... but waiting in line for a second cone when you haven't even finished your first is just downright WRONG. I could go for more ice cream, yes... but that's just wrong.
I had a point here.. oh the proceeds thing... instead of tips today, everything in Salem's tip jar goes to the Northeast Animal Shelter. :)

[anadandy.livejournal.com]

I'd still object on the grounds that free cone day was intended to be "free cone" not "free stuff your face."

This. Exactly.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yes. On the walk back to the office I was thinking "there's a reason it's not 'Free ConeS Day'."

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

I think your last paragraph put your finger on what bothered me the most--the lack of effort!

Walking the four minutes to the scoop shop on Newbury Street for another cone? I'd applaud them.

Going away, eating the ice cream, putting on a hat and coming back so at least there's a pretense of deception? Enjoy your scoop, you rascal you.

Making loops through the ice cream line while you eat as fast as you can, like Homer Simpson in Hell's Donut Machine? Um, no. Not so much.

[anadandy.livejournal.com]

Homer Simpson in Hell's Donut Machine?

This reference is why you win at life :)

[redfishie.livejournal.com]

that's kind of despicable and made of greed. Not cool. If it wasn't free would they normally eat two cones? who misses out because they do? I know people who would turn away if the lines were like that.