Tuesday, July 26, 2011

On the Swiss plateau there are flowers for sale - and they work on the honor system. You pick, you pay...right into a little tin can.



My niece from California was recently visiting and upon seeing fruit for sale in the back of a farm truck, asked "How do they keep you from stealing?"

And I remembered back to my own childhood in Los Angeles, where my mind would have gone down the same inquisitive path.

"They don't," I reply. "If you steal, you just have to live with yourself."



The last sunflower for sale, standing alone in an empty field. We were too far from home, else little Darling would have taken her with us.

xo

15 comments:

Ola said...

this is an idea which probably could not work here:)

Joe said...

We still have honor system stands where I live. The folks that run them say there are very few people who don't pay.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I love the honor system and I love what you said to your little niece.

Out on the prairie said...

I use a lot of coin cans.My uncle used to say he made more when he put a sign up and said to leave what you felt it was worth.

TexWisGirl said...

love that they use the honor system! i don't know how well it would work here... sadly.

LOVE that last photo. just precious.

Judy said...

We have the honor system here as well...Mostly with the Amish. I totally love that last shot.

Changes in the wind said...

I have never seen the honor system at work.......but I like it. Just hope it works.

Meg said...

I love stores/sellers who base their work on the honor system. Sadly, it wouldn't work very well in many places. :(

Dawn said...

Oh I love things like this---the honor system. I wish it always worked like that (sigh)....
That last capture is absolutely priceless!!!!

Unknown said...

I always admired that Swiss system.
I think it never fails.
Wish all the world was like that.
It would be a better place to live.
Costas

Diane AZ said...

Yes, where I grew up in Los Angeles, the honor system would not work well. It might work in my current community, although I've not seen it. Adorable pictures!

lindasinklings said...

I once took a group of kids from Newark blueberry picking in a field in Pennsylvania with the same tin can honor system. They stood in open-mouth astonishment, hardly daring to believe there were people who would simply trust them...

Randy said...

I love that last photo! I hope your week has started out good!

Randy said...

P.S I would kill for a Banana Split but then my Weight Watchers leader would kill me.

penny said...

I wish the whole world would work on the honor system.. I know, I'm such a daydreamer but I just can't help it.
How lovely that you had family come for visit, Allison.

be well and happy,
Pam