Moving at the Speed of Creativity by Wesley Fryer

Deterring bag shoplifters and trash depositors

I had a meeting this week at the Oklahoma Department of Education, and I found the following signs in the hallway on the third floor of the building rather humorous.

First, there were several boxes of bags sitting outside one of the offices. Apparently, at least a few people felt the availability of the bags in the hallway was an invitation to help themselves to a free bag. As a result, the following “Do Not Take Bags” sign was necessary on the side of one of the boxes:

Do Not Take Bags

I suppose I can partly see why people walking by thought these bags were being made available for the general public. If the owners didn’t want anyone to take any bags, perhaps it would be good to close the box?

In the same area, apparently some people in the past had seen the deposted boxes and figured it was a dumping area for other boxes of trash and unwanted items. As as result, the following sign (which can be paraphrased as “no dumping”) was posted:

This Area is not a repository for your boxes and trash

Often we bemoan or hear other adults bemoan the behaviors of children as “so immature” or “unprofessional,” yet I think we can often find adults in professional contexts who (for a variety of reasons no doubt) make poor choices. These signs reflect that reality, and also gave me a good laugh this week.

Technorati Tags:
, ,

If you enjoyed this post and found it useful, subscribe to Wes’ free newsletter. Check out Wes’ video tutorial library, “Playing with Media.” Information about more ways to learn with Dr. Wesley Fryer are available on wesfryer.com/after.

On this day..


Posted

in

by

Tags:

Comments

2 responses to “Deterring bag shoplifters and trash depositors”

  1. Ben W Avatar

    Oy…it’s been my experience that the teachers that get the most worked up about student’s being “idiots” are often the same people that bully and attempt to intimidate their colleagues.

    It’s no wonder these individuals always naysay self-reflection. I wouldn’t want to reflect if I was them either.

  2. Cathy Nelson Avatar

    Hey Wes, nice pictures. I wonder if that SDE is aware their stuff is pictured on your site? As far as teachers–I tell mine all the time that our witness (our choices in actions/behaviors) often conveys to kids our support or lack there of for rules and regulations. Case in point–allowing students to eat candy, etc in the classroom when the handbook clearly states no food, candy or drinks in the classroom. Many teachers also visibly drink drinks in their rooms in front of students. We are all undermining the handbook, and sending the message that some of the rules don’t have to be followed. By these folks placing these boxes in the hall open–even with their silly sign, the message being sent is JUST the opposite. I know sometimes space for storage is an issue. I sometimes must leave material out too. But I always cover it and put in in a less conspicuous place if I must leave it out. Sigh. Many times we are our own worst enemy.