With our story on the bootleg latte — Starbucks customers order espresso, add their own milk free at the condiment counter and then heat the drink in a microwave, thus saving $1.45 — we asked readers about some other ethically challenged situations. Here are the results.
1. Using your neighbor’s Wi-Fi
(3,020 total responses)
RIGHT: 31.7%
WRONG: 68.3%
2. Taking more than one newspaper from an honor box
(3,061 total responses)
RIGHT: 5.5%
WRONG: 94.5%
3. Walking off with that National Geographic you were reading at the doctor’s office
(3,057 total responses)
RIGHT: 11.8%
WRONG: 88.2%
4. Taking a roll of toilet paper from work
(3,054 total responses)
RIGHT: 10.8%
WRONG: 89.2%
5. Going to a buffet, stuffing half a dozen cookies into your purse when the staff’s not looking
(3,050 total responses)
RIGHT: 22.7%
WRONG: 77.3%
6. Taking a handful of ketchup packets from McDonald’s, refilling your Heinz bottle at home
(3,046 total responses)
RIGHT: 27.2%
WRONG: 72.8%
7. Taking a towel from your health club
(3,040 total responses)
RIGHT: 8.1%
WRONG: 91.9%
8. Taking several extra forks and napkins from the cafeteria
(3,042 total responses)
RIGHT: 50.2%
WRONG: 49.8%
9. Taking all the toiletries from the hotel room
(3,040 total responses)
RIGHT: 85.3%
WRONG: 14.7%
10. Taking a fistful of after-dinner mints as you leave the restaurant
(3,044 total responses)
RIGHT: 57.8%
WRONG: 42.2%
11. Cutting out an ad from a magazine at the library
(3,040 total responses)
RIGHT: 10.6%
WRONG: 89.4%
12. Taking pens and other supplies from the office
(3,040 total responses)
RIGHT: 26.5%
WRONG: 73.5%
13. Sampling from the salad bar before weighing and buying
(3,053 total responses)
RIGHT: 22.4%
WRONG: 77.6%
14. Returning clothes after wearing only once
(3,046 total responses)
RIGHT: 15.9%
WRONG: 84.1%
15. Making bootleg lemonade at cafeterias, by using free water, lemons and sugar
(3,048 total responses)
RIGHT: 57.0%
WRONG: 43.0%
16. Stuffing your purse with Sweet ‘n Low packets from the restaurant
(3,060 total responses)
RIGHT: 28.9%
WRONG: 71.1%
Poll results are not scientific
Source: chicagotribune.com
Chicago Tribune
