Litterin' on the Dock of the Bay

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because." I wanted to explain that littering was bad for the environment, or that it fouled the landscape. Mostly I wanted to tell him that not even swine defecate where they eat, as the old saying goes. But I didn't have the guts.

"Because it's illegal, and you can be fined hundreds of dollars for doing it."

"Really?" clearly I had his attention. "I didn't know that." He looked around furtively, wondering if he had been caught.

"Yeah," I said casually, "just thought you should know."

Later my husband commented, "I was surprised you took the economic approach."

So was I. But in the end, it may have been more effective. We all have our motivations, and fear of punishment may well be one of the strongest.

I wish it weren't. But in the meantime, I think I'll look into getting "Fines for Littering" notices posted down at the dock.

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