Take a penny, give a penny?

Question

The gas/convenience store that I frequent has a tray near the register. There is a note above the tray which reads 'take a penny - give a penny'. If someone takes a penny from the tray, is that person ethically obligated to give a penny back to tray at some point? Is it ethical to take a penny even if you don't need it at that moment, but think you will need it later? The tray occasionally contains dimes or nickles. Since the note doesn't mention those coins at all, can those be taken without an ethical obligation to return like coins to the tray in the future? If someone needs a penny but doesn't take one, have they contributed to the tray in any way?

Answer 1

You got a good point there. I am sure when you are standing at the pearly gates, someone will be there with the penny tray tally sheets. Perhaps the old adage best applies: It's better to give than receive.

Answer 2

To answer your first question: No; 2nd question: No. You don't take it unless you are short on money or a penny or the exact change. If you need 5 more cents, use 5 cents out of the tray. ; Your 3rd question: No If you have extra pennys you can give to a tray anywhere, not that specific tray. Someone helps you out, you help someone else out. Your last question: If they need one and don't take one they are stupid. I would say, no, they haven't contributed because in a way, in the situation they are in, their "contribution" would be to accept the coin someone left there for someone else in need to use.

Answer 3

The implicit purpose behind the change tray is to help someone who would have to break a dollar bill to cover a purchase that goes just over a round dollar amount--e.g., $1.03 or $11.02. I would never consider taking even a penny from the change tray if I were not short but a few cents on a purchase. Whenever I have spare change, I always give to the change tray.

Answer 4

Yes,ethically,you are obligated to give a penny if you took one from the tray. It is only common courtesy. But about the other coins(dime,nickel) I wouldn't touch those unless needed at the time of your purchase. Then you can give the same amount in pennies at sopme other time in the future.

Answer 5

I think you are ethically obligated to leave a penny that you don't need, even if you have never taken one.

The process of taking and giving could not have begun unless someone gave first.

Answer 6

I dunno just when you take a penny if you can somehwere down the line give a penny back! And as for the other coins I guess if someone gives a nickel they are giving it up for someone else to use and once again what you took you should replace if you can sometime down the line! Good question, lol I kinda tried to answer it based on what I think and know!

Answer 7

why would you take something that you don't need?? if we lived our lives thinking of everything we will need in the future we would not be living in the present , we will be hoping for that future and wasting the present. and by giving a penny you're doing the same thing , nobody's there forcing you to do it , you do it cuz u want to , if pennies were really needed at that moment then yes why not give one but if not then just decide wether you want to or not.

Answer 8

Dude, relax - it's a penny. I leave them when I get one or two, and I take them when I need one or two. It all balances out in the end.

Answer 9

I don't think so. Easy come, easy go. Or its like population control. If no one took them, they would overflow. So maybe its that you are morally obligated to take them, as along as its within reason, and not leave them if there are already too many.

Answer 10

wow. this made me laugh, or at least chuckle. give a penny/take a penny...just a way to get rid of your pennies.