The Power Of Guilt

The other day I went to the Post Office and accidentally stole a 10p envelope.

So the next day I went back and bought another 4, but told the man at the check-out that I had 5 and boldly handed over 50p.

Unfortunately, he thought I had 3 envelopes and tried to give me back 20p. Alarmed that I might get another free envelope, I swiftly "demonstrated" that I did not have 3 envelopes, but, of course, that I had 5 - when in fact I had 4.

Cunning.

Still, if you ever need an envelope and don't have 10p; I can recommend the Marchmont Street Post Office.

This event occurred on the 10th of April 2007.

This article is perhaps the first in a series on modern ethics.