(no subject)
maradydd has found her fainting couch.
I think I need to make a GraphJam-style chart of the acceptability of scavenging things from the curbside, with item to be scavenged crossed with one's income. But for lj-land, here is a list of the rules:
Social Acceptability of Scavenging
1.Food is only acceptable to scavenge if you are homeless. In fact, it is acceptable for homeless people to scavenge anything, so they may safely be considered an exception to any of the following rules.
2.Appliances are only acceptable to scavenge if you are an electrician or mechanic, or have reason to believe they still work (such as a sign taped to them). Also, it must be a step up from whatever you already own of that appliance.
3. Furniture is acceptable if the likely value of the furniture matches or exceeds a certain proportion of your income. Exception: mattresses are never acceptable scavenging fodder.
4. Books are acceptable under all conditions.
It's point 4 here that makes me smile. I've left boxes of books at the curb and come back three hours later to find them picked through and 20% of the contents taken. People who wouldn't scavenge a lamp or something will have no hesitation about taking books from the trash. Books are not scavenged, they're rescued.
I think I need to make a GraphJam-style chart of the acceptability of scavenging things from the curbside, with item to be scavenged crossed with one's income. But for lj-land, here is a list of the rules:
Social Acceptability of Scavenging
1.Food is only acceptable to scavenge if you are homeless. In fact, it is acceptable for homeless people to scavenge anything, so they may safely be considered an exception to any of the following rules.
2.Appliances are only acceptable to scavenge if you are an electrician or mechanic, or have reason to believe they still work (such as a sign taped to them). Also, it must be a step up from whatever you already own of that appliance.
3. Furniture is acceptable if the likely value of the furniture matches or exceeds a certain proportion of your income. Exception: mattresses are never acceptable scavenging fodder.
4. Books are acceptable under all conditions.
It's point 4 here that makes me smile. I've left boxes of books at the curb and come back three hours later to find them picked through and 20% of the contents taken. People who wouldn't scavenge a lamp or something will have no hesitation about taking books from the trash. Books are not scavenged, they're rescued.