Here is an example of how mistrusting we are these days: He set up a booth at a strip shopping center manned by grad students. It consisted of a table, a sign stating "FREE MONEY" and a stack of bills: sometimes 1 dollar stacks, other times $10, $20 or even $50.
They checked the reaction of passers-by. Here is how it went:
"MAN:(warily approaching the booth and eyeing the $50 bills) Is this a trick?
Student: (Smiling) Absolutely not.
MAN: Is there something I have to sign?
Student: Nothing to sign.
MAN: There is a catch.
Student: No.
MAN: Is this for real?
Student: Yes. Help yourself! One to a customer.
Reassured, the man would look around and help himself to a bill. He would then hold it up for a second, as if waiting for something to happen. Then, he would turn around and begin to walk away. His pace would eventually pick up, and he would disappear around the corner."
When $1 was offered, only 1 percent of those who passed by even stopped.
But even when they offered $50 only 19% of passers-by took a bill.
19%!
We are a mistrusting lot!
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