Someone’s been dumping their used doggy poo bags in our building’s front garden. In reply, one of our neighbours has put up a little sign that reads: “Pick up your Pooh bag”.
And I don’t disagree. Although I think it sounds like we’re offering little bags of poo for pickup. (How thoughtful!)
Also, poo and pooh are different things. We all know what poo is. Pooh, on the other hand, is an interjection expressing distain, contempt or a bad smell. But I think it actually works incredibly well in this situation. In fact, I can totally see myself offering up tiny bags of pooh (distain and contempt) to the public.
It does get me thinking: aside from the potential for misunderstanding, the sign’s creator has done a great job of choosing an action oriented, positive request (ie “pick up your litter”) vs a negative command aimed at prevention (ie “don’t litter”). It’s important to use the right tone in these circumstances, or we risk making the situation worse. I often wonder how we motivate people to do the right thing.
Which brings to mind the Shopping Cart Theory, a moral litmus test of sorts. The shopping cart theory posits that an individual’s capacity to self-govern can be assessed by observing whether, when no one else is watching, a person returns a shopping cart after use or abandons it. Their behaviour is a testament to their moral character and their commitment to the social contract. Some folks naturally return the cart; others need an incentive.
Enter the locked grocery cart. Because shopping carts are incredibly expensive, grocery stores introduced these coin activated locks to both prevent their theft and to incentivize their proper return. A simple but effective example of incentivizing good behaviour.
Although money can be very motivating, incentivizing desired behaviours doesn’t necessarily require a monetary benefit. Some other effective strategies, for influencing both yourself and others, might include:
- Specific Praise: Instead of saying “good job,” use detailed feedback such as: “I appreciate the way you tidied up the kitchen”.
- Non-verbal cues: Smiles, nods and butt slaps (note to self: butt slaps are rarely acceptable at work) can reinforce positive actions instantly.
- Offering choices: Offer a choice between two desired options: “Would you rather do the floors or clean the bathrooms?”
- Model the Behaviour: Actively display the behaviour you wish to see in others.
- Positive Attention: Spend quality time together, which is one of the most powerful motivators.
All of which brings us back to our poo bandit quandary. What can we do to discourage their bad behaviour? If we knew who they were, we might employ some of the strategies above. Ultimately, I think the sign we have now is our best bet. Although I’m considering less diplomatic versions in future, such as: “Keep your poo with you” or “Nobody wants your shit”.
I hope that’s helpful. And don’t forget to: “Pick up your Pooh bag” next time you’re in my neighbourhood.
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