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How to Call out a Litter Bug Without a Punch Up

How to Call out a Litter Bug Without a Punch Up

Have you ever really wanted to call someone for littering & didn't know how?

Or maybe, like this person on one of our facebook groups, you just went ahead and flat out had a go. 


Here's what she said:

On the way the way to work this morning I saw someone drop some litter. I picked it up and said 'excuse me you dropped this'. The guy took it off me and put it into a trolley we were walking past.

So I said, 'That's not a bin' and he turned around furiously and said, 'How about you SHUT UP!' He looked so angry and red, but very muscly and tall. I couldn't help but laugh in his face!

He got so angry at such a simple thing I could see his veins popping in his neck.  I hope he goes home tonight and thinks about what he has done.  Do you think it's a good idea to call people out on their littering? Even if they could turn into the incredible hulk?

She got this advice from a guy in the group:

Yes. However in a different way. If you were a male there could of been a punch up. Recently I was taught to just pick it up and say I will recycle this or put it in the bin, saying I'll take care of this'. Make them feel bad rather than force it on them. Works best if they are with others.

This tip is written

The thing is that the guy's advice was spot on because he created a safe environment to deal with the behaviour without being confrontational. Anyone prepared to litter is more than prepared to defend their actions.

There is an old sales law called The Law of Psychological Reciprocity. The law essentially means that if you give people credit for their intelligence, they are morally and psychologically bound to give you credit for yours.

This is essentially a stealth version of that law.

In a sale, you are taught to use this law to respond to an objection like, 'It's too expensive,' by saying, 'Obviously you have a reason for saying that. Do you mind if I ask what it is?' (As distinct from, 'Hey listen idiot, why won't you buy it when it's clearly perfect for you and you can afford it?')

By picking up the litter yourself and saying you will either take care of it or recycle it, you are suggesting that the litterer obviously made a mistake, it's ok, and you will fix it. Suddenly you are also helping him with a problem he didn't even know he had.

What's he going to do? Most litterers will mutter and walk on, point made. Some will still have a go, but the risk of aggro is dramatically reduced and the point is still nicely made.

I saw what you did, but I am a lovely person. Please don't do it again. 

I swear to you - it's that easy.


Image: Neonbrand | Unsplash

 

Something incorrect here? Suggest an update below:
Science Notes
About half of all litter is cigarette butts, followed by fast food containers of all kinds (plastics), paper, cans and glass.

Men are 4 times more likely to litter than women. Millennials are more likely to litter than older people. 

Motorists seem to be the biggest litterers and beaches are still incredible trash cans for beach goers. 
Related Tip

Just because the ice is melting, the sun is hotter and the sea is rising, doesn't mean everyone gets that a reusable bag, an organic strawberry or a chemical free nappy is obvious.

Selling eco is like selling shoes. They need to look good on me for me to buy them.