THE RECTOR’S CORNER

REAL SIMPLE

Our daughter-in-law, Priscilla, for Christmas a year ago gave us a year’s subscription to the magazine, Real Simple. In truth, she gave it for Janice’s enjoyment because it is a chick mag. However, I have come to enjoy reading it despite some of the touchy-feely material and articles on cosmetics and hair products. But, I must admit that when I am in public I insert Real Simple into the middle of ESPN, the Magazine in order to read it incognito like when I was in high school and used to insert Sports Illustrated in between the pages of my U.S. History book to read in class.

Recently, Real Simple had a gem of an article entitled, 10 Everyday Ethical Questions, Answered. The article presented ten real life, common ethical dilemmas which we all encounter. I am going to list some of them without comment in order to allow you to determine your answers. If you want the author’s responses, then you will have to pick up Real Simple, February 2010, and of course, if you are male, also pick up the latest edition of ESPN, the Magazine for proper public cover.

• If something at a yard sale is far more valuable than the posted price, do I have to let the seller know?
• Is it considered stealing to take pens from a bank? What about extra napkins from a fast food restaurant?
• If a charity sends me free address labels and I don’t make a contribution, is it ok to use them?
• Is it unfair to move into better (open) seats at a sporting event or concert?
• My boss gave me credit for a project of which a colleague did most of the work. Should I accept the praise?
• Am I obligated to lend money to friends and family?
• If someone tells an offensive joke, is it my responsibility to speak up about it?
• Is it ever ok to sneak a peek at your child’s or spouse’s email?
• My boss asked me to cover for him/her on his/her expense report by saying I was at a meal when I wasn’t. Should I do it?
•  A parent in front of me in line at the grocery store is verbally shouting at their young child for apparent wrongdoing and then spanks them. Should I step in and say something? (This is my question and is not in the magazine.)

Real simple, huh?

The Reverend Canon Greg Frost