Headmaster's Weekly Newsletter -- Week 11

I was at an education trade show recently, and all the vendors had give-aways. Most of the time the “freebies” were discount Halloween candy but whether the vendors were offering treats or something to wear (like a pin or ball cap), each had something to give to people as they meandered by. I remarked upon it to a friend and was told that studies show if you give something to somebody, no matter how small, they automatically feel beholden to you. In short, the mini Caramilk bar I was eating was a sales tactic, and the guilt I was feeling was not because of its empty calories but because I had taken something and not given anything back.

Fast forward to this week. By courier, I received a really cool book entitled Launch from a uniform supply company. This is a $33 book (before tax) and with shipping represents a significant expenditure.

I also returned to my office one day and discovered I had been given a funky blue chair. It looks a little bit like a blue mushroom. It is valued at about $300 and is supposed to be really good for one’s posture as well as for fidgety students (or Headmasters?) as it swivels, compresses, and wobbles a bit.

I am waiting for the follow-up phone calls and emails from both the uniform and furniture supplier. They are coming for sure. Obviously, I cannot give back the Caramilk bar I ate, but in fairness I did actively reach into the vendor’s candy bowl and scoop it out. Maybe I owe them something? However, what do I do about the book and the chair that are in my office? I never asked for them. Do I owe them something? Are they mine to keep? Do I spend money to ship them back?

The book is a curiosity because it came from a uniform supplier but is not an article of clothing. The chair is from a specialist educational supply company. Does that make a difference? Are these bribes or samples? Or, are they “baubles”: something shiny and attractive designed to get my attention?

I am not looking for a new uniform supplier nor am I in need of new chairs right now, but if I was would I owe these vendors my business? I wrestle with these issues because, well, ethics are important and how I act reflects upon the School and our core values.

There is no doubt that we are all faced with these issues every day.  How many of us use a store or coffee shop washroom and feel compelled to purchase something, or try a food sample in Costco with no intention of purchasing the product? The funny thing is that I cannot even remember which vendor I took the mini Caramilk bar from. Maybe not the best sales tactic after all!