http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x49799Oh my.
eyesroll (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-26-08 01:53 PM
Original message
Ethical dilemma regarding tomatoes.
Our neighbors have seemingly hundreds of green and ripe cherry and grape tomatoes on their vines.
We're expecting a heavy frost tonight. This'll be the first of the season. (It's October 26 in Wisconsin and there are tomatoes still live on the vine. But there's no such thing as global warming.)
If the tomatoes don't get harvested today, they'll likely die on the vine.
We'd be happy to provide the labor in exchange for some "commission."
But we don't want to steal or trespass. Our neighbors seem to be not home.
So...should we just let the tomatoes die?
Wait until the very last second tonight, then harvest if we can't get permission, since otherwise, they'd go to waste?
And then if we do...
Do we leave a box on their doorstep during the day tomorrow, with a note saying "we were expecting a freeze last night and didn't want your tomatoes to go to waste?" Do we disclose we took some? Are we overthinking this?
Hmmmm.
Like so many leftward "activists" and "protestors" and do-gooders, the eggroll primitive expects to be paid for a minor casual favor to, a good deed decent and civilized people do without even thinking themselves virtuous, for his neighbors?
kestrel91316 (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-26-08 02:06 PM
Response to Original message
1. Get out there and pick those ripe tomatoes, but leave the green ones (the freeze won't hurt them). Bring them inside, and leave a note on the neighbor's door telling them what you did and where to get their tomatoes.
If they aren't back in a few days, go pick the green ones, too. They will hold a long time and slowly ripen (the least ripe won't, but can be used as green tomatoes).
Your neighbor will appreciate your doing them the favor and may even let you have some.
wakemeupwhenitsover (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-26-08 02:37 PM
Response to Original message
2. How good are the weather forecasters in your city?
Ours suck. I mean really, really suck at it. Are they absolutely, 100 percent sure there's going to be a frost tonight?
What if you stole all their tomatoes and there's no frost. And what if you stole all their ripe tomatoes, there's no frost and they come home tomorrow expecting a lovely dinner of sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. You've just destroyed their dinner with your wanton looting that you've justified with this possible frost.
Just kidding. I have no idea what to do. I guess it would depend on how well you know them.
Well, around here, in this 80+% McCain-Palin red area, one wouldn't even consider if he knew the person or not; he's just cover up the tomatoes and go on his way, not even stopping to pat himself on the back for his good deed.
Grandma with the diverted intestine has the best advice:
hippywife (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-26-08 04:23 PM
Response to Original message
3. The best thing to do if you really, really want to save their tomatoes but are afraid to pick them is to go over and throw a couple of tarps or something over them tonight if they haven't come home. That way you've saved the tomatoes and haven't possibly alienated your neighbors.
eyesroll (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-26-08 05:24 PM
Response to Original message
4. Dilemma solved.
Our neighbor told us to go nuts--she had no plans to harvest anyway (she'd had far too many).
