How to influence a nation!

Global rulers draw upon a range of approaches to encourage citizens to comply with their chosen direction. For example, in Saudi Arabia dissuading women drivers relies upon the meting out of a few lashes, in Pakistan, mountainous paperwork attesting to ‘medical need’ dissuades the would-be merry-maker from ordering a beer on room service. In the UK, the powerful encourage the unclean proletariat to ‘be more green’ by taxing them for every molecule of CO2 emitted.

In France, where WH and I are enjoying a few months repose, the authorities are promoting recycling among the populace. Specifically, recycling garden and kitchen waste to fertilise home grown vegetables and similar goodies. Would failure to compost mean a trip to the guillotine or a hefty cheque to the ‘tresor publique’? We duly contacted our ‘bons amis’, the local dustmen who agreed to sort us out.

 

Within days we were telephoned; someone would come that afternoon. I looked out the window for a gentleman of Worzel Gummage appearance bearing one of those two pronged forks which hang on the walls of rustic barns. At three on the dot, Madame Composte, with swingy chestnut hair and a smart navy suit, arrived in a nippy silver Citroen. With elegance and grace she extracted her fare from the boot and laid it on view. Two large composting bins, a reuseable bag of ‘starter’, numerous colourful books, brochures and leaflets.

With standards of professionalism and client focus of which the Apple Store would be proud, she launched into her pitch. She was a lady who knew her compost and spent a full 30 minutes explaining optimum temperature, oxygen levels, PH and microbes. We were converted, a pair of veritable composting advocates. Whatever was all this quality going to cost, we wondered?   ‘Everything is guaranteed.’ she said ‘We will return your 15Euro* deposit if you return the bins or we’ll replace them in seven years.’ She bade a charming farewell, handing over her business card bearing a 24 hour free helpline. We will rest easy knowing she is at hand should we face urgent composting queries in the middle of the night.

Now that’s a good way to get the citizens to do what you want!

*Less than $10