8 Things People Expect for Free

Most goods and services can justify a cash exchange because you’ve come to expect what costs money and what doesn’t. However, with parking, the lines are blurred. In the end, you’ve tasted the sweet nectar of Free Parking and it’s now a test of pride whether you’ll buckle and pay the faceless metal box or stick it out and find that hidden gem of a free space.

Somewhere in Thomas Jefferson’s list of unalienable rights, it lists Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness – and access to a bathroom. Whether it’s in our home or offered by our city’s public works, there are certain things in this country that we’ve come to expect for free and relieving ourselves in decency is on that list. Those that choose to charge for the facilities are practically playing God.

  

 

Clearly, credit cards are not free; however, with the amount of money that you hand over to these giants on a yearly basis, wouldn’t you think that we could bypass the annual fee? Yes, these companies offer a service but it seems that being in the business of collecting people’s money would have favorable margins.

 

 

Across history there have been many rituals that commemorate a boy’s passage into manhood. This graduation from adolescence has had many faces but the most modern version is in the shape of a Gillette razor. Yes, every young man in his teens can expect a free gift from Gillette in the mail – a shiny Mach3 Razor to help you navigate manhood.

 

 

 

Remember the days of paying an arm and leg for travel and not being up-charged for bringing your personal belongings? It seemed basic enough and we enjoyed the free service. In that golden age you could trust that your lump sum would get you from Point A to Point B but recent airline cutbacks put an unfortunate end to that. Who knew such inefficient companies could become even more inefficient?

 

 

 

As Americans, we love to dip our food in more food. Side sauces? Yes, please! You’re most likely to find it at a penny-pinching fast food restaurant but the simple request for “more ketchup” or a “side of ranch dressing” can quickly turn into a dance of nickel-and-diming. At this point you’ve already paid for your meal, so it’s irritating to scrape up a lone quarter to purchase a side of BBQ sauce.

 

 

 

A standard trip to the dentist is nothing shy of a series of traumatic and violating events – the least they can do is offer a parting gift. Occasionally accompanied by some dental floss, toothpaste or fluoride tablets (if you’re lucky), at the very least we’ve come to expect our dentist to hook us up with a free toothbrush with their bright and shiny name and contact info inscribed on the handle.
 

Once the hefty plane ticket and the absurd checked-baggage surcharges are tallied and totaled, one would think that the airlines had had their fill of your dollar bills. Wrong. While many airports are kind enough to offer free wi-fi, as a distraction from their other lackluster services, it is a wonder that some airports are getting away with yet another robbery.