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Irish people are honest...and here's the proof

Would you see this as free water?

HAVE YOU BEEN to Dublin Airport recently?

Did you leave refreshed and feeling as honest as a Finnish Mother Teresa? Or was your mouth dampened by the feelings of guilt and fear?

It may be because of the choices you made while standing in front of this.

Sold as a handy way to get ‘plane water’ without queuing (or paying extortionate airport shopping prices), customers are expected to drop €1 into the box before taking a bottle.

But, do they?

The DAA says yes. In fact, following a request from TheJournal.ie, it checked the exact statistics which showed that 92% of people who take water, pay for it.

“I saw one person count out the exact change one day,” says spokesperson Siobhán O’Donnell.

It has also turned into a very popular service, with many tourists remarking how “trusting” the Irish must be.

The box has also provoked much curiosity among travellers.

“Another family stopped in front of it with the parents explaining to the children that it is not free water and they must pay the €1.”

The trial display is located on the Shopping Street area of Terminal 1, just after security screening and before the Boots store.

Meanwhile, for those looking for free water, there are fountains available across the airport. In Terminal 1 at departures, arrivals and at each gate area; and in T2 at the check-in area, baggage reclaim, shopping area and the gate area.

What about you? Would you leave the €1 if you were taking a bottle?


Poll Results:

Yes, absolutely (11563)
I'd give whatever change is in my pocket (1134)
Nah (232)

More: Poor man returns thousands of dollars that fell out of security van

Read: What if company slogans actually told the truth?

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