A true test of human nature:台南’s unmanned “honest” stores and flower shop

Reporter Li Zi-yi / Comprehensive report

Are humans inherently good or bad? When a store has no staff or surveillance cameras, would you still willingly pay for what you take? In the Tainan area, there are two “honest stores”—one sells flowers, the other drinks. The shelves are full of goods, with no employees watching over or helping with checkout. Whether or not you pay is entirely up to your conscience, making it quite a test of human nature. When a store has no staff, will you still “remember” to pay?

▲ FORT Gelato Cafe has set aside an area outside the café as a flower shop, showing great trust in customers—you can pick what you want yourself. (Photo/IG@karyq_1020Provided, please do not reproduce)

Honest Flower Shop by Fort

Located in downtown Tainan, near Chihkan Tower, FORT Gelato Cafe transformed the wall space outside the shop into a flower shop at the end of 2015. Seasonal small potted plants are sold here, each priced at NT$50. Simply put the money in a paper bag and drop it into the honesty box to take home your chosen plant. The charming setup has also become a unique corner near Chihkan Tower, where many people stop to take photos and check in, honestly buying flowers.

Address: No. 206, Section 2, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City

▲ %In addition, there is another market stall in the area that has no cashier, where you can take whatever you want and pay on your own. (Photo/IG@eating1222、qq.hsuanProvided, please do not reproduce)

Unmanned Sales Stall (Honest Store)

The “honest store” located in Tainan’s West Market was established in December 2014. The shop is filled only with refrigerated cabinets of drinks and bottled water. There are no staff or cash registers—just a sign that says “Unmanned Sales Stall” and a coin slot. Take what you want and pay what you think it’s worth—it’s entirely up to your conscience.

The owner of the honest store actually works within the market but prefers to keep their identity confidential, simply to avoid influencing customers’ voluntary honesty. According to the fan page of the Unmanned Sales Stall, the owner hopes that everyone can gain something from the “honest store,” whether it’s self-affirmation or using it as a teaching moment for their children. They believe “it can bring some positive change to society, no matter how small.”

Address: No. 28, Lane 16, Section 3, Guohua Street, West Central District, Tainan City