As I stood outside the Louis Vuitton store in San Francisco, I was struck by a notice that seemed to condone shoplifting up to $950.
This revelation sparked a series of questions and observations about the nature of deviations and misdemeanours in society.
Is this tolerance a reflection of the inability to eradicate shoplifting or does it suggest that criminalizing such acts is no longer an effective deterrent?
Does it imply that shoplifting is acceptable as long as it is within a certain threshold?
Similar instances of unchallenged misdemeanours can be observed in other parts of the world, such as the brazen fare evasion at Oxford Underground Station in London.
These examples led me to ponder the parallels with occurrences in Ghana, where sentiments often revolve around the perceived impunity of certain actions.
It appears that society has an unspoken tolerance for deviations, acknowledging that they are an inherent part of human nature.
This acceptance doesn’t mean we should allow such behaviours to escalate but rather that we should strive to minimize them while focusing on the greater good.
By acknowledging the inevitability of minor deviations, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.
In business, principles like the 80/20 rule and the loss leader strategy demonstrate that some deviations or losses are acceptable if they contribute to the overall growth and productivity of the organization.
Similarly, in society, we can learn to tolerate minor transgressions while emphasizing the importance of fairness, respect and responsibility.
Ghana, with its unique cultural identity and values, can draw strength from its peculiarities.
By embracing our differences and acknowledging the inevitability of minor deviations, we can work towards building a stronger, more resilient nation.
Our model of businesses, politics, service enforcers, identities and attitudes will ultimately shape our greatness, despite the small misdemeanours that may arise.
Moreover, this unspoken tolerance can also be seen in the way we approach social issues like mental health, addiction and poverty.
Rather than stigmatizing individuals, we can work towards creating support systems that address the root causes of these issues.
In conclusion, embracing deviations and misdeamenours in society requires a nuanced approach.
By acknowledging the complexity of human nature and the inevitability of minor transgressions, we can work towards creating a more inclusive, compassionate and resilient society.
