Honesty kiosk isn’t your ordinary cafe.
It is unmanned and always open, allowing the customers to get what they need and trusting that they do the right thing and pay right.
One such kiosk has been set up by an Emirati farmer in the emirate of Sharjah.
Abdullah Al Qaydi, who keeps the stall stocked each day, said: “honesty is key to the success of the project.”
The Emirati trusts people to pay for what they take and plans to open more in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Dubai following the success of his first small roadside kiosk, just off the Maliha to Hatta motorway, the National reported.
Products are brought in each morning to the kiosk from Mr Al Qaydi’s farms in Maliha, RAK and Dhaid. Unsold produce is cleared away each evening in accordance with municipality hygiene rules. They are labelled with prices while a calculator and notepad are left at the stall near the cash box so customers can add up their purchases and list what they have bought.
Mr Al Qaydi said people’s honesty was such that he has never fallen short by a single dirham when the cash is tallied up at the end of day.
Some customers requested that the stall be open for business by 6 or 7am instead of 8.30am. But because the produce is harvested daily, it takes time for the goods to be loaded and transported.
The Maliha stall is now shut because of the summer heat but will reopen in September with plans for additional kiosks in October. The new kiosks could be solar-powered to generate energy to run a small fridge and lights. Produce such as lettuce, broccoli, kale, okra and dates will be added when the shop reopens.
There are similar honesty stores in the Batanes, Philippines that sell products of all sorts—from fruits and vegetables to soft drinks, and cooking ingredients.
Mr Al Qaydi’s idea has been met with support from the public and officials.
“It is an innovative idea, the first in the region, and its main objective is to send a message to the world that we live in a country of safety and security,” said Mosabeh Alketbi, director of Maliha municipality.
“Frankly, I did not expect a large turnout but it shows all segments of society appreciate the idea.”
Photo Credit: Al Qaydi Organic Farm
