it is normal behavior!

why it is fine to ask strangers for extra candy or quarters for the machine

by brisss (pronounced brie)

if someone does have extra candy, they will usually be spiritually relieved u helped reduce their burden.

quarters get heavy in the pocket.

u are offering lightness.

this is basically public service.

worst case scenario they say no and u both continue existing like nothing happened.

some strangers are literally just waiting for a random side quest to happen to them and u might be it.

candy sharing is a universal language.

if u ask confidently enough, people assume u know something they dont, like “oh maybe i do have extra candy??!

then reality bends slightly.

vending machines are hungry and it is irresponsible to ignore that.

asking is free.

candy is not.

so the math kinda takes care of itself.

candy does not belong to one person emotionally.

it is socially fluid.

strangers are just people u havent negotiated snacks with yet.

quarters are literally called “change,” which implies they want to be doing something different.

nobody ever uses exactly all their candy.

that is suspicious in the opposite direction.

asking is faster than silently hoping and making it everyones problem.

if they say yes, u win candy.

if they say no, they reveal nothing important.

strangers have survived worse conversations than “do u have any candy?”

quarters enjoy being released into machinery.

it is their purpose.

most people are carrying at least one emotionally unused quarter at all times.

the machine does not judge u.

the machine only accepts.

there is a 30% chance someone is already thinking about giving away candy anyway.

u are not begging.

u are offering a redistribution opportunity.

candy is happiest when it is moving from pocket to mouth via negotiation.

asking creates a brief shared reality between two humans, which is honestly rare and valuable.

no one has ever been harmed by being asked about candy. (this is not officially verified)

quarters in pockets slowly lose hope. u are restoring theirs.

also, i really need candy.

i hope this clears things up.