If I'm understanding the op correctly, we can share either questionable/gross (in the eyes of others) things we do when no one is looking, or the things we do when no one is watching that others may only do when they stand the chance of receiving a beam of approval from someone else. I've got plenty of the former, but I'm going to buck the trend and report one of the latter as well: I always pick up pennies I find on the street. The only reason I wouldn't would be if it was embedded in a chunk of dog shit or some other distasteful variety of curb flotsam. It's a symbolic gesture, for me, of my determination to live simply and frugally, and an acknowledgement (two second meditation?) that to some people in some parts of the world, a penny is a lot of money.
I really enjoyed that article! Thanks! I grew up with "Find a penny, pick it up . . ." Rather than altruism, perhaps it's that motivating my current practice. lol
Yup, I always pick up pennies, regardless of where I am. I reckon at this point I've probably collected the cost of a couple of pints from the copper I've found on the streets - and the occasional brass piece; I found ten cent (€) yesterday. As my friend Donal says, paraphrasing the well-known rhyme:
See a penny, pick it up
All day long you'll have
A penny.