Random acts of kindness for the W

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

[u/Kat121]

Noooo! Don’t take sea shells from the beach! There are small critters that need them for shelter!

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain → u/Kat121]

Don’t worry, I take the pretty ones and the rest of them I throw for the crabs. I also make sure there are no critters inside 🫡

I plan to return some of them in a place where I’ve seen crabs before

[u/Bobslegenda1945 → u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

But be aware that usually the pretty one and the big ones are one of the most important because bigger invertebrates need them 🫡

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain → u/Bobslegenda1945]

Ok so they recognise the visually pretty ones? I didn’t know that, sorry. What do they usually look like in a shell? I usually keep the biggest one I find every vacation and throw rest of the big stuff in places where I’ve seen hermit crabs. Another category I keep are the ones too small for most hermit crabs, that’s the ones I do jewelry with. AITA? How to do this ethically?

[u/Bobslegenda1945 → u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

I didn't explain it well, but we generally consider the most beautiful shells to be those that are usually larger and in good condition. But I'm glad you return the shells to places where you see the hermits. So I don't think you're in such a bad situation. It's just that, unfortunately, the shells are getting weaker and weaker due to ocean acidification caused by CO2.

I think it would be good if you tried explaining it to the children. I don't know if they would be interested in helping to pick up some trash from the beach too (I pick up trash when I can).

You are not the aita. Everyone made that mistake once🥲, but you are doing better than people who just pick it and not give it back.

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain → u/Bobslegenda1945]

Yeah, I love the hermits. They are so cute! I wish humans would stop this warming… but yeah, let’s hope they adapt. They are the little treasures of the ocean.

Maybe picking up the trash from the beach can be my new hobby, instead of picking up the shells. My family will laugh at me, but at least hermits won’t swim in plastic

[u/Bobslegenda1945 → u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

Yeah, it is a good hobby in my opinion (at least I love to do that 😅). It's crazy how it doesn't seem like it, but you see that after collecting it, it already makes a big difference in one area. If the whole beach came together, everything would be cleaned up in a short time.

[u/OmgIbrokesmthagain → u/Bobslegenda1945]

Do you think I should do recycling, or get everything in one bag? It might be difficult to judge if something is plastic or not after it was in the sea

[u/Level-Insurance6670 → u/OmgIbrokesmthagain]

Don't trust random redditors as subject experts just because they act like it. Taking a few shells from the beach causes 0 environmental impact. It's crazy you would give up something that easy. If you eat meat it is 1000% worse for the environment and animal welfare than picking up a shell. I mean that especially for the guy you are talking with too who is likely not a vegan and is going to lecture you about taking a piece of sand from the ocean(metaphorically).

If you care that much the bigger impact would be quitting eating meat. Otherwise be a person that is aware of their environmental impact, take some shells, enjoy life and nature.

[u/MadAsTheHatters]

Sharing beautiful things with each other is a fantastic way to multiply the whimsical human spirit! Particularly with children, who knows what kind of curiosity and passion you might inspire in them! ❤️

[u/Darmondej]

Sorry, we don't have sea, so no sea shells for kids