3 second rule

Not sure if people reading this post will get grossed out forever, and not want to shake my hand again when they see me, but here goes.

Never really believed in the 3 second rule. I think from very early on growing up, I always wanted to question all those things that people took for granted - if everyone had to tuck their shirt in, I wanted to have mine out; if everyone had to wear gay yellow raincoats, I wanted to get wet and run around in the rain; if we were taking photos and everyone was smiling in normal seated positions, I had this urge to kick my leg into the air. Most of these things got me into trouble with teachers, or mum, but great photos, eh! :)

anyway saw this packet of crisps on the train platform yesterday. no one standing around it. Looked unopened, like someone had dropped it as they rushed to get on the train. So I stood next to it for a while thinking should I pick it up, are people looking at me, is this gross, what would mushie say? What would you do - esp if you really loved crisps, and were a cheap bugger (freebies!) like me?

In the movie Million Dollar Baby there is one scene where Hilary Swank is working as a waitress, and they show how poor/frugal she is because she eats what customers leave on their plates. I can see some value in doing that - cause I hate seeing food wasted, you could always cut around the parts that other people bit into, and it's free!

and the 3 sec rule ... how does that make sense? it's either dirty or clean, leaving it there for a few more secs or minutes won't make it much dirtier surely (unless you kick it round etc). and my dad used to work as a chef told stories to the effect of "there's no such thing as a 3 second rule in a chinese restaurant"

and the chips - they are happily sitting in my bag, ready to be eaten today. what you think about that mushie? :)