Yep, the chocolate part almost made me stop reading the whole article. I mean, I'm happy they note the number of "not interested" at all, but they don't loose a word about it, that's a bit narrow in focus.
Also, a bit more context about the setup would be nice. Paying 13 or 14 cent is a (comparably) huge overhead when you are just walking along a walkway, with getting your purse out, seek card or coins etc. - or just take the one that is free for grabs.
On a more general note, I don't think that free stuff makes us irrational. It's just something we don't learn to deal with. When you are used to free stuff, dealing with it is pretty rational, as in looking for hidden costs, moral obligations, is it a data grab, etc. For example, when 62% of ppl refuse to take free choc because they sense they will get stupid questions in return or asked for their name and adress.
Also, a bit more context about the setup would be nice. Paying 13 or 14 cent is a (comparably) huge overhead when you are just walking along a walkway, with getting your purse out, seek card or coins etc. - or just take the one that is free for grabs.
On a more general note, I don't think that free stuff makes us irrational. It's just something we don't learn to deal with. When you are used to free stuff, dealing with it is pretty rational, as in looking for hidden costs, moral obligations, is it a data grab, etc. For example, when 62% of ppl refuse to take free choc because they sense they will get stupid questions in return or asked for their name and adress.