ABSTRACT
Public trust in government depends on a robust perception that public employees are acting in the public interest and not for private gain. However, public tmst also depends on a perception that government employees are able to make good judgments based on standards of reasonableness. While a zero-gift policy (according to which a public official may receive absolutely nothing of value from vendors, clients, or the general public) leaves no room for doubt about expectations, it also leaves no room for participating in basic social graces because situations like the following become problematic:
• An employee at the Social Security Administration (SSA) helps an elderly woman settle her husband’s death claims. The woman sends the SSA employee flowers.
