What's With the Weighing Scales on Every Corner?

If you have been to Gran Canaria you might have noticed the weighing scales on every street (well, not every street but you know what I mean). Nobody seems to be completely sure why we need so many (I pass several every day on my 20 minute walk to work!) but theories include:

1. So that you can check your suitcases aren't overweight and thereby avoid excess baggage charges.
   
2. So that you can see how many pounds (sorry, kilos here) you have gained on holiday eating fattening Canarian food.
   
3. The 50 cents from each weighing goes to the weighing scales company.
4. The 50 cents from each weighing goes to the government.
5. A combination of the above.

What do you think? There are some more ideas here.