Remember our recent winters? Mother Nature is being kind, so far, as many important issues continue to swirl:
1. The CdA City Council & City Attorney obviously don’t understand the new election law.
2. Commissioners Dan Green & Jai Nelson spoke yesterday, at Reagan Republicans, about many things including possible changes in the number of commissioners.
3. The McEuen workshop this morning was to reveal what’s included in Phase I and the budget to go along with it.
What are your thoughts, ideas or questions?
Okay, I’ll play. I choose category “What are your thoughts, ideas or question,” and I take “question(s)”
Question 1, for ‘change’:
What is your opinion about ‘bell ringers’ who are aggressive and ‘in people’s faces’ as the people try to enter a business through a designated entry way?
Question 2, for $1.
What is your opinion about grocery stores who require their cashiers to ask each customer, as he/she is opening their wallet to pay for groceries, for $1 to help the needy?
A semi conscious mind would like to know.
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 9, 2011 @ 1:18 pm
Joe Six-Pack,
(1) I wish them a merry Christmas and smile at them. If the bell-ringers happen to be grandstanding elected officials, I remind them that they are not allowed to skim money out of the bucket before they turn it in.
(2) It’s not a good business practice to lay a subtle guilt trip on their customers.
Comment by Bill — December 9, 2011 @ 3:19 pm
Ok, Joe:
1. Aggressive bell ringers bother me because not everyone wants to give to their charity. Maybe people have other groups or causes to which they donate, so they should not be made to feel guilty because they don’t drop $$ in the bell-ringer’s bucket…even if the ringers are singing, or especially if they’re elected officials, Bill!
2. I agree with Bill. Maybe there should be a small sign or notice at the checkstand, explaining the optional donation and that the customer can tell the checker if they’d like to participate. I use the self-check out most of the time, so it’s not an issue.
Comment by mary — December 9, 2011 @ 3:56 pm
Remember the question from another post here about the city council being upset that Cliff Hayes was not at their last meeting? Guess what?…they never even invited him!
Comment by mary — December 9, 2011 @ 3:58 pm
I’ve never been asked by a checker to donate to the needy. It probably doesn’t happen very often. Would be curious what retailer does that. But my response would be, “Oh, I’ll take a dollar discount. I’m kinda needy this year.” (Smile and extend hand, palm up) Don’t forget to say, “Thank you”, and for Jesus sake don’t say “Happy Holidays”. Say Merry Christmas”!
Comment by Gary Ingram — December 9, 2011 @ 4:04 pm
Mary,
We’ve started using self-checkout as well, especially for small purchases. It’s much quicker. I’m sure some of the retail clerks were concerned that self-checkout might do away with some jobs, but it frees up the clerks to help customers with larger purchases. If that increases overall customer satisfaction with the stores, it helps business. That may offset any job loss — if there was any.
Comment by Bill — December 9, 2011 @ 4:33 pm
There was a young male SA Ringer at Super 1 in Post falls this last week who was pretty aggressive in his well meaning way. Of course he was located directly at the main entrance and could not be avoided. And he sang Christmas carols very, very loudly. As his target approached he would sing louder still and directly in their faces. His ‘harking’ was pretty obnoxious and clearly intended to add a thick layer of guilty duress on the unwilling or unable donees.
It is one thing for the SA to post their ringers on street corners and another to place them at individual retail establishments. I presume that they assume that if you can afford to shop at Super 1 then you can afford to spiff them some extra cash. They assume that at Walmart too. They assume it for every shopping trip you make for this entire season. After the Kroc Center spectacle I take my donations to food banks.
Comment by Wallypog — December 10, 2011 @ 4:17 am
Well, I’ve seen many different styles of bell ringers, some like the one Wally speaks of, and some who simply ring and smile. I was at the very same Post Falls Super 1 the other night and was walking with my daughter and talking with her. As we approached you could hear the bell and as we got closer I noticed a young woman ringing it.
It was 5:30 busy, dark, and cold, and just prior to crossing the door I glanced over to her and we made eye contact and both smiled at each other. You women know the smile, kind of like the ones my wife would get when she was pregnant, tight lipped, gentle eye, just a simple acknowledgement between people. Perhaps she saw a dad with his daughter talking, or just was a nice person. I was glad to share a mutual smile.
Needless to say I didn’t put anything in the pail nor do I with the harder pitch ones. I wonder whats wrong with a simple “not today” or “no thanks” and walking on seems to work for me, every-time. It’s not like you’re going to see this person again and if you do so what, they may or may not remember you. Moaning and groaning over it is somewhat silly.
Ultimately and again, I remember the smile and I hope she does as well.
Comment by Eric — December 10, 2011 @ 9:36 am
I’m guilt proof!! As does Wally, I smile and forge ahead. I support Kootenai Humane Society. There are many many different groups for people. And people have the ability to seek help. Not animals. Do you know that cruelty to animals is NOT a felony in Idaho. Shameful!!!
Comment by rochereau — December 10, 2011 @ 10:15 am
Gary, Ironwood Albertsons. Every time I forget, and go in there, I say, “Not today, I give in other ways and to other needs.” In return I receive ‘no comment’ and a stare. Makes me wonder if they get ‘credits’ for each $1 they have on their register. Most bell ringers are pleasant ringers of the bell. For me, a low key ringer when I do have change or a couple dollars in my pocket results in my feeding the kettle. My most recent in your face experience was at Shopko. To me negative interactions such as these take the joy out of giving.
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 10, 2011 @ 11:05 am
This year there’s a bell-ringing gentleman at Fred Meyer who sings Christmas tunes one after the other. He has a great voice and the acoustics of the entry area add to the impact. I always smile and tell him I enjoy his songs. No guilt, we give to several other causes.
Those of us who grew up Catholic have had to learn to let go of our guilt because most of it comes from inside, not outside.
Comment by mary — December 10, 2011 @ 11:35 am
Free Christmas music online!
https://styleentertainment.timeinc.net/people/countryplaylist/
Comment by Pariah — December 11, 2011 @ 9:46 am
Well heck I say, while reaching for another cold-one, it seems like a slow day. How about them 99%ers? I was wondering if perhaps someone would wade in on the rousting of the ‘occupiers’ from their camps by the police and compare it to the Hudlow Massacre of April 20, 1914. Yes I reallize that no guns were used with the ‘occupiers’ but we are after all, aren’t we, much more civilized now days. Perhaps another fruitful area for comparison would be ‘Hoovervilles’? Oh a discussion on the ‘Three B’ causes of the great depression might add a little spice to the discussion.
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 11, 2011 @ 1:55 pm
Hey Joe, I was just sent a great article on the subject of the “Occupiers” and why capitalism is the best system ever known. It’s written by a professor who starts out with this Monte Python excerpt:
You can read the whole thing here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2809092/posts
Comment by mary — December 11, 2011 @ 3:11 pm
Occupy is the 1%
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/47713
Comment by justinian — December 11, 2011 @ 3:39 pm
Hmm. Well I see I got a couple of bites! Hope everyone had a nice weekend!
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 12, 2011 @ 8:12 am
Mary, what Catholic guilt did you have to “let go of” ?
Comment by Eric — December 12, 2011 @ 8:45 pm
Catholic guilt? Sheez, I am on #28 of 30, I am not even Catholic, and I am trying to wade through ‘the video’ of the city council and I know the answer to that one…everything! Haven’t you ever watched the Blues Brothers and seen ‘The Penguin’? http://www.dailymotion.com/…/x6hlm6_blues-brothers-penquin.
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 12, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
Eric, you’re probably not Catholic, right? Joe wins the prize with his answer…everything! We don’t need a reason, whatever it is, it’s probably our fault. I’ve learned to overcome those reflexes, most of the time, but it wasn’t always easy.
(Joe, your link doesn’t work, must be your fault…ok, just kidding about the fault thing.)
Comment by mary — December 12, 2011 @ 10:59 pm
I am a practicing Catholic I can assure you and don’t feel
any of the constant guilt you mention, oh well.
Jokes about it are one thing and that’s fine but I doesn’t make it truth.
Are you still a Catholic Mary?
Comment by Eric — December 13, 2011 @ 9:52 am
Mary, just Google ‘Blues Brothers The Penguin’
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 15, 2011 @ 8:06 am
Joe Six Pack,
The character actress who played Mother Mary Stigmata, “The Penguin”, in the Blues Brothers was Kathleen Freeman. Isn’t it amazing how often the people who make the scene in the movie or play work aren’t the leading men and ladies but the character actors.
Comment by Bill — December 15, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Very funny, Joe Six Pack!
Eric, I don’t think this blog is the place for a serious discussion about spiritual beliefs. I was just joking around about the guilt thing. “Catholic” is both a religion and a culture, somewhat like the Jewish culture/faith. The culture is fun to kid about, the faith is much deeper and not for light comments. Thanks for your interest!
Comment by mary — December 15, 2011 @ 9:03 am
Bill,
Yep. I totally agree.
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 15, 2011 @ 10:05 am
Question: Does it seem that there are more unsold Christmas trees than usual in the various lots all around town, or is it just me?
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — December 15, 2011 @ 10:07 am
Joe, my wife and I were just talking about that the other day, we agree, it does seem like there are more unsold trees.
Mary, It was a simple question no biggie, either you are or you aren’t it’s OK I’ll take that as a no.
When the culture and faith are one you can’t tongue and cheek one or the other and then walk away like it’s no big deal. Light jokes about the culture mislead others about the faith.
Comment by Eric — December 15, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
Eric, What is your problem? Your KKK comment was way out of line, so I removed it. My faith is my business and you have no right to assume anything at all about it, so back off.
Comment by mary — December 15, 2011 @ 3:22 pm
Mary;”Eric, you’re probably not Catholic, right?”
So it’s OK for you to ask or assume?
That’s fine it’s your blogg, I was glad to answer because well, I am Catholic.
My point was and is, sweeping comments even maid in jest can cause misunderstanding of any faith to the point of prejudice or hate and it’s even more damaging from people who claim that they were either Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, etc. Many times when those that left a particular faith pontificate or even joke about it others take the statements as fact. Why? Because they said they were or are of a particular faith thus validating their comment giving it some authority.
I was listening to a comedian just the other day joking about the Immaculate Conception and how Joseph must have been like, “Mary, what?” and it was funny, it was clever, but it was entirely incorrect because the Immaculate Conception had nothing to do with the conception of Jesus in Mary and every Catholic and most Protestants that have taken time to know and understand their faith, whether or not they are still practicing, would know that assumption was incorrect . So now anyone who heard that who wasn’t Catholic, or Protestant or hadn’t taken the time to know what it teaches knew what, are mislead. The guilt thing is similar.
Comment by Eric — December 16, 2011 @ 9:55 am
Gee Eric, lighten up. Mary gave an opinion based on her upbringing. She didn’t maul the Catholic church. Touchy, touchy! Clearly you can’t laugh at yourself. “Because they said they were or are of a particular faith, thus validating their comment, giving it some authority”. Okay, so my Jewish friend joking that chicken soup is Jewish penicillin, makes it so??
Comment by rochereau — December 16, 2011 @ 10:27 am
Well said, Rochereau.
Comment by mary — December 16, 2011 @ 10:40 am