Christmas Shopping this weekend.

[JPSmit]

was nuts, and, worse because it doesn't seem especially christmassy anywhere these days, stinky economy, lack of snow, etc. etc. Anyway, yesterday we didn't make it to the mall, but, were at another store - which was running a buy $60 get $15 off promotion - coupon required. As we stood in line, we must have had 4 people (not employees, strangers) offer us coupons they weren't using. People were chatting and these strangers were almost working the crowd in their attempt to share. Then, today, were elsewhere in town, waiting for a van to pull out of a full lot. van pulls out, stops, guy gets out and gives me his parking stubb - paid for the next two hours. Fortunately we were able to return the favour at another lot a little later as we pulled out and gave away our ticket to the next person pulling in.

Sometimes (often)(usually) it's little kindnesses that make this whole gig worthwhile.

 

[AngliaGT]

Good job - "Pay it Forward".
Why are people surprised at this?
This should be the "norm".

- Doug

 

[NutmegCT]

J-P: "Sometimes (often)(usually) it's little kindnesses that make this whole gig worthwhile."

amen to that. and it applies to everything we do, every minute we live.

T.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Good job - "Pay it Forward".
Why are people surprised at this?
This should be the "norm".

- Doug

Yes, it should.

However, it seems it's only the norm for dreamers, poets, and suchlike. Maybe we'll grow out of our need for greed someday...

 

[DrEntropy]

I avoid most places where crowds of folks swarm this time of year. Around here the "Get outta MY way!" and the whole "It's ME!" attitude make me sick. If I hold a door open for anyone, it's only one out of ten who'll even acknowledge the deed. Younger ones seem to be least likely to utter a simple: "thank you".

 

[Silverghost]

I was at Costco getting stuff for Thanksgiving and there was an elderly couple (mid to late 80's) in front of me. It was obvious they were new to the world of Costco. When the cashier asked for their Costco card, they replied they didn't have one. At this point, my experience has been that the cashier would inform them that they needed one and couldn't shop until they had one, etc. Instead, this cashier said that was no problem, called for a floor manager who came over, explained the situation, and the manager swiped a card and did an entry. The couple was able to make their purchase and the cashier explained that if they'd like a membership, the service desk could take care of them right away.

When I finished my purchase, I made a point of telling the cashier that I really appreciated what she had done. I knew she didn't have to do that and many cashiers wouldn't have, imho.

Then, when I went to my car, I saw that I was parked next to them. As I approached my car, I heard the man say, "Here, let me get the door for you." She replied, "You don't have to do that." And he said, "Yes I do. That's what men do." I looked at her as she got in the car, big smile on her face. I smiled too, glad to know that chivalry isn't completely dead.

 

[PC]

.... If I hold a door open for anyone, it's only one out of ten who'll even acknowledge the deed. Younger ones seem to be least likely to utter a simple: "thank you".

Around here pretty much everybody says "thank you" when I hold a door, any age, gender, ethnicity, whatever. It's common for the baggy-pantsed, tattooed, totally gang-banger looking dudes to give a respectful "thank you."


pc.

 

[vagt6]

I dunno, being in a small town like Charlottesville, I don't get too much bad Xmas vibes around here. Sure, impolite folks are everywhere but I don't seem to encounter them often.

It's obviously different in the big(er) cities. My wife used to drag me on a Xmas shopping sojourn every year to the HUGE shopping malls in northern VA near DC. I'm talking gigantic malls with miles of parking where one has to park no less than a quarter mile away from the stores during the Season!

People in the malls seem as though they're in a trance: an agitated, empty look on their faces as they rush, shopping bags clutched in their arms to attack the next store. It's crazy, really. I sometimes get a big charge out of just watching them. It's like viewing a (bad but funny) movie!

Most of my family does not exchange gifts anymore, but we do have very nice gatherings (with Skype videoconferencing for the ones who can't come!) which I think is far better, anyway.

Crass commercialism, created by very smart marketers and adopted as gospel by the masses really has nothing to do with the <span style="font-style: italic">real</span> meaning of this Holiday.

It's a real relieff to us not to feel compelled to go out and buy, buy, buy. It's hard to stop the expensive gifting habits, but doing so can be very meaningful, in a Christmas kind of way.

 

[JodyFKerr]

I survived my Christmas shopping with little issue this year (which is a drastic change from previous years). There many less people about, and those that are aren't crazy monkeys like normal. I did, however, avoid the mall, so the monkey house there may have been full.

This sort of stuff (basic human decency, common courtesy, etc) has progressively become worse in the 15 years I've lived in Phoenix. When we moved here it had a big town feel, rather than a city feel. Now it's much more of a "screw you, I'm more important, and look at me because I'm awesome" feel. My wife and I are about fed up with it, and we're looking to move to Sierra Vista to get away from it.

I still stop to provide roadside assistance, I hold doors, etc. etc. but as time progresses I'l less inclined to do so because people are such ungrateful bast&%$#s.

 

[DNK]

It's Christmas. When did that happen?