Thursday, April 14, 2011

Trouble With The Older Generation...!


I'm sure that most of you have seen this piece before, but I think we should look at it again!

The reason I even bring this up is I'm getting tired of being treated like a second class citizen when I'm at the store! Just because I check prices, watch the expiration dates, actually read the nutrition labels, use whatever coupons I can scrape together and watch the checker when they are ringing things up...gives NO ONE the right to talk down to me or act like I'm not entitled to some common respect!

What I am is a CUSTOMER! And something else, I am a member of the older generation that you seem hell bent on walking on and ignoring! Maybe this will put it in perspective for you!

How Wasteful the Older Generation Was ...

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a hankerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you.When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus insteadof turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

Just keep one thing in mind when you see some of the "older generation" in the store! By them being there, they are helping to pay your salary! If they are encouraged to go elsewhere, your job may also!

Now, let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio for a bit! I like the morning sun, ya know?

22 comments:

Spud said...

The biggest problem that I see with the older generation is that they taught their children, The Yuppies, to be self centered greedy bastards.
They in turn taught their children nothing, because they were too busy pursuing money.
And now here we are....with nothing left, but too damn many people.

Ben in Texas said...

And another thing, ( or two if my brain holds up long enough)

WE didn't didn't have a cell phone, and texting device, IF we had a phone in our parents house , it most likely was on a party line!

And us on the farm didn't even buy the contaminated beef in the store, we raised and butchered our own calves.
And the fish we at most likely came out of a pond or nearby stream or river NOT imported from some foreign country, packed full of chemicals.
And if your neighbors didn't have a phone they could always use ours in an emergency.

AND we KNEW our neighbors, face to face!!!

Momlady said...

When I was a kid we had a 3 digit phone number. If my parents were going somewhere they would tell the operator and she would forward calls to wherever they were. Try getting service these days!

Caddie said...

We are right in referring to them as "the good old days".

I remember that 3 digit phone number-24R! There were eight on the party line - Imagine that situation in today's world.

Thanks to Momlady, a few more memories have returned also.

Hermit, I know its a bit late; is there any coffee left?

It is sad and disrespectful the way we elders are treated today. Makes me wonder where this old world is headed.

Thanks for a good post. Yours is the first on my daily reading list.

linda m said...

Great post. I remember all of those things. Guess I am one of the "older generation". But I think it was a better time. I agree with Ben in Texas, we knew our neighbors, face to face and they weren't afraid to "call us out" if we annoyed them.

Dizzy-Dick said...

Very good post and it brought back some great memories. We didn't have a TV until I was in second grade and it was one of the first in our neighborhood. I remember when there was only a half hour of music on the radio, the rest were shows and news. My favorite was "Straight Arrow".

tffnguy said...

Another one is the younger people now days ranting about people still driving old cars. I was on the craigslist a few years back and some younger (Obviously successful) guy was ranting about people keeping and driving old cars and how the old cars polluted the environment. He then went on to say that all three of his new sports cars got over 20 MPG and didn't pollute like older cars.

I pointed out that an older well maintained classic car could be driven for 25 years before it would match the environmental impact of producing ONE new car. He had three new cars and even though he couldn't drive them all at the same time he had polluted three times as much as a person with a classic car. Never saw that guy post again.

JoJo said...

Great post today. These kids today have no respect for anyone especial the older folks. People in stores are so rude and no they don't seem to realize we pay their salary. We have been having trouble with these 2 little brats coming in the Village and talking nasty. They can't be more than 12 or 13. We have had the Sheriff out here a few times already. I believe someone followed them home and gave a report. Like some one above said they have been taught nothing and their parent are probably just as rude.
Now lets have some coffee and relax for a while.

sel said...

I read a series by Ivy Malone that was a real hoot. The first book was titled Invisible. Got a real kick out of her escapades! I've worked hard to teach my kids the value of our Seniors and the "old folks" at church just glow from the love. They also return that love twofold. Just wish everyone felt that way.

sel said...

Oops! Sorry. The author is Lorena McCourtney.

Anonymous said...

And it's funny, really. We could change things back ourselves. If we wanted beer bottles to be returned for reuse, we could start by telling Budweiser that nobody would be buying one more bottle of their product until they have re-implemented the return system.

If everyone (EVERYONE who drinks that brand) just switched from Bud products to a different product for 3 months, and they had ZERO sales, they would cave in t our demands.

Then, we target the next biggest brand and make them do it.

It won't happen. People don't care enough to make the SACRIFICE of drinking a different beer for 3 months. People don't care about anything.

Anonymous said...

And it's funny, really. We could change things back ourselves. If we wanted beer bottles to be returned for reuse, we could start by telling Budweiser that nobody would be buying one more bottle of their product until they have re-implemented the return system.

If everyone (EVERYONE who drinks that brand) just switched from Bud products to a different product for 3 months, and they had ZERO sales, they would cave in t our demands.

Then, we target the next biggest brand and make them do it.

It won't happen. People don't care enough to make the SACRIFICE of drinking a different beer for 3 months. People don't care about anything.

Anonymous said...

Great piece Hermit. I remember taking my shoes to the "Shoemaker" for new heels or soles, I didn't throw out my polyurethane sneakers made in China. I still wear repairable footwear. Same thing with clothing, you could repair most of the fabric in the old days, most young folks don't know what needle and thread is let alone how to use them. Thanks for your great blog.

HermitJim said...

Hey Spud...
Makes you wonder just what happened from one generation to the next!

I sure do appreciate you coming by today!


Hey Ben...
Party lines, home raised meat and veggies, fresh fish...sounds like a good deal to me! I can remember so many things like that!

The party lines came mostly from our relatives in Georgetown, who didn't have 4 digit telephone numbers until my teens, I think!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
I remember once that my cousin and I went to the "phone company" in a small town called Leander! It was just about 11 miles from Georgetown!

The switchboard was in a lady's living room! I was blown away!

I do appreciate the visit this morning!


Hey Sissy...
Funny how what we remember from our youth seems almost made up by today's youngsters!

I guess we made do with more simple things...often out of necessity! Never felt poor, but always felt the caring of friends and family!

I'm glad you could come by today!

Mechanic in Illinois said...

The younger generation can go suck an egg as far as I'm concerned. All they're worried about is themselves and shifting any blame off themselves on to their parents. You hear me young people, bite me and grow some balls. Thanks for posting a story that needed to be. And have a great Thursday.

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda M...
Certainly nothing wrong with being one of the older generation!

Now days do we most likely NOT know our neighbors, but we probably don't even speak their language!

Guess I'm just a simple person who wouldn't mind if we could slow down a bit and recapture a taste of what we remember!

Thanks so much for coming over today!


Hey Dizzy...
The firstradio show I can remember hearing was Boston Blackie! I was about the first or second grade when we got our first television set!

Heck, I can remember the very first movie I ever watched on TV! Attack of the Cat People!

Been hooked on scary movies ever since!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Tffnguy...
Just shows how some people measure their success by how much stuff they own!

I like the older cars...mainly because they seem to have more character! They didn't look the same like today!

I really do appreciate you coming over today!


Hey JoJo...
Back when I was growing up, if we had done something like that...my parents would have "fixed" the problem right away!

Now days, the parents would go to jail for correcting the kids! Damn scary, that's for sure!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!


Hey Sel...
So much could be learned from the old folks today, if we would only take the time to listen!

Guess it's always been that way! Just seems a shame to waste all that knowledge ans experience, ya know?

Maybe I'll have to write a book about it!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Jimmycrackedcorn...
Certainly seems that our values have changed a LOT!

So many things that are deemed boring now, where considered Priceless not that long ago!

Simpler times, I guess!

I really appreciate your dropping in today!


Hey Anon 9:38...
I can remember having a cobbler in our neighborhood, as well as a watch repair shop!

Boy, those days are certainly gone for good!

Those shops were a necessary part of every neighborhood back then!

Thanks for dropping by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Mechanic...
I have to wonder just when our values took a nose dive!

I guess about the same time our morals bit the dust!

Sad, that's for sure! Really sad!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

Bob Mc said...

And another thing (we’re on a roll) what happened to good manners? Old people (men) still open doors for women. Kids today just brush on past. The last time I held a door open for a woman to enter a bank ahead of me she was absolutely shocked!

I can’t tell you when I last saw a kid riding a bicycle. That used to be our main transportation, aside from “shanks mare”. I live on a rural County road, and I see groups of adults from a local club riding by all the time on their high priced modern cycles, all dressed in the proper attire of course; but never a kid. Guess they are all at home playing video games.

Anonymous said...

Regarding your post today:

AMEN!!!

Spud said...

Running out of oil may be the best thing that could happen to the world.