What's Up With That?

How about a little money over here?

Hello all. Geez, I'm sorry for the delay in posting a new article. It's just that I'm really busy as of late but having a ton of fun at work. Hey, while I'm thinking about it, could you take a quick look at the web pages for our small little company? For the record, no I didn't develop these pages nor did I stick my photo on them. I think a nice web site contributes to the image that a company wishes to project. If the site is clean, well laid out, has something to say and looks neat, chances are the company has some of the same characteristics. Perhaps the same is true for a site that has none of these attributes?

Anyway, enough on that. I just thought it might be interesting to look at web sites for all the old employers I've had like, DEC (now Compaq), Stratus and Lau Technologies.

Now on to my real gripe this week. I'm at the grocery store in a line about 10 or 12 people deep. When the cashier finishes ringing up my order she announces the total to me and then asks me a simple question...

"Would you like to make a one dollar donation to the Jimmy Fund?"

What's up with that? Would I like to? Maybe. Am I going to? No.

Talk about peer pressure. Here I am in line with these 10 or 12 people behind me and I have absolutely no idea what any of them are going to say. I'm imagining responses from them on the order of "Why yes, of course" or perhaps "One dollar? Let's make it ten!"

I feel ambushed and I feel like a dope when I quietly say "no thank you" which only makes it worse because the cashier then says to me "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't hear you. Did you say 'No'?" Now I am sure that the 10 or 12 people behind me are just glaring at me and thinking things like "cheap bastard", "tight wad" and "nice haircut, Stupid". Very embarrassing (and by the way, it will grow back).

But now I'm prepared. I've been to three or four different stores now who are employing this "Guilt-ridden Donational Solicitation of Benevolence" (or GDSOB) tactic, and my new response seems to be working. Instead of saying "no" I say LOUDLY, "why yes I would like to donate to your bla-dee-bla fund as long as you would like to donate one dollar to the Foundation Against Rude Tactics otherwise known as FART." If they don't want to give a dollar to FART, ask to see their manager. Then ask to see the manager's manager until someone up the chain gets the hint that no one likes to be shamed into giving money.

It's simple. Put out a donation jar or box or something. If I can spare a buck or two or some change, I'll slip it into the jar or box. But putting me on the spot only puts me in the mood to give less.

Alrighty then, let the insults fly. But when you get on the spot, you'll be wishing you were holding your donation can from FART.