The Salvation Army bell ringers are already doing their thing at some of the department stores in our area. What a truly annoying way to try and gather money for a noble cause. Even if they'd just give these people ceramic bells instead of the metal ones they currently use, the "clanging" might turn to a more pleasant "ringing" and I wouldn't feel so bothered when I enter a building. I've learned to deal with the local newspaper people, who sit right inside the door and ask everyone that walks through if they want a free newspaper. I smile and tell them we get it every day, even when we don't. Being asked the same question, time after time used to piss me off, but I'm trying not to carry that kind of ridiculous emotion around if I can help it.
The Christmas music is already blaring in most of the stores in our area. We went to a grocery store recently and it was so loud and frenetic that we actually felt assaulted. MY LOVE complained to a passing store employee - rather rudely - and they actually went to get the manager without us requesting it. The channel was changed but they did not turn down the volume, which was the real issue in the end. Even a lady behind us, who heard our conversation with the manager, agreed. His response? He said that Corporate told all managers to turn the music up for the holiday season. I tried to explain that the music, in my opinion, should be soothing and ambient, not so loud and disgusting that you want to flee the building to get away from it. I don't know if he agreed or not but he said he'd let Corporate know that some customers weren't thrilled with the volume of the music. Whatever. We go there once a month so I don't care what they play, or how loud they play it.
People are already saying "Happy Holidays" instead of just naming the holiday everyone is celebrating. I know that it's important to businesses to be politically correct nowadays, because there are a lot of overly-sensitive assholes out there who would love to sue a big corporation so they don't have to actually work for their money. When it comes to Christmas, I understand that saying "Merry Christmas" to those who don't celebrate the holiday could be embarrassing, but who takes that shit so seriously that they would claim to be insulted? Only an asshole - yet there are enough of them out there, with a big enough voice I guess, that employees of department and grocery stores cannot even say "Happy Thanksgiving" anymore. It's got to be "Happy Holidays". How pathetic is our society?
We're not going anywhere today. MY LOVE is cooking right now, and I think we'll be eating turkey before 1pm. And again at 6pm. And maybe again before the night is through. We hope you all have a great holiday, free of bullshit and distractions. That's from the heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!
[ add comment ]
Calendar
