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December 21, 2002
Real Holiday Spirit
So the men in my family are generally considered scrooges (well at least my father and I). The holiday's so often are full of forced cheer and mandatory exchange of gifts. The obligation to try and find gifts for your significant other is so challenging. Evaluating one's affection for their loved ones by the extravagence of their gift starts becoming twisted when a good gift is one that they wouldn't buy for themselves. What happens when you live in a household of mutual respect and common "funds" such that even these holiday purchases we make with "our" money. I don't spend that much money without consulting Lori anyway, and if she wouldn't buy it herself, why does that end up making it a good present? Its like consulting, getting a "no" and then buying it anyway.. Thats generosity?
Click below to read my real story
Anway, the real story is I went out this afternoon shopping with the aforementioned Scrooge-like attitude and went to the worse place one can go with that attitude: The Mall. After finding a little toy for a friend, and seeing tons of crapola everywhere, I found the calendar store. I found a couple that I liked and went up to purchase them. Now this calendar store is one of those stores that shows up for 2 months at the end of the year and then disappears. I guess that makes sense, who buys calendars in July. Anyway, there's no one at the counter to check me out. I look around and I probably could have just walked out. I actually get a little frustrated. Then some kid comes out from behind a shelf, looking a little frazzled. Seems like he is the only one working on a crowded Saturday, has a ton to do, and no time with all the customers: bummer. Anyway I hand him my credit card, wait for the authorization and he discovers the last customer took his pen. No problem, he's got another... He then realizes he's got no pen. The look of dismay and frustration was pretty rough. Fortunately my brother bought be a strange little pen that fits in my wallet, so I got that out, signed my CCard authorizatoin and left with a sympathetic "good luck," to this poor kid who's about to start having a really rough afternoon. Back out in the mall, I have a moment of contemplation: I could help this guy, or lower my head and get myself out of this nasty crowd of last minute shoppers. I waivered back and forth, actually pacing, until I decided that the cycle had to be broken. I went to the end of the mall, downstairs to the CVS (pharmacy) and bought a package of pens. Making my way back through the crowds, I popped back into the calendar store and dropped 3 pens on the counter, mumbled "Merry Christmas" and left as quick as I had arrived. As I turned to leave, I got my payback, the kid let out a part exasberated, part relieved, part disbelief, "Oh my god."
I don't know if anything further will come from my actions like "Pay it Forward," or Random Acts of Kindness, but it really doesn't matter to me. My choice was my own protest of the things about this season that I don't like. I feel a little guilty that my act wasn't really altruistic, even though the Calendar Store Kid probably thinks it is.
Posted by KnipSter at December 21, 2002 02:07 PM
Comments
I find it very fascinating to read the inner thoughts of a computer science major or are your thoughts typical for all men on holiday shopping?
Probably the later. Obi got us a domain and I am ashamed to say this is the first time I've visited your web page. (I thought "knipster" was like snapfish.) Obi got us started with a photo gallery but we haven't designed the home page yet. Still gathering ideas. Happy New Year!! (and I really enjoy your site!) Auntie Donna
Posted by: Aunt Donna at January 4, 2003 05:42 PM
I find it very fascinating to read the inner thoughts of a computer science major or are your thoughts typical for all men on holiday shopping?
Probably the later. Obi got us a domain and I am ashamed to say this is the first time I've visited your web page. (I thought "knipster" was like snapfish.) Obi got us started with a photo gallery but we haven't designed the home page yet. Still gathering ideas. Happy New Year!! (and I really enjoy your site!) Auntie Donna
Posted by: Aunt Donna at January 4, 2003 05:42 PM
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