Businesses - Then and Now

[TabbyAnn]

When I was growing up, certain businesses were second only to church in quiet dignity and integrity. Banks were quiet and peaceful and tellers didn't yell out. Bookstores had no distractions, and pharmacy clerks were seen but not heard. Now however, the minute you open the doors to my bank, a teller yells out "I can help you over here" and pharmacy clerks yell "How are you today?" from various locations in the store, and retail clerks will ask you questions but can't answer any themselves about the products they sell. From the commercials on TV, it appears the entire marketing profession is on mind altering drugs.

 

[MikeyDude]

I agree... It's annoying. Same with "fine dining". We went to a "nice restaurant" and were all dressed up - you know - like you used to do when we were kids. Everybody in there was in either jeans or shorts. and it was very loud. That killed the romance.

 

[TabbyAnn]

I agree... It's annoying. Same with "fine dining". We went to a "nice restaurant" and were all dressed up - you know - like you used to do when we were kids. Everybody in there was in either jeans or shorts. and it was very loud. That killed the romance.

A friend had a discussion about this same thing recently and asked if I could remember a quiet and dignified restaurant. I had to reach back many years to the most elegant restaurant in my small town. It was a Chinese sit down restaurant with candle light, beautiful oriental décor, quiet oriental music, flowing water fountains, great food, and a quiet and attentive wait staff. You felt you were transported to a more peaceful place and time when you entered the door and were greeted by the maitre D. It was by reservation only but I don’t know if that helps.

 

[Alligatorob]

Times change... I guess.

Bookstores

Not sure the grandkids even know what one is. Not many left.

 

[TabbyAnn]

Not sure the grandkids even know what one is. Not many left.

Americans dependence on digital electronic devices has weaponized EMP (electro magnetic pulse). Psychologists are now saying the EMPs from smart phones affect kids brains and military experts say an enemy ship parked in international waters could beam enough EMPs to the U.S. to wipe out our electrical grid and smart phones. I wonder what Americans would do without them?

 

[Moon Rat]

I flew from Salt Lake City over the weekend and the intercom wasn’t working properly, so the flight attendant went up and down the aisle just before landing yelling “TRASH.” If she hadn’t been holding a white trash bag, I would have thought she was calling all of us trash.

 

[TabbyAnn]

I flew from Salt Lake City over the weekend and the intercom wasn’t working properly, so the flight attendant went up and down the aisle just before landing yelling “TRASH.” If she hadn’t been holding a white trash bag, I would have thought she was calling all of us trash.

Considering how the airlines treat passengers, the attendant was probably thinking it about the passengers if not saying it.

 

[NorthernLight]

I'm sure flight attendants are schooled in how to speak to travelers, taking into consideration that passengers are from many regions and countries. But I guess they don't cover everything.

The flight attendant could have said, "Do you have any garbage?"

Once, during takeoff, a passenger was using his phone. The attendant told him repeatedly to "power down." He didn't understand what she meant, and neither did I. She couldn't say, "Turn off your phone"?

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I think restaurants are no longer "destinations". The idea that of making an evening of dining out is gone. Now, it's eating and then doing something. Plus, restaurants don't want you there more than necessary- the more times they can fill those seats the better profits.

 

[TabbyAnn]

Are there any businesses that have quiet dignity anymore? Due to a hip problem that prevents certain bending, I have to get commercial pedicures now. The first one was at a quiet oriental place with nice décor, a receptionist desk at the door, and soft relaxing music. This time at the same place the receptionist was sitting back with the technicians and yelled Can I Help You? across the room. The technicians were whooping and hollering and telling jokes and laughing the whole time I was there. If there was any relaxing music you couldn’t hear it for the noise.

 

[Lawrence]

The social norms have changed, the lifestyle of politeness and having manners that we grew up with are outdated nowadays and deemed unnecessary in today's environment. The social media and increased and faster technology coupled with informal and non-personal interactions has led to this time of unaccountability.