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Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Pandemic Suggestions

Of course the best thing we can do is nothing. I'm quite good at that. An unsung hero, you might say. But when we do venture forth for toilet paper and other vital supplies, we are invariably shamed at checkout to donate a few cents or even a dollar to feed the hungry. This enables the grocery chain to take a nice tax write-off with our money. I have a better idea. 

The people who work at checkout are on the front lines. They are exposed daily and most of them get no extra money. Only a handful get benefits from these grocers who want us to feed the hungry. Most remain cheerful and do a pretty good job at wiping down the machines we use. So from time to time, I slip them $1 to let them know I appreciate them. More often, I have no money to spare. But I make sure I thank them.

That costs nothing. 

Do you have any suggestions?
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 18, 2020 at 12:05 PM

    I suggest we square perceived risk with actual risk and stop being ridiculous. The authoritarians are feeling even friskier after the election and a public health official who wants you to stay out of his/her/zis bedroom wants inside your Thanksgiving dining room to check you and your guests for masks. I'm dining at Hershey Lodge with Dr. Levine's mom.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 18, 2020 at 12:59 PM

    @12:05 - My God, what a "Real American" you are. So virile and strong you are! It's quite breathtaking...

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  3. AnonymousNovember 18, 2020 at 1:01 PM

    12:05 will be dining in Hershey only because they have no friends or family that wants them around. Sad.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 18, 2020 at 3:52 PM

    Very generous and kind of you Bernie, but you may want to rethink your way of thanking front line workers. I worked at Giant food market from mid-high school until college graduation. They (as many other stores) have a no-tipping policy and a zero-tolerance enforcement policy. The worker may/could get fired based on your honest gesture.

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  5. Bernie O'HareNovember 18, 2020 at 4:04 PM

    I don’t consider $1 very generous, and wish it could be more. I was unaware of that shitty policy and hope it is ignored.

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  6. AnonymousNovember 18, 2020 at 4:39 PM

    I always tip my garbage men. Those guys will haul away nuclear waste for a couple Jacksons.

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  7. CanaryNovember 18, 2020 at 6:41 PM

    I've been doing curbside pickup and always tip generously.

    All the people who are essential workers, or who don't have the good fortune to be able to work from home, deserve a special tax break or stimulus IMO. They risk their lives to provide everyone with services. This would help people who need it most and would also be a terrific for the economy.



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  8. AnonymousNovember 18, 2020 at 8:57 PM

    I believe Giant is asking me to donate the difference to the next dollar each time I check out - so if my bill is $9.01, they ask if I want to donate $0.99. I suppose it evens out to an average of 50 cents over time...

    I like your approach, Bernie. Give it to those people on the front lines.

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