Holiday Crowds, Scams, Purchases -- Mayhem or Mutual Benefit?

By D. J Mathews

Several days ago “someone” (not sure who) left a message on my phone about possible fraud on my card and said they were from my bank. I called them, finally, and got what sounded like a guy from India with a heavy accent. But before I actually answered any questions I thought, hmmm, does my bank “usually” do this kind of thing?

?

So then I called my bank, the “local” number. A department rep said they would NOT call with a vague, incomplete request like that. They would be much more specific about a certain amount by a certain company (am I giving away too much?). Good to know, for anyone with a bank account.

Holiday season is the time for hope for kids, but maybe more scams and unreal discounts for adults. I like the idea of ??continuous “Black Friday,” with ?prices over several days done in my area. I assume this is a way to keep people coming into the store, and not do the mad dash at 5 a.m. Friday so all can get into the store at once and fight and scream over their beloved electronics. Those were crazy times when they did that, folks.

?

But with cyber shopping, you get what you want. And no interacting with a snot nosed kid nearby with his impatient parent. Yet, doing online shopping can seem a bit lonely to me. I’m sure some working Moms and overworked professionals think it’s? the greatest thing since buttered bread. But where is the wonder from looking at the colorful store fronts and in store decorations, with Santa nearby, even? There’s something to be said about strolling around the mall. What has happened to all that?

?

Of course, some may be COVID shy, and I don’t blame them there. Many have not gotten the most recent offered shot (and it’s still a yearly thing, just that ol’ flu).So you haven’t gotten a shot? What are you, like, Superman or sumthin’? If thousands can die each year from the flu, then what about Covid-19? I guess those LONG COVID sufferers are “entitled” to order all their gifts online, as going into the outside world could make things worse.

So, as you pace yourself this holiday season, you can also look around and maybe make a homemade gift, or pawn something for cash, to be more economical. You? don’t have to spend a mint every year.

?

Speaking of that – I spoke to a coworker at a survey company once about how things were. She said she could only have “one” child. On her daughter’s birthday she got something like ten (!) Barbie dolls, and pile of other stuff. At age 8 or 9, you don’t NEED A MILLION TOYS. Maybe Walmart would love this business, but what about putting some money into a savings account for the future, or maybe something she could nurture, like a plant or aquarium fish?

Or even possibly a dog, if she were mature enough. Giving an animal the “gift” of a home can be quite rewarding – ?for the animal, that is. And possibly for the young owner, if given the proper instructions upfront about its care. I’ve? had my share of stray dogs/cats to take care of, and the kids helped (maybe a tiny bit). Certainly more cuddly than a bunch of dolls.

?

(If you found this informative/entertaining, buy D. J. Mathews a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/dj50772 ?)

?

(If you are interested in her latest little book, “Nature vs. Technology,” find an excerpt or eBook pdf at: https://booklocker.com/books/13621.html )

?