We live in 'small town' U.S.A. You know - one of those little towns heading toward extinction. It was once a booming mining town with the huge population of just over 10,000. Now that alone should give you an idea of how small this place is if during its boom days it was still that dinky.
We actually chose to live here for the peace and quiet but there is such an undertow of resnentment towards newcomers that its hard to fit in. One guy told us he lived here for over 15 years and never felt like he belonged. So he moved. We know the feeling. They aren't a friendly bunch! There are a couple of people with warm smiles but even after 5 years of living here people are still looking at us suspiciously like we are strangers and they are wondering what we are doing in 'their' town.
I can imagine by now you are wondering why we don't just move. Well with the economy sitting where it is, now - is not the ideal time to sell. We wouldn't even get back what we paid for our home. Which we do love - we have a great house, just not a great feeling about living here anymore. I sure hope things pick up in the economy so we can put this place on the market. Heck - We may even take our chances and plop a "For Sale by Owner" in the front yard and see what happens.
Back to 'small town' U.S.A. You hear all kinds of pleas for support to keep these little towns going. Well ~ as I was making out my short grocery list I decided to go online and print off a few coupons. Coinsiding with the items on the list we printed off enough coupons to save over a quarter of our bill. Mind you, there is only one small grocer in the town. We picked up a few fresh fruits and vegetables and a few other items on the short list - items with online coupons to lessen the blow. Or so we thought! SHOP LOCALLY is what they preach. But they do nothing to promote their plea. We get to the checkout and pass the gal our coupons. She looks at me and says in such an unfriendly tone "those are no good - we don't use online coupons!" Whaaaaaaaaaat??? They don't use online coupons. Are we lost in the dark ages or what??? If this small town wants our business the least they could do is to put a friendly face behind the counter and to work with us in our attempt to save money by accepting online coupons.
So from now on, we will continue to print off online coupons and head out of town another half hour away, and we will continue to schedule our shopping along with our doc appts to save on fuel cost and we will use those online coupons! So there, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
We actually chose to live here for the peace and quiet but there is such an undertow of resnentment towards newcomers that its hard to fit in. One guy told us he lived here for over 15 years and never felt like he belonged. So he moved. We know the feeling. They aren't a friendly bunch! There are a couple of people with warm smiles but even after 5 years of living here people are still looking at us suspiciously like we are strangers and they are wondering what we are doing in 'their' town.
I can imagine by now you are wondering why we don't just move. Well with the economy sitting where it is, now - is not the ideal time to sell. We wouldn't even get back what we paid for our home. Which we do love - we have a great house, just not a great feeling about living here anymore. I sure hope things pick up in the economy so we can put this place on the market. Heck - We may even take our chances and plop a "For Sale by Owner" in the front yard and see what happens.
Back to 'small town' U.S.A. You hear all kinds of pleas for support to keep these little towns going. Well ~ as I was making out my short grocery list I decided to go online and print off a few coupons. Coinsiding with the items on the list we printed off enough coupons to save over a quarter of our bill. Mind you, there is only one small grocer in the town. We picked up a few fresh fruits and vegetables and a few other items on the short list - items with online coupons to lessen the blow. Or so we thought! SHOP LOCALLY is what they preach. But they do nothing to promote their plea. We get to the checkout and pass the gal our coupons. She looks at me and says in such an unfriendly tone "those are no good - we don't use online coupons!" Whaaaaaaaaaat??? They don't use online coupons. Are we lost in the dark ages or what??? If this small town wants our business the least they could do is to put a friendly face behind the counter and to work with us in our attempt to save money by accepting online coupons.
So from now on, we will continue to print off online coupons and head out of town another half hour away, and we will continue to schedule our shopping along with our doc appts to save on fuel cost and we will use those online coupons! So there, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
11 comments:
Beth here....I completely understand!
Yup. Lots of places try not to take them. Even Walmart did it to me one time on dog food...
(Sorry you're not feeling welcomed there. That's a real shame!)
That is horrible the way you are treated. People need to get over themselves. I would say that you wouldn't want to be associated with that group of people, so maybe it is a blessing in disguise. I have been threatening to do the online coupon thingy for a few months now. I didn't know some stores might not take them. Good to know.
You could move to my town. I would welcome you with open arms!
Amen Sister!! It was the same here when we moved here (17 yrs ago) at us like we were going to rob the place or something...and so snotty!
BUT eventually there was the housing boom (quite a few yrs ago)then there were more of us then them! Things changed but with change came a quadruple of population, a new grocery and hand few of other stores.
Needless to say, things are much better now. Everyone is friendly, we still have somewhat of a small town atmosphere. Of course we are now amongst the old timmers and when the second housing boom hit we looked at all the new comers! LOL But they are no longer here, almost all were forclosed on. So we sit with empty houses waiting for the economy to come back and fill them up.
I love my house and town. I think what helped some at the time, was my Dad was born here. When we first moved in it was mostly a Portuguese community, and once they found out I was Portuguese things eased up. But we are now the minority...ah yes change.
I've been asked so many times if I'm going to sell my house because of the divorce. No, I'm staying put...if I can swing it. I know most people in town, and still feel somewhat safe here...except for my soon to be ex. Yes alot of bad memories, but good ones to. Almosr all the plants have come from my parents farm...they have passed so I wouldn't ever be able to replace them. I'm just too sentimental I guess.
We still drive half hour away for the larger stores like Walmart. But it's ok, I like my area and plan to stay.
Gosh, didn't mean to write a book here!! Sorry
Have a great day!
*hugs*deb
I am sorry Cher! Human nature is just aweful...it reminds me of junior high girls!
Sorry about the coupon fiasco too. Don't they understand that they are running you to Walmart?!
Big hug!
Caroline
OUCH! I have never heard of that policy. I have heard stories similar to yours about small towns though. Thanks for visiting me, Cher, after my long absence. It's pretty friendly over at my place. **blows kisses** Deb
Oh, my. That's quite nasty treating people that way. Small towns can be quite lovely to live in - if you find the right one. As for the coupons, I hear you. Some place just won't take the ones printed off the computer which is ridiculous considering the number of online coupon sites that have popped up ALL over the net.
Take care. - Kathy
I know that must feel very bad to be sort of an outcast. We're lucky our small town is known as the town of live oaks and friendly folks and we have both.
Saddens me to hear that they would not accept your coupon because it came from the internet. My Frances keeps many coupons on hand which she clips from newspapers and magazines and may get turned down because the coupon is expired or out of date. No problem with computer coupons tho, for she will not even get on the computer anymore for a simple e-mail. Ever since her heart surgery (two years ago) she has not been on a single time. ☻ ☻ ☻
Gosh, Girly, sorry bout the coupon bite. So, why do they issue them from each store out there? if they cannot be used. Mel had the same problem with our only grocery store, until she set them straight. Someday, that's all they will accept.
As for your unfriendly town, that too is a darned shame. I loved your little 'Crystal'. Well, you just pack those bags and come on home. We will be friendly.
BlessYourHeart
Hi Cher, dropped in from Scott's Finding Another View blog and could SO identify with you comments about moving to a small town and being considered outsiders. Happened to us too moving to the VA eastern shore from NJ to this small town of under 500 people where folks not born here are called "come heres" no mater how long they live here. We bought our older home in 2003 and moved full time in 2005. I can understand many of your comments about wanting to sell, but bad economy and the mentality of small-town life. We work around things as best we can and sometimes joke about it on our blog. Please do drop in for a visit and feel free to comment as we do appreciate and reply to comments folks are nice enough to leave. Enjoy the weekend!
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