The Adventure Continues…
Times Are Changing
-Doug Larson
Times are definitely changing. No doubt about it.
Sunday morning I glanced at the clock above the truck’s radio, the time read 11:11. The cell phone said it was 9:11. My laptop, safely packed away on the backseat, would read 10:11 if I opened it up.
Cruising from Michigan into Illinois last week set me back an hour; driving from eastern to central time zone. Add the hardest shift in time for me to adjust to – daylight savings – let’s just say this gal is in a constant state of what time it is.
To expand on this whole time change crap I seem to be dwelling on, let’s go back to last week. I departed northern Michigan Wednesday late afternoon with the intent to avoid the snow forecasted to drop that night and drive between the two weather systems moving across the country.
The majority of my traveling was on Halloween. I expected to see clowns, vampires and the occasional x-rated bunny on their way to some party somewhere at some bar or someone’s home. Nope. Not one. The map app I chose to use routed Willie James and I through a few small towns and one medium-size cities around the time that I anticipated seeing a variety of children clustered here and there strolling the sidewalks, knocking on doors and pressing the neighbor’s doorbell. I was shocked. I did not see any little zombies, firemen, superheroes or princesses… not even a dressed up poodle!
I cruised past only one house decorated for Halloween, or at least I’m hoping so because they had a graveside in the front yard. Times have definitely changed from when I was a kid. Halloween was a highly anticipated night of filling trick-or-treat bags, loading up on sugar between houses and trading those nasty candy corn things for Milky Ways. Our neighborhoods were full of ghosts, goblins and tinfoil robots zipping across streets and in a hurry to collect their loot of candy. Wow. Have times changed.
Here’s a rant about time not changing. On Saturday, after setting up the campsite and a long hot shower, I went to an RV dealership within a thirty minute drive of the state park I temporarily resided.
I opened one of the glass doors and kindly held it open for a gentleman in his mid-70’s three or four steps behind me. The gal at the counter asked how she could help me. I replied, “I’d like to look at some of the campers on the lot.” She did her thing to call someone from the sales arena.
A young man, approximately thirty-five years of age, stepped out from the rows of cubicles and walked in our direction. The female greeter behind the desk said, “She would like to look at campers.”
The salesman looked at me, said, “Hi, how are you doing?” He then turned to the gentleman that walked in behind me, extended his hand, and said, “Hi, I am Reese. How can I help you?”
I stated, “Excuse me. He’s not with me.” The older gentleman, still shaking Reese’s hand, looked at me and I returned his smile.
The gentleman looked at Reese, and said, “I’m here to ask the service department a question. You have the wrong person.”
Needless to say, I spend several hours with Reese learning what I could about the various campers they offered. Several times he expressed his concern of selling me a camper less than (box size) twenty-six feet long. “Knowing that you are a full-timer, I, in good conscious, could not sell you anything smaller.”
Wait. What? My current camper is seventeen feet long. Isn’t this MY decision? You’re not fucking listening to me. Dude… really?
I will not, under any circumstances, purchase anything from a salesman unwilling to shake my hand, approach me as a valuable customer, listen or talk pricing with me. He may have thought I was a waste of his time, but he didn’t waste mine. I learned a lot from him about the product lines.
Existing from the lot, I told Willie James, “That Dude is in the wrong time era! Too bad, though. I’m considering one of those twenty-two footers.”
I guess time will tell where I land my next home.
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Cindy I am so inspired by your adventure and how you speak your truth. Thank you for sharing your journey. I am grateful!
Thanks, Kelley. I appreciate your kind words.
Another man that doesn’t listen…just kidding! Go get that twenty-two footer for you and Willie James 🙂 Halloween is considered unsafe by many, so family’s take their kids to events, or – as in Laguna Beach we have Oak and Brooks Streets decorated up and down the hill. Hundreds of people celebrate Halloween there each year. It’s a community event and fairly safe, except you may get your foot stomped on my running children. Times, they are a changin…singing now!
Tee hee hee. I know you’re kidding about men not listening, but seriously that young man was set on his own agenda. When the right camper comes along, it’ll all come together quickly and effortlessly. Until then, I will continue to learn and shop.
The experience my grandsons have with Halloween is so much different than mine or their fathers’. It’s sad that the harmful people have overshadowed the innocence of children. Thank goodness there are communities hosting events that are safe for children to play and make believe.
And now you have me singing, too. 🙂
This so reminded me of the time “way back in the stone age – like 50 years ago) when I went with my Dad to buy a used car after my divorce and all the salesmen we talked to directed all their sales pitches to my Dad instead of the one who would be driving the car. I can’t believe that in this day and age men are still doing that to female buyers. It’s like a bad episode from The Twilight Zone where they are living in a parallel universe that is stuck in the past. To think I marched in Washington Dc in 96 degree heat for women’s rights so this kind of crap can keep on happening. I so feel you pain, sister!
My experience was a little outdated, wasn’t it? Is there anything you haven’t done, Barb? Thank you for marching in Washington DC for the women’s right I have today. We have come a long way!
Cindy,
I never thought of traveling, plus daylight savings time, whoa! Talk about time traveling. 😉
Thanks for sharing your experience with the salesman, unfortunately, it is not that uncommon. It is nice to see you took a gift away from the experience. Now, onward to purchase from someone who will listen and honor your request! If your travels ever bring you to southeast MA, please look me up. I would love to connect in person.
Blessings,
Lisa
I had hoped to make it to the east coast this fall, but things didn’t line up in that direction. Maybe in the spring I can meet you in person.
In regards to the camper, the right salesperson will appear at the right time with the right home for me. I’m trusting and knowing it will all work out for the highest good for all.
Many blessing to you, my sweet friend.
That would be wonderful! There is a KOA campground down near me. I trust the camper will line up in Divine timing too. xoxo
I will let you know in advance when I’m headed in your direction. I look forward to meeting you in person! Thank you, Lisa.
When the right camper comes along, you’ll know it Cindy and everything will fall into place. It reminded me of an incident a friend of mine had which is similar to that of Barb’s. My friend had gone with her father (for a second opinion) to purchase a SUV since she was doing a lot of long distance travelling and much to her irritation the showroom guy started explaining the details of insurance and EMI etc to her Dad and was ready to put his name on the documents! I guess somethings don’t change…….
On the flip side, whenever my Mom and I go shopping at the Malls and a sales person tries to make a hard pitch for a product, I direct them to my Mom and say she’s the buyer. Thank God for Mothers who know how to save their daughters!
Some things are timeless. Too bad really, some salespeople would have the potential to sell more if only they paid attention. In (what feels like) another life, I used to be in sales. I have a good understanding of what it’s like to be on both sides of the “pitch”.
It must be fun to shop with your mother and have each other’s back like that!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me, Vatsala!
AAAARGH! I feel ya, sister. It might not be a strictly sexist thing — Favorite Husband and I have been easing into our RV decision and have been fed this same line of garbaggio. We know how we travel. We know what we want. An extra 5 feet of RV isn’t going to do much for claustrophobia when it arises. And you’re absolutely right — when the right one comes along, you’ll know it!
Yes! I knew I wasn’t alone on the “sales pitch” crapola! We know how we travel and what we want. If they would only listen! Truth be told, I did find a sales person that listened and there’s a good chance I will be purchasing from him.
I love this, Cindy and love reading about your adventures!!! xoxoxo
Thank you, Ruthie.