The Crabby Widow
Dear Macy's Department Store:I realize that this is not a good time to be in retail. I realize that Target is now producing smart, snappy fashion at hoi polloi prices, that discount chains are underselling your designer lines, and that the shrinking of the American middle class has put a squeeze on mid-level retailers like you. However. There is no excuse for you sending me an email promotion with the subject line: "Engaged? Register with us and start earning rewards!" It's heartless, cruel, and it makes me want to cut my credit card into tiny pieces, find the nearest Macy's, and grind those pieces slowly. Into. Someone's. Eyeballs.
No, I'm not effing engaged. Bastards. Rub it in!
Labels: consumer rage
posted by Unknown @ 3:58 PM
4 Comments:
this may be an unwelcome thought, but i assume when you talk about diversity at public school, part of that diversity would be other children from single-parent households. i don't know if that's an issue. it is a nice thing for our child, to see that there are so many different ways to be a family.
Anon,
You are completely right--and that thought is absolutely necessary. One of the things that has surprised me at my daughter's current school is how few single- or divorced- families there are (only one that I've found, in 3 years). It's not the easiest "diversity" to ask about, or to spot, of course. It's one of the great things about our local adoptive families groups (several single moms with 1-2 adopted kids of other races)--and about our larger community in general (especially the YMCA): we see lots of single parents with their children, across racial and ethnic categories. We see multiracial families of all varieties every time we shop, go to swimming class, eat in a restaurant, or go to a park. And some of those families are single parent. Your idea touches on one of my biggest fears about private school elitism; I want my daughter to grow up conscious of what she *has*, and of how little many others have, and to feel grateful instead of always obsessing about those who seem to *have* more (money, status, parents, toys...) and seeking status for herself. And so I worry about putting her in environments where the kids are noticeably more affluent than we are. This private school seems *not* to foster that (more earthy, environmental, learning-focused, which is why I'm even considering it, given that our local private schools cost 3x as much and are bastions of old and new money and snobbery), but it's amazing how savvy kids are about that sort of thing, and how early the competition starts. Thanks for the reminder!! It would be nice to have a few more friends who share our situation...What is up with all the lasting marriages these days? ;)
Going to follow the conversation in the comments rather than the post (I heartily agree, btw-- they really need to filter their bloody marketing list. Idiots.). Anyway, it is possible to have a school environment that fosters non-materialism and concern for others even in a private school. That school C doesn't collect extra fees is a good sign-- neither does our school and it is because they want to make sure kids don't feel the pressure of monetary decisions in the family. There are also a lot of charity projects happening in the school all the time. Kindergarten is collecting money for Heffner International now, to buy goats for families. There is no pressure on any kids to bring money from home, yet they are all engaged and very interested in making a difference. But they view it as a class project and not as a competition of who brings in more.
I spent some time reading your blog last night and wanted to say hello. Macy's, though I like what they have to offer, is ridiculous. I especially hate their catalogues with perfumed inserts.
Angie (from www.AllAdither.com)
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