Sometimes I get a kick out of store displays. The last month there have been a few that have caught my eye. I'm not going to mention the establishments - only the humorous placement of items.
One day my wife and I were walking through a convenience store and noticed an odd display of snacks on the end cap of an aisle.n an end cap of an aisle. Right before our eyes were Ding Dongs and Ho Ho's snuggled next to each other.
Another time and another day I was at the checkout counter of a grocery store when I noticed the items displayed on the shelf behind the cashier. In marketing they are called impulse items. You only had a choice of two things to satisfy your impulse - condoms were to right of home pregnancy tests. To me, having pregnancy tests next to condoms isn't good advertising for the condoms.
In closing I will tell you about one of the best displays I have ever encountered - if you call a small vending machine a display. In the men's restroom on a college campus there was a vending machine with only three items. It contained condoms, energy pills, and a type of (different brand) of NoDoz pills.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Society Influence is Spreading
As you know - or if you didn't know - my wife and I spend the school year in the small Eskimo Village of Eek, Alaska. It is located smack in the mist of the vast tundra in Southwest Alaska. The place is remote and only accessible by air, boat, or snow mobile depending on the weather.
The people have resided there for generations and for the most part look after and respect one another and their property. However, I've seen changes to the contrary during my 12 years as an educator in the bush.
It isn't uncommon for people to leave their doors unlocked and when someone wants to visit they simply walk in. That is changing. Doors locked are gaining more momentum. Blame is spread from what is called the Western Influence (TV, computers/internet, video games, etc) over the last couple of decades to the economy to parenting to a whole slew of other possibilities. The fact is that crime is spreading even t0 isolated villages.
The village of Eek is no exception. The influence of modern society has taken a hold. The tradition of the younger generations listening to stories and lessons and learning from their Elders is dying. Granted is is "another world" now, but the wisdom and knowledge of the Elders can be applied to any time or situation.
One example of the changing society within the village (as with most every place I go now) is the inability for one to throw their trash away properly. Each year we have to spend time to pick up the trash around the school - even within a few feet or inches of the trash can itself.
As I wrote, it isn't limited to villages by all means. Just the other day I was at a hotel in Bethel, Alaska and outside was trash on the ground by their trash can.
Kids learn by example. The hotel was packed with teachers and administrators in for a district-wide in-service so it is fair to assume that adults left the trash there. That is not a proper way to set an example.
Trash strewn about may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I bet I'm not alone.
We can't go back in time and start over in regards to the negative impact of modern society, but we can do our part by learning from those who have lived in a different age, respecting the environment, and teaching our kids to make the right decisions.
The people have resided there for generations and for the most part look after and respect one another and their property. However, I've seen changes to the contrary during my 12 years as an educator in the bush.
It isn't uncommon for people to leave their doors unlocked and when someone wants to visit they simply walk in. That is changing. Doors locked are gaining more momentum. Blame is spread from what is called the Western Influence (TV, computers/internet, video games, etc) over the last couple of decades to the economy to parenting to a whole slew of other possibilities. The fact is that crime is spreading even t0 isolated villages.
The village of Eek is no exception. The influence of modern society has taken a hold. The tradition of the younger generations listening to stories and lessons and learning from their Elders is dying. Granted is is "another world" now, but the wisdom and knowledge of the Elders can be applied to any time or situation.
One example of the changing society within the village (as with most every place I go now) is the inability for one to throw their trash away properly. Each year we have to spend time to pick up the trash around the school - even within a few feet or inches of the trash can itself.
As I wrote, it isn't limited to villages by all means. Just the other day I was at a hotel in Bethel, Alaska and outside was trash on the ground by their trash can.
Kids learn by example. The hotel was packed with teachers and administrators in for a district-wide in-service so it is fair to assume that adults left the trash there. That is not a proper way to set an example.
Trash strewn about may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I bet I'm not alone.
We can't go back in time and start over in regards to the negative impact of modern society, but we can do our part by learning from those who have lived in a different age, respecting the environment, and teaching our kids to make the right decisions.
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