Welcome to an extra edition of the mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“The unpleasant result (at least in my opinion) is the lack of a friendly representative interacting with me that puts a face to an otherwise large faceless entity (Self-checkout kiosks, Oct. 23, 2023). When shopping now, I notice that not one store employee (if there is one) bothers to make eye-contact with me, offers assistance, or just greets me with a friendly smile. They are too busy stocking shelves, trying to look busy or talking with other employees to notice customers. How isolated and dystopian we have become when a store employee cannot even make eye contact with a customer to make us feel WELCOME and thank us for shopping there or, God forbid, help us find a product. I have lots of choices for how I want to spend my hard-earned dollars. More and more, I find if we are going to a lack of interaction and basic customer service that my dollars will be spent online. At least the Fed Ex or UPS driver is friendly and will knock on my door.” - Lori

Unfortunately, those online purchases impact the revenues and profits of the brick and mortar stores, and that results in lower pay for their employees, which trickles down to the quality of service we receive. It’s a vicious cycle that is only fixed if we support our local merchants. - Shane

“Just something I notice repeatedly. The employees at QuikTrip convenience stores seem the fastest for knowing and counting back my change (Generational change, Nov. 8, 2023). Some places, if I get a bill for $3.27 and I hand them $5.02, I get a look of total confusion.” - Mike

It is definitely a lost art, and I can’t help but wonder when the day will come again when cash will be king. - Shane

A home phone (Generational change, Nov. 8, 2023). I also believe brick and mortar stores will be going by the wayside. About one more generation, and I think they will be gone.” - Lori

Home phones are mostly gone now. I sure hope the brick and mortar stores don’t disappear, or we are all going to paying a lot more for residential property taxes. - Shane

“My grandson will be telling his children that his grandpa used to listen to music that was recorded on a black, heavy disc and put on a little machine that had a plate that went around in a circle and had an arm that had a needle on the end of it that set down on the black disc and somehow ‘sucked up’ the music and sent it through wires to some big boxes where the music came out (Generational change, Nov. 8, 2023). How else would you explain an album, a turntable and speakers?” - James

How do you explain music streaming through the air? - Shane

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman 

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here.

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