Tell a lie for the greater good?

[ZaireinHD]

I straight up told a lie today! a lie by all fully meaning of the definition of a lie!
I paid for my groceries and the register lady went over my receipt to point out the money saved and reward points. she mentioned even if I don't collect the Matzo; I could give it to charity.
my response:
oh - ok that is a good idea and the Goodwill is up the street! on my next shopping I'll do just that! Thanks!


first of all I have no fucking idea what Matzo is?? so I guess it's some kind of food? don't know what it looks like, so don't know what isle it would be in. Therefore I would have to ask to find it. Then use the points to get my free Matzo worth 200 points; which again have no idea how much that is? and would have to ask. Then make another stop looking for the Goodwill place. Which I THINK is around the grocery store? so now I would have to look up charity drop off places inthe area!

LOL - yea right I have absolutely no intentions of follow though!

[mmhmm]

LOL!  I've gotta ask, Zairein ... exactly how is this lie serving the "greater good"? 

[busymom]

I think you just said that off the top of your head so the cashier would leave you alone.

When I walk into clothing stores & the employees hassle me too much about "if I need help", I tend to say no, even if I do...

[Shooby]

There is no need to lie if you simply say "no thank you" and stop talking. It is very easy to not lie in life if you simply just do that. You don't "owe" an explanation to a cashier about anything that you do one way or the other. People get into lying when they think they are somehow obligated to explain or justify themselves to everyone on the planet.   You don't. A simple yes or no and stop talking.

[Shooby]

I walked into the Verizon store yesterday and immediately a saleperson came over to me.  She asked if I needed help and I said I was looking for a "basic" phone for DH. She had an ipad and then started with "what is your name and zip" yada, yada. I said I am not interested in that and just want to see the phones. She pointed them out and then I went and looked. Just because she asked for information doesn't mean I was compelled to give it.

[Otto the Orange]

Apr 13, 2014 8:50:12 GMT -5 Shooby said:

I walked into the Verizon store yesterday and immediately a saleperson came over to me.  She asked if I needed help and I said I was looking for a "basic" phone for DH. She had an ipad and then started with "what is your name and zip" yada, yada. I said I am not interested in that and just want to see the phones. She pointed them out and then I went and looked. Just because she asked for information doesn't mean I was compelled to give it.

That's my thinking exactly

I have so many rewards cards, etc. from the supermarket where I gave them a fake email, address, etc. (because I just want the rewards card and don't want to be bothered by other things they might email me or mail me.)  Maybe some people actually want that stuff, fine but not me.  I have friends complaining about all the junk mail they receive because of their rewards cards.  I just

I mean females figured out back in the day in the club how to give guys they weren't interested in a fake phone number, so why do they feel compelled to give their actual contact info to a store (if they don't want to be hassled)? 

<<hopes no one realizes back in the day I piled up a lot of fake phone numbers in my black book    and that's how I thought up my bonus card strategy>>

[Shooby]

You don't even need to give fake email addresses. Just say No Thank you. YOu don't have to explain why.

[Otto the Orange]

Apr 13, 2014 9:22:59 GMT -5 Shooby said:

You don't even need to give fake email addresses. Just say No Thank you. YOu don't have to explain why.

well shoob, in the grocery store to get the rewards card I think you do, and I wanted the rewards card...but maybe I am wrong on that

BTW- what's your phone number?

[Shooby]

Oh, OK. Well, you could simply just set up a special email account just for rewards cards if you like them since they do sometimes you mail you coupons and such. But, have you considered that giving a fake email is spamming someone else?

[Shooby]

My phone number is 867-5309.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Then use the points to get my free Matzo worth 200 points; which again have no idea how much that is? and would have to ask. Then make another stop looking for the Goodwill place. Which I THINK is around the grocery store? so now I would have to look up charity drop off places inthe area!

Goodwill stores (at least here) don't take food donations.

Goodwill accepts clothing, furniture, household goods (dishes, cups etc), children's toys, etc. Then they re-sell those items at low-cost.

A Food Bank would be a more logical choice of charity for a donation such as that.

[mollyanna58]

Some of the food stores have a collection area for donated food.

And, yes, Zaire, matzo is a food for Passover.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

There's the food donation bins in my grocery store(s) too.

I was just pointing out to Z that Goodwill isn't likely to take food donations. They re-sell used goods (like I mentioned above) at low cost for those who can't afford to pay full retail new. Also anyone can shop at Goodwill - no matter if they're rich or low-income.

When you donate food to a Food Bank, the food is used to make hampers which are given free to those qualified and in need of such a program.

They also usually only accept non-perishable canned or packaged goods - such as canned veggies/soups, etc, dry pastas, flour, sugar, cereals, etc. (Basically food that won't spoil - & cannot be tampered with).

Any fresh foods (breads, dairy, meat, etc) is usually donated by the grocery stores or suppliers themselves.

[kent]

Apr 13, 2014 9:47:36 GMT -5 Shooby said:

My phone number is 867-5309.

All I got was "This party does not accept blocked numbers." What gives anyway?

[ZaireinHD]

Apr 13, 2014 8:32:04 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

LOL!  I've gotta ask, Zairein ... exactly how is this lie serving the "greater good"? 

Hmmm... good question?

no one feelings were hurt?
I look good by accepting the suggestion?
Register lady feels good for making the suggestion and thinks / feels she made a difference?
Register lady feels like she may have helped someone in need?
Register lady may feel like she has definitely gone above and beyond her job? (well I think she went above and beyond her job)

[mmhmm]

OMG, Zaire!  Somebody needs to raise you!

1.  Nobody's feelings should be hurt if it can be avoided.  That's not serving the greater good.  That's being a considerate human being.  It's what we should do all the time.
2.  You looking good has nothing whatever to do with the "greater good".  It ain't all about you, chile!
3.  She's supposed to make that kind of suggestion.  That's what she's paid to do and that suggestion, in all likelihood, came from management.
4.  I hope she did, but just like you aren't the "greater good", neither is she.
5.  See 3.

Life Lessons 101.   There will be a test.

[busymom]

Apr 13, 2014 9:47:36 GMT -5 Shooby said:

My phone number is 867-5309.

  Now I've got that song running through my brain. 

[NancysSummerSip]

Matzoh's pretty expensive this year. Well, it's always expensive. Heck, Zaire could have shipped that free matzoh to me!

On a serious note, there are Jewish food banks in major cities. And many synagogues do accept food donations, particularly around the holidays. You'd be surprised how many families that go to synagogue regularly (which requires paying membership, BTW, and that can cost serious bucks) run into financial trouble and need food help. Jews tend to be very reluctant to ask for help outside their own community, and even then, they seem to find it difficult to accept help when it's offered.

[moon/Laura]

Apr 13, 2014 8:50:12 GMT -5 Shooby said:

I walked into the Verizon store yesterday and immediately a saleperson came over to me.  She asked if I needed help and I said I was looking for a "basic" phone for DH. She had an ipad and then started with "what is your name and zip" yada, yada. I said I am not interested in that and just want to see the phones. She pointed them out and then I went and looked. Just because she asked for information doesn't mean I was compelled to give it.

If you spend much time in a Verizon store, you know they use that tablet to put you "in line" to speak to a salesperson.

However, if I wasn't to the point of being ready to purchase, I'd turn them away, too.

sent from my Galaxy S4

[ZaireinHD]

oh my! mmHmm!
I am sure there are quite a few things you have to show me!

[Artemis Windsong]

I remember having to explain why I need to, I did or did not do something.  I needed some upbringing in how to politely say no thank you, not explain why I needed the hour off for medical appt., or I was busy with something else.

One of the best lines is I have something else.  That shuts of questioning of most kinds.  A great, nondescript answer.

I don't know when all of this dawned on me but it's been most helpful.
-----
Zaire, next time leave the coupon with the cashier to pass forward.  They usually have a good handle on who needs it.  One store clerks where I shop will take the left over exclusive coupon book and pass them forward.  My favorite so sweet checker does this.  She feels bad if people don't get the best deal.  These are deep discounts.

I was soured one time when I'd met the $30 limit for the free item but I became confused when the coupons were removed.  The clerk did not tell me I did qualify for the free item and let me have it.
-------
One of the worst lies for the greater good of a work force was the managers said they never have laid workers off since the start of the company.  Three weeks later the transfers to other locations and lay offs began.

[lexxy703]

Zaire, Zaire, Zaire.........LOL boy!!  You made up an elaborate lie for the store clerk.  No thanks, not at this time, I'm not interested.  Pick one & stick with it.  My standard answers when asked things like that.  They probably hear it from at least 50% of their customers, if not more.

[ZaireinHD]

Apr 14, 2014 9:21:12 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Matzoh's pretty expensive this year. Well, it's always expensive. Heck, Zaire could have shipped that free matzoh to me!

On a serious note, there are Jewish food banks in major cities. And many synagogues do accept food donations, particularly around the holidays. You'd be surprised how many families that go to synagogue regularly (which requires paying membership, BTW, and that can cost serious bucks) run into financial trouble and need food help. Jews tend to be very reluctant to ask for help outside their own community, and even then, they seem to find it difficult to accept help when it's offered.

Nancy you're right!
this matzoh is I guess pretty popular here in my area. the store sold out! and my 200 points turned into $15 credit

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

and my 200 points turned into $15 credit

Don't you mean $15 savings on a future grocery purchase if you have that $15 in points accumulated deducted from your grocery total at register when you decide to "turn them in"?

The store doesn't give you $15 cash. They reduce your purchase by that amount when you buy groceries if you decide to use them - then you have to start accumulating points again from scratch starting at $0.

I hope you at least realize that the points incentive is a marketing tool used by the grocers to lure you in & get you to shop/spend money in their stores.

[Tennesseer]

Instead of coming up with some 'story', simply say 'Thanks' and move on.  That covers just about every scenario.

[ZaireinHD]

yea Shooby and Ten are right - there was no need to have lied! I get that
I most certainly don't want to be lied to.

[Artemis Windsong]

I told a lie for the greater good once or twice.

The one that strikes me is when there was a rising tense situation and I noticed something another person had that could cause some major problems.  I yelled Oh he** what the heck was that that flew up?  It diffused the tense situation and everyone went on their way.

[smoface]

Don't feel bad about not donating to Goodwill at least. Most people who shop Goodwill can afford to buy Matzoh.