Ageism / Adultism / Zellers

I will now never shop at the Zellers store in Sherwood Park. I was in the electronics department looking at speakers, which I picked up and took to the scanner (Nothing in that store has a price tag.). After choosing to buy the speakers, I went back to electronics to look at a phone cable extension. When I was in the isle looking for where they kept it, this lady (maybe 60) walks around the corner (Nobody else was in the electronics except the guy at the till she ignored to talk to me.), and says "Can I help you?" in a very rude sounding tone. I then said "Yes, could you please tell me where the phone cables are?" (Yes, my parents did teach me manners.). She then said "They're over here!" once again in her rude tone. I thanked her and began my search. When I was finished I wanted to check the price of the cable since the speakers were on sale. When I started to walk toward the closest scanner (otherside of store), she quickly walked behind me and then shouted, "Where do you think your taking that?!?!?". (Note that only items behind the glass need to be bought at the electronic counter. Also she abandoned the other customer again.) I quickly replied that I was just heading to my mom (Who was by the scanner). She then said "Oh, fine then." and wandered back to the counter. That was the end of it since when I went to put back the cable I had my mom come with me.

I am sickened by the lack of respect. It wasn't so much that she asked me what I was doing (I had nothing to hide), but the tone and rude conduct she presented. I realize teens do shoplift, but adults do it just as much. I'll be damned if I let people get away with this. In a bit I am phoning Zellers to talk to the management, as well I will let my friends know to avoid shopping there. Also look in the Sunday paper for a letter about ageism.

Now you tell me... Am I wrong? Will I look like a fool?

Strathcona County Transit Ridership (1st post!)

HAHA, so my first topic will be about the ridership with SCT. I see time after time, buses heading to the Transit Centre (TC) empty or with 1-2 passengers. Not only is this a waste of time and money, it is doing nothing for reducing pollution. A bus carrying one person is way worse then a car carrying one person because it burns more fuel. SCT needs increased ridership, but people like me can't do it alone by telling people to take the bus places instead of driving or getting a ride. If you think about it, Sherwood Parkians (made up word) rely on their cars WAY to much, but is there really anyway to change that? The government keeps on expanding roads making it easier and easier to take a car someplace, but if they were to close road lanes and make them only for buses would that help? I don't think so, it would probably just piss people off, but what about education? Would informing people what the benefits of public transit change any minds? I think it would be worth a shot to put a million towards educating the public about transit, the benefits, and what not. Maybe, if anything, the gas prices this summer will help to change some minds and have people think about alternatives to driving. At $1.50 a litre, a $50 transit pass doesn't sound bad at all. Yet, SCT will probably have to increase fares and pass prices to keep up with fuel prices but I really don't know what diesel will cost soon. even if the price of passes reached $100 it would still be a bargain because the average person with an average vehicle uses about $45 of fuel every week. Yes, I don't expect people to switch over to transit all at once, nor use it for every trip, but if people would just take a week and ride the damn thing, they would see its so easy to get around the park, and even into Edmonton where taking transit is even easier. What are your thoughts? Thats all for today!