Why for the Life of Me?
Furthering my recent unfunded, unscientific research into why people do the things they do, I stumbled across an observation that I can not reconcile in my own head. Sure, I've kind of figured out why one might select an extremely ethnic name for their child and the effects, or lack there of, of that name on that child. I've also learned a little bit about some religions that were unfamiliar to me that makes me better understand a smidgen of what they might be thinking. Heck, I've even recently come to the revelation that the best gift you can give the uninformed is not money, but the knowledge of how to appreciate that money.
My confusion comes from serveral recent visits to the local HEB grocery store. We've chosen to shop their as part of our "Savings Level 4" committment to become better stewards of the gifts God has blessed us with. No one really knows what "Savings Level 4" actually is. It just means to my family that we have to watch our spending on an everyday basis. We would not ordinarily choose to shop this particular grocery store. It's too crowded, marginally clean, and full of shoppers that like to visit on their cell phones while they are visiting with other shoppers while they are blocking the isles with their 6 kids and their grandparents. I've never been a fan of the "generational shopping" where you bring the whole extended family. Is there some 15% discount for having 3 or more generations in the store at the same time that I'm not aware of? That will be a topic for another day. However, we do think this store has lower prices than our previous choice, and therefore, sacrifices are being made.
On my last four visits to this store, I have witnessed grown people (adult aged) spending thier money in the foyer playing the little game whereby they are trying to pickup a stuffed prize with a crane. Why for the life of me would an adult want to spend the time, effort and money to secure such a prize? It's beyond comprehension to me.
My hypothesis is, when viewing these folks, that time is not an issue. I don't get the feeling they have a conference in the Board Room in twenty minutes and must prepare thier presentation. Instead, it looks as if maybe they have looked ahead and realized that Judge Judy is going to be a replay of the April 6th show and they don't necessarily need to watch it again.
I suppose effort is not a problem, either. Sure, they have to stand up for a little while, but sometimes it feels good to stretch your legs. I think if I were in the business of creating these machines, I would create a version that is played while sitting down. A customer may be inclined to stay longer, and play more, if they are comfortable.
As far as the money spent, that's the biggest obstacle I have. First, lets look at the prize. I'm assuming, at best, it's a cheaply stuffed animal made by child labor in China. It would beg me to ask, "When you win one, did you actually win anything?" Maybe you could stick it on the back dash of your car or take it straight to your garage sale. Either way, I suspect the value of the prize depreciates rather quickly, like the second it leaves the gaming machine. Then comes the fact that there is much more losing than winning. I suspect someone retrieves a prize from time to time, but I have not witnessed such on these four occasions.
In regards to the money spent by these "gamblers", my ultimate curiosity would be to see if any of them paid for their groceries with a Texas Card or some other form of assistance. I don't have time to implement such a research project, but I would be interested to know. It could be that "we" are paying for this venture.
I don't mean for this topic to reveal "the Pharisee in me," although I can assure you there is indeed one. It's really about the fact I can not for the life of me figure out what would lead anyone to want to participate in such a game of fortune. Maybe there is some competition among those participants and they get points for their success. I don't know. I also assume it's possible that those folks would be bewildered by some of the stuff I do. If so, it probably serves them right for confusing my brain. If you have it figured out, please let me know.
Little Boze
My confusion comes from serveral recent visits to the local HEB grocery store. We've chosen to shop their as part of our "Savings Level 4" committment to become better stewards of the gifts God has blessed us with. No one really knows what "Savings Level 4" actually is. It just means to my family that we have to watch our spending on an everyday basis. We would not ordinarily choose to shop this particular grocery store. It's too crowded, marginally clean, and full of shoppers that like to visit on their cell phones while they are visiting with other shoppers while they are blocking the isles with their 6 kids and their grandparents. I've never been a fan of the "generational shopping" where you bring the whole extended family. Is there some 15% discount for having 3 or more generations in the store at the same time that I'm not aware of? That will be a topic for another day. However, we do think this store has lower prices than our previous choice, and therefore, sacrifices are being made.
On my last four visits to this store, I have witnessed grown people (adult aged) spending thier money in the foyer playing the little game whereby they are trying to pickup a stuffed prize with a crane. Why for the life of me would an adult want to spend the time, effort and money to secure such a prize? It's beyond comprehension to me.
My hypothesis is, when viewing these folks, that time is not an issue. I don't get the feeling they have a conference in the Board Room in twenty minutes and must prepare thier presentation. Instead, it looks as if maybe they have looked ahead and realized that Judge Judy is going to be a replay of the April 6th show and they don't necessarily need to watch it again.
I suppose effort is not a problem, either. Sure, they have to stand up for a little while, but sometimes it feels good to stretch your legs. I think if I were in the business of creating these machines, I would create a version that is played while sitting down. A customer may be inclined to stay longer, and play more, if they are comfortable.
As far as the money spent, that's the biggest obstacle I have. First, lets look at the prize. I'm assuming, at best, it's a cheaply stuffed animal made by child labor in China. It would beg me to ask, "When you win one, did you actually win anything?" Maybe you could stick it on the back dash of your car or take it straight to your garage sale. Either way, I suspect the value of the prize depreciates rather quickly, like the second it leaves the gaming machine. Then comes the fact that there is much more losing than winning. I suspect someone retrieves a prize from time to time, but I have not witnessed such on these four occasions.
In regards to the money spent by these "gamblers", my ultimate curiosity would be to see if any of them paid for their groceries with a Texas Card or some other form of assistance. I don't have time to implement such a research project, but I would be interested to know. It could be that "we" are paying for this venture.
I don't mean for this topic to reveal "the Pharisee in me," although I can assure you there is indeed one. It's really about the fact I can not for the life of me figure out what would lead anyone to want to participate in such a game of fortune. Maybe there is some competition among those participants and they get points for their success. I don't know. I also assume it's possible that those folks would be bewildered by some of the stuff I do. If so, it probably serves them right for confusing my brain. If you have it figured out, please let me know.
Little Boze
posted by Little Boze @ 6:35 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I think these people feel like they must lose. For whatever reason, losing is justification for them. Maybe it confirms their self doubt. I suspect that the average player at this game would "double down" or parlay their winnings into losses if allowed to.
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