NeedKarma,

It is WAY different here in the states.

I garuntee that if you were to walk into a household, both parents wouldn't be there because they were either working or divorced and the kids would be sitting on the couch with their video games, cell phones or T.V.

In fact, now-a-days because both parents have to work or are divorced the kids (ages infant to about 12) are either at a daycare or some sort of child care facility. I do know that in this time, both parents have to work (but that's not always the case) to make a living which means less time with raising their children. It's practically the child care's employees that raise the kids.

This isn't the same for every single houshold in America but the numbers are high.

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Originally Posted by RickJ

MOST excellent, Excon.

Why, I dunno...but I get a big grin with every reply in this thread :p

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Hello again, Rick:

Let me add this..

Even though the Mexicans are poor, and they have no Bill of Rights, and their kids fall out of pickups, THEY believe they have more freedom than we do. I think they're right.

excon

High Fives all around!

We never skipped school, and if we did we were terrified of being caught! If we did it, it was for the sheer thrill of seeing if we would get caught! When we did... and we always did... we always knew that not only did we have to have "the big talk" from our parents, but from our teachers and the principle. We always had consequences for doing it. If we got suspended, it wasn't a free pass to have a day away from school. It was worse than school! We were given twice as many chores, and twice as much homework to do.

It wasn't often we ever had a "snow day", or "rain day" and I walked to school with a plastic garbage bag as a rain coat, with a hole cut out for my head, and bags over my shoes, when I needed something in a pinch. We came home to homemade chocolate chips cookies and hot chocolate on cold or rainy days.

If Mom wasn't home when we got out of school, we knew to go to my Dad's store or to the neighbors. We had charge accounts at the neighborhood grocery store. If we ever stole anything (which we did, and learned not to) we would be taken directly to the store, and stand in front of customers and the store owners, while our parents told everyone to recognise the faces of thieves! Then we were made to work for free for the store after school,. sweeping, dusting, etc.

There was no such thing as "spring break!" They were called summer holidays, and the whole family would all hop in the trailer and go camping! We would catch fish and have them for supper, after we had cleaned them... and occasionally put a hook in Dad's leg (lol)

Everyone wonders why kids are so overweight these days? They sit around on their brand new computer that is replaced every yr. They are allowed to sit and watch violent movies, and have McDonalds on speed dial. They need the newest blackberry, and text while they are driving and eating Taco Bell, while trying to find the song they want to hear on their I-Pod, all at the same time. If someone calls them fat, their mother goes and beats them up. If they "happen" to come home from school, and find that their mother hasn't made them something, they will sit and stuff themselves full of junk and then take off to the mall with the credit card they've stolen from their parents.

I know not all kids are like that these days, thank God, but there sure are a lot of them who figure they are entitled just because they were born!

I would love to be back to the simpler times! Oooopppss, I just showed my age here didn't I? Oh well, I'm proud of it! :)

Oh the good old days, I remember them well.

Games night, canasta, payday, monopoly, we only had three channels on TV and nothing was ever on. There were no cell phones, no text messaging, no computers. I'm an only child and still I always had something to do. I had my bike and an imagination, that's all I needed. I had friends, some close by, some further, and we got into all sorts of trouble.

Camping, roasting marshmallows, fun family time together. Pets, school buses, one car per family. A dad that worked a mom that stayed home, and always enough time and money for the things we needed. Lots of love and lots of hugs. What happened?

Here's what happened. Instant messaging, cell phones in the hands of 10 years olds (who are they calling?) texting, satellite, Xbox, Wii, and all the other wonders of gaming. Kids that can tell you what's on TV, when it's on and the channel it's on, but can't tell you where the nearest playground is. It's sad.

I've said it before, I want my own mountain, with no cable TV, no satellite, and no phone, far away from civilization, just me, hubby and the kids. I'd miss all of you though. ;):)

Oh, can't forget the pets, they're coming too. :);)

I have a cell phone but that's only because I don't have a house phone. My boyfriend and I share a plan together with 800 minutes per month and 200 texts for $5 every month (even then I don't exceed 200 texts a month). This just goes to show that we don't use our cell phones that much, only to talk to each other and emergencies.

To be honest, and I hope I don't offend all of those excessive cell phone users but I can't stand people that are on their cell phone 24/7, literally, and that isn't just talking, it could be texting too. It drives me insane. It's like when I try to talk to some people, I feel like I'm talking to their phone because as the conversation is going on, their eyes are glued to it and I can't help but look as well. Or how about those cell phone drivers. The ones who are on their phones while driving. They're swerving every where and switching lanes without even looking. As Peter (Family Guy) says 'You know what really grinds my gears... ' This is one of them.

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Originally Posted by bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE

I have a cell phone but that's only because I don't have a house phone. My boyfriend and I share a plan together with 800 minutes per month and 200 texts for $5 every month (even then I don't exceed 200 texts a month). This just goes to show that we don't use our cell phones that much, only to talk to eachother and emergencies.

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My favorite is people in restaurants who are discussing their hemorrhoid surgery on their cell phone at the top of their lungs while I'm sitting there, trying to eat.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

My favorite is people in restaurants who are discussing their hemorrhoid surgery on their cell phone at the top of their lungs while I'm sitting there, trying to eat.

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OMG that's just gross. Judy, I feel for you.

I mean COME ON people. I know the invention of cell phones was a world turning point for society but it doesn't have to take over your lives.

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We had charge accounts at the neighborhood grocery store

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Find me one that doesn't sell gas, and take plastic nowadays. Back in the day, the grocer WAS a neighbor, and there was no plastic, nor computers, so he had to write it down, or remember everyone's face.

When did spanking become illegal? Must have missed that one.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

My favorite is people in restaurants who are discussing their hemorrhoid surgery on their cell phone at the top of their lungs while I'm sitting there, trying to eat.

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I lean in and make sure they know I'm listening.

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I lean in and make sure they know I'm listening.

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Good idea and perhaps interrupting and say, "I'm sorry but I have a question here - " might end it.

Nah, if they are this obtuse in the first place -

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Originally Posted by talaniman

Find me one that doesn't sell gas, and take plastic nowadays. Back in the day, the grocer WAS a neighbor, and there was no plastic, nor computers, so he had to write it down, or remember everyones face.

When did spanking become illegal?? Must have missed that one.

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We knew what "wait until your Dad gets home" meant! It wasn't just a spanking either, we got the belt! :eek: I don't think we were scarred for life because of it! It taught us respect. I don't believe in spanking in every situation, but I do believe that the occasional punishment of that nature is sometimes warranted. It wasn't a beating, it was a quick snap of the belt, and oh yeah... it hurt! It did not teach me to be a violent person, in fact it taught me quite the opposite.

I think it is insane these days, that every child knows that if they are angry with their parents, and they get a smack on the rear, or there is a raised voice, they can scream child abuse! If it was like that when I was young, every parent in town would have been behind bars! ;)

These days the kids rule the home in a lot of families. They demand things that they think they are entitled to, and treat their parents like servants. It's a complete mess!

Kids nowadays have to many things too. I'm guilty of doing that. I want the best for my kids, I want to be able to give them everything, but I'm realizing that it's not doing any good. Now they have to earn the things they want. If they want a toy and it's not their birthday or Christmas, well, we have two dogs, and tons of dog poo in the yard, go clean it up, I'll pay you by the pound. ;) There are dishes that you can put away, and a broom that you can sweep the floor with. We have pets, water bottles that need to be filled, food dishes that need tending, etc. Kids today are given everything. I still want to know why a 10 year old needs a cell phone, I don't have a cell phone. ;)

I used to climb trees, play in the mud and stay out until dark!

I still remember the sound of dad snapping the belt!

Me too!!

I remember being out at night, dark, playing tag or hide and seek with the neighbor kids while the adults all congregated in someone's yard to talk and have drinks. No one worried that something would happen to us, because there wasn't any need to worry.

I remember riding my bike to school, and not having to lock it up, because no one would steal it. My son's bike was stolen off our driveway last year. :(

I remember having a lemonade stand, and being thrilled because I made 10 cents, even though mom spent at least 2 dollars to make the lemonade. :)

I remember driving in a car with am radio only, no air conditioner and you didn't have to wear your seat belt.

I remember when gas was 35 cents a litre, I miss those days, we're up to $1.39, or more, I haven't checked in a while. ;)

Ah, the good old days, what happened?

Alty, gas where I am (Massachusetts) is $4.03/gallon and that's just for the regular. EEEKKK!!

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Originally Posted by bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE

Alty, gas where I am (Massachusetts) is $4.03/gallon and that's just for the regular. EEEKKK!!!

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It's - I believe - $4.49 (give or take) here - I filled up the car yesterday and got gas for the lawn mower and it was $94.

There are signs that the pumps stop at $100 so if the pump freezes and you haven't filled your tank pay for that transaction and start a second transaction.

Well us Canucks buy our gas by the litre, so it actually works out around the same as US prices. Sucks doesn't it!

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Originally Posted by starbuck8

Well us Canucks buy our gas by the litre, so it actually works out around the same as US prices. Sucks doesn't it!

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Oh, don't do this to me. I'm severely math challenged (and I'm not kidding) and I have a terrible time with kilometers. I HATE it when I work in Canada - the witness is prattling on and I'm thinking, "Let's see. If the distance from here to there is 2 kilometers, carry the one, let's see, that would be - umm, 2 kilometers would be -" and standing there, looking blank.

And then the exchange rate - !

Now you're going to throw LITRES at me - ?

If Canada ever invades the US and takes over I'm doomed!

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Oh, don't do this to me. I'm severely math challenged (and I'm not kidding) and I have a terrible time with kilometers. I HATE it when I work in Canada - the witness is prattling on and I'm thinking, "Let's see. If the distance from here to there is 2 kilometers, carry the one, let's see, that would be - umm, 2 kilometers would be -" and standing there, looking blank.

And then the exchange rate - !

Now you're going to throw LITRES at me - ?

If Canada ever invades the US and takes over I'm doomed!

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Should I throw Farenheint and Celsius in the mix for you? :p

When I was going to school, we grew up on the standard system, and we didn't change over to metric until around the 11th grade. So give me miles and gallons anyday. I live here and I still have a hard time converting them.

If I'm driving somewhere, if the sign says 40kms, I cut that in half, and add a bit, and that's how I figure out how far it is. LOL! (either that or I just look down at the conversion on the speedometer.

What is really strange, is trying to figure out the temp. In the winter time when it's cold, I have to go by Celsius or I have no idea. Versus summer time when it's hot, I need to find out what the temp is in Fahrenheit or I have no idea. Pretty strange I know. I'm not even sure where the cut off point is between cold and hot. Haha!

All I know is that our gas prices are the same no matter how you look at it, and it's just crazy. I live in Alberta that is nicknamed (all hell for a basement) because of our gas and oil. A major part of our population works in the oil and gas industry, yet to be fair, they charge us the same prices. ;)