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Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

Remembering service; some strange surgery; and having grandchildren…..

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

You know, people keep telling me that we live in a service-oriented society. Huge numbers of people in modern Canadian society are employed in the “service” sector…..but I use the term extremely loosely. Do you know that on my first trip to Toronto as a young lad, I had a huge thrill. I got to ride in an elevator – wow – none of those new-fangled contraptions in my hometown of Hanover. And you’ll never guess what? When we stepped onto the elevator, there was a man there in a uniform who asked us what floor we would like….and then pushed the button to the floor for us. You used to pick up your phone and a polite voice would ask what number you wanted….then they’d connect it for you. In the old days, people pumped your gas for you. In the old days, we’d go shopping and there were expert knowledgeable sales staff to help you with stuff. And here we are today, living in a “service” oriented society where there is precious little to no service. You can wander around one of the big box stores for a month without running into a sales associate….or whatever they’re calling them these days. Then, you can run into a sales associate who doesn’t even realize the store sells some of the things it advertises in its flyer. Strange, but true. No, things have really changed in the service department. Had to bag my own groceries in a supermarket the other day. Saw some people in the same store checking out their own groceries. Weird, weird, weird! And this in a day when we’re worried about unemployment. We use automated telephone answering systems when everybody hates them and real people could use the jobs. No, I remember back to the day when the customer was king…..and the only place you’ll find that anymore are from small independent business people. Which is why you should shop locally and support small business. It’s the only place you still get service with a smile….

So, you know what’s one of the fastest growing types of cosmetic surgery? Breast reduction for men!!! I kid you not! And I just heard this breaking news on the TV this morning. And how much stranger can the world get? I saw the beginning of the story and they didn’t specify what type of plastic surgery men were flocking to. I had a couple of things run through my mind but breast reduction surgery wasn’t one of them. I didn’t even realize there were that many men walking around whose breasts were all that large. I guess it’s not something I’m tuned in to. Actually, I find most of this plastic surgery stuff to be abhorrent and perverse. If someone has had a bad accident, been in a fire, or even been born with a serious deformity, I think it’s wonderful there is help. But I don’t really even understand how a doctor could perform even the tiniest bit of unnecessary surgery on anyone without his licence being called into question. I don’t understand how it’s ethical to carve away on someone without a really good reason…..and giving some twentysomething woman a perky little nose and cute little upturned breasts should not qualify. I mean, in Canada, there are lineups of people waiting for real medical attention. Man, what a waste of resources and time and a lot of silicon or botox or whatever. No, the government thinks nothing of passing law after law against smokers, but no laws for people who have lost control of their minds and gone under the knife for no apparent reason…..other than the fact they are practicing the art of wanton hedonism. Naw, don’t get me going on this one….oh, I already am….just don’t get it….just don’t get it at all.

Love having grandchildren! Think it’s one of the most wonderful things about gradually aging and turning to dust. I have gotten so much enjoyment out of interacting with our grandchildren I can’t even begin to tell you. But it’s frustrating work as well. Because the grandparents and the young parents sometimes have different ideas on how to raise children. But when you’re the grandparent, you’ve generally got to bite your tongue and let the parent handle the situation. It’s tough sometimes, but you’ve gotta do it. It seems each generation must learn to parent almost on its own…you know how they always say there’s no instruction manual that comes when you have children. Well, actually there is…..it comes down to you usually in an oral fashion from your parents. But, remember, kids don’t listen….so very little seems to get passed down from generation to generation. Another one that’s strange but true….

Out of time for another week……lots going on in Chatham-Kent this time of year as we all battle the winter blahs…Take care and remember…..”Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may.”



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.