NationStates Jolt Archive

Today a couple of kids came by my house to ask if I wanted to buy some comic books from them. I wouldn't buy a full size one (7 bucks!), but I agreed to buy a small one for one dollar. I did so because it reminded me of being 5-years-old and selling "paintings" on my lawn. I figured most people wouldn't buy the books, so I kind of felt sorry for the little guys. And then I realised that they were probably at least 8 or 9, and selling the books for a ridiculously high price. But, thinking it over, I don't feel bad. Am I too trusting?

Since the kids were out working for their money, I don't see anything wrong with it. If done in moderation, things like that can teach kids that working is the best way to earn money, but you have to be careful that you don't spoil them.

Don't make such a fuss over like 6 bucks. Its practically nothing to you but it teaches them that if they just get off their asses and do something, theyll be rewarded. Then the taxes they pay when they're productive citizens keep you up to your ears in morphine when you're old. (unless you live somewere with private healthcare)

See, I hate buying things from kids in my area. If they come to my door, it's safe to assume that they live in the area -- if they live in the area, their parents are fucking loaded and they can use their papa's goddamn money, as far as I'm concerned. I'm still young, I'm paying for college and medical bills, and some weeks I can't afford much food....I'll be damned if I take the very little bit of spending money I very rarely have and give it to some kid.

But then again, I'm kinda bitter. I don't even think most little kids these days take enough responsibility for themselves....and they don't quite understand the value of the money they're so eager to waste. More parents should be raising their children like my parents raised all of us.....and I hope when I end up with kids in a few years, I'll be able to follow that expectation as well....

If the kids are selling something for their school, I will not buy it. I don't think schools should coerce kids into selling things for an institution that is supposed to be supported by public funds. I've had three kids come buy this week selling "Rams" cards for the schools. The Rams cards give you a discount for junk food purchased at local junk food establishments. Don't need that, I can just use my senior discount. :eek:

If the kid is selling something like Girl Scout cookies, $1.00 or $2.00 candy, etc. for some youth group or church group, I might buy it depending on what it is and the cost.

Yeah, I'd buy from them. Even if it was in a rich neighborhood, maybe the poor kids parents dropped them off in a rich neighborhood since they have more money to buy things with than a poor neighborhood. Its the same thing as Saks 5th ave opening stores in markets where high dollar shoppers frequent. Pretty smart move I say.

But then kids are my weakness so as long as they are selling legal stuff, I', a prime target.Hopefully they will be sporting chocolate though.

Unless it's outrageously priced or sold poorly, like the half-assed kids who come to my door and whip out a catalogue and mumble through the pre-written sales pitch. Show me some damned initiative and pride and I'll be happy to buy. Other than that, you're another sollicitor, and I can't stand them.

Today a couple of kids came by my house to ask if I wanted to buy some comic books from them. I wouldn't buy a full size one (7 bucks!), but I agreed to buy a small one for one dollar. I did so because it reminded me of being 5-years-old and selling "paintings" on my lawn. I figured most people wouldn't buy the books, so I kind of felt sorry for the little guys. And then I realised that they were probably at least 8 or 9, and selling the books for a ridiculously high price. But, thinking it over, I don't feel bad. Am I too trusting?


NOw see thats great. A 5 year old selling paintings that they painted- I'd buy as many as I could.

Depends on what they're selling.

Lemonade? No.

Sex? ... no.

If the kids are selling something for their school, I will not buy it. I don't think schools should coerce kids into selling things for an institution that is supposed to be supported by public funds. I've had three kids come buy this week selling "Rams" cards for the schools. The Rams cards give you a discount for junk food purchased at local junk food establishments. Don't need that, I can just use my senior discount. :eek:

If the kid is selling something like Girl Scout cookies, $1.00 or $2.00 candy, etc. for some youth group or church group, I might buy it depending on what it is and the cost.
Some schools need that money. The town I play football in doesn't give practically any money to us. (cuz there all soccer lovers. Losers.) So we need to sell stuff like that. Otherwise, the whole team would go under.

I wouldn't even open the door. They are probably not registered with Companies House, probably not registered with the Inland Revenue, probably have not assessed themselves for compliance with Health & Safety regulations, and I doubt they would have a valid ISO 9001 certificate either. :mad:

There are proper ways of doing things these days.

I wouldn't even open the door. They are probably not registered with Companies House, probably not registered with the Inland Revenue, probably have not assessed themselves for compliance with Health & Safety regulations, and I doubt they would have a valid ISO 9001 certificate either. :mad:

There are proper ways of doing things these days.
But WHAT IF they do, TG? What if they went through all the proper certifications, just for you, to sell you their meaningless merch? Wouldn't you feel just awful?!

Actually, that would probably be twice as awesome.

I buy crack from the kid next door. :) He turned me out for it a while ago. :) Now I have to work the street to get my hit. :) He must be the richest kid at his elementary school.

Simonist']See, I hate buying things from kids in my area. If they come to my door, it's safe to assume that they live in the area -- if they live in the area, their parents are fucking loaded and they can use their papa's goddamn money, as far as I'm concerned. I'm still young, I'm paying for college and medical bills, and some weeks I can't afford much food....I'll be damned if I take the very little bit of spending money I very rarely have and give it to some kid.

But then again, I'm kinda bitter. I don't even think most little kids these days take enough responsibility for themselves....and they don't quite understand the value of the money they're so eager to waste. More parents should be raising their children like my parents raised all of us.....and I hope when I end up with kids in a few years, I'll be able to follow that expectation as well....

Considering the area we live in Simonist, I'd have thought you would have an entirely different opinion on kids actually taking some initiative to earn their own money and showing some initiative to do it. Even if you can't at the moment afford to waste anything supporting an enterprising kid, I would think a word of encouragement or a bit of advise on how to do better would be more in line with the appropriate reaction. Then again, kids also have to learn that there are just some people that are naturally bitter and resent their efforts to do well without the generosity of their parents.

Some schools need that money. The town I play football in doesn't give practically any money to us. (cuz there all soccer lovers. Losers.) So we need to sell stuff like that. Otherwise, the whole team would go under.
GOOD! It's about time a football team had to do what school musicians have been doing for decades.

Considering the area we live in Simonist, I'd have thought you would have an entirely different opinion on kids actually taking some initiative to earn their own money and showing some initiative to do it. Even if you can't at the moment afford to waste anything supporting an enterprising kid, I would think a word of encouragement or a bit of advise on how to do better would be more in line with the appropriate reaction. Then again, kids also have to learn that there are just some people that are naturally bitter and resent their efforts to do well without the generosity of their parents.
I dunno.....over at the Prairie Village/Mission Hills border, it's different. When I was living closer to OP, I bought things from kids all the times, especially in support of schools (though that was when I was in high school myself), but now at the new place it seems that they only come around once or twice a year anyway, and it's usually 1) before Spring Break [middle schoolers], 2) before summer [all ages], or 3) around Thanksgiving. Edit: to elaborate this paragraph, as it's poorly stated -- I don't believe in giving them money just for the big spending weeks, knowing it will just be wasted. As far as I'm concerned, they can get a job for that, or do some chores for their parents.

That, and I recognize them all as kids from the neighborhood....

NOw see thats great. A 5 year old selling paintings that they painted- I'd buy as many as I could.

No, they were pretty bad. I'm not a good artist at all, and I wasn't when I was kid.

No, they were pretty bad. I'm not a good artist at all, and I wasn't when I was kid.


It doesnt matter, the fact that a child painted something, used their mind for creating something is beautiful in itself. Buying them could only encourage them to do more...

I do it makes them come back.

I do it makes them come back.

:confused:

never, they shouldn't be encouraged

never, they shouldn't be encouraged
I disagree. They should be encouraged if they're doing it for a good reason. If it's just to get a few bucks, they should learn the value of a job and a savings account.

GOOD! It's about time a football team had to do what school musicians have been doing for decades.
HA! Even band doesn't have to do fundraising. I swear, that town HATES us playing football.

HA! Even band doesn't have to do fundraising. I swear, that town HATES us playing football.
Hey, it's about damned time, that's all I have to say. The vast majority of schools are the other way 'round. So you now know what it's like to be a musician in practically every other school in the nation where football is venerated only slightly less than Jesus.