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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-11-11, Page 4PAGE 4 '- IODERICH SIGNAI. ST R, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11,1: 1 DAVE SYKES 1 don't often take exception to explicitly vague generalties, bt>t in this case I must fight back. And the fight is warranted in light of recent slights heaped upon the brethren of the press, those diligent journalists who pound out newsy bits for readers each day. While our sole purpose in life was to keep avid readers abreast of world affairs, triumphs and injustices, designers claim our taste in clothing leaves much to be desired. In fact, a fashion author, has lumped the beleauguered journalist at the top of the worst dressed list along with Wall Street Brokers and used car salesmen. To be fank, I was devastated by the promulgation. Charles Hix, a men's fashion author, added to his list of best andworst dressed by ranking professions in the same manner for the first time. The man is even a former syndicated columnist with vague ties to the profession. sl Regardless, this fashion fiend has much maligned the journalistic profession, placing us at the top of his worst dressed list becasue "I've never know any .other group of men who take such absolute pleasure in appearing unkempt." Pleasure is in the eye of the beholder my friend. But Hix didn't stop until he added that it was difficult to have confidence in a man who looks as if he can barely tie his shoe laces. He suggested that such a man could not have the savvy to report on matters of crucial importance. Now I realize that an attempt to defend the profession would only make it more suspect. If you have to defegnd yourself, then there is a glimmer cif truth in the 'allegations. I can state, unequivocally, and in broad, general terms, that most reporters shun sneakers with laces. We could tie our shoe laces, although Hix would argue that noint, if we chose to wear them. It is most difficult to find a good pair of laces for sneakers these days. The verbal attack on the dress code of the journalist was both unsolicited and un- warranted. Pleasures are had to come by in a world saturated with ulcers prompted by rising costs and runaway interest rates. If a man can resurrect a measure of pleasure by appearing unkempt, then the world should not pass judgement on his manner of dress. Some slobs, are well ad- justed individuals. That is not to suggest, however, . that reporters are slobs. Nor, are most, or any of them, er us, well adjusted individuals. As for our unkempt appearance,well there are numerous explanations but let me assure you, that shabby exterior is not planned. Did Hix consider, for instance, that it is most difficult for reporters to keep the press in the pants after a lenghty afternoon snooze in the darkroom? I would suggest he overlooked that point. Why even as reporters catch a few deserved winks at the press table during a gruelling session of council, it is impossible to keep those tell-tale wrinkles from forming in thecrotchof even the best dress pants. To a journalist, Pierre Cardin is a left winger for the Montreal Canadiens and designer jeans carry the signature K -Mart and Zellers. That is not to put down comrades of the deadline, but the evidence indicates our clothing sense has been bat- tered and beaten. But it hurts when our weak points are so openly exposed in the press no less. Even cowboys are reportedly better dressed than journalists. But if I brought a horse to work, the publisher wouldn't see the humor in it. BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1979 Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT rounded In 11140 and published every Wednesday et Ooderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA end OWNA. Adver- ffdng rates on request. Subscriptions payable In advance .10.011 In Canada, '33.N to U.S.A., °WWI to ell ether mum tries, single copies Sr. Display advertising. rotes available on request. please ash for Rote Card No. 11 effective Oc• toter 1, 1N1. Second lass mall Registration Number 0716. Advertising is accepted on the condition shot In the event of typogr.phlal error. the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with wesonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the ap- plicable rate. In the event of • typographical error advertising goods or services ata wrong parka, goods or services rimy' nosy not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, end be withdrawn at any time. The Slgnel•Ster is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, !hetes or other materials used for reproducing pur- poses. PUBLISHED BY:SIGNAL-STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor P.O. BOX 220, HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 486 diSaev FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 mall business is big term small business is one that is bantered around great regularity in many news items. 7Postal Strikes, high interest rates and postal rate in - leases are always directly linked to small business in rahada in a negative way. Increased costs as a result of ere"st rates or postal increases are invariably touted as imaging to small business and ostensibly, that's true. Such conditions affect all business and sectors of the quite often it's the ],Eder guy itt small ;r0ce ass the country that feels the c"inmch. Small W is bath a. collective and qualitative term, in reference o the small and medium size enterprises in °w„ nam• "1iii ,effect, small business in Canada is not so small and aheJmpact.of samlLbusiness-on-the nation -is substantial. henumbers speak for themselves. Statistics from 1979 reveal that Canada had 443,000 business proprietorships, businessmen operating as in- dependents, and there was an additional 307,000 incor- porated small businesses with less than $2 million in sales. But the term small business also incorporates the self - ?;employed which adds 89,000 self employed professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants, 246,000 far- . niers, 27,000 fishermen, 32;000 salesmen and 13,000 self employed entertainers to the list. That would boost the Lsalf-employed total to 1.2 million firms. Naturally, about one quarter of these businesses or 225,000, are small operations with annual sales of less than $10,000. Still, the impact of small business on the economy is evident. That impact is evidenced by the fact that 93 per cent of the total number of businesses in the country have fewer than 26 employees but were responsible for more than 30 per cent of the country's employment. Firms that em played between 26 and -250 people provided another 30 pe ;. centofthe total employment. At a thne when. many large companies are forced to reduce the labor force,, it is thesmall businessman who ex- pands xpands and adds to the work force. If proof is in the numbers, then 60 percent of Canadians are employed in ssmalbusiness. In any community, regardless of the size or diversity of industry and commerce, small business is the backbone. Considering that the majority of the work force is employed in small business; the government should take steps to ensure that the small businessman gets an even break. Cocessions are just as important to the small investor , as he multi -nationals and perhaps it is more vital to the nadian economy to inject some new life into small business. Our economy could depend on it. D.S. ;:inflated:salaries too Polls have revealed that most Canadians do not place Prime importance on their incomes which would serve to .indicate that money does not lend itself to happiness. Those same polls claimed that Canadians are much more concerned about family, friends, a happy marriage and stable relationship with mates and children. Money and security appears down the list a ways. While there may be more to life in these inflated and unsettled times, it is interesting to take a look at what ' some Canadians earn. Recently Revenue Canada released statistics on what people earned, based on tax returns, and the results are somewhat astounding. Two years ago, doctors led the salary parade with averages of $57,500 per year while dentists at $51,800 and lawyers at $44,600 were' a poor second and third: But the stats did reveal that government employees and thoseoworking for publicly -funded institutions ranked highly among occupational categories. In 1979, the nations teachers and professors were averageing $21,988 while federal government bureaucrats earned $17,587 and provincial employees $16,547. Even our armed forces personnel averaged almost $17,000. Employees in the private business sector earned $13,691 while fishermen and farmers were close to the $12,500 range. There were many categories in between, but the figures from Revenue Canada at least serve to indicate the power of the right to strike and the benefits attached. Govern- ment employees with strike powers earn attractive wage and benefit packages. Others in the private sector are less fortunate on both counts and average,salaries reflect that. Many unionized employees have taken to the picket line to improve wages and benefits, but as far as bosses go, the government is among the mostgenerous of employers. Perhaps, too generous. D.S. Photo by Cath Wooden DEAR •READERS SHIRLEY KELLER There's absolutely;nothing like a three-week vacation out of the country to get your mind off the problems at home. And in " Europe, . Canada may as well be on another planet for all the news you get about it. Whenever we could, we bought the Herald Times Which is an American newspaper published in England, but about all we found out about Canada was that the Montreal Expos were beaten out by the Dodgers. So, when your country's problems are out of sight and out of mind, you can spend all your energies enjoying your holidays. And that's what we did. We had eight glorious days in Austria, Swit- zerland and Germany. The rest of the time was spent in The Netherlands. I would be happy to give you detailed account of our wanderings, but I won't bore you. I did the same things all tourist's do. You've heard it a dozen times. But some things really caught my attention. One of these was the exceptional quality of food, clothing and furniture in Europe. To me, it seemed just a little better than here. In so many places; I saw fabrics and fur- nishings that were so,beautiful they are difficult to describe. Such workmanship. Such colors. Such utility. And the food. At least much of it. Breads, cookies and cakes which tasted of real butter and cream, and a multitude of meats that were so fresh and delicately spiced you didn't know which to choose. And such cheese you've never eaten in all your life. Talk about Canadian cheddar. It hasn't got a patch of Holland's cheese from Gouda and Edam. And the diningrooms and restaurants, even the smallest coffee shops and diners, served up fantastic meals and goodies , in sparkling surroundings with grace and style. Always tablecloths. And often linen napkins and fresh flowers. ,And wonders of wonders, antiseptic washrooms with little extras like free perfume and hand lotions. And I loved the transportation system. It is so superior to ours that there is no basis at all for comparison. We were travelling by rail, and let me tell you folks, there's no otherway to go. Solid comfort and no limit to the places you can go anytime of the day or night. Simply incredible. Something else impressed me. I know that English is a universal language of sorts, but I was astounded at the numbers of ordinary people who actually were able to converse fairly well in my own language. I was pleased. And honored. But some things were like home. Such as the ugly, insulting graffiti- often in English!' And some things were less appealling than in Canada. Like wall to wall people, cars, bikes and motorcycles everywhere you went. And the aggressive drivers who nearly sent me wild with their impatient honking and their penchant for speed. I had a brief chat with an Englishman who is with the British Ministry of National Defense in The Hague. He's been in Holland for three years and has one more year to go. He likes Holland, especially because of its proximity to the rest of Europe. He's seeing the country at his leisure and enjoying it very much. He commented he believes the aggressive drivers are a result of the crowded conditions everywhere in Europe. He claims each man, woman and child is fighting for his or her place every minute of the day and night - and it makes for aggressive behaviour. One young woman I met who had visited Canada said she loved my country because, "Even in Canada's biggest cities, I can walk in a straight line. Here I'm always dodging people and cars." And it's so true. Because of the over -crowding, land costs are almost unbelievable. In Holland, a modest semi- detached home will cost the equivalent of 150,000 Canadian dollars. A single family dwelling is virtually unattainable at twice that amount. No, 1 don't want to live in Europe but I cer- tainly would like to adapt some of the more gracious aspects of European living in this part of the world. Oh yes, as a final comment I must say I'm puzzled about the plumbing in Europe. The toilet paper there is the quality of our roughest, toughest paper towelling. If we put that sub- stance in our toilets on a regular basis, the plumbing.would be plugged in a few days. But in Europe there seems to be no problem. I think it would be worth the while of Canadian plumbers to discover the secret. It would un- doubtedly ndoubtedly save hours of troublesome `snaking' for somebody. If 1 knew then what I know now—Hind- sight is one of the worst of human curses. Mind you, it is probably a healthy thing to go back in time and make a list of the things one knew then and the things one knows now. (One knows one is in trouble if the now list comes out a whole lot shorter than the then list ) I got to thinking about this after last Saturday. That was the day I went to Exeter to cover the senior Vikings and South Huron Panthers battling it out on the football field. When one is standing in the cold with a camera glued to one's face, it is a good idea to let emotions enter the situation (not to mention money) in order to maintain in- terest. I wasn't sure who to cheer for, since I attended South Huron for a couple of years way back in the early. seventies. Going back there and standing on the edge of the foot- ball field brought back a lot of memories. What 1 remembered was that 1 was pretty dopey when I was in Grade 9 and 10.1 saw an old teacher hanging around watching the game and I ached to shout out, "Hey, I'm not dopey anymore!" I saw my old physed teacher and I wanted to tell her that 1 can run a mile three minutes faster than I could in high school. (I never wanted to exert myself in physed because that meant being hot and sweaty for the next class.) I was an honor student in Grade 9 and 10 but I didn't know very much. For example, I thought that I was supposed to know what 1 wanted to be when I grew up. What I didn't know was that nobody ever knows what they want to be when they grow up - because nobody is ever sure when they are grown up. I always thought that some morning I would wake up and say, "Now I am grownup." Shows how much I knew. But then, 1 also thought that you could mix red colors and white colors in the wa shying machine. Back then, I thought that the true measure of popularity had to do with how many people wanted to know your locker com- bination. Now I know that the only reason people wanted the combination to my locker was so that they could stack it later. I used to derive incredible happiness out of banging a tennis ball against the outside brick wall of the gymnasium, until other kids came along with the newest in aluminum tennis rackets and green balls which meant mine wasn't good enough anymore. That led me to believe that incredible happiness had something to do with having a lot of -money to buy the tools to build In- credible happiness. What I know now is that the best tools are the ones that make me feel good, even if they aren't aluminum. I'm ashamed to say it, but I vaguely remember being in love with Bobby Orr, or was it Donny Osmond, when I was in Grade 9. I know now that I was in love with him because I was too afraid to be in love with the guy behind me in English class whose voice had changed. I have added a lot to my list of what I know now when I think about it. The last ten years were not wasted. I know which kind of shampoo is best for my hair. I know why I bite my nails and smoke, even though I don't stop it. And I know that I still hate turnips and olives. However, there are still many ,things I don't know now that I didn't know then. Like why there are always odd socks in the drawer, like host/ many Ethiopians it takes to screw in a light bulb, like why there is politics and departments of immigration and things, and where seagulls go in the winter. But then, it is a good idea not to make my list too long. After all, I want the chance to say, "If I knew then what I knew now..." when I'm 73. CATH WOODEN