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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-02-01, Page 31Page 16: Crossroads -Feb. 1, 1984 • 6 If you read in the papers one of these days about some middle-aged guy going ber- serk and punching a pretty young waitress or bank teller right in the mush for no apparent reason, you'll know it was I, driven finally over ' the brink by that inanity to end them all, "Have a nice day." It may happen in a restau- rant. It will be just after that waitress has served me luke- warm soup, followed by filet of sole. The filet will turn out to be of the boot variety, rather than the sea variety, and I will just have broken a tooth on it. As I am fumbling fragments of bone out of my face, she will sashay off to serve another customer, hips twitching, and toss over her shoulder at me a gay "Have a nice meal, now." That's when I will let her have it. Or it might occur on a Fri- day afternoon, in the bank. The weather forecast is for blizzards, I'm in a snarky mood, on my way to have two teeth extracted, and my arthritis is giving me a fairly lively foretaste of hell. And this young teller, her feet aching, slaps down my with- drawal, summons an ex- hausted smile from down around her pantyhose, and chirrups, "Have a nice weekend, eh?" It's not the grammar or the verbiage I object to. It's the utter insincerity of the suggestion. It means just about as much as if -the speaker blew his or her nose and spat into the wind. And it's pretty obvious where it came from.. It's one of those American, imports that shouldbe banned at the Bill Smiley A saying I hate ing this garbage from deep in their hearts. Those gals are tuckered out. They don't give a diddle whether we drop dead, as long as we do it in front of somebody else's wicket. No, they've been coerced into this phoney farewell by the Simon Legrees they work for, the type who think that if the clerks utter such slop in the Holiday Inn' in Texas, they should do the same in the Holiday Inn in Toronto. And they're the guys I have it in for, not the poor underlings, forced to soil their lips with an artificial, cynical so -long that raises the hackles on the likes of me. At first I responded to this silly utterance with a reluct- ant and very concise "Thanks. You too." As I became more dis- gusted with 'the obvious fal- sity of such as the dentist absentmindedly muttering "Have a good day" just after he'd drilled two and yanked one, my response subsided to a grunt. Next step will be to look one of the idiots who issue this inanity right inthe eye and calmly ask: "Are you kidding? Who told you to say that? Do you mean it? What do you care what kind of day I have? I don't really care what kind you have." This might make a few of the more sensitive ones blush. But most of them' would just drop their jaw and wonder whether old Smiley c border. It has crept across via the airwaves, issued in treaoll_y tones by--signing-off--,--- -- disc jockeys and game show MCs. And it has beencopied by Canadian media people, who ape automatically the mis- pronunciations of their U.S. . counter -parts, such as eggs- acution for "execution" and noshus for "nauseous." . From there it has spread like the Black Plague into our airlines, hotels, restau- rants, and even our sacred institutions like the banks. I haven't been in a bordello lately, but I'd be willing to bet' that when a customer totters off shaky and un- shaven into the cold dawn, the madame will coo after him in dulcet tones, "Have a nice day, now." I have a strong suspicion • the damn thing originated in the deep south, 'along with such heart -felt maxims as "Y'all come back real soon, y'heah." Which means, roughly, if you want to be ripped off again in our joint, we'll be happy to oblige. I refuse to believe all those waitresses, air steward- esses, bank clerks are spout - 5 s W 0 R D `S. had got into the sauce, to make him so snarly. It may take stronger mea- sures, and I hope many of my readers who agree with me will join in putting a halt to this pernicious poop. If it happens in a public place, perhaps we should call the manager 'and say "This young lady or man is interfering in my private life, in my democratic right to have a rotten day or week- end if I feel like it. Now you, buster, just tell her never to insult another customer with that silly saying, or I'll take my business elsewhere." This is the only language understood by the type of turkey who thinks such gar- bage as "Have a good day" is good public relations. Hit him where it hurts. In the P.P. panic pocket. Perhaps I am overreact- ing. I have been known to do this in connection with Celsius, metric, politicians of every hue, greedy unions, misleading advertisements, town engineers, school administrators, and about 12,000 other things, including the highway robbers known as garage mechanics. ' Maybe it will pass away, along with other such worn- to-the=heels expressions as "That'll be the frosty Fri- day" and "All righty" and the ubiquitous "Turkey," which seems to cover a mul- titude of mental and physical abberrations. But in case it doesn't, keep your dukes up, you purvey- ors of "Have a good ..." ,ACROSS 24. °°The- Dozen67 1. Laud film' 6. Trumpetlike 25. Arduous sound journeys -11:- tartli"nraa __.__-21. Fraternal - feature order member 12. Humorist 28. Word with by Benchley or fore 14. Oklahoma 29. Famous Indians redhead 15. Means of 30. Hence: Latin access 31. Lash mark 16. "Ivories" 32. Woeful 17. Kyoto drink 35. Davy Jones' 19. Ike's domain monogram 36. Seecatch, 20. Chicago for one transports 37. Clematis or 21. Gun -barrel hop measurement 38. Blab 22. Mineral 40. Exact deposit satisfaction 23. Galvanizing for metal 42. Achieve 43. Horseshoes feat 44. A Davis 45. Discourage _--- 1. Atelier equipment 2. Roentgen's discovery: hyph. wd. 3. Labels 4. Pindaric poem 5. School assignments 6. Motorist's stopper 7. It makes the world go 'round 8. Burrows or Vigoda 9. Does (a service) _ 10. Learned 11. Finger jab 13. With 31 -Down, very small: hyph. wd. 18. Rainbow curve 21. Ten -speed vehicle 22. Early stringed instrument 23. Naught 24. Blockhead 25. Menaces 26. Boat race 27. Wild duck 28. Seed coat 29. - Arthur, TV's Maude 31. See 13 -Down 32. Burn slightly 33. Indignation 34. Natty Bumppo's prey 36. Actor Pickens 37. Give expression to 39. Jaunty cap 41. Compete (for) v. 11� Lauglgcked,, 9 prosper The only prosperous' landlocked countrlel are the nine in Europe: Liechten- stein, Czechoslovakia, Hun- gary, Luxembourg, Austria, San Marino, Vatican City, Andorra and Switzerland. UOU00 00000 0010000 ®UU®tU 000000 000BUM 0]001 60000 00E 00 0000 mann 0000 000MB 00000 nnnmi ©©E iI la0II0 0000 0000 000 000 0000 I3PIfl0 0000130 000000 19100000 nooaoo rloo©o Aeon The difference between you and a person who's fit is that anything you can do he con do better. 41110 I �e7fmC/pr7[T/O!7 The Canadian movement for personal fitness. Come inside our service area every Saturday in . February and check out the super savings on new GM cars. 1983 Olds 98 Regency Finished in silver blue with matching vinyl roof, blue velour interior. Complete with all - and- we mean all - the options possible. Original List ...•.,.......... 1983 Buick Park Avenue Finished in white with white vinyl roof and burgundy interior: Again - fully load- ed with every option imaginable! Original List ...... ..... ..". NOTE: If. you enjoy the ride of a C body 119" wheel base car such as the two above you should buy now! GM will be discontinuing production of this type of Car February 29. DEMONSTRATOR! 1983 Firebird. Trans Am Rare model equipped with L69 V8, 5.0 litre H.O. engine, 5 speed transmission. Finished in black with gray luxury in- terior, stereo, cassette, 4 wheel disc brakes, performance package and tilt steering wheel. - Original List ............... rip Joanne and Gary Jones Ince Vander nal, n1„uni I oresi. f )ni,ui0 A ^--HELD INDOOR EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY. We've bought them at -the GM dealer auction and now we're offering you great red pencilled savings 1983 Pontiac 6000 LE Another loaded car, dual electric mirrors, touring' suspension, reclining buckets, stereo with graphic equalizer, sun roof and much -more! Looks like the Pontiac STE at a fraction of the cost! Finished in two tone jade stone. Original - List BRAND NEW! 1983 Buick Regal Landau 2 Dr. Coupe Fully equipped including bucket seats, console, power windows, 305, V8 automatic ... the works! White with a striking burgundy interior. Original List...... 1983 Buick Riviera 2 in stock - both fully loaded luxury vehicles. Choose from burgundy or fire mist interiors. Both have the famous Delco Boise sound systems. Original List plus 1983 Pontiac Grand LeMans 4 door, 6 cylinder with automatic transmission and rustproofed. Comes well equipped. Original List...,..."......, TRADE IN! JUST ARRIVED! , 1983 GMC Sierra Classic Jimmy S-15 4 x 4 Finished in two tone blue and loaded with options, including air conditioning, cruise, stereo cassette, automatic, V6, on- ly 14,000 km. 1983 Pontiac J-2000 4 Door Finished in green, comes equipped with automatic, wte walls, wheel discs, cloth interior, tinte glass. Original List.,." ............. 1983 Clie*olet Celebrity. CL 4 door finished, in white with silver in- terior, rallye wheels, stereo radio,, V6, automatic, power steering & brakes, tilt steering wheel. Original List ... J LEFT TO CHOOSE FROM AT 9' CLEAROUT PRICES. Still a -good selection left from 6 standards to fully loaded diesels. 1983 Firebird Trans Am 4 brand new units in stock - most fully loaded - all with various options. Tradi- tionally, this car sells the best in spring. But if you take delivery now - you can save a bundle! 11 Pontiac Buick Ltd. 1"000 Wallace Ave. North,Listowel Car City. Phone 291 3791. ,. t 1111111111111111111 6 7 a 9 10 12 13 1.��■■ ill ®■■�■. 16 UDU 17 1B �• 19 20 ■U 21 I■. 22 U•U 23 27 25 26 ii�i■ '4. ze ■■■ -20- 3■ 3S III 35 :■t 36 37 38 .ME.■ . Mal ligU UU ' 111 44 45 • 43. Horseshoes feat 44. A Davis 45. Discourage _--- 1. Atelier equipment 2. Roentgen's discovery: hyph. wd. 3. Labels 4. Pindaric poem 5. School assignments 6. Motorist's stopper 7. It makes the world go 'round 8. Burrows or Vigoda 9. Does (a service) _ 10. Learned 11. Finger jab 13. With 31 -Down, very small: hyph. wd. 18. Rainbow curve 21. Ten -speed vehicle 22. Early stringed instrument 23. Naught 24. Blockhead 25. Menaces 26. Boat race 27. Wild duck 28. Seed coat 29. - Arthur, TV's Maude 31. See 13 -Down 32. Burn slightly 33. Indignation 34. Natty Bumppo's prey 36. Actor Pickens 37. Give expression to 39. Jaunty cap 41. Compete (for) v. 11� Lauglgcked,, 9 prosper The only prosperous' landlocked countrlel are the nine in Europe: Liechten- stein, Czechoslovakia, Hun- gary, Luxembourg, Austria, San Marino, Vatican City, Andorra and Switzerland. UOU00 00000 0010000 ®UU®tU 000000 000BUM 0]001 60000 00E 00 0000 mann 0000 000MB 00000 nnnmi ©©E iI la0II0 0000 0000 000 000 0000 I3PIfl0 0000130 000000 19100000 nooaoo rloo©o Aeon The difference between you and a person who's fit is that anything you can do he con do better. 41110 I �e7fmC/pr7[T/O!7 The Canadian movement for personal fitness. Come inside our service area every Saturday in . February and check out the super savings on new GM cars. 1983 Olds 98 Regency Finished in silver blue with matching vinyl roof, blue velour interior. Complete with all - and- we mean all - the options possible. Original List ...•.,.......... 1983 Buick Park Avenue Finished in white with white vinyl roof and burgundy interior: Again - fully load- ed with every option imaginable! Original List ...... ..... ..". NOTE: If. you enjoy the ride of a C body 119" wheel base car such as the two above you should buy now! GM will be discontinuing production of this type of Car February 29. DEMONSTRATOR! 1983 Firebird. Trans Am Rare model equipped with L69 V8, 5.0 litre H.O. engine, 5 speed transmission. Finished in black with gray luxury in- terior, stereo, cassette, 4 wheel disc brakes, performance package and tilt steering wheel. - Original List ............... rip Joanne and Gary Jones Ince Vander nal, n1„uni I oresi. f )ni,ui0 A ^--HELD INDOOR EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY. We've bought them at -the GM dealer auction and now we're offering you great red pencilled savings 1983 Pontiac 6000 LE Another loaded car, dual electric mirrors, touring' suspension, reclining buckets, stereo with graphic equalizer, sun roof and much -more! Looks like the Pontiac STE at a fraction of the cost! Finished in two tone jade stone. Original - List BRAND NEW! 1983 Buick Regal Landau 2 Dr. Coupe Fully equipped including bucket seats, console, power windows, 305, V8 automatic ... the works! White with a striking burgundy interior. Original List...... 1983 Buick Riviera 2 in stock - both fully loaded luxury vehicles. Choose from burgundy or fire mist interiors. Both have the famous Delco Boise sound systems. Original List plus 1983 Pontiac Grand LeMans 4 door, 6 cylinder with automatic transmission and rustproofed. Comes well equipped. Original List...,..."......, TRADE IN! JUST ARRIVED! , 1983 GMC Sierra Classic Jimmy S-15 4 x 4 Finished in two tone blue and loaded with options, including air conditioning, cruise, stereo cassette, automatic, V6, on- ly 14,000 km. 1983 Pontiac J-2000 4 Door Finished in green, comes equipped with automatic, wte walls, wheel discs, cloth interior, tinte glass. Original List.,." ............. 1983 Clie*olet Celebrity. CL 4 door finished, in white with silver in- terior, rallye wheels, stereo radio,, V6, automatic, power steering & brakes, tilt steering wheel. Original List ... J LEFT TO CHOOSE FROM AT 9' CLEAROUT PRICES. Still a -good selection left from 6 standards to fully loaded diesels. 1983 Firebird Trans Am 4 brand new units in stock - most fully loaded - all with various options. Tradi- tionally, this car sells the best in spring. But if you take delivery now - you can save a bundle! 11 Pontiac Buick Ltd. 1"000 Wallace Ave. North,Listowel Car City. Phone 291 3791. ,. t