"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:36:47 -1000, dsi1
>> > wrote:
>>>
>>> My mother-in-law used to tear paper napkins in half and stack them
>>> neatly. We thought it had something to do with her dementia but my wife
>>> has seen other old ladies doing the same thing. Evidently, it's
>>> something old Asian women do - like eating Snickers with a knife and
>>> fork.
>>
>> Not being snide (straight forward question)... have you ever been
>> "over there" and experienced what it's like?
>
> I know people who tear dryer sheets in pieces and use just one tiny piece
> at a time, and reusing that piece numerous times to boot. And then they
> make snide remarks about people who dare to use a whole one and then throw
> it out! These are not people who grew up in another country.
>
> I know some people who reuse gift wrap and greeting cards. And my
> parents? They saved every bow on every present they were ever given.
> Stored them and reused them. I was like... Wha? You can get a whole bag
> of bows for 10 cents, marked down after Christmas. And if you're lucky,
> you might even find some in pastel colors! This sort of thing made no
> sense to me whatever. Now I was once given a large TV as a gift and they
> wrapped it in this hideous vinyl wallpaper. We did save that stuff for
> many years. Igt was indestructible and worked great for wrapping large
> things. We'd be like... Who has the wallpaper? I need it! And I might
> save an extra fancy or expensive looking bow. But not the cheap ones.
> Then someone in our family made the rule that no bows can be used on
> presents any more. Less to deal with. And I got to where I mostly don't
> even wrap stuff. I try to put gifts in reusable things. Like a shopping
> bag, fancy storage box, basket, etc. Failing that I'll use a gift bag. I
> can get those for $1.

People here who came through the war were like that. Waste was anathema to
them, which is understandable.
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