On Apr 20, 6:02*am, "Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "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.

Reusing gift wrap and bows is " waste not, want not," in addition to
not adding to the nation's trash footprint. It's indicative of a
generation or three that thinks, "So what if it breaks, I can always
get another one." The point should be made, "Don't break it in the
first place." It's a sad comment on our expectations.

N.