Seen & heard

[pantshead]

or:  You wonder why we're in an economic crisis....

We were at the car place yesterday evening, waiting to pick up the car.  A guy (who appeared to be about 14, but what do I know) and his girlfriend?  Sister?  Person of questionable fashion sense?  were also waiting for their car.  The guy was really annoying--constantly asking the manager questions, trying to sell him some "brand new tires" that he allegedly has in his garage, etc... 

They decided to apply for a credit card from the car place (Monro).  So the girl fills out the application, and the manager calls it into their approval center.  It becomes apparent that she has no job and lives with her parents.  She is rejected for the credit card. 

A few minutes later, the guy (hanging around the counter, looking through papers, generally making a pest of himself) says to the girl:  "Oh, we should have applied for this card--it's better 'cause it has a higher interest rate." 

Comments

[pirateofcatan.livejournal.com]

One of the better parts was when said not-ready-to-shave person started yelling question to the guy working across the garage. In his defense, the door was cracked a few inches...

Idiot- "HEY BOSS! HOW ARE DEM FROMT (yes f-r-o-M-t) PADS? HEY BOSS! HEY BOSS, HOW DEM PADS?"
Guy at the desk- "You can walk through the door and go ask him."

After they left the desk guy was very glad. Apparently he had also gotten about ten phone calls from the kid. Plus they had been there for an hour or more.

[rissymonster.livejournal.com]

The mind boggles. I'm not sure whether to feel like smacking him, his parents and/or his econ teacher. Maybe he's young enough that he hasn't had an econ class yet, and so his cluelessness might be overcome by a 2x4 of education?

[pantshead.livejournal.com]

Maybe, but I think his serious case of The Dumb won't help. (And actually, I don't remember learning anything at all about personal finance in my HS Econ class. The stock market, sure. Supply-and-demand, sure. But not how to balance a checkbook or understand a credit card agreement. OTOH, I seem to have done okay...)

Almost equally shocking: A few years ago I was talking with a co-worker (in her early 20's). I mentioned that we put everything on a credit card and then pay it all off at the end of the month, because then we get cash back. She said..."you mean if you pay it off then you don't have to pay interest?"

[stagelx.livejournal.com]

Yes son, you should apply for the other card.... I'll call my wife and have her set-up your appointment for her company now.....