Merry Christmas from a stranger

This morning at Panera's a stranger came to my table before he left (not having spoken to anyone else) and said, "Have a Merry Christmas," and I returned the greeting. Maybe he saw the "Merry Christmas" button on my purse. Then when I got ready to leave I went to the table of a retired biologist from OSU and said, "Have a Merry Christmas," and he smiled and said, "Happy Holidays."

Good deal on oatmeal

There's a very nice breakfast offered at the Giant Eagle--steaming hot oatmeal with either coffee or tea for $2.00. A customer showed it to me--lots of fresh fruit in the oatmeal, plus hot milk. I don't see many people in the coffee shop there in early a.m. Only one or two. But the Christmas music has been very nice, and the coffee is very good.

Coffee conversation about working and rewards

A woman who works for a very large company told me she'd won a prize for perfect attendance at work. Everyone who has shown up and worked their assigned shift has their name in a drawing-$50 prize. She said they do that not for people her age (I'd guess she's about 55), but for the young workers who haven't yet learned "a day's pay for a day's work." So the corporation has to "teach" them by offering prizes what their parents should have. Years ago you would have had your pay docked, and if that didn't work, you'd be fired. I wonder which method teaches the lesson more effectively?