I've mentioned in a couple of posts recently that reporters I've interviewed with in the past month, when asking about people who buy from our company to prep, laugh nervously during the interview.

It usually happens when I mention that people are purchasing a lot of water storage, filter and treatment for Y2. I used to think I was saying something wrong or not getting my point across. But today I was speaking over the phone with Kathy McCauley of WBUR in Boston (Massachusetts Public Radio) discussing a taping tomorrow and during some Q & A about what people purchase (filters, storage containers, etc.) she began to giggle. She then asked "do people really believe this?" and giggled at my answer in the affirmative with another explanation of why.

They are so brain blocked about Y2k. They do not GI even the slightest. This is truly getting wierd.

-- Mark (markmic@kynd.net), December 28, 1999

Answers

Gosh if that happened to me i would make an appointment and forgot to show up.People like that deserve the same kind of treatment.Sure wouldn't be worth my time even if it cost me some bucks.

-- johnson (gofer@forgot.net), December 28, 1999.

You are right, Mark.

From my experience, I have learned most reporters do not have hidden agendas to "save advertisers, save the stock market, save banks" or keep people uninformed and unprepared.

The problem is they just don't GI at all.

-- (normally@ease.notnow), December 28, 1999.

Mark; In the early '80's I was a Platoon Sgt. one of the other Platoon Sgts. was a survivalist. He was buying food and guns and all sorts of things. I don't remember why, I just remember that the nervous laugh that I had for him at the time was something I did because I did not want to insult him and I thought he was an idiot.

Perhaps he was only twenty years ahead of his time... He was a nice fellow. Good NCO and good with the troops. Who cares what they think? Look into your heart and follow what it tells you. If you are wrong, you are honestly wrong. If you are right, you are honestly right. For the rest... If they are not honestly doing what they believe should be done... well, too bad for them.

Somewhere else it was said that God will sort it out in the end. In my not humble enough opinion that is as true as anything you have ever known. He will and when he does he will look into your heart first.

We may all be nuts here, but we are honestly nuts, eh? :)

The truly scary thing is that we may not be nuts.

-- (...@.......), December 28, 1999.

Next time try confrontation: "I noticed that when I answered X you responded with this nervous giggle, so I know it must be real frightening for you to talk about the changes y2k might bring. My customers prepare just so they don't feel the fear that you do, because no matter what happens, they will be able to take care of their families." Put it back on her!

Offer to help her prepare, through the company or store of her choice, out of concern for her fear. Spend a day shopping with her, then do another show with her, where she can talk about how her fear is gone, and....oh, that's right, she's outta time now. Nevermind.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 28, 1999.

Hokie...good answer.

I was a reporter/photographer for a small newspaper in Florida in...'91 I think. When Perot was running for prez. I took my day off and went to Orlando and sat thru the speeches and such...was like being in an old-time revival. People singing 'Camp Town Races' and such...real strange. When I wrote the article, I didn't do a slant or spin...no favoritism nor antagonism...so the old people there had hissy fits about what I said as not being 'Pro-Perot'. Got fired two days later. The fact is: The majority of people don't want the truth, they want the slants-and the slant depends upon where you live and what the majority think. I did articles about pollution and environmental problems in the area. I did articles about the History of the area. They wanted articles about the local 'Clogging Club' and 'Bowling Tournements'....it's the same thing I see on TV 'News'...a little on the State of the Nation/World and everything else is feel-good and Warm Fuzzy stuff. So it's no surprise to me the reactions you have been getting.

-- Satanta (EventHoriz@n.com), December 28, 1999.