Spoiled American No More?

cdaigle430 · Sep 16, 2020

2020 has been a very interesting year so far. COVID 19 has eroded the American way of life a little bit each month. For example, it took me 4 months from the time i signed the contract to the time they arrived on site to install the siding because Certainteed had at one time shut production. I was in an uncomfortable place because for months there was no ETA and no schedule to start the project.

Same with the new garage door....this time last year I could have had everything done win a few weeks from signing contracts. This year you never know....this made me realized I was a spoiled American. I frequently travel to Brazil for months and there is very little customer service there-its the way the USA is coming.

I cant even get filter for my hot tub, or parts for many things. I am out of luck if I have a warranty issue on a lot of things because-well the parts just arent there.

Will we go back to the way it was or is this the new normal for the USA? I dont like it, dont want it and yes its because I am spoiled. I might as well move to a third world country (not quite there yet but we will see how this pans out).

bigtiller · Sep 16, 2020

I have been waiting my turn for the tree trimmers to cut out a few "deadman" branches for 4 weeks. I received an update from this morning.... sounds like it may be a few more weeks.

I have begun calling 2020 the "lost year" because everything takes extra time and we can't go anywhere and be confident we won't get sick.

MossRoad · Sep 16, 2020

It can alway be worse.

About the only things that are different for us right now is my wife is working from home (much prefers it, and her boss says production is UP in their department ), I wear a mask all day as required at my job, and we can't get too close for too long to my in-laws, which I miss. Also, we don't go out to eat-in as often with our friends. We get carry out, eat on the porch or in the garage spread out from each other, and go for walks.

Several of our friends' family members have had the virus, one has died from it. Most of us have elderly parents that we care for, so we don't want to give it to them.

And, on a similar note to you, I ordered siding for our garage addition last night and it won't be in until estimated October 13. I didn't ask if that was 2020!

All-in-all, we're still pretty darned comfortable, and much better off than a lot of others. Knock on wood.

Diggin It · Sep 16, 2020

I can stand up and walk and do most things in the yard and around the house. I can see and hear, though not as well as I used to. I can count to twenty on my fingers and toes. I can drive myself where I need to go and buy the things I need and some that I just want.

Yes, there are inconveniences, but there are many millions who cannot do any of the above, let alone all of it.

cqaigy2 · Sep 16, 2020

I really only miss family and friends. We only do takeout, or outside dining, when we do go out. Pretty comfortable, i work from home, my wife loves it, and sometime hates it. Wife is retired. Going to expand the garden next year, thinking about getting back into honey bees. Have no debt, saving lots of money.

I really miss my grandson, he'll be 6 in a few days, thank goodness my son's family is very good at sending short videos. His last one had me scratching my head, something about googol plex and grahams numbers. My son says they may have to find a tutor for him in math.

Most issues i have are definitely "first world" problems.

All in all, I'm pretty spoiled, but i like it that way.

radios1 · Sep 16, 2020

cqaigy2 said:
I really only miss family and friends. We only do takeout, or outside dining, when we do go out. Pretty comfortable, i work from home, my wife loves it, and sometime hates it. Wife is retired. Going to expand the garden next year, thinking about getting back into honey bees. Have no debt, saving lots of money.

I really miss my grandson, he'll be 6 in a few days, thank goodness my son's family is very good at sending short videos. His last one had me scratching my head, something about googol plex and grahams numbers. My son says they may have to find a tutor for him in math.

Most issues i have are definitely "first world" problems.

All in all, I'm pretty spoiled, but i like it that way.

why is someone torturing a 6 year old kid with googol plex and grahams numbers, that's nuts!.. Too big to write but not too big for Graham | plus.maths.org

RalphVa · Sep 16, 2020

Don't know. Very few problems here. Had a delay in getting the skylight shades done due to factory shutdown and some delay in getting new skylights because they outfit was busy!

Everything else seems to be easier. Lots of stuff available online and very quick. Can identify what you want online and then just go right in and get it, too: even tells you what aisle, etc.

Things may start falling apart after a 2nd demoncrat term if they get back in this time, especially if Biden goes sick in the brain and Harris takes over.

Ralph

jmc · Sep 16, 2020

This medium length article explained a lot to me and it's about more than just online shopping. They are not optimistic.

Why Is Everything Sold Out Right Now? - The Atlantic

ruffdog · Sep 16, 2020

Diggin It said:
I can stand up and walk and do most things in the yard and around the house. I can see and hear, though not as well as I used to. I can count to twenty on my fingers and toes. I can drive myself where I need to go and buy the things I need and some that I just want.

Yes, there are inconveniences, but there are many millions who cannot do any of the above, let alone all of it.

^^I agree. Many people are learning what is more important to them BECAUSE of Covid and the "inconveniences". For the real "spoiled americans", it takes more than inconveniences to change them. They need a heavy dose of CHANGED ATTITUDE.