Blogging Destroying Social Skills

To blog or not to blog?
I have a strong opinion when it comes to the internet. And of course, blogging.

So you ask... why do you have a blog? It's simple, I have to. We are asked to blog in our Public Relations course at Red River College. And, I admit I have enjoyed my experience blogging, more than I had expected. I had a very negative view on blogging when we were first given the assignment. But, as I do more and more of it, I realize it's not so bad. It's an avenue to put my opinions and experiences onto "paper". Also, it provides an opportunity for others to read into what kind of person I am.

BUT, I do believe that the internet is slowly destroying society in social terms. I believe people depend on electronic communication too much. People rely on social networking sites, blogs, email and instant messaging to connect with friends, family and co-workers. It frustrates me that people don't take time out of their day to talk to a friend about an experience they had. Or discuss their opinion on a hot topic with a co-worker. Or call a family member to see how they're doing.

I believe as a society, we have lost the value of personal communication. Too often I find people will just rely on facebook to write how they are feeling, and update what they have been doing.
And people share their well thought out opinions on blogger instead of sharing a heated argument with others in human-interaction.

People speculate about why many teenagers are socially inept nowadays. The internet, in my opinion, has played a big part in ruining our social skills. And social skills are so important. Now people don't have to interact with others face-to-face, they can just message them, or blog about what's on their mind.

I admit, I have fallen into this trap too. I recently caught myself becoming the person I never wanted to be. I come home from school, where I use the computer/internet in almost every class, and one of the first things I do is power on my laptop... to check my facebook, email and... blog.

What have I become??

Lately, I have told myself not to use my computer unless I need to go on for a reason.. ie.homework. But, I'm not that disciplined. Facebook always gets to me. Some of my friends have actually deleted their facebook accounts because they thought they were spending way too much time on the social networking site. It's not a bad idea, come to think of it. But that's a whole new topic for a whole new blog post.

Oh, and I have noticed myself falling into the text trap too. I text way too often. Instead of calling someone I just text them. But, in my defense: it's usually because I can't afford to call, and texting is free. I am a POOR STUDENT.

Even my room mate, who lives up a flight of stairs (yes I am a basement rat) will text me to ask a question instead of coming down to talk to me face to face. And, of course I answer her! So.. yes even I have fallen into that trap. It's just so convenient. TOO CONVENIENT.

To end this post of my ranting and raving on blogging and the internet, I will post a quote I am fond of, but wish I knew who it was by:

"Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks. " ~Author Unknown

Staying Fit Can Be Stressful

Choose something consumers can relate to.
Warn consumers.
Protect consumers.
Inform consumers.

In my advertising class we were put into groups and asked to
choose a topic to further investigate sort of like a consumer
report.

Lindsey, Shelley, Nicole and I investigated the ins and outs
of local gym contracts/memberships.

Our goal was to make consumers more aware of how contracts work
and which local gyms are the best choice.
We chose this topic because we often hear people complain about
how hard it was to cancel their gym contracts. Plus, we thought
it would be interesting to compare gyms and see which ones can be deceitful.

First, we did a survey within Red River College on Princess Street.
The survey was non-gender specific and non-age specific.
We randomly surveyed 60 people. Twelve of those 60 said they have had
trouble exiting a gym contract at one point in their life.
Half of those 12 said their bad experience was at Shapes.

Survey Results
Mode average:7
Mean average:7
Median:7

Our next task was undercover field work.
Each of us chose a local gym to research.
The gyms we investigated were Shapes, Curves, Good Life Fitness, and the YMCA-YWCA.
Each group member assumed the role of a potential customer and
walked into their gym with the "intention" of purchasing a membership.

Here are some of our findings:

Curves

• Is a womens circuit gym. You cannot work out on your own agenda.


• $51.45 monthly ($617.40 annually)


• $100 start-up fee


• Duration of membership: one year


• Cancellation of membership before the end of the year: $52.50


• Friendly customer service


• We were not able to get a copy of a contract

Good Life Fitness

• Many programs offered with a membership


• $19.00-$24.50 bi-weekly ($456-$588 annually)


• No start up fee


• Duration of membership : one year


• Cancellation of memberhip before the end of the year: $99.00 with 30 days notice


• After one year, cancelling is free


• Very friendly customer service


• We were not able to get a copy of a contract

Shapes

• Many classes to join offered with membership


• $22.84 bi-weekly ($548.16 annually if paid up front)


• $50 start up fee, unless there is a promotion


• Duration of membership: locked in for one year


• Cancellation of membership before the year is over is not possible.


• After the first year you must submit a written letter with 30 days notice


• Unwelcoming service, deceitful and pushy.


• Was not allowed to look at a contract, but managed to get one from someone who works there
  

YMCA-YWCA

• Has a pool, waterslides, steam room and rock climbing.


• Cheap babysitting rates


• Charitable organization


• $38 monthly ($456 annually)


• Offers Membership Assistance program for those who can't afford the entire membership fee


• $50 startup fee


• Can cancel at any time with a written letter


• Exceptional customer service


• Was given a copy of a contract when asked
  

Interview With Former Shapes Employee

I stumbled across a 23-year-old woman who used to work at Shapes, and she agreed to do an anonymous interview about her horrible experience at Shapes two years ago.

She started working in front desk sales as a receptionist and then quickly ‘moved up the latter’ to work behind the scenes at the head office as an administrative assistant. She claims that during her employment with Shapes, she witnessed many tactics that Shapes employees used to deceive and manipulate customers, and potential customers.
“Shapes doesn't operate on customer satisfaction,” She says. “It's all about profit.”

She hated her job at Shapes, and said that she was happy when they laid her off. She informed me that every January employees would be let go for no apparent reason.

“It's a revolving door, the staff there is always changing.”

She believed it was so that the owners could hire inexperienced workers and not have to pay them as much. Also, she says the owners don't want their employees to learn too much about the corrupt system. The anonymous Shapes worker says the reason why people find it so difficult to get out of their contracts has a lot to do with the unorganized head office and sloppy communication problems. She explains that many letters don't even get read. The sales people at Shapes are told exactly how to sell memberships and are told to never use the word contract, and instead “use the word agreement, because people are scared of contracts.”

She goes on to say that sales people at Shapes are very pushy, and for a reason. She explains that when they start working they receive an hourly wage plus commission. Once they make “too much money” they get a very low salary instead of an hourly rate. And she says the salary is so low the sales people must try to sell as many memberships as possible so that they can make enough money on commission.

She says, “I don't agree with a lot of the things they do. They are very pushy.”

CONCLUSION:

We decided that based on our field work, surveys, research and an interview with a former employee, the Shapes Fitness Centre scored the lowest in terms of customer service and business antics, contract flexibility.



In terms of best facility, we all agreed that the Y was the most efficient in meeting their customer’s needs both financially and amenity-wise. As well, we also agreed that the Y scored highest on customer service, largely based on the fact that they were willing to let us have a copy of their contract.

But, remember each fitness facility offers different services that meet different people's needs.
Each gym has its pros and cons, but in terms of 'most bang for you buck' we believe the YMCA-YWCA is the best choice for someone in Winnipeg looking to join a gym.

We rated each gym out of five pairs of sweaty gym socks.

YMCA-YWCA: 5 pairs
Shapes: 1 pair
Good Life Fitness: 3 pairs
Curves: 2 pairs

When you consider joining a gym remember: it's important to do some background research before choosing which fitness centre you are BOUND TO FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

And remember: salespeople can be very deceiving. WATCH OUT!

Courtesy Not Dead

Manners for the Real World: Basic Social Skills @ Yahoo! Video

Here is a little diddy with Mr. Manners, reminding you about the basic "Yes Please's" and "No Thankyou's"


I have good news, courtesy isn't dead.
Often, I feel like manners have fallen off the face of our planet.
It seems people don't feel the need to be polite or find joy
in a simple smile.

But, it's a wonderful day when a stranger proves me wrong!
As I wrote in earlier blog posts, I recently had two delightful experiences.
The first was a cheerful bus driver who made the effort to wish everyone
a great day as we unloaded at the Concert Hall.

The second is a friendly old man who was walking his dog and stopped
to chit chat with me as I was waiting for my bus.
When my bus arrived, he reminded me to have a nice relaxing
evening and left with a smile.

I believe we need to tell people we appreciate them when they
make the extra effort to be friendly.
Because it's not so common anymore.

I decided to send this in as a letter to the Winnipeg Free Press editor
today. Let's see if they think this subject resonates with other readers
enough to publish it!

Here's To You: Cheerful Bus Driver

I learned today that not every bus driver is inconsiderate for their passengers.

Today, as the #22 pulled up to the Centennial Concert Hall my driver looked back at all of us crowded by the door, about to jump out, and exclaimed in a cheerful voice, "HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!"

Wow. I was so impressed that there are still people who have decency and manners. And who are GENUINELY happy people. These are my favourite type of people!

It doesn't say in his manual that he must greet every one of his passengers with a smile and wish them a wonderful day. But, he does it anyway. My bus driver made my day today. And, every other bus driver who smiles and says "Good morning" is in my good books.

Cheers! To people who still think manners are important!
And to those who still like to talk to strangers and make them smile!

Cynical About Public Bus Drivers?

So, I know I've gotten completely off topic with the last few posts on my blog.
But, as Forest Gump says, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

So right now I am going to rant about bussing. I started using public transportation for the first time in my life last month. I have to admit, my first thoughts on bussing were very negative. But, as time goes by I am less cynical about the whole idea. It's not as bad as it seems to those of you who have never experienced the "TAKING THE BUS" adventure. And yes, sometimes it is quite the adventure. But let's not get to those stories at this time.

I will relate to my blog's topic slightly, because I wonder how the public transit system in Winnipeg compares to bussing in other parts of the world.

I wonder if it's only in Winnipeg that the bus driver takes corners so fast that sweet old senior citizens plunge to the cold wet ground. This has happened several times since I've been using the public transit system. And it doesn't even seem like the driver cares!!
Recently, an elderly woman just got onto the bus, and before she had the chance to sit down the bus REVVED up and she came flying at me, and slammed her elbow into the wall. I felt so bad.
And peaved at the bus driver.

Is it like this in Australia? Or Europe?

Starbucks In My Good Books

'Tis the season for Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks!

I anticipate this season all year long, waiting for the moment
I can drink delicious pumpkin lattes!

But, the downside is I find Starbucks ridiculously expensive,
especially for a poverty stricken student, who doesn't know
where her next meal will come from.

But, once in a while, even the poor student deserves a treat!
So, I indulged the other day and bought my favourite latte
from the chain coffee store.

Unfortunately, I felt cheated, paying over $4 for a drink that
would only give me ten minutes of glorious bliss in my mouth.

FORTUNATELY: Starbucks made my day by giving me a survey
which I had to fill out online, and it only took a few minutes..

THEN I RECIEVED A FREE DRINK!

To conclude, I will enjoy two pumpkin spice lattes this fall,
instead of the one which I thought was all I could afford.

Thank you Starbucks!