Mental cultural differences

ElvisChrist6

I just watched this program about Americans who get mass amounts of coupons or "cyoupons" and end up spending a handful of dollars on what should be hundreds or even thousands. The crazy thing about it was, they were in fact just hoarding huge amounts of shit they don't need - one woman bought 70 bottles of mustard, though neither her nor her husband use it (her name was Jamie, spelled J'aime, so perhaps that's where her damage comes from). Some of it I seriously doubt could feed them for a week due to their lack of substance as actual meals.

The thing that really shocked me about this was the response from everyone else, though. J'aime spent 2 hours getting her stuff rung up, her total before coupons was $1,900 but only ended up paying $100 and the other people in the shop were cheering her on, thought she was great. Even the staff thought it was brilliant, whereas here, I'd say staff and customers alike would be cursing her for the ridiculous nature of her visit. Even the policies wouldn't allow it - all those coupons for things that are already reduced, I'm sure (the American supermarket policies seem to change weekly, these people didn't seem to realise it's because of them and their bomb shelter stocking trip).

I just thought it was sort of interesting just how positive other customers were about it. Why is it that Americans see them as heroes, beating the system, while we would abhor them? What interesting differences in other cultures from ours are there?

FatherLen

I got a load of supermacs coupons in the door the other day. I don't plan om using them. Not because of the cultural opinions of the use of coupons but because supermacs is in fact shit.

Chucken

You know theres a couponing forum on here OP?

Dont knock it until you try it.

EDIT: Theres nothing "mental" about saving money.

wolfpawnat

I watched a few of those shows too, if you notice a lot of those on them were severely overweight, mainly because what they buy is shítty food and they buy a lot of it. I cannot understand why you would get 700 panty pads if you had a hysterectomy, but anyway.

Fair dues to anyone who can save insane money on shopping. I would love to be able to.

There was one pair that goes shopping for 8-10 hours, taking over an hour at the till, that's a tinie bit excessive if you ask me.

One guy had to coupon when he lost his job to keep his family afloat and now buys a fortune of stuff to send to troops abroad and whatnot now. Fair dues to him.

ElvisChrist6

Chucken wrote: »

You know theres a couponing forum on here OP?

Dont knock it until you try it.

EDIT: Theres nothing "mental" about saving money.

I don't think you read what I posted.

However, I do find it mental that people would spend anything, even a severely reduced rate, for something they'll never use when they could in fact just use one coupon when they need it for what they'll use. But hoarding all that crap for Armageddon is in fact mental.

ElvisChrist6

wolfpawnat wrote: »

One guy had to coupon when he lost his job to keep his family afloat and now buys a fortune of stuff to send to troops abroad and whatnot now. Fair dues to him.

That's true, that's completely different, obviously. One woman started it because her husband lost his job, but only because she wanted ****loads of crap and still be able to go out with her friends. :rolleyes:

wolfpawnat

ElvisChrist6 wrote: »

I don't think you read what I posted.

However, I do find it mental that people would spend anything, even a severely reduced rate, for something they'll never use when they could in fact just use one coupon when they need it for what they'll use. But hoarding all that crap for Armageddon is in fact mental.

You need to spend a day with my MIL, she buys shíte she will never use because it was on offer. Solely for that reason. She has a whole wall of her garage that is only toilet paper, half of it is not even usable now, but she keeps buying it whenever she sees an offer. €5.99 down to €5.00 get 4, it's a bargain!!!!

wolfpawnat

ElvisChrist6 wrote: »

That's true, that's completely different, obviously. One woman started it because her husband lost his job, but only because she wanted ****loads of crap and still be able to go out with her friends. :rolleyes:

Yesterday there was one that wanted to save $500 for the months shopping (I fear to think of what condition the milk will be in) so she could get a bigger shed for her supply. Insane, if I could save €500 this month I have a thousand of essential things I would get, new clothes, pay off bills, etc. The last thing I would think of is a new shed for unneeded supplies. Why have 20 things of fabric conditioner? I would think after a while they would smell funky! Buy 10, after 7, get more coupons and get more. Simples!

Chucken

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Yesterday there was one that wanted to save $500 for the months shopping (I fear to think of what condition the milk will be in) so she could get a bigger shed for her supply. Insane, if I could save €500 this month I have a thousand of essential things I would get, new clothes, pay off bills, etc. The last thing I would think of is a new shed for unneeded supplies. Why have 20 things of fabric conditioner? I would think after a while they would smell funky! Buy 10, after 7, get more coupons and get more. Simples!

If you're serious about saving, you have to buy when the coupon is available.
Its not the same here as in the States.
When I do a huge shop (about 3 times a year) I can help my daughter and her family out as well, so if its cheap, I'll buy lots!

This day last week we did a shop and filled an 8 foot chest freezer for 150euro. The only "rubbish" in there was 5 pizzas.
This will last the 2 families about 15 weeks

MadsL

ElvisChrist6 wrote: »

Why is it that Americans see them as heroes, beating the system, while we would abhor them? What interesting differences in other cultures from ours are there?

Yeah how weird.

Meanwhile in Ireland people who beat the system by not paying their debts, cheating their expenses, and not making mortgage payments are cheered as heroes.

Funny old world.

The Backwards Man

In India sewerage runs through open drains and into rivers untreated.
In Ireland it runs through expensive concrete pipes first.

Fromthetrees

The Backwards Man wrote: »

In India sewerage runs through open drains and into rivers untreated.
In Ireland it runs through expensive concrete pipes first.

In Ireland, we say, the drink will kill him.

In Afghanistan, they say, he drinks we must kill him.

ElvisChrist6

MadsL wrote: »

Yeah how weird.

Meanwhile in Ireland people who beat the system by not paying their debts, cheating their expenses, and not making mortgage payments are cheered as heroes.

Funny old world.

Well there you go, if you think that, but that's exactly what this thread is about... the cultural difference!

That's what is funny, just how different our "heroes" are to theirs!

Moofster

Well i can understand the fact that saving so much on groceries is awesome... but like others said, i find it so dumb to hoard stuff you don't need, like mustard for centuries. One time on tv tough, there was a lady that shared her stuff with less fortunate people of her neiborhood, wich was very nice.

smash

I was offered work in a sunshine home for work experience in fourth year but I turned it down because I wouldn't be able to handle the mental cultural differences.

IM0

ElvisChrist6 wrote: »

I just watched this program about Americans who get mass amounts of coupons or "cyoupons" and end up spending a handful of dollars on what should be hundreds or even thousands. The crazy thing about it was, they were in fact just hoarding huge amounts of shit they don't need - one woman bought 70 bottles of mustard, though neither her nor her husband use it (her name was Jamie, spelled J'aime, so perhaps that's where her damage comes from). Some of it I seriously doubt could feed them for a week due to their lack of substance as actual meals.

The thing that really shocked me about this was the response from everyone else, though. J'aime spent 2 hours getting her stuff rung up, her total before coupons was $1,900 but only ended up paying $100 and the other people in the shop were cheering her on, thought she was great. Even the staff thought it was brilliant, whereas here, I'd say staff and customers alike would be cursing her for the ridiculous nature of her visit. Even the policies wouldn't allow it - all those coupons for things that are already reduced, I'm sure (the American supermarket policies seem to change weekly, these people didn't seem to realise it's because of them and their bomb shelter stocking trip).

I just thought it was sort of interesting just how positive other customers were about it. Why is it that Americans see them as heroes, beating the system, while we would abhor them? What interesting differences in other cultures from ours are there?

merica, **** yeah!

they are bred on that shit :rolleyes:

I thank my lucky stars Im not american

Latchy

The Pakistani chaps who put fast food menu leaflets through my letter box most days of the year should be educated by their bosses to know there's a limit to how many times your average Irish/British person wish's to order a takeaway meal .