The new meaning of “getting carded”
Normally, “getting carded” meant that the bouncer, waitress or waiter checked to see if you were old enough to order the drink you just asked for or were allowed into the club. The only time I have ever been carded for the purpose of purchasing alcohol was in Florida where I was legal in Ontario but not in Florida (age 21) and had my sister's birth certificate and driver's license, which fortunately at that time did not have photo ID.
Now, in 2006, “getting carded” means rifling through your purse or wallet to find the card that belongs to the establishment you are shopping at to collect points. Or to get the “sale price” at stores like M&M Meat Shops. Or to get the card punched for that free cup of coffee after buying “x” many (The Little Red Roaster et al). It also makes one wonder: am I really getting a bonus or a deal by having their card, or is their marketing department keeping track of card carriers shopping habits to gather demographics?
The choices of cards to clog your wallet are endless, as I discovered in mine:
I have six or seven necessary cards like my driver's license and health card, three gift cards, three points cards (Air Miles, etc.) over 10 buy-ten-get-one-free cards ranging from CDs to bras, four discount cards, seven membership discount cards, three credit cards.
...And you wonder why you are on every mailing list in the world? (Buy something from Neiman Marcus, you get weekly Horchnow Collection Catalogues). How does LL Bean “know” to e-mail me with information about new items that are cotton and either purple, pink or celadon green? My name is spelled incorrectly on my phone bill so I know whom they sell their lists to - junk mailers who spell it incorrectly as well. Why do stores have “postal code collections” every so often? (They want to know where to target their marketing and you are their tool!) Big brother is out there and he knows all about you because of all those cards in your wallet.
I am waiting for the day when there is one card, or even a fingerprint or retinal eye scanner to replace all of these things I have to keep track of. Then you can tell the clerk you have an Air Miles card AND you would like it on your BMO Mastercard. Big Brother may be still watching me, but my purse will be one hell of a lot lighter!
Janet is going through a mini-midlife crisis and has realized that according to 99 per cent of the employers she is too over-qualified for most jobs, and too underqualified for jobs she would LOVE. Any tips? Email her at djmbe_janet@hotmail.com
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Now, in 2006, “getting carded” means rifling through your purse or wallet to find the card that belongs to the establishment you are shopping at to collect points. Or to get the “sale price” at stores like M&M Meat Shops. Or to get the card punched for that free cup of coffee after buying “x” many (The Little Red Roaster et al). It also makes one wonder: am I really getting a bonus or a deal by having their card, or is their marketing department keeping track of card carriers shopping habits to gather demographics?
The choices of cards to clog your wallet are endless, as I discovered in mine:
I have six or seven necessary cards like my driver's license and health card, three gift cards, three points cards (Air Miles, etc.) over 10 buy-ten-get-one-free cards ranging from CDs to bras, four discount cards, seven membership discount cards, three credit cards.
...And you wonder why you are on every mailing list in the world? (Buy something from Neiman Marcus, you get weekly Horchnow Collection Catalogues). How does LL Bean “know” to e-mail me with information about new items that are cotton and either purple, pink or celadon green? My name is spelled incorrectly on my phone bill so I know whom they sell their lists to - junk mailers who spell it incorrectly as well. Why do stores have “postal code collections” every so often? (They want to know where to target their marketing and you are their tool!) Big brother is out there and he knows all about you because of all those cards in your wallet.
I am waiting for the day when there is one card, or even a fingerprint or retinal eye scanner to replace all of these things I have to keep track of. Then you can tell the clerk you have an Air Miles card AND you would like it on your BMO Mastercard. Big Brother may be still watching me, but my purse will be one hell of a lot lighter!
Janet is going through a mini-midlife crisis and has realized that according to 99 per cent of the employers she is too over-qualified for most jobs, and too underqualified for jobs she would LOVE. Any tips? Email her at djmbe_janet@hotmail.com
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
