Complaining about free stuff?!

[McGoddess09]

So, the other day, we had information seminars for Freshman. At the entrance to each shidig, they gave us each a raffle ticket. At the end of everything, we went to the gymnasium to do the raffle.

They had some neat stuff that would be great for dorms. They had laundry baskets with hangers,detergent, and febreeze. They had a backpack with school supplies. They had flashdrives,coupons to local places,water bottle,mugs, things that college students would normally be happy to get for free. I thought some of the stuff was pretty neat. It would have been nice to win the laundry stuff, as that meant I didn't have to go buy laundry detergent for a while and I love Febreeze.

As a person holding a laundry basket with the stuff in it was rattling off the winning numbers, I heard a girl by me say to her significant other:

"Who would want a laundry basket? I mean seriously? Couldn't they get better prizes?"

Wow. Really? We are getting essentials for free and you are whining about it?

And as a side note, college has made me really appreciate what I had back home. I didn't have to worry so much about making time for this and that and not have to rely on other people to get me places, since i had my car. Now, scrimping and saving and buying in bulk is a huge thing,since I don't have income really coming in (except for some money from my grandparents. I didn't expect that at all, since I usually work for my own money). It used to be that if I didn't make enough on my paycheck, then it would be ok because there was food in the fridge and I could ask my mom to do me a favor. Here, I am totally on my own. I have to time when I can get things. I really appreciate what I had. This experience has really humbled me.

[taxguykarl]

They had laundry baskets with hangers,detergent, and febreeze. They had a backpack with school supplies. They had flashdrives,coupons to local places,water bottle,mugs, things that college students would normally be happy to get for free.

Back in my Champaign days, a laundry basket was my first non-food, non-book purchase on campus.
All those goodies for free!?! As my dad would tell that individual: "You'd gripe if you were being hanged with a new rope!"

[mikoyan29]

I might have said it in one of your other threads but if not...Good luck in college. It is a very rewarding experience (and I'm talking the whole experience...not just the classes).

As for the person complaining about the laundry basket....maybe she doesn't have to do laundry because her Huey mom will be hovering over her every weekend. From what I hear there is more of that these days. And I can't imagine anything worse for children than that...I mean one of the points of college is to learn how to cope on your own and deal with things on your own instead of having your parents do it for you all the time.

[Gerrinson]

As for the person complaining about the laundry basket....maybe she doesn't have to do laundry because her Huey mom will be hovering over her every weekend. From what I hear there is more of that these days. And I can't imagine anything worse for children than that...I mean one of the points of college is to learn how to cope on your own and deal with things on your own instead of having your parents do it for you all the time.

I ran into that at the laundromat this past weekend.

I had the joy of being able to overhear two sets of parents whose daughters go to college together. Apparently, the laundry room at the closest college is 'a pigsty' and they wouldn't let their dog s*** in it. So, both sets of parents will be driving up from NYC each weekend (several hours each way) to drive their daughters to the laundromat.

But here's the kicker, they gave their daughters money to go get coffee and see a movie together. So, the daughters are not actually doing laundry at all. Instead, their parents are doing their laundry while the kids go have cappucinos and watch a movie.

That's some real good parenting there.

And McGoddess, good luck at college and don't worry about the humbling - it's good experience for the rest of your life!

[sms001]

Here, I am totally on my own. I have to time when I can get things. I really appreciate what I had. This experience has really humbled me.

I don't know how to break this to you McGoddess, but you are wasting a bunch of tuition money - seems you've already grasped the most important lessons from college - DURING FRESHMAN ORIENTATION!

Seriously, good catch on the freebie hater. I described in a long ago post why my local microbrew no longer gives away beer when a train passes - too many people whined that it somehow wasn't enough. Sad when not just free, but unprompted and unexpected and altruistic free STILL isn't good enough for some.

[mikoyan29]

I ran into that at the laundromat this past weekend.

I had the joy of being able to overhear two sets of parents whose daughters go to college together. Apparently, the laundry room at the closest college is 'a pigsty' and they wouldn't let their dog s*** in it. So, both sets of parents will be driving up from NYC each weekend (several hours each way) to drive their daughters to the laundromat.

But here's the kicker, they gave their daughters money to go get coffee and see a movie together. So, the daughters are not actually doing laundry at all. Instead, their parents are doing their laundry while the kids go have cappucinos and watch a movie.

That's some real good parenting there.

I'm probably running into the wrong territory here, but I mean I've read about parents who go to their kid's first job interview with them, go to buy a car with them and go to buy a house with them. At what point does these kids (although it's hard calling a 23 to 24 year old a kid) learn how to cope with things on their own. I mean, these Huey parents have to realize they aren't going to be around forever and at some point their kids are going to be on their own and will have to deal with things on their own.

[Catwoman2965]

I work with a guy whose son is going to be a senior in HS, and he is a huey parent extrordinaire! He tells the kid what to do, what to say, how to do things, etc. etc etc. What's really funny (and quite sad) is that this kid will get to college and have NO CLUE what to do...and they have looked at I don't know how many schools, all the ivys and "big name" schools - I really think he's looking at these schools based on the name, rather than what they offer.

I would LOVED to have gotten a basket of laundry stuff as a college student! I learned a trick; I'd work all summer, then go out and buy shampoo, etc in bulk, enough to last me the whole year, so I didn't have to spend any $$ while at school. And i was lucky; my parents paid for tuition and room and board, while I only had to cover books and misc expenses.

And I can beat the parents doing the kids laundry; there was a girl in my dorm whose mom used to send the MAID to come and clean her tiny dorm room, and do her laundry on a regualr basis. Talk about spoiled!!!!

[PepperElf]

they wouldn't let their dog s*** in it.

so if it was clean they'd let the dog poop on it then?

[bainsidhe]

Sorry guys, but I'm not familiar with the term "Huey parent"? Clearly it's another way of saying helicopter parent, but it's the first time I've heard it.

And kids these days! When I was in college, kids would scour the events in search of useless bumper stickers and pencils. And if we got something like an OMG T-shirt, awesome! Matter of fact, my sis (who's been out of college going on six years now) still attends the yearly "Welcome" event at *big local university* just for the freebies.

My freshman year in college involved me learning what the "real world" was like, and also realizing that I could make my own decisions and do stuff when I wanted. It's a gratifying feeling to be independent.

[ArcticChicken]

I mean I've read about parents who go to their kid's first job interview with them, go to buy a car with them and go to buy a house with them.

Honestly, I'd love to have one of my parents come with me when I buy a car. They'd have strict instructions to stay in the background unless I ask them for advice, but just to have someone there who's done it before would be nice. Also, I'll need someone to talk me out of buying a car just because it's pretty. Big ticket purchases shouldn't be based solely on my love of bright colors.

[Sliceanddice]

my college tip-
find a 99 cent store.
great treats and cheap supplies and cheap cleaning stuff. may not be WONDERFULl! but will do the job.

[mikoyan29]

Huey is a type of helicopter...