Consider yourself a seasoned citizen these days if you know how S&H Green Stamps worked. I came across a small stash of them recently at the back of a desk drawer. I made a bet with myself that if I took them into work no one 35 and under would have a clue what they were or how they worked - and that everyone over the age of 35 would immediately know. I was right ... except for one clueless guy of 38, who *should* have been old enough to remember, but on second thought given who it was, he was most likely clueless then too.
Seems like you never saved enough books for the pool table, but your dad probably got some tools out of it, the family got dart boards and other sporting goods and camping equipment, mom got some really nice glassware, more than a few lamps and assorted house hold goodies and "extras." The kids saved books for anything from bikes to board games.
The gas station attendants are long gone (are there any hold out states left requiring someone to pump your gas -- and check water, oil, tire pressure and clean your windows?) -- and sometimes when talking to younger generations they look at you like you're from another world. "You mean there was a time where you walked right on a plane and they didn't frisk you and you could have carried a bazooka on and no one would have cared?" "Uh, yeah...pretty much."
Change is inevitable, but I hope it never gets to the point where older Catholics hold up a rosary or holy medal or card for a younger Catholic and have to seriously ask: "Johnny/Mary, $5 bucks if you can tell me what this is." Do what you can to pass on our heritage.
10 comments:
I don't recall us collecting the green stamps, but instead I remember something similar being handed out by the A&P (see if any East Coasters know what that is) and a brand of cigarettes also had stamps in each pack that my parents collected to get the very sort of accoutrements you describe. I can't remember the brand though - anyone know?
I remember green stamps (not to be confused with "Green Cards", either type (think Amex)). I think the ciggies with redemption coupons were Benson & Hedges (Dad was a chain smoker) back in the 60's
I remember Green Shield stamps - we had them in the UK as well. I also remember the Co-Op Divi stamps. Both were phased out during my childhood, and my Dad collected Co-Op stamps. I vividly remember pasting them into the blue coupon books.
Btw - Karen - if you can get over here, there's still some pizza left, though there's no mushrooms on it this time (red pepper pesto, bacon, roasted tomatoes and mozzarella).
AA: Yeah, Benson & Hedges - I don't know how long that lasted, but they did come with some sort of coupons.
And also depending where you were there were the Blue Shield, some yellow ones called "True value" (I think) and -- but these latter two were poor country cousins compared to the mighty S&H. A while back I even ran across one of their catalogs.
Stevie, what did you trade your stamps in for? Cricket bats? :-D And bacon and mozzarella, honey I'm *there*!
Karen
I think Oregon required an attendant to pump the gas, but you had to smear up your own windows
In Oregon it is still illegal to pump your own gas.....
My Mom collected Green Stamps. We used to have stamp pasting parties and sit around the dining room table sticking stamps in books.
You traded the Co-Op stamps in for discount coupons, I think - hand over a book of stamps and you'd get vouchers giving you a certain amount of money off your shopping (or off your petrol).
Some UK supermarket chains still do this sort of thing electronically via loyalty cards - I've got a Nectar card (Saunsbury's) and a Clubcard (Tesco) in my wallet. Spend £50 or more in a single shop and you get a voucher giving you a 5p/litre discount on petrol; spend regularly, and you get books of vouchers in the post (and some of them are quite good - the last ones I got were for £8 discount on an £80 receipt, or you might get £5 off your bill if you spend over £15 on meat, that sort of thing). Instead of getting stamps, you hand over the card at the checkout when you pay. The Tesco card is also linked to my cellphone, so when I top up my phone (it's PAYG) I get points.
STephen, I love the idea that Tesco has, I wish they'd do it here.
Ah....Oregoon. I knew that state was "special." I don't know if Hawaii still requires that but once upon a time they did. I expect it fell by the wayside, because gas always cost an extra arm and a leg out there even 15 years ago.
And Adrienne!!! Green Stamp parties. Wow. Life *was* a lot simpler then. "No batteries required."
Green and Gold stamps where I lived. I would spend hours looking at the redemption books, and keep sticking the stamps in the books--I remember getting a Croquet set one time.
Tara!!! Ah-HA.....now that you mention it we got a croquet set from them too. And a dartboard. And a friend of mine has the identical crystal three cornered potato chip/punch bowl!
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