NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words
Comrades, a new bar has just been set for Park Slope Food Co-op navel gazing: “For such a scrutinized institution, little public attention is paid to people like me—co-op failures and near-failures who have struggled to stay in good standing and have stumbled in the cramped aisles. Like every other aspect of the much-loved and…
Comrades, a new bar has just been set for Park Slope Food Co-op navel gazing: “For such a scrutinized institution, little public attention is paid to people like me—co-op failures and near-failures who have struggled to stay in good standing and have stumbled in the cramped aisles. Like every other aspect of the much-loved and much-hated co-op, the topic of members in trouble draws a bushel of opinions. An organic bushel, of course…The co-op, a place that raises aspirations for society, makes us raise aspirations for ourselves. I am still suspended, but imagine myself someday returning and remaining in good standing. Nostalgically, I envision old friends and former roommates in the aisles, examining the white nectarines. But I wonder: couldn’t it be a little mellower?” —Flunking Out at the Food Co-op
Photo by Betty Blade.
“KICKBALL is an idiotic, post-yuppie perversion of sport that allows completely uncoordinated, sport-ignorant people to be marginally athletic.”
lol
DIBS: the “worker” has to a member also, but I’m sure someone’ll be willing.
“ENY, and you scoffed at the notion of a weekend kickball team!”
I sure did! Softball is an actual sport that requires some athletic ability and skill.
Unless you are in fact a child (age 12 or under), KICKBALL is an idiotic, post-yuppie perversion of sport that allows completely uncoordinated, sport-ignorant people to be marginally athletic. Is it any wonder it’s a favorite activity among annoying HIPSTERS in flannel shirts???? Don’t get me started!
Sorry, I meant “antithetical to the coop’s principles”…oops.
Look, okay, okay, there has been a lot of talk about reducing work time/frequency. More to come on that.
But to be frank, sometimes we don’t have ENOUGH people working our shift. What with no-shows, we sometimes really have to pull together to get the place moving. Sure, indeed, there are people who stand around (mostly younger members)”pretending” to work…reminding me teenagers who are being forced to do chores but knowing they can zoom out soon anyway). But on our shift there is very little lolly-gagging. We’re busy-busy-busy and, yes, I do find myself pulling Mom-rank and smilingly find tasks for people doing makeup shifts who appear to be drifting…
Working my squad I have to say I’ve learned to say “no” with a smile. Not something we’re necessarily taught in childhood.
So BrooklynGreene, can I join and pay someone to work all of my required hours??? Is there a system set up there to organize that???
“***…as is paying someone minimum wage to do your hours…that’s just gross and misses the point”
Did you not notice the words “just joking” at the end of my post, BrooklynGreene? Speaking of people who need to lighten up a bit . . .
Oh, and by the way, although my long posts tend to be thread extinguishers, I have to add:
***No, paying more money yearly so you don’t have to work is antithetical to the coop’s principals…
***…as is paying someone minimum wage to do your hours…that’s just gross and misses the point. [Also, understand someone can work your hours for you, but that person needs to be a member as well.]
***Each “squad” sets its own make-up rules. Some shifts require a member to make up two shifts for any shift missed. They have to be made up before the next regularly schedule shift (therefore, within 4 weeks). Some shifts only require 1 make-up, especially if the member has made an effort to call one of the squad leaders in advance to let him/her know.
Disclosure: I’m a squad leader and enjoy working with my group…my shift is a diverse group of people from their 20’s through their 60’s (possibly 70’s but who’s talkin’?!). We have people who work in the arts, are stay-at-home caregivers, teachers, small business owners, lawyers, RNs and an MD, people who work in finance, students, persons seeking work, fire and police department and other City employees, performers, musicians.
regardless of what you thought of the article, you’ve got to admit: those illustrations were fantastic!!!!
“You can get the same thing from a weekend softball team.”
ENY, and you scoffed at the notion of a weekend kickball team!