Notes from conversations in the US last week:
Insurance agent, Kansas City, on tatoos: They are the work of the devil, and people who get them are in league with him. They’re evil.
Colorado forest fire fighter, on SUVs: Don’t they ever ask themselves how many soldiers in Iraq die for each time they fill their gas tanks?
Real estate agent, Chicago, on selling houses in today’s market: Buyers expect you to do more, to do everything possible to sell without lowering the price. The latest thing is to add video clips to the agent’s web site, not so much tours of houses, but the agent talking about the house and presenting a reassuring face to the world.
Recent widow, age 45, New York, whose husband didn’t leave life insurance but left unsuspected credit card debts, on selling her house in today’s market: If I have to keep coming down and down I will – I just want to get out and start life again. But I don’t have the money to pay for health insurance, and I don’t think you can go without it, so I’m putting it on credit cards. But how will I pay that?
Advertising senior executive, New York, on Swiss history: PBS (Public Broadcast System TV) is showing a terrific documentary on Switzerland in the second world war. You see this huge map of Europe and Africa, with all the territory Hitler took over and then you see this little dot – Switzerland – that was neutral, and it’s clear that they must have done a deal. It doesn’t make sense otherwise. And you can be sure a banker will have been involved.
Product manager, Pennsylvaia, large dinnerware company, on the impact of Chinese-made toy recalls: We’re pushing the American design line. We’re sure that people will be looking for American products in the next few months.
Real estate agent, New York, on selling condos in the city: People talk about the "value" as if it’s a real thing, and they refuse to accept that if the market isn’t paying that, it is isn’t worth that value. They want us to work harder and not lower the price. But the buyers just aren’t there.
Banker in New York, on keeping up a big house and paying taxes in the suburbs, as well as golf course fees: I hate it. I just want out.
Editor of GenevaLunch, on getting our lives in perspective: this article and video, run by the Wall Street Journal Wednesday, should be required reading/watching for all of us. A young but dying man who can make you feel optimistic about life is wroth listening to. Don’t miss this one.