A Benefit of the High Gas Prices

Tuesday, 15. July 2008, 00:36:05

I've been watching people lately, especially in my neighborhood. With the high gas prices, nobody can afford to run all over the place, visiting relatives and friends across town, across the state, or across the country. Because of the high gas prices, people are beginning to be a lot more conservative in their other spending habits, too, like cell phone and home phone usage. I suspect that cable television costs are being cut back, too.

Why do I think that? Because, lately I've been seeing my neighbors outside, visiting with each other, getting to know each other. The children have been playing outside more. Bicycles are running up and down the street more lately than I've ever seen them. Skateboards, little kids on scooters--not the motorized kind, but the kind you stand on and use a foot for propulsion--on the sidewalks.

I'm hearing laughter.

I'm hearing voices.

And for the first time in a long time, they're not all in my head.

HomecomingLook at That!

Comments

I noticed that too! Three ladies, each with a child all 'car-pooled' to the grocery store. I mentioned it to Arthur that I thought it was a win-win-win - the kids got to play together, mums got to visit and they saved gas too!

By cakkleberrylane, # 15. July 2008, 01:21:49

I think people may actually get the chance to get to know each other again, Lois.

Somehow, that has been lost over the last two or three decades.

Gadgets have their place, but it's nice to see people outside talking to each other again.

By Stardancer, # 15. July 2008, 01:57:35

And still your prices are just 50% of our prices. Still, good point. Next thing we'll see just might be children going to school on their bicycles instead of being dropped of from a parent's car.

Or even - and I'd better whisper - maybe the parents would even use a bicycle, too?

By ricewood, # 15. July 2008, 06:04:41

that is a very astute observation. and what i think is interesting is that when everyone thinks things are going bad, in another way, they are going good. thanks for thinking out loud.

By I_ArtMan, # 15. July 2008, 06:16:33

That's what I'm hoping for, Allan. I've been seeing more and more parents walking around with their kids, too.

I remember walking to school forty years ago. All of us in my neighborhood did. There were bicycle racks in front of the school instead of parking spaces. The only time we were ever driven to school was if it was raining or icy, and I remember walking in the rain many, many times. It was a lot of fun, actually.

Thanks for stopping by.

By Stardancer, # 15. July 2008, 06:29:46

You're welcome, Scott, and thanks for stopping by.

By Stardancer, # 15. July 2008, 06:34:38

I would love to see more bicycles and fewer cars too, but it's very difficult in Florida.

It's so hot most of the year that by the time people reached work, they would be very warm and perspiring rather badly. It would be necessary to provide showers. Also things are so spread out that it would take a very long time to reach your destination by bicycle.
When I was working in Tampa, I was approximately 50 miles from my job.

I think that this gas crisis is going to be very helpful in other ways too, if the employers can be made to see that they are able to help by cutting to a four day work week, thus saving 20% of the commuter gas right away. Also, most jobs I've ever had could easily be done from home at least 90% of the time. I'm sure there are others that could be too.

By cakkleberrylane, # 15. July 2008, 11:35:33

I'd love to see more moms, at least, working from home. Few kids nowadays know what it feels like to come home from school or come in from playing outside and have their moms there to greet them. (Not a criticism, just a fact.) Even if Mom is WORKING at home, just knowing she's there might go a long way to keeping kids out of trouble, helping them to feel safe and secure, and to learn manners.

Remember when your mom would say, "You just wait till your dad gets home!"

I don't know about you, but that scared the crap outta me!

By Stardancer, # 15. July 2008, 18:32:47

I acknowledge the problem concerning bicycles and 50 miles of commuting.

The problem could be solved - in the long run. In order to be able to use your bike to work - live close to your work. Or work close to your home. Think about the amount of money saved on gas and diesel. You won't have to work that much in order to pay for two cars and double fuel. Instead you'll, as a family, be happy with one 60 miles to the gallon car - and two bicycles.

The hefty perspiration issue? Well - choose a job with shower.

This is not theory. I live like that, and have done so all my life. I work approximately 30 hours a week and have plenty of surplus money wise. I own my home, have a Toyota Yaris with a diesel engine, hence the 60 mpg, and have two times twenty minutes commute daily. And a job with a shower.

It takes two commitments.

1. Never borrow money except for buying a house.

2. Save 20% of you income every month and invest the money partly in stocks and partly in bonds.

Some might think that I'm moving off-topic. I don't think I am. There's full coherence.

The reason why I use myself as an example is, that you shouldn't think that I'm just blabbering. I know.

By ricewood, # 15. July 2008, 18:55:31

I've felt for a long time that excessive car use divides up communities. It's so nice to walk and healthier too. I personally take the bus to work; I used to take the train, but that was not so pleasant

I lived without a car in Norwich for several years, and except when I wanted to head out into the wilds, I never felt I was missing anything.

By SittingFox, # 15. July 2008, 19:11:59

I live in Arkansas, a mostly rural southern state. Very few of the small towns here have any kind of public transportation. We have no commuter trains, no subways--my town doesn't even have a public bus system. There are tiny buses, but you have to call them to come get you--they operate more like taxis. I think there is one actual taxi-cab here, although I've never seen it.

Our capital city, Little Rock, and a few of the larger towns have public bus systems with regular routes, but I've never seen a commuter train or subway. Ever.

Of course, the more heavily-populated areas of the United States have these things--the East and West Coasts, Chicago, etc.

In a lot of cases, it's not that we CHOOSE not to use these methods of transportation. They are just not available to us. I think more people would use them, if they were available. I would.

Heck, I'd ride a horse if I had one. But with vet bills, feed bills, liability issues, stabling, tack, and so on and so forth, it's actually cheaper to own/operate a car.

Until recently, that is.

By Stardancer, # 15. July 2008, 20:23:58

I honestly don't notice people out any more than usual around here. My neighborhood has always been sort of close and nosy with each other. I guess because there are only 2 ways in and out of this neighborhood. We make it a point to get to know each other.