Otis
William M Kane wrote:
Otis,
I know this is getting a bit off topic, but I need to step up on the soap box here:
Yes, the "school system" is churning out many students who can't do what is described below, and I will be the first to admit that. However, what you described is not just a matter of learning the "three R's" . . . it goes well beyond that . . . it is called work ethic. Now a work ethic can be started to be taught in school, but it is one of those things that is reinforced if not totally taught at home. If parents and communities don't stand up and help the school system teach this, the USA will continue on the same trend it's on. We can't stand up at the polls and demand "no child left behind", but then turn around the next day and complain that the taxes are too high, and we need to cut school funding. . . . we also can't place total blame on the school systems. Look at the leading countries (academically) cultures and you'll see that the learned behaviors we seek are not taught in toto in the schools.
Otis, I hope you do not think I am attempting to flame you. I'm just trying to vent some steam and perhaps share some of my understanding with the general public.
IL Bill On Sunday, February 15, 2004, at 02:30 PM, Otis Wright wrote:
I'm afraid we in the US will see a lot more of this. Our school systems in the USA are turning them out by
the tens of thousands. They are taught they never get anything wrong and that they'll get excellent pay
for just showing up. And they wonder why the jobs are going overseas.... I know, not that simple, but it plays into the same arena. In any given week, I have a least three such encounters. And, in the same week, I'll deal with twice as many overseas support personnel who bust their but to get it right---not always easy, but most of the time the job gets done and when there is trouble they work at it if you work with them instead of giving you useless info.
Otis
Shel Belinkoff wrote:
I had lunch at a local restaurant and the bill was $15.00 and change. I gave the woman at the register a $100.00 bill. The change should have been $84.00+ but I was given $64.00+ .... shortchanged by $20.00. Bringing this to the attention of the cashier, I was told the amount of change I received was correct. That's what the computer in the register said. I asked her to do the math, to subtract $85.00 from $100.00. She looked at me like I was from outer space, and insisted that the computer was right. She either could not do the math (a likely probability) or believed whatever "the computer" told her (also a strong possibility). We had to call the restaurant manager to get the math right and for me to get the correct change. Sheesh!
graywolf wrote:
But it is rocket science. There is simple arithmetic involved. Much better to
use a camera with a built in auto calculator so you don't even have to think
about the numbers, much less how to use them. That is really why no one wants to
use public transportation you know. Too hard to count your change for the fare.
