Hardware stores hire retirees; they help customers
Dear Heloise: A reader wrote in saying that it was hard finding a job at 70 because people pay less than minimum wage for retirees. I wanted to make a suggestion that he try a local hardware store, especially the big-box kind. Our family owns two, and we only hire retirees because of their knowledge and work ethic.
We feel fortunate when a former electrician, plumber or any other person who worked in the construction trade applies. They truly help our customers and have a wealth of knowledge that helps us stock our stores, and our customers come back because of our service team.
Thanks for your time.
— Reader in Upland
Enlarged closet shelves
Dear Heloise: My closets have the usual narrow shelves, which makes storing larger objects a problem. I solved the problem by using plastic clothes hangers. I put them on the shelves vertically. Works perfectly.
— Jean Milici Torrington, Conn.
Age discrimination
Dear Heloise: Interesting letter from No Name, in Washington (a man of 70 who seems surprised to encounter age discrimination while job-hunting). Age discrimination is nothing new, so it’s odd to me that this reader is just now figuring this out.
I’m a woman, aged 75, retired nine years now, but I first encountered age bias back in 1989 when my employer (in a large, well-known corporation) informed me that as a 40-year-old woman, I would not be able to go out into the job market and get a good raise.
There was an organization back then called 40Plus that assisted job seekers over 40. Of course, women have always been subjected to age discrimination more often, but it caught up to men a long time ago, too. I wish No Name luck in dealing with this reality. — M.N. via email
Gift-wrapping idea
Dear Heloise: After purchasing odd-sized toys and finding them too large for gift bags, but too small for the larger gift bags, I found a solution at the dollar store: plastic holiday tablecloths. They’re sturdy for wrapping and easy to cut with scissors, with the plus of nothing poking through, like with wrapping paper. Joy to the world.
— Jean Milici Torrington, Conn.
Buffet luncheon dilemma
Dear Heloise: I’m having a buffet luncheon this month to celebrate the holidays with women of a club to which I belong. I’m serving ham and roast beef with side dishes. However, several of the members have asked to bring a dish that they make and enjoy. Two want to bring a pie, one wants to bring a pasta dish and another woman wants to bring her mother’s chocolate cake. Even my sister wants to bring a dish, a large fruit salad.
How do I politely say, “No thanks” to these kind offers? They mean well, but I’ve already planned the menu. — Hillary K. Wallingford, Conn.
Hillary, why would you say, “No thanks”? These ladies want to help you with the cost and work of doing a luncheon for the club. No menu should be so rigid that it can’t accommodate a few additional items.
When someone arrives with a dish to share, thank them graciously and place the dish on the serving table. Before everyone starts to serve themselves, announce who brought what. A good hostess knows how to adapt with grace. — Heloise