Discouraging chat with convenience store clerk today

[theHandpuppet]

Almost all of the convenience store clerks around here are young women, including many young single mothers. As I was in the checkout line waiting to pay for my milk, I overheard two of the clerks at my local spot chatting about their wages, with one commenting that she would like to work at a place that offered a free lunch or a discount on food, which she presumed was the difference between working for 5 bucks an hour and 7 bucks.

I suggested she might want to make sure to vote for someone who supports a raise in the minimum wage (we live in Repuke Shelley Moore Capito's district) to which she replied, "I don't vote."

I said, in an easy tone, "You say that as if you're proud of it."

"I AM proud of it," she said. "I'm proud I don't vote. My vote doesn't count anyway. I hate America."

I wished I'd had the time to have a real discussion with her, but the placed was packed for the lunch hour and I had to move on. With a, "Well, then, I'll just leave it at that for now" I returned home.

It's just distressing to hear how young women such as this -- a young single mom (early twenties) of two with one on the way, working a minimum wage job and wishing she had a better one at a fast food place that provided a free meal -- feel so disenfranchised in their own country. I remember reading somewhere that among the demographic of qualified voters, young women are the least likely to vote.

What are we doing wrong and how do we reach them?

[BOSSHOG]

1. Extremely sad

I never miss an election. I can understand her pessimism. If she is in her early 20's she hasn't had the opportunity to vote in a presidential election that bush wasn't involved in; yes we can all feel her pain. If you have the opportunity, give it a shot to get her registered. She might not understand that she can actually make a difference. It may be a small step towards helping her see the world in a different perspective. Thanks for your efforts.

[rodeodance]

2. one at a time-little by little.

[nasher]

3. The Nixon McGovern election had really low turnout,

as low as most of our recent elections. If THAT race didn't get people out of the house, nothing will.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi nasher!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Dawgs]

4. You should have said...

'Well, maybe that's the reason you are stuck working in a job like this'. I know it's harsh, but anyone that doesn't vote deserves to at least hear something like that.

[theHandpuppet]

5. No -- I don't think that's the answer

The last thing this young woman needs is someone else stomping on her -- life is doing that already.

[Dawgs]

7. Fine, but...

my purpose would be to get her to think, and I think you would agree. If someone says they are not going to vote shouldn't we all be able to try and convince them that it really is worth it?

[Ioo]

6. I live in Shelley Moore Capito land as well - sad

[badgerpup]

8. I'm probably missing the point as usual...

...but as "...a young single mom (early twenties) of two with one on the way"... her learning why Voting Is A Good Thing To Do is NOT exactly a #1 priority here, ya think?

I ain't pointin' fingers here...just facts.

[theHandpuppet]

13. When's she's talking about the minimum wage and having food to eat...

It should most definitely be one of her priorities.

[mtnester]

10. I work with someone like that

he is over 50, and his reponse..
"I just don't care"

Too bad too, as he had Dem viewpoints when he does chose to speak on political issues (which is RARE).

I have tried for 13 years to make him see the light..I am done.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. It is not only her

at Democracy Fest the average age was (I am being nice here) 35, probably higher. The kids don't get it, and they have been taught by life that voting ain't gonna matter

Now from a historical perspective when that alienation from the country festers long enough, that is when you get civil disturbances

At the fest many who have served actually see why we need a draft, and this is one reason, make it palpably clear to people why they need to vote. That said, many on teh left and the right don't want to serve, so at least they have that in common

By the way, I have had similar discusions with these kids... at places like the ckeckout line, even starbucks... and the pattern across class lines is... I don't see how voting will make a tiners damn of difference in my personal life... and when you probe it is this... they have been disenfranchised as a generation from the time they were very young.

[BuhByeChimp]

12. My initial thoughts are....

She either makes minimum wage and is embarrased by it or makes more and doesn't think its any of your business to presume what she makes.

If this sounds harsh, its not meant to be. I'm just speculating.

[theHandpuppet]

14. I didn't bring it up

SHE DID. She was freely talking about working a minimum wage job and how much she earned per hour and how she would like to move up to a job like Wendy's where she could perhaps get a free lunch.

This isn't the first time this young woman and I have had a chat -- she's talked pretty freely about her life and how hard it is to make ends meet. Maybe it's you who's doing the presuming here.

[BuhByeChimp]

15. my mistake then..

I thought you stated you had overheard them and then made comments about their discussion.

[theHandpuppet]

16. They have these kinds of chats with customers

It started out between the two women but then involved other folks in line. They often do that -- talk quite freely with folks who come in. Sometimes I have to bite my tongue, though, because although I like this young lady, boy has she made some bad decisions. Doesn't seem to bother her, though -- she's not the least bit embarrassed about sharing.