Mark Twain once said, "the more I know about people, the better I like my dog."
The great American author most likely came up with that quote some time during his worldly adventures, but it could have come just sitting in a fold-up lawn chair on his driveway while people rummaged through his belongings.
To get a thorough transect of human nature, one doesn't have to travel the world or enroll in a psychology class. In fact, there is no need to even leave the house – just host a garage sale.
The image of the pants flying high into the air is pretty hard to forget. It happened near the end of Saturday's event and was just one of many bizarre behavioral occurrences.
"Two dollars? You kidding me?" was the lady's response. "I can go get these new for that!"
Then she threw the pants high above her head and stormed down the driveway. If it wasn't so disrespectful, it would have been comical. For one, the athletic wear in question cost $100 and the price tag was a mere 2% of the original value (not to mention negotiable since after all it's a yard sale). Also, not sure what store she's going to get those pants for less, but sure wish she'd share it with the rest of us.
About an hour earlier, an elderly lady expressed interest in our bird clock. Despite repeatedly stating it wasn't the best looking thing, she demanded we put in new batteries and set the time accordingly. After remarking the chirping sounds were "annoying," she thrust forward two $1 bills - less than half the listed price. No thanks for spending 15 minutes on getting it up and running or for throwing in five new batteries. Just a take it or leave it pittance.
Not wanting to deal with it anymore as there were others more worthy of attention, we accepted the money. As she walked out, she grabbed an item off the $1 table and announced loudly: "And you're throwing this in, just to make it fair!"
Article comments
1 - the real bob
How funny, and how true! They say that if you're friendly to the customers at your garage sale you will do better-I won't have a sale because I'm afraid I'll end up in jail.
2 - NancyGail
I can pick up two paperbacks at the store my local public library has for $1. If one of those that gentleman put down was a hardcover, he missed a good deal.
3 - Joanne Huspek
Ha, this is why I don't do garage sales anymore. It's a lot of work, and all you get is abused. :-) Besides, my junk isn't that interesting in a down economy.