A Rant

Well, I was picking up a maternity bathing suit (I really need to exercise before the birth...) at a certain ubiquitous maternity store a few weeks ago, and, even though I keep telling myself I'm going to check the flow before it starts, I didn't - again - and the sales clerk began the harangue: "Would you like a free blah, blah, blah? Would you like this and that? Are you interested in such and such? How about starting to save for your baby's college tuition?"

As usual, with as much patience as I could muster (don't they see on their computer file that I've already declined everything multiple times?), and I hope even a slight smile, "No, no thank you. No. No."

"You don't want to start saving for your baby's college tuition?"

"Oh, no thank you."

"With every purchase you make, you could be saving for your baby's college tuition."

"No thank you."

"Every dollar you spend could be earning money for you baby's college tuition."

"I'm not going to open another credit card. Thank you."

Finally, she let me proceed with paying. I handed her my Delta SkyMiles card, she took it and swiped it.

"Instead of earning miles you could be earning money for your child's college education."

I was speechless. It never fails to amaze me how much companies prey on new parents' emotions - particularly guilt, whether the attack is blatant or latent - in trying to sell them something. I have never, ever been so bombarded. I only have to hope that most people see through it all...and that I do.