24/7 What’s the price?
A recent Reuters article highlighted the possibility of cutting back the business hours of convience stores in Japan.
When I was younger, about 30 short years ago, no one in the U.S. had ever heard of 24/7, at least not where I grew up. I can remember when the grocery stores started opening on holidays and my grandma used to say “DO NOT shop on holidays anywhere, or someday you will be working on the holiday yourself” Grandma was sure right on that one.
We can barely schedule any family gathering now when someone doesn’t have to work.
Grandma believed very strongly that everyone should be home with their family on a holiday and Sunday’s too for that matter. She also knew we would survive Thanksgiving without the whip topping she forgot to put in the grocery cart the day before. As I write this and remember the holidays I don’t remember what dress I wore, what food we did or didn’t have but I do remember how important family was. Grandma would always say “turn off the TV when friends and family come, they are so much more important!” but that’s a story for another day.
Today let’s think about the price we are paying for 24/7. The additional energy used to power virtually every store. Yes I know there is still power on when the store is closed, but every time the outside door opens the climate control system heat or air has to be run harder. Multiply that number for every store in the U.S. The lights and computers in most stores NEVER get shut down. The next time you are shopping at Walmart, look at how many lights are on. AMAZING!
I would be in favor of returning to having to make it to the store before 10:00p.m. I think if I don’t have it by then I can most likely make it until 7:00 a.m. without it and maybe that would save enough energy to help save our planet.
I am sure there are people who find it convenient to shop late, so maybe stores should offer 1 or 2 nights a week with extra hours instead of everyday at least until we can get used to a non 24/7 world again.
Maybe we would all take more time for friends and family.
What do you think? Please post your comments.