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I am surprised concerning Costco.

My first time ever visiting a Costco (we have one in West Springfield, Massachusetts), was many (many) years ago with a friend and their family. They said they were going to go shopping, and asked if I wanted to come with them.

The odd thing, was they were not going right away, and wanted me to come back in 30 minutes. And what makes that odd was they used this time to "dress up", as if they were dressing up to go to church or attending a special event. I recall them looking a little surprised that I still had the same t-shirt and blue jeans, I had been wearing, earlier. I recall my friend's mom, asking if I was ready to go, as if she was uncertain I should go.

It was not just them, because as soon as I entered Costco, I truly did feel out of place. Imagine an entire store of people dressed up to go shopping. I have never seen anything like it outside of Costco. And it was not just that 1x, either. My few shopping trips to Costco varied between weekday to weekend, and nowhere near any holidays or special occasions that I am aware of.

You would be surprised on how many people gave you a hard glance, because you were not dressed up. My friend's family never again offered for me to tag along, and I recall their mother wanting to keep some distance, as if she was ashamed I was there with them.

The atmosphere was that of "snotty people" with their noses up in the air. I recall even the staff, who were offering free samples, ensured I did not touch anything, while other folk were allowed to simply walk up and take what they liked. Mine was specifically handed to me, from a respectable distance (armed reached out). The store was also filled with white people, and I mean, not even any of the workers looked different from one another.

Anytime I tried entering Costco I was challenged by staff, who gate kept the entrance, verifying everyone was a member. Since I stood out of place, they were quick to stop me every time, and made me obtain a "guest shopping pass" the few times I went alone. Costco was not a stop I felt comfortable shopping in, and I have not been in a Costco in years. Preferring our local BJ's Wholesale Club (Chicopee, MA).

So I am very surprised - Very surprised, that it is Costco who is keeping their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, and now giving all their employees a pay raise.

I admit, it has been years (many) since I have entered a Costco. But I will always have that memory.

#Costco #DEI #DiversityEquityInclusion #LivingWage #PayRaise #BJsWholeSaleClub #BJsWholesale

The average weekly wages of college graduates in the US rose $445, from $1,564 to $2,009 between 1996 and 2021, adjusted for inflation.

The average for public school teachers started out lower, and increased by just $29 over those 25 years, to $1,348.

That’s $29 in real wage growth over 25 years.

Here’s what an education policy expert says about the prospects for changing that
theconversation.com/is-it-time

#Education #Educators #Teachers #PayRaise

(Edit: fixed date)

The ConversationIs it time for teachers to get a raise?Teacher wages have risen little over the past few decades when adjusted for inflation.