Growing up in Fairfax County in the 1980's, from the time I was 11 or so, I knocked on the neighbor's doors and offered to mow lawns during the summer. In the winter when I snowed I went out and made money shoveling driveways. I'd do other stuff like that, sometimes weeding flower beds or helping a neighbor paint or stuff like that. I made pretty good money doing it, and it paid for summer camps and stuff I wanted. When I got older I got part-time jobs at the mall and at the grocery store.

I'm pretty surprised because I have lived in Franklin Farm for 11 years and in that time only twice have I had a neighborhood kid knock on the door and ask about lawn mowing or snow shoveling. 10 years, two times.

About two or three times a year, though, I get a knock on the door and it's some kid "collecting" money so the football team can buy new helmets or so the cross-country team can fly to California for a meet. I once went by Starbucks and the crew team and lounging in the chairs out front "collecting" money so they could buy some new boat. I noticed the big "Now Hiring" sign hanging behind them. I guess they didn't.

Does your average white, middle class Fairfax County kid think that work is simply beneath him or her? And what are their parents thinking when they send their kids out to "collect" money? It's begging, plain and simple. Aren't you embarrassed to have your kid knocking on my door and begging me for money? They're not asking for money for starving children in Africa or stuff like that.

What the heck is wrong with people?

They're basically panhandlers, except they're wealthy white kids who live with their parents.

Actually, it's even worse than that. How often do you see kids mowing or shoveling their own yards, let alone anyone else's? It's always the parents. I hadn't put that together with the collection activities, but you make a good point.

Yep. When my kid left for college, I needed someone to mow for me (horrible allergies to grass--I can do yardwork, but mowing puts me out for the day). Saw a half-dozen high school guys standing around a block from my house. Stopped, rolled down the window, and asked if anyone wanted to make some money mowing. They all looked at each other almost like I'd asked them to perform an obscene act; finally one said "Nope". Amazing.

Sure makes me feel old! "When I was your age..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LQWFDo604o

Maybe you should have walked up to them. They were probably wondering if you were some freak - rolling down your window to ask them if they’d seen your puppy, or something.

words of wisdom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They're basically panhandlers, except they're
> wealthy white kids who live with their parents.


agree. they're like gypsies. give them a firm "No" and walk away. they should not be taught to beg in public.

Fuck libs!

My kids will be learning the old way and learning a good work ethic. I'm kit raising any entitled kids. Too many sissy parents these days.

typo. I'm not*

causeican Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe you should have walked up to them. They
> were probably wondering if you were some freak -
> rolling down your window to ask them if they’d
> seen your puppy, or something.

Yeaaah...no. One old fat white guy in a high-end minivan with vanity tags. Not exactly the profile of an abductor. Plus, as I said, there were at least six of 'em. Even with today's scare-mongering, a bunch of teenage guys aren't going to be threatened by me!

Thanks, boys. I'll be adding your tales of lazy white children to my stump speech.

We need about 4 million Latino Americanos to arrive per year to shore up our landscaping industry and to assist obese Americans who are too fat to mow their own lawns.

!Jeb 2016!

Well of course not, silly. You can't expect Braedon or Ashleigh or Hunter or Madison to mow grass! My goodness, don't you know they're allergic to grass pollen (in addition to dust mites, gluten, and GMO food)? Braedon especially has asthma problems, but because of the medication he takes for his ADHD he's limited in how many times a day he can use his inhaler. And Hunter is on the spectrum and can't tolerate loud noises or vibrations or the color green, so he can't mow either. And besides, when would they have the time what with jazz band practice, junior reserve varsity intramural capoeira practice, debate team, tae-kwon-leap practice, ballet, violin lessons, soccer, and their Lean-In circles.

Honestly, having them WORK??? That's for colored people!

Why do you think we have illegals... for $5 an hour they will paint, do yard work, construction, and clean everything.

For $50 dollars a day you can have your house rebuilt. $10 dollar for an hour gets car detailed. Oh and they do a better job than you can!

I also mowed grass, shoveled snow and did yard work growing up trying to make money, just so I could buy my own toys. I really didn't like it, but I was able to earn enough money to buy what I wanted and still stash away some for a rainy day.

The spoonfed youth of today can't do much of anything for themselves! It's a sad thing to say, but we've pussified our children. Why do you think that they stay living at home with their parents well into their 30's and 40's?

I'm a perfect example of an enabler. I have three children, two of which are old enough to mow the grass, but somehow I keep on mowing it myself.

DC Urban Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well of course not, silly. You can't expect
> Braedon or Ashleigh or Hunter or Madison to mow
> grass! My goodness, don't you know they're
> allergic to grass pollen (in addition to dust
> mites, gluten, and GMO food)? Braedon especially
> has asthma problems, but because of the medication
> he takes for his ADHD he's limited in how many
> times a day he can use his inhaler. And Hunter is
> on the spectrum and can't tolerate loud noises or
> vibrations or the color green, so he can't mow
> either. And besides, when would they have the time
> what with jazz band practice, junior reserve
> varsity intramural capoeira practice, debate team,
> tae-kwon-leap practice, ballet, violin lessons,
> soccer, and their Lean-In circles.
>
> Honestly, having them WORK??? That's for colored
> people!


LOL

Each generation bad mouths the ones before.

Nothing new.

When I was growing up in the 70's and 80's, people were calling my generation lazy, and too addicted to "computer games" and not enough outdoor playing. Yep, believe it or not, kids back then "played too much computer games and didn't play enough all-american sports like baseball, football etc"...soccer was bad mouthed.

Kids were fat and lazy back then, spent too much time at the mall, etc.

I also remember prior generations bemoaning 60's and 70's kids as long haired losers, no respect for hard work, older generations, etc.

So, it is tiresome to me to listen to a guy from the 80's bemoan kids today, and say things like "how tough we had it in the 80's"...as if it didn't happen before.

Their parents think work is beneath them if not's directly related to their intended major or targeted job (DoD contractor, for example).

school age gypsies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> words of wisdom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > They're basically panhandlers, except they're
> > wealthy white kids who live with their parents.
>
>
> agree. they're like gypsies. give them a firm
> "No" and walk away. they should not be taught to
> beg in public.


I think you're on to something. Those kids ARE gypsies.

Greybeard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> causeican Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Maybe you should have walked up to them. They
> > were probably wondering if you were some freak
> -
> > rolling down your window to ask them if
> they’d
> > seen your puppy, or something.
>
> Yeaaah...no. One old fat white guy in a high-end
> minivan with vanity tags. Not exactly the profile
> of an abductor. Plus, as I said, there were at
> least six of 'em. Even with today's
> scare-mongering, a bunch of teenage guys aren't
> going to be threatened by me!


That's the exact profile of your average pedophile.

Yes you are absolutely right. I grew up in FFX Co in 90s and my bro and I used to shovel driveways all day whenever it snowed. We'd usually pocket $20 per driveway, and in Kingstowne, driveways are tiny. We'd usually pull in $200-$300 per day.

In the spring/summer, we'd mow the tiny yards for $20, and do 4-5 per week. Easy.

I worked an hourly job 3 out of 4 years of high school, immediately after school, and 40 hrs per week in summer.

I live in a SFH in Fairfax in a middle class neighborhood and have been shocked to get zero kids coming to me asking for work. It's pathetic.

My parents were well off but made sure we worked for our own money.

The whole premise for the post is flawed and odd no one noticed. The kids are REQUIRED to solicit for their schools or scout programs. They're not getting paid themselves. If Calvinist Christians didn't hate everything except adultery the schools wouldn't need to fundraise.

This is an area of rich people. As someone who worked in houses here all over with the illegals...they hire the illegals to do everything and the teens just lay around, do drugs, and have nice cars.

Also, unless you have connections or good luck, being white is used against you in the job market because there are teens from 50 other countries who need jobs that fill quotas.

HUH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The whole premise for the post is flawed and odd
> no one noticed. The kids are REQUIRED to solicit
> for their schools or scout programs. They're not
> getting paid themselves. If Calvinist Christians
> didn't hate everything except adultery the schools
> wouldn't need to fundraise.
>
> This is an area of rich people. As someone who
> worked in houses here all over with the
> illegals...they hire the illegals to do everything
> and the teens just lay around, do drugs, and have
> nice cars.
>
> Also, unless you have connections or good luck,
> being white is used against you in the job market
> because there are teens from 50 other countries
> who need jobs that fill quotas.

>implying everyone from the US is white
>implying everyone who comes from other countries is not white

Being white is used against you in the job market, but not for the reasons you mentioned. It's because of this abomination called Affirmative Action.

Every year we get treated to threads like this about how lazy kids, especially white middle class kids, have become. I don't buy it. There were plenty of lazy kids when I was younger. Unfortunately some of them did get jobs, and the last thing you wanted was to get stuck with some lazy assed sack of shit working on your crew.

I know plenty of white kids from Fairfax County that work summer jobs. I could name at least 20 that I personally know. OP doesn't get out much. And quite a few of these hard-working white kids come from very well to do families.

HUH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The whole premise for the post is flawed and odd
> no one noticed. The kids are REQUIRED to solicit
> for their schools or scout programs. They're not
> getting paid themselves. If Calvinist Christians
> didn't hate everything except adultery the schools
> wouldn't need to fundraise.
>
> This is an area of rich people. As someone who
> worked in houses here all over with the
> illegals...they hire the illegals to do everything
> and the teens just lay around, do drugs, and have
> nice cars.
>
> Also, unless you have connections or good luck,
> being white is used against you in the job market
> because there are teens from 50 other countries
> who need jobs that fill quotas.

How exactly is someone required to run cross country or play football or join the Boy Scouts? If you don't do so you're arrested and thrown in jail?

6513occ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes you are absolutely right. I grew up in FFX Co
> in 90s and my bro and I used to shovel driveways
> all day whenever it snowed. We'd usually pocket
> $20 per driveway, and in Kingstowne, driveways are
> tiny. We'd usually pull in $200-$300 per day.
>
> In the spring/summer, we'd mow the tiny yards for
> $20, and do 4-5 per week. Easy.
>
> I worked an hourly job 3 out of 4 years of high
> school, immediately after school, and 40 hrs per
> week in summer.
>
> I live in a SFH in Fairfax in a middle class
> neighborhood and have been shocked to get zero
> kids coming to me asking for work. It's pathetic.
>
> My parents were well off but made sure we worked
> for our own money.

Funny, that was about exactly my upbringing! My brother and I would be up at 5:30 AM to get out and make $ shoveling on a snow day.

I would pay a kid $15 an hour to help me pull weeds and drag around mulch bags, but I doubt I'd get any takers.

"I would pay a kid $15 an hour to help me pull weeds and drag around mulch bags, but I doubt I'd get any takers."

The going rate for jacking you and playing with your ballsack is well above $15 an hour.

You should get in touch with idiotsall above, he claims to have groomed around 20, but they're from wealthy families so be prepared to pay the going rate.

I would have no problem paying a local neighbor kid, White/Black/Hispanic to mow my lawn. The problem is that they just don't do any work. They're staring at their phones.

And, when I see my 40-50 year old neighbor mowing his own lawn when he has a kid in 12th grade, it just boggles my mind.

So, of course, I get my labor from the most reliable source: Local Hispanics at the 7-11.

I'll never hire some "legitimate" company that will try to rob me.

My son (lily white, Fairfax County) worked mowing lawns and refing soccer all during his high school years and now is a senior in college, taking 18 credits and waiting tables on the side. Not all FFx kids are as you all describe.

words of wisdom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Greybeard Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > causeican Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Maybe you should have walked up to them.
> They
> > > were probably wondering if you were some
> freak
> > -
> > > rolling down your window to ask them if
> > they’d
> > > seen your puppy, or something.
> >
> > Yeaaah...no. One old fat white guy in a
> high-end
> > minivan with vanity tags. Not exactly the
> profile
> > of an abductor. Plus, as I said, there were at
> > least six of 'em. Even with today's
> > scare-mongering, a bunch of teenage guys aren't
> > going to be threatened by me!
>
>
> That's the exact profile of your average
> pedophile.

You're dissing Santa Claus.

words of wisdom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's the exact profile of your average
> pedophile.

The person, maybe; the vehicle, not so much. Besides, they all know where I live...

you want kids to work at starbucks to buy athletic gear for school? its an extracurricular activity that PARENTS often make or encourage their kids to join. tax money is sometimes used for the same purposes. they aren't going to get a job to buy equipment that will then be OWNED by the school after word, that's insane.

Greybeard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> words of wisdom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That's the exact profile of your average
> > pedophile.
>
> The person, maybe; the vehicle, not so much.
> Besides, they all know where I live...


You think your 'upmarket' Minivan should reassure kids that you're not a pedo? You're a dunce. "Hey, boys! Who wants to make some money?" Those boys should have called the police.

Why should they work, when their parents buy them designer label gear, bball jerseys, new jordans, ipads, the latest iphone, etc even if they are fucking up in school....they get what they want anyway and they spend their lunch money on drugs.

Then they get to borrow the brand new family car too and it already has a full tank of gas in it and they get $20 to go to taco bell with their friends then go to one friend's house to play xbox/ps4 and learn how to download any music, movies, or games they wanted anyway without paying.

What's the point of them working if they get handed everything or figure out how to get it for free anyway?

Just a bunch of worn-out pussy-ass failures who can't do anything now but stand around bitching about their many many betters. It's pathetic.

You Are All Assholes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just a bunch of worn-out pussy-ass failures who
> can't do anything now but stand around bitching
> about their many many betters. It's pathetic.



OK, OK, I'l throw you a few bucks if you clean my gutters...

DC Urban Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well of course not, silly. You can't expect
> Braedon or Ashleigh or Hunter or Madison to mow
> grass! My goodness, don't you know they're
> allergic to grass pollen (in addition to dust
> mites, gluten, and GMO food)? Braedon especially
> has asthma problems, but because of the medication
> he takes for his ADHD he's limited in how many
> times a day he can use his inhaler. And Hunter is
> on the spectrum and can't tolerate loud noises or
> vibrations or the color green, so he can't mow
> either. And besides, when would they have the time
> what with jazz band practice, junior reserve
> varsity intramural capoeira practice, debate team,
> tae-kwon-leap practice, ballet, violin lessons,
> soccer, and their Lean-In circles.
>
> Honestly, having them WORK??? That's for colored
> people!

Underrated post, IMHO.

We are Legion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK, OK, I'll throw you a few bucks if you clean my gutters...

You rent, you stupid asshole.

For the Lulz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Underrated post, IMHO.

However low it was rated, that had not done it justice. That post was nothing but another tiresome regurgitated bunch of predictably worthless babble based on nothing but mounds of stupid dumbshit propaganda. Children see through this sort of slop, but you assholes lap it all up the way a kitten does milk. Worthless bunch of waste-of-time intellectual losers and social misfits. Do something constructive for a change and go fuck yourselves.

You Are All Assholes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are Legion Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > OK, OK, I'll throw you a few bucks if you clean
> my gutters...
>
> You rent, you stupid asshole.



You drive a hard bargain. Wash my car and there's an extra $10 in it for you.

You Are All Assholes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For the Lulz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Underrated post, IMHO.
>
> However low it was rated, that had not done it
> justice. That post was nothing but another
> tiresome regurgitated bunch of predictably
> worthless babble based on nothing but mounds of
> stupid dumbshit propaganda. Children see through
> this sort of slop, but you assholes lap it all up
> the way a kitten does milk. Worthless bunch of
> waste-of-time intellectual losers and social
> misfits. Do something constructive for a change
> and go fuck yourselves.

Braedon, is that you? Do you need your inhaler?

You Are All Assholes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For the Lulz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Underrated post, IMHO.
>
> However low it was rated, that had not done it
> justice. That post was nothing but another
> tiresome regurgitated bunch of predictably
> worthless babble based on nothing but mounds of
> stupid dumbshit propaganda. Children see through
> this sort of slop, but you assholes lap it all up
> the way a kitten does milk. Worthless bunch of
> waste-of-time intellectual losers and social
> misfits. Do something constructive for a change
> and go fuck yourselves.

Oooooh, looks like someone has a kid named Ashleigh and a gluten allergy!

For the Lulz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oooooh, looks like someone has a kid named
> Ashleigh and a gluten allergy!

How dicklessly pathetic. More proof of what an intellectually deprived and worthless fucking asshole you are. You do fit in well here though, right along with the rest of the useless ignorant dumbfuck assholes. Be proud, pussy.

We are Legion Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You drive a hard bargain. Wash my car and there's
> an extra $10 in it for you.

That's your ex-wife's car now, loser-boy. Didn't leave you with even a bus-pass.

You Are All Assholes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are Legion Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You drive a hard bargain. Wash my car and
> there's
> > an extra $10 in it for you.
>
> That's your ex-wife's car now, loser-boy. Didn't
> leave you with even a bus-pass.


Actually, she did leave me with a charged up Metro-Pass, so I'm good in that regard.


Tell you what...haul that well-used mattress out of my bedroom, and I'll still give you that $10 I promised you.

You Are All Assholes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For the Lulz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Oooooh, looks like someone has a kid named
> > Ashleigh and a gluten allergy!
>
> How dicklessly pathetic. More proof of what an
> intellectually deprived and worthless fucking
> asshole you are. You do fit in well here though,
> right along with the rest of the useless ignorant
> dumbfuck assholes. Be proud, pussy.

OK, now we just need to narrow it down. Which one is hitting too close to home:

- A kid with dumb pretentious honkey name like "Brantleigh"?
- A made up allergy like gluten?
- A made up diagnosis like "ass burgers"? ("My kid's not a brat, he's on the spectrum--it's a disability waaaaaaaaahhh!")
- Or are you just having a fibromyalgia flare-up and you're grumpy?

For the Lulz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You Are All Assholes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > For the Lulz Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Oooooh, looks like someone has a kid named
> > > Ashleigh and a gluten allergy!
> >
> > How dicklessly pathetic. More proof of what an
> > intellectually deprived and worthless fucking
> > asshole you are. You do fit in well here
> though,
> > right along with the rest of the useless
> ignorant
> > dumbfuck assholes. Be proud, pussy.
>
> OK, now we just need to narrow it down. Which one
> is hitting too close to home:
>
> - A kid with dumb pretentious honkey name like
> "Brantleigh"?
> - A made up allergy like gluten?
> - A made up diagnosis like "ass burgers"? ("My
> kid's not a brat, he's on the spectrum--it's a
> disability waaaaaaaaahhh!")
> - Or are you just having a fibromyalgia flare-up
> and you're grumpy?


My vote would be that the little shit has all of the above...

Might be true of some kids, but those kids who are knocking on your door asking for donations are part of a well organized fundraiser (Music or sports) and are pretty much REQUIRED to participate. In addition to playing an instrument or sport that requires them to participate in after school practices at least a few days a week, most are taking at least one AP/Honors Class, and if they are in a Government class they are required to log many volunteer hours. After practice, most go home and have several hours of homework before going to bed. On the weekends they are playing their sports, participating in music festivals, completing required volunteer hours, catching up on homework, sleep, spending time with family. In other words, they don't have TIME to work. Believe me, they don't WANT to participate in these types of fundraising activities, but there is not enough funding for all of these activities. You spoke of a crew team raising money for a shell - one way the crew team at our school raises money is by spreading mulch after the All Night Grad Party mulch sale in the spring. Teams and clubs also earn money by helping to deliver that mulch. If there were more opportunities like this I am sure there would be no shortage of teams to participate.

Growing up, my parents instilled work ethic & money management into us. We got an allowance which was placed in a fake bank account, they would issue us fake checkbooks. If we wanted to buy something, we would write out the fake check and maintain the balance. It was quite smart for them to do, it taught us skills we would need to know when we were on our own.
While in middle school, I worked with my dad part time when he was a manager of a convenience store. Three days a week, after I got home and did my homework, I would ride my bike for 5 miles to work. My job was changing the prices on products, kinda funny when I get my Social Security statement to see I started contributing in 1974. When I graduated high school, I got a full time job and been working ever since. I enjoy working, will probably work even when I retire.
I was shopping yesterday at the Sperry Outlet Store in Leesburg, of course it was the weekend before school starts and the store was packed. It amazed me how many kids dictated to their parents what they wanted, they didn't want the clearance shoes but instead the $100+ ones. And of course the parents bought them what they wanted, kids today have no clue what its like in the real world because the parents don't teach or encourage them. Parents give them whatever they want so when they get out into society and get a job, they expect everything given to them without earning it. I took what I could get in a job, and grateful for what I did get and have.

Vixis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Growing up, my parents instilled work ethic &
> money management into us. We got an allowance
> which was placed in a fake bank account, they
> would issue us fake checkbooks. If we wanted to
> buy something, we would write out the fake check
> and maintain the balance. It was quite smart for
> them to do, it taught us skills we would need to
> know when we were on our own.
> While in middle school, I worked with my dad part
> time when he was a manager of a convenience store.
> Three days a week, after I got home and did my
> homework, I would ride my bike for 5 miles to
> work. My job was changing the prices on products,
> kinda funny when I get my Social Security
> statement to see I started contributing in 1974.
> When I graduated high school, I got a full time
> job and been working ever since. I enjoy working,
> will probably work even when I retire.
> I was shopping yesterday at the Sperry Outlet
> Store in Leesburg, of course it was the weekend
> before school starts and the store was packed. It
> amazed me how many kids dictated to their parents
> what they wanted, they didn't want the clearance
> shoes but instead the $100+ ones. And of course
> the parents bought them what they wanted, kids
> today have no clue what its like in the real world
> because the parents don't teach or encourage them.
> Parents give them whatever they want so when they
> get out into society and get a job, they expect
> everything given to them without earning it. I
> took what I could get in a job, and grateful for
> what I did get and have.

Well put. Even if it does sound like a rant that should start with "These young whippersnappers..."!

I like the fake bankbook. Of course nowadays it would be an app.

There's a great bit on one of the XM comedy channels about shopping for shoes with a teenager. The kid says "I need these $100 shoes"; the father says "You need to learn the difference between 'need' and 'want'. You have $40; you WANT the $100 shoes; you NEED $60!"

kids don't mow lawns because their families don't own one because they have lawn service. kids can't vacuum or change their bed sheets because the maid service does it. kids can't change oil because parents don't know how to. kids can't cook because stay at home mom orders from dinner done or drives thru before soccer practice. look in the mirror

It amazes me not a single teenager stops by our townhouse when it snows, and offers to a) shovel our walkway, b) shovel the sidewalk in front, and c) dig our car out.

With two kids under three, and a demanding job, I'd easily pay $20 to $30 to an enterprising youngster. But no, every snow storm, I was digging our own stuff out. Not complaining, but amazed no kid in the neighborhood understood the easy money available to them in exchange for a little work.

This is an important subject. We need to be talking more about this reality than most of the other useless topics

I would prefer they didn't bother to ask and stayed off my property. I can't afford a tort when they hurt themselves on my icy sidewalk. Secondly, you need a business license for this activity or it is illegal. When these kids run for office, they don't need a tax headache to red light their campaign.

when your idea of making money isn't "bean counter for government - that makes 3x-15x what bean counters can economically make"

THEN ask me