New Improved

How many times have we searched for the "old" version of something and found only the "new and improved" one? Almost always, the manufacturer looks to  cheaping-up on the product by making it smaller while adding flash. You know the labels in bright primary colours that are designed to appeal to your slavish eye and the dashing shapes of the logo announcing a much better deal. It seldom is. A certain chocolate bar company divides its bar into two pieces, thus making the gullible one believe they are getting a two-for-one. The bar is smaller but looks wider because of the air space between sections. And who has not reached out for a favorite package  and found the label hyped up with  little words promising a better clean or taste or action - that doesn't happen unless in the consumer's imagination? The price is up, however, and we are told it is because of all the research that went into the improvements.  We also have to pay for new designs. Cars are a perfect example. To me they all look alike notwithstanding a cute and unique grill imitating a costly foreign model and with a hood ornament or symbol uncannily close to a luxury car's. But they are "smaller and easier to park" and therefore, take "less gas". Amusing. Inside you find every amenity, albeit mostly unnecessary, known to present-day man. Do we really need three computer outlets? How much computering does one do on the road? And the rear-view television? What happened to  using the cute little mirrors jutting out each side of the body? Or the mirror hanger for cutie's crystals or cool guy's dangling dice or mama's rosary?  Interestingly, car prices are up, sizes are down and the quality, questionable when you hear about frequent re-calls.  Something I worry about is new, improved food that lasts beyond its natural life. What is in there? Milk should not stay drinkable over two weeks, but there it is and we drink it down. Worse, we feed it to our kids. We love the quick and easy with two inches of additives that go down into little stomachs at lunch time. Apples last indefinitely and carrots are forever. Lettuce in a bag is immortal. New and improved? Too bad people don't come that way. When I enter a retail outlet, I want to find an experienced, trusted employee who cares about the stock. I want clerks who know what they are selling and can answer customer questions without having to run and find someone who might.  Mind you, most retail clerks are part-time and get paid starvation wages so what can we expect? No. New is not necessarily improved. Clothing for which you pay designer prices like the bargain model doesn't have buttons that stay where they should. If they did, why is there an extra in the little plastic envelope? I have a drawer full of single buttons pristine in their little packets, waiting to be used.  If a button dangles, I stitch it back on but why isn't the thread copious and knotted so that the button doesn't fall off? Planned obsolescence.  And while I am complaining, why are the sizes inhuman? The majority of us are not a size two or four. I don't like change. When I find the perfect purchase, I often buy two or three to hedge against improvement. I liked the old cereal without the sugar and cinnamon. I loved the dill pickles without the hot peppers. I want my laundry soap without the eternal care stuff in it. I want the old, tried and true. I want stability and permanence and quality that doesn't change.  The dollar itself makes change enough.