Hallmark unveils "layoff cards" for the unemployed

[brooklynite]

from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44646762#.ToC2CdSs_Nc">MSNBC:

FRANKLIN - In the business of selling sentiments, there's a card for everything, from traditional occasions to unique needs: cards with sound, cards for holidays, cards for losing a tooth.

But losing a job?

Yes, now there's a card for that too.

Hallmark recently rolled out a new line of layoff greeting cards. Stores have a specific section for job loss and recession humor, offering words of support and encouragement. With the unemployment rate at nine percent, the company says customers called-in the need.

Think of the job opportunities...

[customerserviceguy]

1. Another dying industry

getting desperate as the end approaches...

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. Why do you think so? I said the same thing around 2001, especially after the mail scares.

But here were are 10 years later and I haven't sent or received an e-greeting in years.

If I don't send an actual printed card to certain people for certain occasions, I will never hear the end of it. How is this a dying industry?

[customerserviceguy]

5. Well, maybe in your family, that's true

My mother sends out cards to everybody in the family, no matter how far down the chain. But, she's 78, and may not be doing that for long. My lady does a lot of birthday cards to people, too, and but if it weren't for her shoving a card in my face every few weeks with a "Here, sign this," they wouldn't get such things from me.

I know that a lot of people in their 20's and 30's have pretty much stopped the practice, except for the people they absolutely know they must send one to. It's dying, so is writing, and hell, even phone calling is going away in favor of email and texting.

Your situation is simply not typical.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. I disagree.

But no use in debating it. I asked, you answered.

[customerserviceguy]

9. It's possible that it's a cultural thing

As I see from your avitar, you live in Georgia. I know that the traditional ways of life tend to persist longer in your culture than in Northeastern or Northwestern cultures that I'm familiar with.

[Shagbark Hickory]

13. You don't want to go there with me. Thanks. n/t

:hi:

[customerserviceguy]

14. Ok, sorry if there was any offense, I didn't mean any. n/t

[Shagbark Hickory]

15. None taken. Just that discussion can drag on and on.

And I've been accused in the past of allegedly hijacking threads.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. I still buy and send cards, not as many as before though

[customerserviceguy]

8. That's the way it is for many people

They've cut back on greeting cards. And when you look at the drop in the rate of sending them as you go down the generations, it's why I call this a dying industry.

Frankly, I knew it was coming to this when I saw the "Congratulations on your divorce" cards, that were more aimed at "Good riddance for getting rid of the bum!" rather than, "I sympathize with your loss."

[marions ghost]

16. I like divorce cards

and divorce parties. I've been to a couple and they are a healthy way to put the past behind.

Divorce is different--it can be a celebration if the marriage has been really bad--whereas "sorry you lost your job" is creepy, like rubbing it in. Just get a blank card to say that.

I agree with you cards are declining, but they still make cheap gifts (if you don't want to give a gift) so in that way they can fit these times...:shrug:

[customerserviceguy]

19. Divorce is a failure of a dream

and that's never an occasion for celebration. It's a chance for friends to rally around the divorced person, to help them see what they did right and what they did wrong, but the "you're better off without that asshole" tone of the cards I've seen really devalue marriage. It's a horrible way for straight people to treat marriage, when our gay and lesbian friends are fighting to have the good things that marriage provides, and thus show their respect for the institution.

Been there, done that, three times now.

[marions ghost]

21. Some marriages are so bad

that breaking up CAN be a cause for celebration. Just because some people find it therapeutic (even to the point of cards & parties) doesn't mean everybody has to participate. I think it helps some people to ritually mark the end and the starting over. ESPECIALLY people who have been dumped on, left, abused in some way. Should we have respect for marriage as "an institution"--or should we have respect for the individuals who have engaged in it only to find that others don't have the same lofty goals with it? I'm for whatever helps people deal with divorce in a more positive way. In many no-fault divorces, neither partner would find it appropriate (esp where there are children) but I really have seen cases where the experience was so traumatic that having your friends acknowledge the victory of getting out of it and moving on can be instant catharsis, better than years of talk therapy.

If you have done it three times surely you can relate...? :shrug:

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. I think it's a good idea personally.

I've wanted to console people who have lost their jobs and I think sometimes cards are better at saying things than I am. If it picks someone up and gives them some encouragement I think it's a good thing.

[ixion]

4. ...

:wtf:

[KamaAina]

10. "Roses are red, violets are blue,"

"I'm sorry to hear that you got screwed!"

[Ichingcarpenter]

11. Picture of one their cards from hallmark no joke

it says:


Its hard to know what to say at a sensitive time like this

[customerserviceguy]

12. Cripe, I'd consider hanging myself if I got one of those

What a cheery image, and it compares me to a pig, too!

Got a friend that's been laid off? Maybe the best thing to do is to arrange to go out for a meal or a drink (your treat, of course) to a quiet place where you can both discuss that friend's strenghts, resume, and job networking possibilities. You can make a committment to them to ask them for their progress every week, even if it's just in your home or theirs over lemonade, so that they feel that someone's guiding them along this path.

Or, you can just send a greeting card and wash your hands of it, that's what Hallmark would rather have you do.

[marions ghost]

17. well said!

I agree w u the pig card is creepy--the situation does NOT call for a cutesy cartoon! That would be so INsensitive to send "at a sensitive time." Your ideas are what a true friend does.

[DearHeart]

24. I like your ideas better!!

I also think that a card could be encouraging if done correctly, as long as they don't compare the unemployed people to pigs. Whoever OK'd the artwork was a jackass!! Anyway, your ideas made me smile and helped brighten my day. Thanks!!!!:hi:

[onethatcares]

18. times are tough, things are hard

here's your f.....ing whatever card.

HA Ha that's funny.

have they started making cards you leave on the dash of your car before jumping off a bridge or sucking the pipe?

how about one for being foreclosed? America business sure has a niche for everything.

Fuck hallmark

[Nuclear Unicorn]

20. Oh the irony

What happens to that division once the economy recovers?

[Raine]

22. a card that says "Congratulations on your new Job, glad things

are going so much better", I would imagine. :think:

[graywarrior]

23. I'm waiting for the "Hurry Up and Die" cards

And "It's Your Own Fault You Have No Insurance Die Motherfucker" cards.