September 18, 2007 @ 09:34
Last week I appeared on "Live at 5:30" on "E" Television and to tell you the truth, it was my most passionate appearance yet.
The subject was "Tim Horton's vs. The Students."
Last week in the northwest Toronto a Tim Horton's manager banned students from a local high school between one and four in the afternoon. They were allowed to buy product, they just couldn't stay and enjoy it.
Needless to say this started an onslaught of opinion and I was asked to come on television and give mine.
To tell you the truth, going in I wasn't that passionate, but the other guest on the show rubbed me the wrong way. It was Hamilton East NDP MPP Andrea Horwath.
As expected she took the side of the kids arguing typical NDP stuff about fairness and human rights without having any regard for the businessman, but that was OK.
I understood her position and to some point I respect it. What I didn't like was the way she wouldn't let me talk and used an old political ploy of interrupting me in the middle of rational point.
That's what got me pissed and that's what launched me into a loud defense of the Tim Horton's manager who was forced to actually turn away business because of the rude behaviour of some teenagers.
Kids who crowd the store, use fowl language and leave a mess.
I started singing my "bad parenting" song and chastised Horwath for finding more excuses for some of today's more unruly youth.
When it was over I have to admit, I wondered if I had gone too far, but the people on the set readily agreed with my position when the cameras were turned off and I received several supportive e-mails on my website.
This is a funny country when it comes to this type of television. Canadians tend to be reserved and hold back their emotions on issues and although it may be polite, it doesn't make for very good television.
Anyway, yesterday I received this e-mail from the lovely and talented Donna Skelly, co-host of "Live at 5:30."
Hi Fred: "I wanted to let you know we had 17 voicemails regarding the Tim Horotons interview, all but one agreed with you. I haven't gone through the emails yet... but it looks like you really touched a nerve.
It was nice seeing you again."
Donna
Category: Endorsements | Television
September 18, 2007 / 10:15
The 16 to 1 voicemail response doesn't prove your point. It just highlights the demographics of the show.
I didn't watch the show.
Fred- He banned "ALL STUDENTS" for the bahaviour of some. Bad business move. He should have dealt with the problem and not banned the entire demographic.
Question for you -
If a small ratio of seniors sat in the coffee shop all morning occupying all seats, thus causing others to buy coffee elsewhere - should the business owner ban "ALL SENIORS" from staying?
DEAL WITH THE ISSUE NOT THE DEMOGRAPHIC!!!!!!!
September 18, 2007 / 10:53
Anon - have you been in this particular store? Witnessed the behaviour of these kids first hand? I haven't but have been in plenty of similar situations. There's a Starbucks a block away from where I work - try going in there at 3:30 and lasting more than 5 minutes. The herd of kids is unruly, loud, obnoxious, and totally oblivious to anyone else's presence. This is hardly the exception to teenage behaviour.
Fred - is it true the kids were using "fowl" language? Duck calls and such? How rude.
September 18, 2007 / 10:55
I agree you cannot ban all students for the behaviour of a few. It's absurd. Oddly enough I think what those kids should ultimately do is take their business elsewhere. By that I mean don't go to Tim Horton's unless a higher up steps in.
Ahhhh Timmies. Between your half assed recycling program and your unfair policy at this store, I think it's time to take my comsumer dollar elsewhere.
Timmies always was the McDonald's of coffee anyway. I guess I'll just have to buy the real stuff.
Oh, and I was once banned frm a Timmies for sticking up for a homeless person that just wanted to use the washroom. I know someone will argue those washrooms aren't public but it wasn't busy, it's not a big deal, and the guy wasn't a junkie going in there to shoot up.
I digress, Anonymous is right. A gang of seniors would never be banned from Tim Horton's... and you can't tell me those old buggers don't leave a mess behind.
Good thing for them the law is always around the corner from a Tim Horton's though so they should have no problem enforcing their policies. :P
September 18, 2007 / 11:20
ANON
Go up to the next group of teenagers you see and tell them they can't be there and you want them to leave
I will bet you dollars to donuts that at least one of them tells you to Fu@& off
Why would an employee that makes less then 10.00 per hour want to put theme selves in that position
I agree with the ban in fact they should do it in all restaurants in school areas
If you want to come and get your food your welcome but you can not stay
As for your group of seniors they are usually very courteous and if you asked them to leave. They would they would bitch and complain but they would go and they would not come back
I don't think you can compare a group of seniors to a group of kids
September 18, 2007 / 11:48
rightonymous !! "The 16 to 1 voicemail response doesn't prove your point. It just highlights the demographics of the show."
Kind of like most of the opinions here on Fred's slant on things.
"As expected she took the side of the kids arguing typical NDP stuff about fairness and human rights without having any regard for the businessman, but that was OK."
September 18, 2007 / 12:06
"As expected she took the side of the kids arguing typical NDP stuff about fairness and human rights without having any regard for the businessman, but that was OK."
A perfect description of the NDP. Anti-business.
September 18, 2007 / 19:57
I didn't see the broadcast Fred, but I'm afraid I must agree with Anonymous - deal with the issue and not the demographic. And the issue for me is cell phone use. Therefore, that means a lot of teens much shut up or go. That may include a few adults too - so be it. It's easy to cry anti-fairness when you drive your own car to and from work every day. But if you take public transit and have to listen to the traumas of Toronto's high school population or the self-indulgent, beligerent adult crowd that loves to hear itself talk, you'll soon change your mind very quickly.
September 18, 2007 / 21:57
I am in agreement with Trish.
September 19, 2007 / 09:10
Trish
What the hell are are you talking about WE are not talking about one or two kids here we are talking about 75-100 students
half of wich don't even bother to purchase they just tag along
this is also a safety issue
these stores have maximum seating capicity of 35-50 people depending on the size of the store
The point that every one is missing is should they not be in school anyways
September 20, 2007 / 06:58
Hipponymous? What Planet our you from? This is High School students, NOT grade school students. They can leave school property on lunch breaks, spare periods, etc.
September 6, 2008 / 16:15
Very interesting site, nice design, greetings
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