It is not because this form of gambling takes money out of the local economy. Nor, is it that playing the lottery is a tax on the mathematically challenged. It is not even the attendant moral and law enforcement issues. Those are all reasons I dislike the lottery.
I hate the lottery for reasons that are much more personal, petty, and egocentric. I hate the lottery because it has adversely affected my ability to quickly obtain decent tasting and cheap coffee.
There was a time I could stop by my favorite convenience store and grab a quick cup-o-joe to go. The coffee is still cheap and it’s still good (not great, but good… I don’t expect a convenience store to provide truly great coffee); unfortunately, there is no longer any guarantee of “quick”. Chances are good every customer ahead of me will be buying or cashing in lottery tickets. For some reason, this seems to be the most time consuming retail transaction on the planet.
Sorry Quiktrip. I don’t stop by your store because you have the best coffee around. I stop by because it’s supposed to be quick (or quik). Sometimes it is, sometimes it’s not – and that’s more gambling than I really want in my life.
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I go to QuikTrip because it IS the best coffee in town, usually. Sometimes you get a nasty cup, but not normally.
It is sad, though, watching the people who can least afford it scraping change together to buy a lottery ticket. It has also vastly increased the litter problem. Losers drop their tickets on the ground, not unlike their lives.
Jason,
So have you noticed the wait time is a crap shoot? Or, is it just the particular stores I frequent?
Well, remember Bowden, I live in Sand Springs, so if that tells you anything…
When the lottery first started, it was like being at the state fair, the crowds. What a pain. But it has slowly waned a little, and so that’s a good thing. I do not usually go inside when I buy gas, I pay at the pump. I usually get coffee on Sunday morning, so its pretty thin crowds then.
Ahh QT,
I miss them.
BTW,
I hate the lottery too!
Tulsa World and cup of Dark Roast and maybe one of those chocolate cake donuts–those were the days. Of course when I lived there you could get gas for .79/gal.
Josh
“…the word of God is not bound.”
–2 Timothy 2:9
The chocolate cake donuts are the best; but I’m trying to cut down.
The lottery has ruined buying donuts for me, too. I’m just standing there with purchases in hand waiting while the people in front of me throw their money away in a very time-consuming manner.
“The chocolate cake donuts are the best…”
See? I knew I liked you.
Josh
“…the word of God is not bound.”
–2 Timothy 2:9