It’s getting ugly out there. The economy is bad.

Well, not that bad.

But bad enough.

Getting worse?

Or bad but getting better?

It depends on whom you stand behind in local checkout lines.

Here are some conversations received or overheard between Thursday May 7, and Sunday May l7. Guarantee: All dialogue actually spoken.

Look at my Lexus

In line at the post office, Oak Hill, Scarborough:

One customer to another: “Guess the economy isn’t affecting you, huh? Nice car (Lexus) in parking lot.”

Second customer: “It’s leased. No payments first six months. I will run it up, and then return it in August – just before filing for bankruptcy.”

That’s inspiring. Nice role model.

IPod bells and whistles

A teenage girl with her father at that lawn and garden center in Cape that used to be Jordan’s. As required by state and federal law, this girl had an IPod with her, and earphones in her ears – Blocked off from Outside World.

Customer to Dad: “Your daughter, too, huh? Guess they would rather listen to what 50 Cent is saying or singing than what we might have to offer.”

Dad (angry): “That is a bunch of B.S. I listened to each game of the l964 World Series between the Yankees and the Cardinals with a small transistor radio in my hand, and an earphone in my ear. I talked with no one.”

Customer: “You did have one free ear for the teacher, though, right?”

Dad: (Silence).

Customer to cashier, after man left in huff: “Good thing I didn’t ask if that was the $300 version, I guess.”

What bad economy?

Little League survives cut

Mother at Little League game, talking with another mother. Apparently the conversation was about money, the economy, ways to cut back on family budgets, etc.:

“I may want to save money, but it isn’t going to be due to cutting back on registration fees for Scarborough Little League for my son and daughter.”

Well, then!

Family essentials

Talked with a father at a soccer game in York County who said he had cut back on cell phone use and got a cheaper plan.

Another parent, standing 15 feet away and oblivious, announced that she had just gotten cell phones for her three kids – ages 14, 12 and 9.

What did society do before cell phones?

Lawn care costs

A lawn care company that does much work in Cape and Scarborough tells this recession-related story:

“Two families have fired us. They said they will just have to do their lawn and grounds this summer by themselves to save money. Another family just re-upped. They said this was not something they were cutting back on. In fact, the opposite – they will not be going on summer vacation. They’re staying at home, so want the lawn nice … I give one of the two families who fired us six weeks before they will be hiring us back. They said their teenage son will do it all. Ha!”

Affordable divorce

Heard at a Little League game and also at the election polls in Scarborough Tuesday, about divorces. Each story had the same facts, but was about a different family.

“They are packing it in. Can’t get along. Have grown apart, blah blah blah. But they will continue to live together (until they are divorced). They can’t afford to get two residences.”

Sounds like a pretty good time …

Pol for the pay

A guy who has dabbled in politics off and on for many years actually told a friend this week he might run for state representative next election because he needs the money. Pols in Augusta get subsistence wages.

Inspiring story. That is why you want people to get involved with government, right? Because cash is short at home.

Yikes!

Race tension

A guy at Shaw’s, shopping with his wife, said, “No Beech Ridge for us this year. Too much money – admission, food, beer, souvenirs. Got to cut back.”

His wife said, “Well, he’ll be staying home alone! I’m still going!”

I chuckled and hurriedly walked away. Left that one alone!

Wanna buy a used car?

I talked with a prototypical Suburban Yuppie (from Cape!) at the courthouse on May 13. He let it slip that he just bought a used car.

“Used car?!” I said, shocked.

“Uh, yeah, um, yeah. Hey, got a GREAT deal. Couldn’t pass it up…” he said, trying to recover. He didn’t realize what he had said.

I thought, “Wow, the economy must REALLY be bad if this guy is buying used vehicles.”

Oh, well. Cheer up. He can still put the Sugarloaf sticker on it.

Wanna sell a used car?

I ran into a guy I have known 25 years. He’s been in the new-car business most of that time, but just recently got into the used-car business.

“That is where the action will be the next 5 years,” he said, matter-of-factly.

Detroit shutdowns were one factor, he said. But the bigger factor? “People are cheap.”

Fine fettle

A Cape motorist said she got stopped for speeding on a rural road. The officer clocked her at 47 in a 35-mph zone.

“He gave me a warning. No ticket,” she said. She speculated the officer felt sorry for her and wanted to save her money on a fine.

Can the president take credit for this as an economic stimulus, sort of?

Final note

Send your best stock tip to P.O. Box 1 Scarborough 04070. I will print the 10 best. After a 30-day review of progress of the stocks as of June 1, a door prize for the best suggestion!