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economist suntribune tests of tolerance thursday dec 12 2002 11 strangers remain the nicest people by joan ransberry staff writer i was 15 cents short the bill at houstons drugs in down town stouffville was 1117 id emptied my pockets and dumped everything out of my purse to come up with 1102 i was about ready to put one of the three items back when a little voice said excuse me but i have ten cents teens surprised at offer to help from page 3 for a very illtimed tantrum oh thank you so much she said as i held the first door and stepped in front of her to hold the second as well my offer to help her to her car was refused politely with a smile i can manage but youre very kind thanks again two teenagers wearing hip slung baggy jeans and baseball caps looked surprised as i reached ahead of them to hold the door they were both bogged down with bags these from the gap and old navy hey thanks man they said almost in unison merry christmas dont believe everything you hear about youths today ari elderly man pushing his wife in a wheelchair also reacted with some sur prise as i deliberately changed direc tion to come back and hold the two sets of doors for them thank you very much my dear he said gathering bags from the back of the chair to sling around his wrist not so cold today is it the cheeriest christmas giftseekers were downright effusive with gratitude one man in a burly plaid coat weighed down with several sears bags gave me a brilliant smile as i did my thing well thank you very very much and a happy christmas to you he said grinning its ok really the mothers with children were the ones who really seemed to appreciate the help and the good feeling that results from a kind word or action especially those pushing overloaded strollers and towing older children in its wake thanks a lot said one curlyhaired mom what a day im exhausted i love this time of year but boy is it busy tf would it help i turned to see a pretty teenager standing behind me holding a dime the clerk heard the teens offer and added to it by suggesting i take three pennies from the takeapenny give- apenny box to make up the difference a wave of embarrassment washed over me and then i thought better of it i took stock of the situation the teenager was quite willing to part with a dime i reminded myself that ive made a penny donation to the little box on the counter many times besides two other customers had joined the lineup a decision was in order i accepted the dime took three pen nies from the box and paid the clerk in full i left the drug store with three items in hand and a warm feeling knowing that strangers remain the nicest people davan intl warehouse i l i l i e 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 h 0 up to vto 1 off suggested retail prices casual wear shoes samples sweater mens wear night dress kids wear ladies wear giftware christmas decorating items monday to friday 1100 am 600 pm saturday 900 am 600 pm sunday 1100 am 500 pm we accept cash only 166 bullock dn 3 i ts 1 davan lnt i 1 lobliw 1 d bullock dr 1 i xurkvillc mall highway 7 1 i i i i 1 e 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 biggest best selection of gay videos this side of toronj 12 fori rentals on sundays tuesdays 3 for 10 all other days over 4000 videos in stock lowest prices in york region adult video depot 5281 hwy 7 marxham pen oam to midnight days a week oooooooooooooooooooo x cn the gifts that keep on givim jgis i available december 10th 3 m vi 1 dvd and vhs available at walmart every wmm nm o 2002 universal studios all rights reserved tm s o 2002 dreamworks llc all rights reserved barbie and assochted trademarks are owned by and used under license irom mattel he c 2002 mattel ine all rights reserved family home entertainment is a trademark ol artisan entertainment inc all rights reserved distributed cxdusivelybanianceatentis all rhts reserve alliance atlantis am pilpipipipkpipi 3c mmi ti r t t i wmammmm fcf wmf4tt