School Daze

Actually, I think the correct spelling is Skool Daze.

Earlier in the year, all the college hoo-hah was about what school, wait lists, and all that. Now we're getting bombarded by petty paperwork. How the hell am I supposed to know whether to get laundry service, or if I do, do I want the "Just the Basics" or the "Look Sharp" plan? Is there really any choice? Who doesn't want to look sharp? Plus, the "Look Sharp" (I'm using the quotes because the pamphlet uses them throughout) includes "Golf shirts pressed and hung, " in case my daughter takes up golf. And it also includes their "Fresh" Comforter and Blanket Plan (though not their "Fresh" Towel Rental Plan) for free.

And to give parents inducement to provide this service for their child, they brochure features a couple of pages of photos of young people wearing brightly colored, clean clothes, followed by a page with two photos- one of a bored-looking girl photoshopped to appear as if she is staring at a washing machine, and another of an overflowing basket of laundry with the caption "Hi Folks! I'm Home!" Add in a couple of quotes like "gives me extra free time, something invaluable during finals week," and what's a caring parent to do? It's blatantly manipulative and quite compelling.