I was just looking through the list of new items on Costco.com when I ran across a few things that struck me as really amusing. So funny that I just had to share them with everyone else, in case you might miss them.
12’ Shuffleboard Table With Overhead Electronic Scoreboard, Accessories, & Professional Installation -
Shuffleboard anyone?
This made me laugh out loud. Mostly because I didn’t know there were that many people interested in playing shuffleboard in their homes. Not to mention, it is HUGE! I mean, 12′ long is way bigger than your average pool table or air hockey machine. Are the people buying this just back from being on the Love Boat or something? Seriously, I think that is the only place I’ve ever seen shuffleboard being played (and that was a television program so I’m not even sure that it counts). What all do you think the professional installation entails? Is that just them delivering it and setting it up or is there some special trick to a shuffleboard table that only professionals can take care of? So, it’s funny enough that they have this, but here is a funny line from the description at Costco.com:
The Delaware, a premium quality 12’ shuffleboard table conveys elegance with its classic design making it an exciting addition to any game room.
It ‘conveys elegance’ and will be an ‘exciting addition,’ really? I don’t know about that. But luckily, since you’re buying it from Costco, you’ll also get a $200 discount if you buy it before March 1; so you’ll only end up paying $1,299.99. But you might want to hurry because I can’t imagine that there won’t be a run on this one!
KidKraft Extra Large Judaic Puzzle and Shabbat Wood Set -
Too young for deep religious meaning?
I can’t decide which of these is funnier to me. Here’s why I think this is funny: is a kid (especially one as small as seen in the photo) really going to grasp the deep, religious meaning behind either of these toys? Or are they going to be thinking that the puzzle was a little too easy to put together and that they Shabbat set will be great for playing house in their Fisher-Price kitchen? These are definitely less tears-streaming-down-my-face funny than the 10 plagues finger puppet set (not sold at Costco, sadly) but still they did have me chuckling for a while. The puzzle doesn’t even say anything helpful except words and pictures; there’s no explanations or anything. How does that help? I guess this is just to familiarize them with the words? I don’t know, I’m at a loss for how this is teaching cultural stuff and going to be fun for the whole family. Wouldn’t it be better to take your $27.99-$29.99 and buy some books or maybe a DVD that would perhaps be a little more instructive and way more entertaining? I’d much rather learn a Hebrew song than fake cut a loaf of challah bread.
1
Clue //
2009.01.30 at 12:42 pm
Kimberly,
I didn’t know where to put this info, so I’m dropping it here.
I wanted to let you know that the next Costco coupons are coming out startying now, for the period of February 9th thru March 1st ,2009. You can see them now at:
http://s730.photobucket.com/albums/ww310/nhuang42/Costco%20Coupons/
Also, there is a neat article in Fortune/CNN Money online called, “Why Costco Investors are Smiling” discussing the atmosphere of their latest shareholder meeting. It also gives just a small glance into their future plans. It’s at:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/29/news/companies/costco.fortune/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote
Enjoy!!
2
Sharon //
2009.01.30 at 1:58 pm
I think the plague puppets would be great for church to teach the kids while learning about Exodus, perfect for visual learners. The puzzle is probably great for Hebrew schools. At home, a parent could talk about the different Holy days, what they are, what we do then, etc… Just because my son is 2, doesn’t mean we don’t read toddler bible stories. You’d be surprised what little ones can pick up- you have to start sometime. Guess I’m just used to school supply catalogs where this stuff is the norm.
3
Kimberly //
2009.01.30 at 2:17 pm
I’ve got to say catechism class would have been much more fun with the finger puppets!
4
Cynthia //
2009.02.02 at 5:54 pm
I’m rather put off at how casually you find laughable these particular items, which just happen to all be religious toys of the Jewish faith. A kid working on a puzzle isn’t necessarily getting the big religious picture, but toys such as these familiarize small children with traditional words, items and rituals, much as advent calendars, Veggie Tales or Bibleman plastic armor might do for a Christian child.
You may not have thought this through or maybe this is an overstatement on my part, but having lived my life with unknowing casual intolerance, my gut tells me you wouldn’t so describe a Christian toy or casually mention your rib clutching tear streaming response to it. I suspect you’d understand the intent and show a little respect.
5
Dave //
2009.02.02 at 7:47 pm
Hi Cynthia, I think I know Kimberly pretty well and I’m absolutely positive the humor she finds in these toys has absolutely nothing to do with the particular religion involved. In fact, Kimberly’s own religion is very much in the minority here where she lives so she’s pretty sensitive to the issue you bring up.
But, like Kimberly, I find myself laughing when I think about how all-too-many people think religious toys of any faith will impart much understanding to a kid as young as that pictured in the ad — unless they also interact with their children while they play with it. Perhaps you are one of the few who actually do that? In which case, I can fully understand how these toys would fill an unmet need with you and not be funny at all! I just think you’re in the minority given alot of what I’ve seen in the world. Sometimes you just have to laugh to ease the pain you feel when you see something depressing!
6
Cynthia //
2009.02.02 at 9:53 pm
I don’t think you got my point, Dave.
You seem to be saying something about me in this, but my point was about respecting intent, partularly in regards (in this case) to laughing at how certain religous toys appear. As I said, I’m not sure what the point was of her post, only that I found it disrespectful, not necessarily intentionally so, but disrespectful none the less. Whether or not parents use these toys for educational purposes is another issue entirely.
What I’m saying is the images of anyone using them, or their appearance particularly because they’re used to teach religion, to represent religious events, warrants that they be given a certain amount of respect, at least for their intent. I suspect the reason Kimberly found them so uproarously funny was because she doesn’t understand what they mean. My point is when it comes to religion, give it the respect you would want your own religion to receive.
7
Dave //
2009.02.03 at 10:47 am
I guess we have differing opinions about what it means to respect the religion of others, or even of ourselves. To me, respect is around not impinging your ability to practice the religion of your choice in the manner you chose, whomever you are or whatever your religion is. Respect pretty much stops there, and certainly doesn’t extend rights to you that stop me from expressing my own views. Especially when my view is that something is funny, not because it’s religious, but because it is a bad way to “teach” a serious topic.
BTW, do Veggie Tales teach kids about vegetarianism as a religion?! Or are they stealth-religious vegetables of some sort? And what exactly is “Bibleman plastic armor”? THAT sounds funny to me too!
8
Cynthia //
2009.02.03 at 2:29 pm
Here’s where I’m coming from: I stumbled on this site looking for info re: Costco cakes. We’re having a big family thing and I needed to order a cake, didn’t feel like calling and bothering someone at the bakery, wanted to get the options, yadayadayada..
Then I started reading and looking around and viola! I ended up at that little aside which I found somewhat insensitive bordering on insensitive and thought I’d mention to the writer that sometimes (particularly on a public blog) you show a little restraint in certain areas, unless you are trying for the controversial blog nastiness we see so much of today.
Perhaps I didn’t make my case coherently but it’s gone three rounds and we’re doing this back and forth which I find a little odd, that you do not understand this relatively simple idea: that sometimes it’s better to keep one’s immediate responses in certain sensitve areas to one’s self, if only to show respect to others, particularly in matters of faith.
Offering one’s opinion in the spirit of “I wonder how this could possibly be educational” as opposed to ” isn’t this just the wackiest thing you ever saw!” might be more productive to conducting a discussion forum without being offensive. Dave, this is a RELIGIOUS TOY. There’s nothing wrong with questioning anything, but in ANY matter it’s always best to do it with some respect for the persons you’re engaging.
9
Scot //
2009.02.14 at 1:07 pm
Whoa! Religious controversy on the Costco blog! Who’da thought?
Cynthia, I get your point. You’re unduly sensitive about your religion. (Perhaps not the point you intended, but that’s how it reads.)
Our host here may have made an cultural faux-pas, but that’s no excuse for you to bristle and make demands on a PRIVATE blog? Many others are watching, and you’re only giving your religion a bad rap. As I see it, you accepted an open invitation to a stranger’s house party. Instead of bringing a bottle of wine or some nibbles, you opened your conversation with a rebuke! You then hung around for a fight. Granted, that might not have been your *intent*, but that’s how it looked. (Internet Posting Tip: Everything reads 100 times nastier on the Internet! Always smile while typing. And play nice.
)
Personally, I think our host indulges in a little harmless humour and hyperbole at times. The intent, I’m sure, is not to offend any particular demographic – just to provide a little relief in a sometimes unbearably serious world.
Peace.
10
Chandler //
2009.07.17 at 1:03 am
Why isn’t anyone commenting on the shuffleboard?! That thing is much more exciting. (No offense to boy with puzzle. cynthia. or dave.) A pool table takes up more than 12′ in length (8′ + 4′ shooting space on all sides), so the shuffleboard is actually better if you’re tight on space.
You’ll be happy to know CostCo is now sold out of these tables… 
11
Kimberly //
2009.07.17 at 7:15 am
Good point about the pool table, I hadn’t taken the space to shoot into account. LOL I am amazed that it is sold out! I guess there were a lot of people just back from cruises that wanted to relive the experience in their own homes…and have that touch of elegance too of course.