It is a big laundry day. A chore I hate because it involves a trip to the horrid laundromat.
Due to a recent hemorrhaging problem, I had four loads to do. It required two trips to carry all of the bags to the laundromat. It was exhausting.
Thankfully, I didn't have to wait for empty machines. Maybe because the prices rose again.
Once everything was loaded, I ran to the post office to mail a deposit to my bank.
As I passed a group of people conversing on the sidewalk, I noticed a butterfly perched on the thigh of one of the talkers. Butterflies are fairly rare in NYC. In 13 years in the city, I haven't seen one land on a person outside of the Museum of Natural History.
She looked down at it as it slowly stretched its wings and resumed talking. Her companions were oblivious to the natural phenomenon resting on their friend. The talker appeared indifferent to to this delicate, colorful creature.
Perhaps she isn't a New Yorker. Maybe she hails from the oyamel forests of Mexico and encounters this kind of thing every day.
Showing posts with label laundromat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laundromat. Show all posts
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The 32 Cents Lady
My view of the Great Recession is that it and the rise of social networking tools will encourage more community. As people tighten their belts, they will rely more and more on one another.
Today I bought soda at Gristides and was 32 cents short. I was running the errand during a wash cycle at the laundromat, and didn't have my full wallet with me. The cashier readily loaned me 32 cents.
I returned to the laundromat to put the wash in the dryers, which were full. As I waited, a man pointed out which machines ran hotter and dried faster. It was clear he was living on a tight margin. He bragged that he could wash and dry 2 loads for less than $10.
He checked his drying laundry and gave me his drier, which had 4 more minutes on it. I thanked him.
When I was done with the laundromat and had put my clothes away, I went to the supermarket to give the cashier 32 cents.
The minimum wage in New York City is $7.25 per hour, so 32 cents is nearly 5% of a cashier's earnings in one hour. I thought it was generous of the lady to give a stranger that much money.
When I found the cashier in the store and gave her the money, she was surprised. She also seemed to think it was silly of me to bother returning the money. I will be known forever more at this store as the (stupid) 32 cents lady.
Later, I passed on the street the man who gave me 4 minutes of his drier time. I smiled and said hello, but he didn't recognize me or return the greeting.
It appears that my theory about the recession and community needs revising.
Today I bought soda at Gristides and was 32 cents short. I was running the errand during a wash cycle at the laundromat, and didn't have my full wallet with me. The cashier readily loaned me 32 cents.
I returned to the laundromat to put the wash in the dryers, which were full. As I waited, a man pointed out which machines ran hotter and dried faster. It was clear he was living on a tight margin. He bragged that he could wash and dry 2 loads for less than $10.
He checked his drying laundry and gave me his drier, which had 4 more minutes on it. I thanked him.
When I was done with the laundromat and had put my clothes away, I went to the supermarket to give the cashier 32 cents.
The minimum wage in New York City is $7.25 per hour, so 32 cents is nearly 5% of a cashier's earnings in one hour. I thought it was generous of the lady to give a stranger that much money.
When I found the cashier in the store and gave her the money, she was surprised. She also seemed to think it was silly of me to bother returning the money. I will be known forever more at this store as the (stupid) 32 cents lady.
Later, I passed on the street the man who gave me 4 minutes of his drier time. I smiled and said hello, but he didn't recognize me or return the greeting.
It appears that my theory about the recession and community needs revising.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
City Consideration
It seems ridiculous to say I am being frugal when my post lay-off expenses (computer repair, COBRA, cell phone bill, etc.) have been extreme.
Because I have been thrifty for a long time, I have enough savings to cover these expenditures. But I also have few options for further reductions.
One recent change has been a switch from using a laundry service to using the laundromat.
I hate laundromats. They must be some of the most consistently depressing places on Earth. They are always run-down and grubby. It doesn't seem likely that dirty clothes will become clean in such a crummy environment.
Everyone in these places is a bit down on their luck. The employees are earning little and the patrons don't have enough money for laundry service, let alone apartments with washers or dryers on premises. Some patrons appear to be homeless.
The environment oozes boredom. Everyone is waiting for a cycle to end. One can't get too distracted by a book or newspaper because they might miss the opportunity to add soap to the wash cycle or snag a free dryer.
Since my time is flexible, I try to time my visits for moments when the laundromat is fairly empty. Around 3pm is ideal.
Today there was only one other patron using the triple loader. He looked like another freelancer. He was reading a newspaper and book.
We sat a seat apart while waiting for the wash cycles to end. We didn't engage in any small talk.
His laundry went to the dryer before mine. When he was finished loading it, he asked if I would watch his things. Of course, I nodded yes.
As he exited, he paused at the door. It was raining outside. "Would you like anything from the deli?" he asked casually as if he had been my super considerate husband for the past five years.
New Yorkers have a depth of kindness that amazes me.
Because I have been thrifty for a long time, I have enough savings to cover these expenditures. But I also have few options for further reductions.
One recent change has been a switch from using a laundry service to using the laundromat.
I hate laundromats. They must be some of the most consistently depressing places on Earth. They are always run-down and grubby. It doesn't seem likely that dirty clothes will become clean in such a crummy environment.
Everyone in these places is a bit down on their luck. The employees are earning little and the patrons don't have enough money for laundry service, let alone apartments with washers or dryers on premises. Some patrons appear to be homeless.
The environment oozes boredom. Everyone is waiting for a cycle to end. One can't get too distracted by a book or newspaper because they might miss the opportunity to add soap to the wash cycle or snag a free dryer.
Since my time is flexible, I try to time my visits for moments when the laundromat is fairly empty. Around 3pm is ideal.
Today there was only one other patron using the triple loader. He looked like another freelancer. He was reading a newspaper and book.
We sat a seat apart while waiting for the wash cycles to end. We didn't engage in any small talk.
His laundry went to the dryer before mine. When he was finished loading it, he asked if I would watch his things. Of course, I nodded yes.
As he exited, he paused at the door. It was raining outside. "Would you like anything from the deli?" he asked casually as if he had been my super considerate husband for the past five years.
New Yorkers have a depth of kindness that amazes me.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Clean Clothes in Captivity
In Chelsea there are tiny storefronts that take in laundry and send it somewhere else to wash. I'm not sure what the proper term for this business is. It isn't a laundromat because they don't have coin operated machines. It is probably something that doesn't exist in many places. I suppose this storefront laundry business is here because real estate for a laundry facility is too expensive.
Actually, the closest laundromat just went out of business. There aren't that many left in Chelsea. Most of Chelsea's laundry goes to these small storefronts.
I found my cleaners by chance. The cleaners downstairs is convenient, but at $1.20 a pound, too expensive. A new cleaners opened with a discount, so I went to them. But the staff spoke English poorly; they didn't understand requests such as "no fabric softener." In frustration, I tried an older cleaners a few doors down from the new one. They are a bit less convenient, but they speak much better English and have decent prices.
I dropped my laundry off at the cleaners on Saturday. Every night I have had appointments after work and was not able to pick up the laundry before the place closed. Today, I was down to my last pair of socks.
I raced to get there on time tonight. The woman minding the store quickly retrieved my laundry bag. I apologized for leaving my clothes there so long. After I paid the bill she looked up at me with a smile and said, "You look so beautiful today!"
This comment was completely unexpected. She was peering into my face and smiling.
This lady is often working behind the counter, so we recognize one another. She isn't a habitual flatterer. Although I don't think I am particularly attractive, I'm certain her comment was sincere and it made me feel really happy.
The warden of my clothes couldn't be more lovely.
Actually, the closest laundromat just went out of business. There aren't that many left in Chelsea. Most of Chelsea's laundry goes to these small storefronts.
I found my cleaners by chance. The cleaners downstairs is convenient, but at $1.20 a pound, too expensive. A new cleaners opened with a discount, so I went to them. But the staff spoke English poorly; they didn't understand requests such as "no fabric softener." In frustration, I tried an older cleaners a few doors down from the new one. They are a bit less convenient, but they speak much better English and have decent prices.
I dropped my laundry off at the cleaners on Saturday. Every night I have had appointments after work and was not able to pick up the laundry before the place closed. Today, I was down to my last pair of socks.
I raced to get there on time tonight. The woman minding the store quickly retrieved my laundry bag. I apologized for leaving my clothes there so long. After I paid the bill she looked up at me with a smile and said, "You look so beautiful today!"
This comment was completely unexpected. She was peering into my face and smiling.
This lady is often working behind the counter, so we recognize one another. She isn't a habitual flatterer. Although I don't think I am particularly attractive, I'm certain her comment was sincere and it made me feel really happy.
The warden of my clothes couldn't be more lovely.
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