I live across the river from some very successful casinos. The other part of this story is that I am in banking. So ya put those two scenarios together and whatta ya got?
Unfortunately, you get the opportunity to see many ( too many IMO ) full grown adults, and even some public pillars of the community, who have gotten waaaay in over their heads financially with this poker and gambling thing.
Too many desperate people needing to take out loans to cover these debts,... I've seen too many people drown.
The intriguing lure of getting that one big WIN becomes intoxicating and strangles any instinctual common sense to stop, for some people.
Quick fix + easy money = momentary addictive high. NOT always a gooooooooooood thing!
I have to admit,..when some of my customers come in bouncing and giddy and hand over their $8,000 dollar multi-confetti-colored-speckeled WIN check for deposite,...its makes ya think,
" Wow!! Thats pretty easy $ ".
Hmmm,..how many hours do I stand on my feet in this office to make that?
( my brain starts calculating and crunching the numbers,..ouch!)
But if you cant keep it under control,...the tide can become vicious & gobble you up quite quickly!
I'd be worried about the youth engaging in such activities, especially if they are betting on more than popcorn or chore duties. It can so easily get out of control, especially when some might not yet have the true mature perspective on the value of a buck. Easy come, easy go when you're in the heat of the moment!
quote:Would you say something to the parents, and if so, how would you broach the subject?
Yes,..if I had first hand knowledge of the activity happening,..I'd say something.
Their reaction may not be greatful up front,..upfront they may be embarrased and seem indignified,..but when they are headed back home in their car from the evening, I bet the topic comes up and they start discussing it. If not,...if they truely dont seem to care,..then you certainly cant make them care, but you have said your peace.
I for one, would rather have friends who I can trust, then friends who are afraid of being honest with me.
What's good for the goose, is good for the gander. I would hope they would treat me and my family the same way,...even if it isn't always pleasant to hear just exactly what my sons have been up to on a Saturday night,..ha! ( whatta ya mean they toilet papered the highschool and the Principals new Volvo???????)
Not sure I always want to know these things,..but I need to know.
If you help one kid by speaking up,..and no one else pays attention,..then I'd say at least you have done your job and no one can dock you for not trying.
Cautions and warning aren't bad things in my book. Thats why we have yellow traffic lights!! Sometimes they are annoying and we have to
gun-it to get through the intersection,..other times we slow down and come to a complete stop. Either way, its there to keep us from having a serious accident.
I wish you success and relief from this delima!!
Remember, real friends don't let friends drive drunk.
I say, if you can avoid a disaster, do what ya gotta do!
Let us know how things went!
quote:it's all good!
Ditto!
