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By Alan Oakes

I do love a good whine!

[rnsr, I nope vou Hno a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday, and I wish you -U a healthy and successful New Year. Let's hope that at some point in 2011 will be the kick-off to the turnaround we are all waiting for. As I wrote last month,I am seeing more optimism, but remain cautious.

I have never been one to make resolutions, since I know there is a fat chance of keeping to them, especially any involving weight loss. I have put on about 2 lbs. a year sincejoining the industry l0 years ago. Like everyone, as I get older, it is harder and harder to take it or keep it off. So my big first resolution is that I am not going to put those 2 lbs. on this year! Big deal, you may say, but now my second: I shall try to not eat that candy at my desk three or four times a day, I will not eat those cakes at lunchtime, and I will moderate all the free drinks I am offered during the year. Okay, on second thought, as I said, fat chance.

But it was reading an article out of the U.K. that has really made me think twice for 2011.ft turns out in arecent survey that Britain is a nation of moaners (as I was born there, I guess I qualify). Research showed that the average adult complains four times a day and spends about nine minutes a day doing it. So by extrapolation,theaverageBrithas l,400gripesayearandspends53hoursayear complaining and whining.

Government annoys 5O7o of the population, 527o complain about money worries, and 58Vo complain about household tasks. TV and the cost of goods get 65Vo grumbling at least once a week. Monday is the worst day (which is why I have always found Mondays to be the worst sales day).

Now, if they are a nation of moaners, what about the U.S.? Frankly, after the last few years, it is probably just as well that the survey was not taken here, as I suspect the percentages would be even higher. Wouldn't, for example, government and money concerns be in the 9O-percentage range?

I find myself complaining more than I have ever done in my life. I just cannot stand some of the so-called advances today. All those companies who state their customer service is the best should be on the other end of a call one day. Like the call centers where you are hold for an hour and can never get a straight answer, or the health insurance companies (I have been fighting one for four months now for a measly $200, which has cost them about eight hours of labor so far), or the myriad places that give you misleading information'

You know what I mean. Everything seems a hassle today. You have to fight for everything. And, I have found the only way to get things resolved is moan, moan some more, and moan again, and maybe, just maybe, you might get some attention. Indeed I think I am becoming a professional moaner, which confirms I still have my British genes-not jeans, as they do not fit any more!

But I am going to change! I am going to become calmer, take everything in stride, and let it all flow over my head. I am going to become kinder, gentler and more tolerant. But on second thought, why should I? I have decided there is nothing better to get it out of your system than having a good moan. But, perhaps 201I will give us a little less to moan about.

Alan Oakes, Publisher ajoakes@aol.com

Bpii

Building Prorlucts lligest

www. build in g-prod ucts.com

A publication of Cutler Publishing 4500 Campus Dr., Ste.480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Publisher Alan Oakes ajoakes@aol.com

Publisher Emeritus David Cutler Director of Editorial & Production David Koenig dkoenig@building-products.com

Editor Karen Debats kdebats@building-products.com

Contributing Editors

Carla Waldemar, James Olsen, Jay Tompt

Advertising Sales Manager Chuck Casey ccasey@building-products.com

Administration Director/Secretary Marie Oakes mfpoakes@aol.com

Circulation Manager Heather Kelly hkelly@building-products.com

How to Advertise

Chuck Casey

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ccasey@building-products.com

Alan Oakes www. building-products,com

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ajoakes@aol.com.

CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE

David Koenig

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 dkoenig@building-products.com

How to Subscribe

SUBSCRIPTI0NS Heather Kelly

Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 hkelly@building-products.com or send a check to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660 U.S.A.: One year (12 issues), $24 Two years, $39 Three years, $54 FOREIGN (Per year, paid in advance in US funds): Surface-Canada or Mexico, $49 Other countries, $65 Air rates also available.

SINGLE COPIES $4 + s6;Op'nn BACK ISSUES $5 + shipping

BUILDING PRODUCTS DIGEST is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872, (949) 852-1990, Fax 949-852-0231, www.buildingproducts.com, by Cutler Publishing, Inc. (a California Corporation). lt is an independently owned publication for building products retailers and wholesale distributors in 37 states East of the Rockies. Copyright@2011 by Cutler Publishing, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. All Rights Reserved. BPD reserves the right to accept or re.lect any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it.

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