Take a Penny, Leave a Penny

The “take a penny, leave a penny” containers that sit on counters or near cash registers are pretty much a regular sight at small stores or coffee shops—at least here in San Francisco. When I’m picking up a late night chocolate fix from the corner store at the end of my block, these little containers become quite relevant. Otherwise, when I’m in a rush or picking up a gallon of OJ, a loaf of bread and that tasty package of peanut butter cups, I pay that little container and the few pennies in it no mind.

Usually, my package of peanut butter cups rings up at 99 cents. I hand the cashier a dollar. I get a penny back, and, as if it had ears and a brain, the “take a penny, leave a penny” container suddenly seems to have shimmied right into my line of vision. I drop my penny in. If I’ve seriously premeditated my purchase, I may have scrounged around for the correct change before arriving, but I’m inevitably short a couple of cents (probably because I always drop my pennies in “take a penny, leave a penny” containers!). I’ll grab a couple from the same container I patronized the night before. It’s a great cycle that keeps both my blood sugar and my spirits high.

We’re building an advice community for parents, not a general store, but the idea of “take some, leave some” is still relevant. I’ve had the chance to talk to quite a few parents and tech-savvy folks about the GreatSchools Parent Community, and, although they’re enthusiastic about it, they usually ask how the “advice” part works. I think the idea of advice, in general, is an interesting one.

When we think of advice, it’s pretty easy to conjure up images of the people we usually go to for it: mom, husband, wife, best friends, siblings. The word “advice” generally connotes something that’s somewhat emotional, personal and very thought-out. When we’re in a bind, we know who to go to for insight and we know what to ask. So advice is a lot like the “take a penny” idea—it’s there when and where you need it. But let’s not forget about Oprah, who presents us with a smorgasbord of food for thought every weekday afternoon, or even someone like Muse Marion, the style and togetherness guru of Domino magazine. What these personalities offer us may not be advice in the traditional sense, but it’s certainly insightful.

Now ask yourself this: Who comes to you for advice? It’s a trickier question. Your children probably do, and probably your spouse or partner. What about the parents you meet at back-to-school night who casually ask you where you found 150-sheet, wide ruled, single-subject spiral-bound notebooks with different color covers? Or your neighbor whose daughter has the same third-grade teacher as your son did last year and wants to know how much homework to expect? There are a ton of these little moments that may not feel like advice, but inevitably help others navigate through their day-to-day challenges. Very much like the “leave a penny” idea, right?

Who do you go to for advice? Who comes to you for advice?

Comments

[Kate]

you've definitely hit on an aspect of life that i think a lot of people feel: i know who I got to for advice, but who comes to ME? does anyone? my gut reaction is "i'm not sure."

maybe, secretly, that's why people love being a part of communities: you can let people know what you've learned without having to wait for anyone to come up to you specifically. while you're looking around for some advice, you can "show off" a little of your own: it's exciting be able to share your experiences (good or bad), so that others might learn from your mistakes and hopefully, successes.

[Fredy Chacon]

Hello, My name is Fredy, is very good your blog, congratulations a Linda, Marian, Lisa and Katherine, jujuju she's is beatiful,,,bye