We read, with great interest, a letter to the editor in the August 12 edition of the Morton Times-News. This letter expressed a concern about a young woman selling educational books door-to-door in Morton.
While we weren’t present during this particular sales presentation, we can speak to the situation with some authority as we have had the pleasure of hosting some of these hardworking young people over the past several years, including two young ladies this summer. These university students come from Estonia, a small country a third the size of Illinois. They start their day at 6:15 a.m. and don’t arrive back home until 9:30 p.m. — six days per week. Their summer consists of hard work selling educational materials door to door and includes a little glimpse of the people of the United States of America. Many of these students come with a negative view of America. We feel it is important for us, as ambassadors of our country, to build relationships with them, one student at a time, and show them a positive side of America.
In return, we have had the pleasure of lasting relationships with these students as we learn about their culture and they learn about ours. Our family has even traveled to Estonia to visit our students’ homes and families. Estonia won its independence from the Soviet Union in 1992, and, while very progressive, is struggling with the current worldwide financial crisis. The Estonian students come here to earn money for their own college expenses and to help their families. Most of them do not live in houses, but rather very small apartments. Some do not even have running water inside their home.
Coming here is considered a great work opportunity. These booksellers are independent dealers of a well-established Nashville company, and each pays his or her own travel and living expenses. Some lose money. Others make money. The skill of each individual makes the difference. Obviously, each of these students is different and uses different sales methods.
The particular student the writer was referring to has been in the USA several summers and is consistently one of the top sales people. She is here legally, after registering with the police station and obtaining a permit.
While personally, we don’t appreciate “high-pressure sales,” we have to admit that this student is good at what she does. And, we all have the right to say “No, thanks!”
We do agree with one comment the writer made — our neighbors in Morton do have extreme goodwill. How we use that goodwill is our choice. People certainly are not obligated to buy anything. However, if someone comes knocking on your door and you don’t want any books, how about offering a cool bottle of water and sending them on their way with a “No, thank you” and a smile instead of a nasty comment and a slammed door. Show them what America is really all about. Isn’t that a better way of banding together as a community?
Steve and Susie Jones
Residents
Morton
