Some of my best memories of growing up were of being a part of the Brownies and then Junior Girl Scouts.
I truly recall all the fun after school activities and meetings I attended, where I was taught about how to treat others, as well as being respectful to all. But to be quite honest my favorite part of the year was when we got to sell Girl Scout cookies, which helped gain more badges and prizes for those who sold a certain amount. Yes, was exciting to me back then.
And not going to lie, I have totally consumed my fair share over the years with my favorites being the Samoas with the Thin Mints being a true close second.
When I sold them, it was back in the 1980s. Times were definitely simpler and went door to door peddling these fine traditional American treats.
Once in awhile my dad took the sheet into work to see if his co-workers wanted any by their request, but I swear the brunt of my sales found me on foot around our neighborhood.
One time, I even mistakenly took one of our neighbor’s boyfriends for her housekeeper (It was the 1980s and Who’s The Boss was a hit show), because he answered the door in an apron. I swear to god, my mom and this woman (who was a friend of my mom’s) couldn’t help but laugh and find the humor in this.
But I digress and will say my memories were mostly quite innocent having been a young girl back during a time where cell phones, the internet and social media didn’t exist. The only thing social, we knew was how to play outside and spend hours on end outdoors with our friends.
As a former Girl Scout, I very much also recall being taught that we should do kind things for others and even earning badges for doing things for this general concept.
So when I was on Facebook recently and noticed a trending topic discussing Girl Scout cookies, I clicked to see what it was all about and the article/discussion that followed floored me.
I am not an innocent kid anymore and definitely not naive by any means (and definitely not a saint), but the reason that Girl Scout cookies were trending was still a bit of a shock to my system and when I had time to digest it realized that this just sums up our times I suppose, but still kind of irked me none the less.
See, the story shared was a about a young girl, who’s mother took her to sell Girl Scout cookies outside a place of business of sorts. Again, I have witnessed Girl Scout cookies in recent years being sold out my local supermarket and even in our mall, but this was not a supermarket or a mall that she was selling in front of.
I know the the suspense must be killing you (if you haven’t read about this yet). So where you may ask was she soliciting for cookie sales?
In front of a medicinal cannabis clinic.
Ok, I understand first and foremost these people she are selling to are sick and using drugs to help them to lessen the effects of their illnesses. So, I am not in any way diminishing the reasons for ingesting marijuna (this is not an article for or against its use), but many if not most know that one of the side effects of this drug is to get the so-called munchies or become extra/overly hungry (yes I don’t live under a rock and did try it in the past – but that was then and definitely haven’t done it since I was a college kid, many years ago). Also, note I am not trying to debate the issue of said drug use in the least for this post.
So, back to the issue at hand and these people are suffering, using this drug for medical reasons to help with said illness and then some young kid selling Girl Scout cookies, who could either be looked at either as an intelligent entrepreneur (I am all very business savvy and can totally applaud someone for this) or as a greedy bloodsucking mini mafia type (my husband’s words) taking advantage of the people in a weak moment (but this act could be construed more along these lines to many).
Honestly, I am not sure how to feel about this. Like I said on the one hand I can see the brilliance in her plan to sell extra boxes of cookies, but on the other why not just buy a few extra cases yourself and donate to this clinic or even stand out there and hand them out to these patients to do something kind for those already suffering.Again don’t know this young girl and not sure of her background, but this comes off as greedy and calculated in my humble opinion.
Also, it says so much about or society in this day and age. Every one seems to be out to make a quick, fast buck or get ahead and yet somehow we can all forget the big picture and that is doing something genuinely kind for someone else instead or worrying about profiting from it.
Like I said earlier, I am still so on the fence on this, but the reason I needed to share and possibly vent a bit here was because something about this story just rubbed me the wrong way.
I couldn’t completely put my finger on it and then it dawned on me while I was writing and composing my feelings on this here, what it was – The Girl’s Scouts Creed.
From the first sentence, that states that as a Girl Scout one will try to help people at all times and to be honest and fair, as well as to simply make the world a better place, I knew something didn’t jive with the way this kid was going about selling said cookies.
And I truly don’t think the Girl Scout creed ever would have dreamt to teach young, impressionable girls that selling these cookies meant to somehow profit off the cookies that were being sold to sick and ill people to benefit from this as making the world a better place by any means.
So, in my final assessment, I have to admit I loved being a Girl Scout back in the day and all it stood for, but can admit as proud as I was this truly is not something I can be proud of as a former Girl Scout and as a mom now to two little girls who may very well show interest in being Girl Scouts in the future. Also, I can honestly say that no matter how many extra cookies something like this could potentially be sold to garner them extra badges or prizes, I would never dream of having them sell these cookies like this, by any means.
Just my two cents and can’t help but feel this way, because again as a mother I am always trying to teach my girls right from wrong, as well as to treat others with kindness and respect, too (similar to that of the Girl Scout’s creed). And this I admit just seems so wrong and definitely not the kind, moral or respectful thing to do to those who are indeed suffering or even once again in alignment to the Girl Scout’s creed.
I know in my heart of hearts that there has to be a better answer to this and honestly know this just isn’t it and no amount of convincing me otherwise is going to change my mind now or ever.
And by the way, like I said previously, I still am proud after all these years to say I was a Girl Scout, as well as, still buy my fair share of cookies to support the young, up and coming Girl Scouts happily (just bought some this past week). Because in my eyes, once a Girl Scout always a Girl Scout.
massholemommy says
I saw that story on the news this morning – INSANE!! I think some parents take the cookie sales thing too far. I personally don't buy them anymore because I don't need the calories in my life.
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Janine Huldie says
I still can't resist them Robin and truly have no willpower. That said it was the tactics being used here that bothered and offended me. I am no saint, but this was just wrong in my eyes and felt the need to explain my point of view today. Thank you for letting me share it with you today.
Sara says
Every sale of cookies helps to fund some great programs for the Girl Scout troops so I get the motivation to sell lots of cookies but this just bothers me. It's like she is capitalizing on the fact that her customer base is sick and their medicine side effect is causing them to eat. It just seems wrong. Also my sister runs a troop and my nieces do the cookie sale outside a grocery with the entire troop. I love that it teaches them to work as a team. This girl looks like she is out their all alone.
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Janine Huldie says
Sara, I have no issue with the Girl Scouts selling outside local grocery stores, but this totally bothered me too, because it wasn't about team work. As you said it was like she was out there alone (not sure if she was) and to whom she was actually selling to. I just got a bad taste in my mouth reading this and honestly bothered me enough that I wrote about it late Friday night to share today (an dI never write on Friday night – so that says how much this did bother me).
dishofdailylife says
I do love the cookies, especially thin mints, but I think this is getting a little out of control.
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Janine Huldie says
I agree Michelle and this made me realize how out of control it has gotten.
ashleyinnc says
I was also a Brownie and Girl Scout back in the day and lived for the cookie selling part…because I am super competitive I was always the top cookie seller! But this is a step too far…if she had been outside of one of the new legal pot stores in Colorado, that would be one thing, but a medical clinic is something totally different. I have to wonder if the mom did it because she knew it would garner a lot of attention. I find the whole thing suspect myself! Great post!-Ashley
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Ashley and am so with you on this. Totally find what the mom did here to be up for interpretation. Seriously, I think it was a very calculated move on the mom's part. I mean the young girl is still impressionable enough that her mom could have steered her towards the right places to sell, but to send her to a medical clinic was just wrong in my eyes. Like I said, just my opinion, but still couldn't help feeling like this was so not right on the mom's part. Thanks again also for the share! 🙂
Kim Tobin says
I have fond memories of selling cookies (and eating them lol) as a Brownie. Maybe she didn't think far enough into what she was doing, but I don't like that this girl's mother put her in this situation. I don't think she would understand all of the commotion it caused and why people are upset at her age. As an adult, her mother should have had the foresight to know that this would have been questionable. Although, I hate to judge because who knows the real situation or motivation behind it.
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Janine Huldie says
Kim, I hate to judge too, but this just bothered me on so many levels. I honestly couldn't bite my tongue and as soon as I read it on Friday, I literally felt the urge to write my thoughts down and what came was this post. It just opened the floodgates for me for some reason. So that said, as a mom I do hold the mother completely responsible for this. The girls is you and definitely impressionable so I truly don't hold her accountable for this decision, but still can't help but irk me and get under my collar that that this is where they chose to sell these cookies.
kathyradigan says
I had not heard about this controversy. And I have to say when I first read it, I thought, well that was really smart, go where the demand is. but when you brought up the whole idea of the Girl Scouts and the creed, I did start seeing this mom's choice of where to let her daughter sell the cookies was not the best. You are right, she could have given them away or donated them if she was concerned for the people who might be taking the drug at a time in their lives when they need a little kindness. It does seem we have taken making a profit and winning to a whole new level. Thanks for a great piece!
Janine Huldie says
I know at first glance this sounds like a genius plan and will admit my first thought was similar to that, but then the more I read and the more my brain began to process, I couldn't help but feel like something wasn't right and get annoyed. Then it just hit me like a ton of bricks and I swear Kathy, I just needed to write and let it out. I was truly just so overcome and felt a bit possessed (the dishwasher would have approved!).
theseanamethod says
I love Girl Scout cookies. I know it can be difficult to find venus who will allow you to sell at their front door. I think to make a statement I need a bit more information. However, since I think scouting was a thoroughly positive experience for my girls, I wish all those out there pounding the pavement for sales good luck! (donating the cookies is a nice idea… I think that idea could be applied to many settings…)
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks for saying that and I truly wish all out there selling and hitting the pavement too tons of luck!! 🙂
Nellie says
lol at the whos the boss mistake!! 🙂 That made me chuckle out loud! I don't ever see anyone selling girl scout cookies door to door anymore, now its a competition between parents at my job. Depends on how well liked you are the more cookies you will sell 🙂 I don't trust myself around girl scout cookies at all!! 🙂 I read this story on the interwebs and thought this girl was a genius!
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Janine Huldie says
Trust me that story still makes my mom giggle when she recalls it. And I know I thought the idea was genius until I started to think about it more and then like I said it just bothered me, so I couldn't help, but feel I needed to write about it here.
Billybuc says
Just a little too strange for me….and by the way, a nice change of pace for you in this blog….I guess I live in a fantasy world where girl scouts are innocent and the world hasn't changed so much. There is something fundamentally wrong with this picture.
Have a great day Janine.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks for saying that Bill and I go inspired on this and just couldn't hold back my thoughts and took to writing it and sharing. So, when I read your Hubpages article this morning, I couldn't help, but smile, because it is so true about finding writing inspiration through different sources. Bill, I also knew if anyone would agree with me on this topic, it would be you. Again thanks and wishing you a great day now.
dianeroark says
I am like you something is not right with this. I think the parents could have encouraged her find another place. I she does not drive. By the way I too was a Brownie and sold Cookies door to door. Do you remember the quote we had to say? I have something in my pocket it belongs across my face. I keep it very close to me……
I cannot believe I can still remember that. It has been years since I thought about it.
Thanks for this post!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
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Janine Huldie says
Omg, I totally do remember that too and you are so right we did have to say that. You just brought me back even more then when I was writing this. And I know something just wasn't right to me about this whole thing and Diane I knew I needed to get my feelings out on this. Thanks for reading and for sharing with me, too today.
Rosey says
I haven't seen a nary girl selling and I want my peanut butter sandwich cookies, dagnabit. 🙂
I was a Brownie and GS too.
I'd be lying if I didn't say I laughed at the location of the cookie seller. Sorry… really, I am, but it was such a surprise I guffawed (and maybe even snorted too). Moving right along… lol, don't hold it against me, k? 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Totally not holding it against you and honestly I can see how the thought of this may illicit laughs, but after processing it, then is when it dawned on me that there was more to this then just surface/face value.
tamaralikecamera says
I see them everywhere! I buy them everywhere.
It's funny because Cassidy was telling me yesterday he thought this was Photoshopped! I said it wasn't. We both saw it trending on the internet and felt the need to discuss. What got me is that people going in for medical marijuana are using cannabis for an extremely important cause that I honestly believe it is meant for. And even if they aren't, they're going there to buy it! They don't already have the munchies on their way out!! And that's if the munchies theory is true.
I honestly don't even know!
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Janine Huldie says
I didn't even think photoshopped, but hey anything is possible. And I honestly don't even know either, but like you this did spark a conversation with Kevin and even my mom about this trending photo. So, I just needed to vent I guess, because as I have said to other commenters and in my post, it just got under my skin. Tamara, though I still am no closer to an actual answer though to be honest.
day-with-kt.com says
Well, because I spent the past 2 days driving and stuff, I missed that whole thing. I'm not sure how I feel about the girl's choice of locations – maybe her family owns the store?! (not sure if that makes it better or worse…)
I was never a girl scout but in college I spent summers working at a girl scout camp and it was awesome!!!
I do know from talking to some moms with girls that the selling of cookies is a big business now (at least in local GS chapters). They have to sell XX amount and pay for those they don't sell. Seems like a lot of pressure to me.
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Janine Huldie says
I think it totally a lot of pressure and was never like that (at least not that I remember) when I was acid and a girl scout. I hate that everything has to be about the bottom line about how many boxes and how much money is made for them. So not right in my estimation.
vitatrain4life says
I saw this story on FB too and at first it just made me laugh and I thought "smart kid," but then I realized it was a medical clinic and not a legal marajuana store like in Colorado or Oregon. Not sure if that's the best choice but at least her mom was WITH her and didn't just drop her off and hope for the best. I was never a girl scout but obviously you have a passion for this so I can understand why you're so bothered by it. I hope writing this post made you feel better! It usually helps me though issues like this.
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Janine Huldie says
So true and I have to admit, I do so love my blog for the ability to be able to vent and get my feelings and emotions on like this when I need to. Thanks Allie for reading and listening to me on this today.
katbiggie says
First, I so wish I had saved my girlscout vest and sash. I was so proud of earning those badges. And secondly, you make some REALLY good points here. When I saw the picture on Facebook, I just kind of laughed about the irony of the situation, and moved on. I didn't really think about it like you did. And I agree. It goes against all things GirlScout. OK to stores and in churches and other places, but that's the same as positioning them in front of a liquor store, isn't it? And who would do that? Thanks for the thoughtful post on this.
Janine Huldie says
Sad thing is I knew exactly where I had them and Kevin found me taking pictures of them Saturday morning while finished writing and putting this article today. Seriously though, I was so proud of all those badges and still remember that fondly, too. I laughed at first and then the laughter didn't quite seem right or sit well with me and know I wouldn't put them in front of liquor store either. So, glad that I am not alone in feeling like this just isn't right and thank you Alexa for sharing that you too were a girl scout and your point of view here today.
Dana says
I'm going to get technical about this…my daughter as been a girl scout for 10 years and the girls presell the cookies. Only troops can set up tables in public and sell them, so this sounds a little fishy to me. Sounds like mom (and daughter maybe) are super intense about selling cookies. My girl just calls her relatives and is happy with that!
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Janine Huldie says
Dana, I haven't been a girl scout for quite a few years, so I truly don't know the policies nowadays and seriously appreciate you sharing them here today, because now that I hear this that does totally sound fishy to me and just adds more layers to the story I suppose. Happy your daughter is a girl scout for so many years and does enjoy selling the cookies, too!! 🙂
stephanie2006 says
You know, I actually wonder how much profit the girl indeed made in front of the marijuana store. As far as I know, marijuana is used by cancer patients to fight the nausea during chemo treatment. I somehow doubt that in that case the munchies will apply. I do think it's fishy, and I really wonder which parents would suggest that to their child. I definitely doubt that it was the kid's idea to sell her cookies there. I somehow think that the whole cookie-selling competition has gone out of hand.
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Janine Huldie says
I know Stephanie, it really has gotten out of hand with the cookie sales and truly wasn't like this back when we were younger, so I guess that was another reason I needed to put down my feelings on this one, too.
notinjersey says
so funny. I did see this on facebook and just smiled at it. you are right that it sounds crazy!
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Janine Huldie says
I know that is where I saw it trending, too Dara and very crazy indeed!
ginnymarie says
Your point of view is so interesting to me! Emmy is joining a new Brownie troop and so we won't have time to sell cookies this year. I'll learn more about it next year since I was never in Girl Scouts. I definitely can see your point about giving a donation instead of selling the cookies. When I was going through chemo, smoking marijuana was not an option and I probably wouldn't have smoked it anyway. That said, if I did smoke it after chemo, I would be so relieved NOT to be nauseous that I would gladly buy some Girl Scout cookies!
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Janine Huldie says
I am interested in hearing once you do find out more next year about the actual cookie sales, because I have not been a girl scout myself for years and was a bit curious about it after reading this and sharing about it. Plus I wouldn't doubt if at least one of my own girls will want to join the Brownies when they can, so I should know what I am in for.
Karen says
I ws a girl scout too!!!!! I am leaning towards your opinion, while it was a great strategy…morally just not right. I agree she shoudl have donated the cookies…but to make a buck off someone's medical issues or addiction is NOT RIGHT
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Janine Huldie says
I love that we had this in common and seriously I really did love being a girl scout. But glad it wasn't just me thinking about it this way, because it really did just feel wrong to me the way she went about making money selling these cookies.
gigigirl says
You raise good points and food for thought. I guess this girl's mom follows the motto that the end justifies the means. But I'm with you….good people have to live by what they believe and teaching your girls the Girl Scout motto gives me hope for the future. There is so much lying and cheating in the world of business and politics…..got to keep some sense of decency and respect for others. Keep up the good work. Love you……xxoo
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Aunt Gloria and I do agree that we all need to keep some form of decency and respect towards others. Love you, too!! xoxo!! 🙂
MelChi says
You were so lucky, we never had anything like girl scout cookies! I was in girl guides – that's what we call it here – but I didn't really enjoy it. I was still far too into my shy stages and I think my mom was trying to make sure I socialised a bit more lol. We also never learned much about giving back – well, that I can remember, and I think that's so important today. I think we need to relocate to the states before we have kids! Hehehe 😉
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Janine Huldie says
I wish you would mauve here in the states, because then we would get to meet!! And you know I hope that does happen someday!! 🙂 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
Wow Janine, I'm hearing that here first. Nah, I don't think that's cool. Interesting marketing scheme yes, but not from a girl scout or with girl scout cookies. Yes to a hot dog stand – that would be brilliant. Not this.
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Janine Huldie says
Kenya, I know my first thought was that wow this girl is pretty smart indeed , but the Girl Scout aspect definitely made it feel very shady and so not right to me. And I love the hot dog stand idea, lol!! 🙂
pfchico says
I saw this on FB & have to admit, I got quite a chuckle out of it. You are right it is definitely business savvy but I agree that this is not the sort of thing that a young girl should be thinking or doing. Where is the innocence? Scary. Great post, Janine.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much and will say I at first thought similar, but as I said then as I processed it thought wow this is definitely not right and as you put it scary.