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How Polite Is Pennsylvania?

How Polite Is Pennsylvania? - Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 5:12PM EST

? Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 @05:12pm EST
LUZERNE/LACKAWANNA COUNTIES- What would you do if you saw a Senior Citizen in need? Do you stop and help out or do you continue on with your busy schedule? That's the question we asked ourselves, so we sent WBRE Reporter Jill Konopka undercover to find out Who's Polite In Pennsylvania.

In a perfect world, we'd have much more time for our families, our friends, even our busy work schedules. We're always on the go, sprinting from one thing to the next. So, we wanted to know; How Polite Is Pennsylvania? During the daily grind, do we notice others in need? Are we really aware of our surroundings and the elderly among us?

Joe Dawson is with the Wilkes University Theater Department, "I'm trying to make this subtle." So, we decided to go undercover as a Senior Citizen in need. We enlisted the Wilkes University Theater Department to make it all happen. Joe Dawson is the Department Chair. Dawson spoke with WBRE News, "I'm just doing crow's feet on the side of your eyes."

Dawson designed my wardrobe, wig and wrinkles. He added, "It makes the crease look deeper, ha-ha." Dawson layered fine lines and lipstick too, even caking on some age intensifying alabaster.

Joe Dawson added, "We also use it for old age." Then we pulled my hair back and pinned my wig in to place. Ashley Firestine is a Wilkes Senior, majoring in Theater, "You might want to help me with this, yeah just hold it down." Firestine added, "Just holler if I hurt you, I'll try not too."

About an hour later, I'm ready to get dressed. Skirt check, shirt check, button down sweater check stockings and shoes secure. Finally, I slip on my babushka, coat, glasses look good too.

First stop, the Mountain City for the grocery bag drop on a windy, wintry day. Reporter Jill Konopka said, "I appreciate it." We quickly learned Hazleton is helpful. Reporter Jill Konopka asks, "Why did you stop to help me?

Josine Clark of Hazleton responded, "Just because that's the kind of person I am. Watch closely as the woman wearing red approaches.

Reporter Jill Konopka, "Thank you so much, it's freezing out there." We wait a minute then went after her. Konopka asks Karen Shewack “Why did you stop?” Shewack responded, “Because I pitied ya.” It's so cold out and windy." Alice Reimiller offers aid too. Konopka responded, “Thank You.” Again, Hazleton proves polite in this part of Pennsylvania. Alice Reimiller responded, "It's the right thing to do."

Up next we visit the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre Township. Once inside, I accidentally drop my glasses. Watch the man in the background do a double take and continue walking. As I struggle to reach down and grab my glasses, see the Auntie Ann's employee come rushing over. “Wait, wait" Pat Gallagher was moved to tears.

Jill Konopka said, “You're crying, why are you crying?” Gallagher responded, “Because I thought you were going to fall and get hurt. Next, we try the wallet drop. It’s obvious the person on the right saw everything, yet fails to stop Luckily, the man with the bag over his shoulder comes to my rescue. Harry Lee said, "I see you dropped your wallet, I could've used it though. This is how we are, this is how Pennsylvania is."

Harry Lee says he's always on his best behavior. Lee stated, "I work in a nursing home, so I got to be polite and stuff like that." Then I drop my prescription. Watch the woman come out from the corner and completely change direction.

You can tell the gentlemen in the Ecko Jacket looks back as another man approaches. He and a mall worker help me to my feet. A lot of mixed reaction in the Wilkes-Barre area. Let's see what's going on in Scranton as I stroll down Lackawanna Avenue. We're pleasantly pleased when a group of young men stop to help pick up a double bag of groceries.

It happens again, only this time a man stops and stares. Others look just as they wait for the bus on Wyoming Avenue. Watch this woman walk right by me and only later turn back to see if I'm ok. As I continue struggling, notice the young woman look back at me, then again before she returns to help.

Sara Gulbin said, "I first saw ya' and I was just debating and I turned around and was like you know, I probably should." Sara Gulbin from Scranton saves the Electric City in our how Polite Is Pennsylvania test. This story certainly is not scientific. Our only goal was to see how Senior Citizens in the area are treated, especially since so many call Northeastern Pennsylvania home.
 


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