Leaf Blowers

Men seem to be unusually attracted, or enticed, to utilize leaf blowers in the most inappropriate ways. A large retail establishment implemented a new use for leaf blowers. They had decided that the best way to rid the store of the humungous dust bunnies residing under the counters was to have floor maintenance employees blow them out with a leaf blower. After all, not only would the dust bunnies scurry into the next aisle for easy pick up with a broom, but stray light weight merchandise that had made its way under the counters would be recovered in the process. My allergies would kick up immediately upon entry in the store, and it took me quite some time to identify the culprit, the leaf blower.

What is it with men and leaf blowers? Does it really solve the dust issue? Certainly not! Dust bunnies were hanging from the rafters and all the merchandise was filthy dirty. In no way did food items look appetizing after being covered in dust bunnies! It took me weeks to convince management that it really was not a good idea. Not only did allergy suffers get annoyed, but did it not cost the store more money because other employees had to clean all the merchandise and shelving of the fall out?

A second inappropriate use of a leaf blower was experienced recently in a parking lot. Apparently the employee was instructed to remove all the leaves from the parking lot by blowing them away. I pulled into the lot and parked my newly washed car on the opposite side of the leaf blowing. Five minutes later I returned to my car to find the man blowing leaves and debri all over my car. When I asked him to stop because I had just washed my car, he lifted the blower to blow debri off the hood and replied, "It's not too bad. It's only really light." Then I said, "I just washed my car and you are getting in all dirty and dusty." The man said, "I'm sorry, but I have no other choice." "I'm sorry, but I believe that you do have another choice. Please leave the leaves under my car and let the wind take care of them." He did move on to another area of the lot.

What is it with leaf blowing? Does that really solve the leaf litter problem? Wouldn't it make more sense to leaf vacuum or sweep? Aren't the leaves going to return to littering the parking lot and yard? Honestly, I just do not understand leaf blowing. It is way too messy and annoying. I propose an investigation into the benefits of leaf sweeping over leaf blowing. It sure does make more sense to me. Or, is this a Mars and Venus scenario?