Writer will work for token cash

What would you do for a dollar?

It’s enough to buy a candy bar or two first-class stamps. You could use it to pay for hours of parking in downtown Bristol, off State Street, while you eat a meal or shop.

It’s also a modest tip for a workday lunch.

But would you work for a week for a dollar?

In fairness, I must reveal that my pay has grown 300 percent – from $1 to $3 – after agreeing to be part of the Arbitron radio survey. I was told I would receive a “token gift” for my work. Honestly, I figured it would be coupons.

Yet inside my confirmation letter was a $1 bill. Days later, when I received my survey journal in the mail, there were two $1 bills tucked inside.

My husband snickered when I pulled out my journal and said I intended to keep it for a week. I mean, who would do work for a week for three bucks?

No one, I suppose. But I gave my word, so I kept the journal. The Arbitron folks wanted to know what type of music I listen to, when I’m listening and where I’m doing it. I suppose the country music listeners who listen in the mornings in their trucks buy different stuff than the classical listeners who listen at night at home. Arbitron also wants to match that up against what I buy, what I earn and more.

For seven days, I carried my journal – in my purse, in the car, at home – and marked my selections. By now they know that I am 40 years old and stuck in the 1980s. I love Journey, A Flock of Seagulls and the original, “real” Van Halen. They also know I am a miser, shop only when forced and that I did take my promise to fill out the survey seriously.

I expect to hear from companies who think they can sell things to people like me. Good luck. The $3 went into the savings jar for my children.
The Arbitron folks now know what I earn. I’ll also appreciate it if they don’t tell my bosses that I’ll actually work for a week for $3.

Suzanne Tate is the opinion page editor at the Bristol Herald Courier and can be reached at (276) 645-2534 or . Follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/suzannetate