Traffic cones on the highway slowly funnel cars into one lane. Up ahead, at the Delaware border, the first sign of trouble is a police car parked on the shoulder. Then the driver sees it: a sign with big black letters reading CLOSED right next to the “Welcome to the State of Delaware” sign. A man in uniform, clipboard in hand, walks slowly toward the car.
“What’s going on here, officer?” the driver asks, rolling down the window.
“I’m sorry sir, but the State of Delaware is temporarily closed,” the officer replies, pointing to the sign.
“Closed?”
“Yes sir. I’m afraid so,” he says, emphasizing the sign again.
The driver stares incredulously at the sign, at the officer, and then back at the sign. “For how long?” He asks after a pregnant pause.
“We’re not sure. A few hours. Maybe more. Could you come back?”
“Come back? What do you mean ‘come back’? I’ve got family in there!” he says, trying not to let his voice betray frustration.
“I’m sorry sir, but the State is closed,” the officer repeats in a measured bureaucratic tone polished by years of patient practice. The verbal volleys continue until the “officer,” also known as Alan Funt, creator of the original TV reality show, finally says, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!”
Yes, back in 1963, Alan Funt attempted to ‘close’ Delaware to unsuspecting travelers coming from the north. But Delaware is open- wide open for visitors and businesses who want to business with us and with whom we want to do business.
Our present economic conditions dictate that we manage our businesses and our budgets carefully but all work and no play makes Jack and Jill dull so lighten up and allow some fun time in your company. Designate a willing Fun Director or rotate the role among various staff members. Create your own Betty Crocker® knock-off contest and encourage employees to enter their favorite foods. Host a scavenger hunt encouraging interaction among different groups of employees or departments. A little bit of fun can go a long way in raising employee morale during difficult economic times.
And above all, don’t forget to smile because with the proliferation of surveillance cameras all around you never know when you might be caught on camera!