As you certainly know by now, commercials can really be a nuisance when you are watching television. The advertisements are used by local and national companies in order to help selling whatever people desire to purchase. It is a way of paying for the television show.

Maybe it is just me, but our cable companies should not be airing television commercials for restaurants, fast food chains and department stores that are not located fairly close to where you live. It simply does not make sense, and frankly, it can be quite annoying. Of course, if you travel a lot, or work quite way from where you live, they might come in handy.

We do not have much of a choice about our cable company. So the company certainly knows almost everyone within a certain area for cable television must subscribe to that company’s services. So, why must there continually be many advertisements for businesses not located in your own viewing area…or even very close?

Probably, it would not be much of a bother for us to grumble about it. However, when people see some commercials over and over again, it can really get to people because they want to go to the local restaurants that are advertised. They want to try fast food chains and they also want to shop at department stores, that is if they decide to take a road trip. 

Just seeing hamburgers people enjoy at Red Robin, and other food locations, can make their mouth water. There was no Red Robin restaurant near when we lived near Massillon. However, we recently came to learn that one was built near The Strip there. 

I suppose it is a matter of irony the Red Robin came to be built there after my wife and I moved away from that area. Currently, we are about 20 miles away from that location.  We do have an appointment out in Canton every three months, so we may make it there sometime soon and give it a try.

The commercials that really get at person’s goat, however, are usually those which are at Sonic Drive-In’s. Its various menus appear to be different from those of most other fast food establishments. It is definitely not too far to drive there for any meal, especially a fast food meal.

There are a number of discount department store commercials, too. They are for places that do not yet exist in this viewing area. Steinmart is being advertised as a store where all kinds of bargains can be found, and anyone may find some discounts. Yet the closest one of these stores are located approximately 30 miles away.

Another problem with commercials is they run one car commercial after another. Plus, it’s the time the commercials run, especially if someone in the commercial is half naked. Our grand- kids ask about that. Of course, they are old enough to understand some of them. Television is like some movies where you just have to make sure that they do not see some shows.

It is probably a topic you cannot do anything about except change the channel to watch something else. We also have a lot of good stores and restaurants around where we live. Maybe that is what we really need so we can concentrate on somewhat more.

Reach Paul R. Harbaugh at prharbaugh@hotmail.com