Guess what makes shop owners of a small business quake in their boots. Is it shoplifters? No. Is it high prices for goods when buyers expect low prices? No. Is it robbery? No. Is it too many or not enough customers? No.

While it is all of the above, it's not the very worst. Give up? It's kids. Kids who have their own way at home and expect it in any store they rush into. They don't care if the merchandise is breakable, stainable, non-dropable, expensive or whatever.

You have to had worked in these small, local shops to know this. I had a mother enter the store, tell me the names of her two kids, told them to mind me and rushed off to shop — me, the only clerk. Luckily for them, the store owner had a few toys in a bucket for small children to enjoy or tear up, and lucky for me, I'd raised five kids. I told them, "There are the toys, sit down and behave yourselves." Lucky for all of us, they did. I've seen kids throw merchandise, step on products, tear up or destroy things because parents told them, "No, I'm not buying you another thing."

Not all children and teenagers are like that. I've seen a few I was very proud of with their excellent conduct, their nice manners and their genuine smiles. But, when you're a small shop owner, and here comes the kids through that front door, it's a real scary guessing game. Parents, which kids are yours?

THELMA GANYON

Grandy