NPR

Enzedder wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 12:44 am Education isn't a pay it forward arrangement. Your parents pay for when you are there and you pay for it when your kids are.

If you don't have kids, you still pay for others education so that they can earn money and pay taxes when you are retired and needing help.

The socialist in me doesn't have a problem with that. and all you Kiwis need to work harder as I have high needs in my retirement.

Yeah, the private sector is completely underwritten by the public sector - even the entrepreneur who went to private school and has only used private health care will benefit from publicly funded infrastructure and maintenance of same, an educated workforce, doctors being trained in the public sector, charitable status of the private schools, patent laws, trade agreements, security via police and military, fire services, etc etc.

Enzedder wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 12:44 am Education isn't a pay it forward arrangement. Your parents pay for when you are there and you pay for it when your kids are.

If you don't have kids, you still pay for others education so that they can earn money and pay taxes when you are retired and needing help.

The socialist in me doesn't have a problem with that. and all you Kiwis need to work harder as I have high needs in my retirement.

Exactly. I have no problem with that.

Families with children are subsidising my holidays?

mat the expat wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 8:38 am Families with children are subsidising my holidays?

Indeed. And have a lovely time!

Hate to think my contributions were wasted.

Going to be about three hours late leaving Pisa airport because of a storm and I’ve had to wait well over half an hour and counting for a snack because they’ve only got one person behind the counter and the place is rammed.

GogLais wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 9:53 am Going to be about three hours late leaving Pisa airport because of a storm and I’ve had to wait well over half an hour and counting for a snack because they’ve only got one person behind the counter and the place is rammed.

mat the expat wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 8:38 am Families with children are subsidising my holidays?

The first beer's on me.

GogLais wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 9:53 am Going to be about three hours late leaving Pisa airport because of a storm and I’ve had to wait well over half an hour and counting for a snack because they’ve only got one person behind the counter and the place is rammed.

Farking Brexit

Sandstorm wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 11:14 am

GogLais wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 9:53 am Going to be about three hours late leaving Pisa airport because of a storm and I’ve had to wait well over half an hour and counting for a snack because they’ve only got one person behind the counter and the place is rammed.

Five hours plus late leaving just because of a bit of rain. And thunder and lightning.

Insane_Homer wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2023 5:51 amI have a similar problem with parents and children.
Our neighbours kids scream and tantrum constantly for hours and they do nothing to quiet their little princesses. Summer is a nightmare, literally can't have the windows open without having to listen to a screaming child tantrum for an hour or 2 every day.
Thankfully their lease has ended and they are moving soon.

Update, moving day can't come soon enough!

The little shit at it for 25 mins and counting with a full on, constant screaming tantrum, no action from the parents. Fucking woke us all up since we all have our windows open due it being summer.

Oh joy! It's moving day. I'm so happy for them!

First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:26 am First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

That's really shite.

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:26 am First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

I'd reiterate the contact methods and humbly suggest he might like to try one of them. Good old passive aggressive.

inactionman wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:41 am

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:26 am First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

I'd reiterate the contact methods and humbly suggest he might like to try one of them. Good old passive aggressive.

Nah, just tell him to fuck right off as I'm on holiday

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:26 am First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

And so often the first line of a message is 'Sorry - I know you are on holiday - but......'

Boils my piss.

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:26 am First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

Passive aggressive, I'm on holiday here's the methods if he's a workmate associate type friend.

Straight up, I'm on holiday mate, bugger off with that with stuff, if he's a friend.

inactionman wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:41 am

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:26 am First day of my summer hols today, colleague whom I'm reasonably friendly with (had a couple of braai together), has my personal no as a result

He sends me a work related Whatapps message this morning to my personal no because he's not had an immediate response from one of my team and it's about a minor-issue next Friday, that he wants sorted.... Before he goes on .... Holiday

There are 4 published methods to get hold of my team.

I'd reiterate the contact methods and humbly suggest he might like to try one of them. Good old passive aggressive.

I was thinking more down the lines of driving to his house during the cricket lunch break and burning his house down as a proportional response, but then remembered he rents.

People in front you making long winded and complex orders in any kind of food service counter.

Took my kids for ice cream but had to wait twenty minutes for three adults to get fancy milkshakes made. I like to think I am pretty patient but this situation just makes me incandescent with rage.

Same for the people who've been waiting in the queue and then when it's their turn decide to rummage for purse/wallet/coupon, usually while chatting on their phone

tc27 wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:18 am People in front you making long winded and complex orders in any kind of food service counter.

Took my kids for ice cream but had to wait twenty minutes for three adults to get fancy milkshakes made. I like to think I am pretty patient but this situation just makes me incandescent with rage.

Similar shite when wanting a beer and the gang of wenches ahead of you at the bar have ordered 10 porn star martinis.

Hal Jordan wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 3:48 pm

tc27 wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:18 am People in front you making long winded and complex orders in any kind of food service counter.

Took my kids for ice cream but had to wait twenty minutes for three adults to get fancy milkshakes made. I like to think I am pretty patient but this situation just makes me incandescent with rage.

Similar shite when wanting a beer and the gang of wenches ahead of you at the bar have ordered 10 porn star martinis.

Or people doing their big shop at the supermarket fannying about at the checkout trying to decide which of their five bags every single item has to go in, oblivious to the massive angry queue quietly wishing they’d just fill up the first bag and then start on the second. It’s not hard.

Hal Jordan wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 3:48 pm

tc27 wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:18 am People in front you making long winded and complex orders in any kind of food service counter.

Took my kids for ice cream but had to wait twenty minutes for three adults to get fancy milkshakes made. I like to think I am pretty patient but this situation just makes me incandescent with rage.

Similar shite when wanting a beer and the gang of wenches ahead of you at the bar have ordered 10 porn star martinis.

Or people doing their big shop at the supermarket fannying about at the checkout trying to decide which of their five bags every single item has to go in, oblivious to the massive angry queue quietly wishing they’d just fill up the first bag and then start on the second. It’s not hard.

Punter15 wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 5:23 pm

Or people doing their big shop at the supermarket fannying about at the checkout trying to decide which of their five bags every single item has to go in, oblivious to the massive angry queue quietly wishing they’d just fill up the first bag and then start on the second. It’s not hard.

I just throw it all back into the trolley then go to a quiet place in the store behind the tills to sort it out ( since I carry it home the weight is easier when evenly distributed, plus not putting more delicate things where they could get crushed). Much better than holding others up and getting glared at. As you say, it's not hard to avoid causing strife...

I unload the trolley in the order I want it to go in the bags, even if that means a bit of digging to find the uncrushables.

Hal Jordan wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 6:29 pm I unload the trolley in the order I want it to go in the bags, even if that means a bit of digging to find the uncrushables.

Well I do that too, doesn't always work though...

Another thing that gets me is the shoppers who examine every single pack of Raspberries or whatever for the ONE that might have an extra day on the 'Best by' or be the ABSOLUTE PERFECT pack, I mean fine if it's not busy but not when there are plenty of other people trying to get a look in. If that makes me sound like a grumpy old man - it's probably because I am

tabascoboy wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 7:57 pm

Hal Jordan wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 6:29 pm I unload the trolley in the order I want it to go in the bags, even if that means a bit of digging to find the uncrushables.

Well I do that too, doesn't always work though...

Another thing that gets me is the shoppers who examine every single pack of Raspberries or whatever for the ONE that might have an extra day on the 'Best by' or be the ABSOLUTE PERFECT pack, I mean fine if it's not busy but not when there are plenty of other people trying to get a look in. If that makes me sound like a grumpy old man - it's probably because I am

And if anyone abandons their trolley in the middle of the aisle to go find something, what they won’t find is their trolley when they come back. It’ll be in another aisle with a few extras thrown in.

I leave my trolley in the middle of the aisle on the basis that people can move either side. Better that than parking it in front if a display and taking half a fucking hour to choose, whilst stopping anyone else from getting to the produce.

Edit: But only things in that aisle, I don't just wander off to find bread whilst the trolley is in the dairy aisle.

Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:02 am I leave my trolley in the middle of the aisle on the basis that people can move either side. Better that than parking it in front if a display and taking half a fucking hour to choose, whilst stopping anyone else from getting to the produce.

Edit: But only things in that aisle, I don't just wander off to find bread whilst the trolley is in the dairy aisle.

I just push abandoned trolleys 2 feet to free up the shelf I’m trying to reach. It’s not a problem.

The people who load up the conveyor and stand right at the top of it while their goods have moved down and you can't load your own because they are in the way.

They invariably get pissy when you ask them to move.

It was more of a problem before I retired, but old people who chose to do their shop at lunch time, doing it at a snails pace and getting in the way of people who have a limited time to get back to their desk.

Now that I am retired (and a spry 67) old people getting in my way.

tc27 wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:18 am People in front you making long winded and complex orders in any kind of food service counter.

Took my kids for ice cream but had to wait twenty minutes for three adults to get fancy milkshakes made. I like to think I am pretty patient but this situation just makes me incandescent with rage.

One of the best things about the Opera Bar in Sydney - which of course is full of Cocktail ordering influencers, is the Beer only bar outside.

Served in less than 2 minutes

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 4:55 pm The people who load up the conveyor and stand right at the top of it while their goods have moved down and you can't load your own because they are in the way.

They invariably get pissy when you ask them to move.

The last two weeks I've done the shopping and the conveyor belts are fairly free, Sainbury's have exapnded the hateful self checkout to incorporate entire trolleys and people seem happy to participate in the dehumanisation of the shop, leaving plenty of space for those who like to correctly load the conveyor with the shopping in the right packing order.

My wife does the self scan thing, it drives me nuts when unpacking to find a load of tins and a kilo of potatoes on top of soft fruit because that's the order the shop aisles have them in.

I don't mind the self-checkout tbh, use it whenever possible though the weighing scale area is so small it's a proficiency/logic test to fit as much on there as possible without your stack of shopping threatening to collapse like the Twin Towers. Always have a chat with whichever assistant is on hand to authorise stuff and sort out issues if they aren't too busy, so the "human factor" is still there.

Trying to scan any vouchers on the reader from a tiny little old phone screen is a waste of time though, never works although it does on the manned checkout reader for some reason

Insane_Homer wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 12:00 pm Same for the people who've been waiting in the queue and then when it's their turn decide to rummage for purse/wallet/coupon, usually while chatting on their phone

I think you mean "women"

Hal Jordan wrote: Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:10 am

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 4:55 pm The people who load up the conveyor and stand right at the top of it while their goods have moved down and you can't load your own because they are in the way.

They invariably get pissy when you ask them to move.

The last two weeks I've done the shopping and the conveyor belts are fairly free, Sainbury's have exapnded the hateful self checkout to incorporate entire trolleys and people seem happy to participate in the dehumanisation of the shop, leaving plenty of space for those who like to correctly load the conveyor with the shopping in the right packing order.

My wife does the self scan thing, it drives me nuts when unpacking to find a load of tins and a kilo of potatoes on top of soft fruit because that's the order the shop aisles have them in.

I remember having an ongoing argument with the manager of our local Sainsbury's when those fucking things first came in. Eventually she snapped and screamed at me "get used to it because they are here to stay!"

Yeah, she won that round.

I fucking love the self checkouts!

Nice ripe avocados..place on scale..search for item...carrots..sorted...

Things that get on my wick:

'slick' posters who think cheap sexist quips are funny.

weegie01 wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:38 pm It was more of a problem before I retired, but old people who chose to do their shop at lunch time, doing it at a snails pace and getting in the way of people who have a limited time to get back to their desk.

Now that I am retired (and a spry 67) old people getting in my way.

When I worked retail, there were three times the elderly would come in: 09:00 on the dot once the shutters went up, 12 - 14:00 lunch rush or the last hour before closing when the place started to fill up with school kids and anyone whose work day finished at 16:00.

As a 16 - 20 year old I couldn't fathom why they would pick the busiest times when they had all day. I think a lot of them just wanted to be around people because they're lonely. Certainly the ones who tried talking your ear off while you're attempting to briskly move a busy queue along.

TB63 wrote: Mon Jul 31, 2023 9:04 am I fucking love the self checkouts!

Nice ripe avocados..place on scale..search for item...carrots..sorted...

Yeah, they are the perfect way to strike back against shrinkflation and price gouging if so inclined...

Supermarkets have taken the rise of self checkouts as an opportunity to shred staffing numbers, so there's basically no one around to monitor what people are doing.