Shoot the Wall (A.K.A. The Rant Thread)

[Carol the Dabbler]

I can imagine!

 

The only time I've not been bothered by repetitive music in a store was one morning when the local health-food store was (for reasons known only to themselves) playing "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"* the whole time I was shopping.  I actually enjoyed the heck out of it.

 

 

 

* The original version, from the Song of the South movie soundtrack, roughly the first half of this (until the darned kids show up).

 

[Pseudonym]

Ah, yes, the movie that must not be named. ;)

[Carol the Dabbler]

The songs and the "critter" stories are cute.  The framework story is eminently forgettable in addition to having other problems (apparently even Disney Studios find it an embarrassment), which is why there's never been a home-video release.  Seems like they could put out a DVD of just the songs and "critter" stories, but I suppose some people would complain even about that.

 

Regardless, I love Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (specifically that version, performed by James Baskett).

[Caya]

That's basically what Disney did with the Splash Mountain ride (Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah is part of the instrumental theme, and the last part of the ride, starting about here) - keep the critters and the music, drop the framing story and replace it with Brer Rabbit's tale.

[Van Buren Supernova]

My office was next to a park once and they play, I don't know what is the title of the song, it's like para para para, bee lee, bee lee, bee lee,.pa ra ra bee lee bee lee, and I swear I 'm at the edge of shooting the wall, with, with, my CPU.

[Van Buren Supernova]

Btw, do you guys have stories about things that don't meet your expectation that caught you off guard because you believe other's recommendations? Product or whatever.

 

I tried a weekend getaway by choosing accommodation through air bnb. It's my first time. Finally picked one over many others since ALL review said it's clean, comfortable and cosy.

 

But holy cow, that was exactly the problem with the place. The cleanliness is 5/10 at best, and I had stayed in various type of accomodations, so pretty sure I'm not the problem. Why on earth all reviews said it's so very clean? (The sample size is sufficient enough), and it's not that particular unit as I glimpsed at other units as well.

 

Are those reviewers happen to have the same (horrible) standard of hygiene? Gah. It was so out of expectation and since I was with mom, who has way higher cleanliness standard than me (although she didn't complain and was being nice) I decided to pack and looked for other place.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I often suspect that many online reviews are written by the proprietor and/or their friends, family, and employees.

 

But then I'm a cynic.

[Pseudonym]

I agree, though cleanliness is s weird thing to pinpoint if they know said family member may not be the most up on their cleaning. I’m always suspicious of products on amazon that have all positive reviews, if they were genuine you’d get at least one nit picker.

[Carol the Dabbler]

The most blatant example I've ever seen was reviews of a local plumbing service. They were about evenly divided between "these people are friendly, competent, courteous, efficient, prompt and affordable" and "I've never had worse service in my life."

 

Now it's possible that the raves were genuine and the pans were posted by the guy's disgruntled ex-wife. But I kinda doubt it.

[Van Buren Supernova]

I saw the reviews came from wide enough varieties, but these day, yes, anything can manipulated. To be fair, I can see some people who would be very happy with that condition, but all of them?? And I had stayed in way worse place and was happy, but, I didn't come with high expectation while this one, the reviews, descriptions and photos kind of forming that.

 

I guess most of the time, there are nothing else to count on except reviews and photos for accommodation decisions. All these time, they are quite accurate although usually for hotel, the sample size are significantly bigger.

 

Of course now, their rating would be down because of me, although I worded my review carefully because it's still someone's way of living. In fact, I thought of not leaving review and just let it go if the host put more efforts, but nah, they didn't.

[Carol the Dabbler]

When Alex and I were planning our honeymoon, we chose a bed and breakfast out of a book (this was before the internet). The owner said the place was on a farm, and mentioned serving pancakes with homemade maple syrup as a typical breakfast. When we got there, we found that our "king-size bed" was two single beds pushed together, and the usual breakfast was grocery-store donuts out of a box. The only time we got a hot breakfast was one morning when there was also another couple staying there. The book had mentioned we'd be sharing a bathroom, but neglected to say we'd be sharing the owner's personal (and very much "lived-in") bathroom, not just sharing with other travelers.

On the plus side, the book had not mentioned that there was a terrific cat, nor that the stars would be brighter than I'd seen since I was a kid.

According to the internet, the place is still in business (as both a farm and a B&B ), with mixed reviews. Several people mentioned being served a nice breakfast with farm-fresh eggs, so apparently there's been some improvement (or else the owner's friends are writing most of the reviews).

[Pseudonym]

So annoyed. Get into work, the internet has been shut off 'until later.' Meaning I can't print anything, or check orders, or update stock, or do pretty much anything. When the hell is 'later' supposed to be? Oh and there's a 'network cable on the desk if needed.' Except that there's not. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Is your brother the IT Guy?  Or do you hire an outside contractor to leave annoying notes on your desk?

[Pseudonym]

No, it's my brother. I'm home now but I feel a bit unsettled after having such an unproductive day. I like to get sh*t done on a Friday. 

[Van Buren Supernova]

Same.

I normally have mild amnesia on Monday about what is going on at work.

I like to finish stuffs before holiday too. There is something satisfying and sadistic of putting the ball in other people court, especially my bosses. I always give them plethora of things to respond/decide before weekend or leave, so that they leave me alone and then I come at them when I'm back. Whut? It has been a weekend and you haven't decided???? :p

 

Speaking of work, there are two new people to replace my problematic team mates, together with two freelancers that was with us before they left. Naturally, they are hard working and still eager to learn so I've been showing them what I could, since I am the only idiot left from the old team. Also, the frantic work made me active and sigh.. I kind of have to talk a lot and interact a lot, also move around like mad woman.

But.. the newsters thought I am nice and approachable, especially the freelancer comments a lot that I laugh and joke more now with them. That is stress and frantic, kiddo. Now I'm in chatting group, eventhough we also had one with my team back but I know them a lot longer. Yes we use it for work too, but not always. Too soon!! This had got to change?

 

So my stress = normal approachable people?? Hmpph

[Arcadia]

Nope, being helpful to newbies even though it's stressful for you makes you approachable. Not so sure about normal, though, I seem to remember a lot of my former co-workers being downright hostile when I first arrived on the job.

[Van Buren Supernova]

Nope, being helpful to newbies even though it's stressful for you makes you approachable. Not so sure about normal, though, I seem to remember a lot of my former co-workers being downright hostile when I first arrived on the job.

Actually being helpful is for selfish reasons; 1. to have good karma so that people are being helpful with me when I'm new too, 2. So they become useful very very fast.

 

But the laugh, I probably tend to laugh more when I'm stressed. Some situation and people are so frustatingly unbearable that is the only thing I could do. I'm known for starting to laugh at midnight during uni sleepless night. XD sometimes it scared my friends.

It's frustation actually, but that, plus I have to interact a lot with them = me being a jolly friendly person. Good god! Crap.

[Van Buren Supernova]

Can this be pet peeve thread too?

 

Closed toilet seat in public toilet.

 

Why? Why it has to be closed?

In here, 40-40-20% chance:

1. They just clean it.

2. Someone make a mess.

3. Nothing, some people just like to close the lid.

 

But I'd avoid it if possible.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Did you mean the seat (the ring-shaped piece that one sits on while using the toilet) or the lid (the solid piece that can be closed over the seat)?

 

 

It's very rare here in the US for a public toilet to even *have* a lid.  They generally have only seats, and those (at least in women's restrooms) are nearly always left in the "down" position (unless the toilet has just been cleaned, or perhaps if a man has snuck in and used it).

[Van Buren Supernova]

Nope, not the seat, but the lid, solid piece.

I believe I see toilets with lid everywhere. Haven't been to US though, but pretty sure I saw them in TV, or maybe it's isolated case.

I remember in a sleazy horror movie, if I remember correctly, titled House, had the lid down and when someone opened it, a freaky hand pop out.

That is not why I hate it though.

I hate touching to open it, and if it's a mess, yuck! Or snake maybe??

I do all I can to avoid it, but the one in office is definitely with lids and idiots keep putting them down and I spend a third of my day here.

 

It's also possibility that I only notice the lid when they were closed. There were probably lidless toilets before.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Over here the public toilets (even in offices) generally have no lids, but the toilets in people's homes do have them. I believe it's been that way ever since I can remember.

[Pseudonym]

Yea, I'm not a fan of a lid down. Always approach with caution, lift up gingerly with a piece of toilet paper covering my hand. It could be sparkly clean, it could be that someone has had a horrific bowel explosion. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Do public toilets in the UK have lids? (Shows how much attention I was paying!)

[Pseudonym]

Yep. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

I think if our public toilets had lids, I'd be wary too. But at home, or in other people's homes, I generally feel that it's safe to lift the lid.

 

I did learn many years ago, however, that in a home where there are small boys, it's best to inspect the seat before sitting, especially at night. Their aim isn't always the best when they're sleepy. (And of course they're men in training, so heaven forbid they should lift the seat before they pee.)