# Here come rants, blah-blah (December mini-rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 1, 2024, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012 "2024-12-01T05:38:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/121 "2024-12-07T20:56:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > How much money did you save buying these goods at Wal\*Mart vs. what you’d likely have spent at The Bay? And for better quality goods most likely. > > It’s a decent bet you ripped yourself off by saving $X of money but absorbing $2x worth of vexation. Those are all valid considerations and I fully agree. But my objective here wasn’t to save money. These were small-ticket items on which I’m not particularly price-sensitive. But sometimes you just want to pick up a commodity item at the most convenient location. My lament is that while the Walmart location is convenient, the store experience is anything but. It was a genuinely frustrating experience navigating this disorganized maze of low-tier merchandising. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/122 "2024-12-08T02:47:16Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I understand that Walmart cannot possibly be like that. I just wish them to understand why I generally avoid going there, and that they could be a lot better if the relentless emphasis on profits was tempered with a little more concern about real customer service, not just slogans and surveys. Well, I bit the bullet and, at my ripe old age, finally darkened the doorstep of a Walmart. (I’ve always hated how when they move into a small town, it’s a matter of months before the stores that have been there for decades are hurting for business… and often it affects the whole downtown.) But I needed a car part right away, and couldn’t find it anywhere else, so I walked in and… what the hell? Can they not afford decent lighting? And maybe some brighter paint? The whole place was slightly dark and more than slightly depressing. I got out of there as soon as I found what I needed (could’ve used some help with that, like signage or a map or an employee…). Haven’t been back since. I’m gladly paying a few bucks more anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/123 "2024-12-08T03:48:45Z")
I hate going to Walmart too. I used to, years ago in another town, but the one near me now is dingy, grey, messy, randomly laid out (that “clever” tactic of making you walk around to drive impulse buys) and there’s always a massive lineup for check out …which is all self-check out. I will _not_ wait for 50+ people ahead of me _to check myself out_ (seriously, there’s a zig zag cordon that doubles on itself a couple times and it’s not long enough for the line). I’m generally sensitive to my environment and I’m feeling anxious just thinking about it. I’ve gone in perhaps three times in the past decade and every time abandoned my purchase and fucked right out of there. I’ll go to _literally anywhere else_ than that particular store. Perhaps they aren’t all as bad as this one, but I’m disinclined to test others. I absolutely recognize my privilege in being able to spend more money just to avoid that place. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/124 "2024-12-08T22:44:54Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > But sometimes you just want to pick up a commodity item at the most convenient location. My lament is that while the Walmart location is convenient, the store experience is anything but. It was a genuinely frustrating experience navigating this disorganized maze of low-tier merchandising. Did it prove to be the most convenient overall? I wasn’t there, and you’re the relevant judge of this not me, but my bet is “no, it was not most convenient when _everything_ that matters is taken into account”. As the folks between you and I have pointed out is their POV as well. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/125 "2024-12-08T23:30:11Z")
Well, to put specifics on it, the nearest Bay upscale department store is in a large mall about a half hour away, while the nearest Walmart is just minutes away. And the “large mall” aspect has its own inconveniences with parking and such. It’s one of those places where you have to make a conscious effort to remember exactly where you parked or you could spend the rest of your life searching for your car. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/126 "2024-12-08T23:39:22Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Well, to put specifics on it, the nearest Bay upscale department store is in a large mall about a half hour away, while the nearest Walmart is just minutes away. And the “large mall” aspect has its own inconveniences with parking and such. It’s one of those places where you have to make a conscious effort to remember exactly where you parked or you could spend the rest of your life searching for your car… I live in a rural area where any kind of shopping other than the ubiquitous dollar stores is at least a half hour or more distant. So Walmart it is. I hate it so much I sometimes have to role play my way out there. Last week I pretended I was a soldier who had to gather provisions for a war ravaged community. Yes I actually do this. Whatever I need to do to get the task done. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2024, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/127 "2024-12-08T23:55:02Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I live in a rural area where any kind of shopping other than the ubiquitous dollar stores is at least a half hour or more distant. > > So Walmart it is. Walmart is very strategic in where they locate their stores. It’s really quite impressive. It’s obviously not necessarily rural, although they do have stores in many rural locations that are all enormously successful. But they also have stores in urban locations (typically suburbia, though, not downtown) which also do very well. They’ve also been extraordinarily successful in navigating the Canadian retail landscape – compare that, say, to Target, which ventured into Canada a few years ago and then ventured the hell right out again with their corporate tail between their legs, trailing a loss of some $5 billion, IIRC. Walmart obviously has appeal for millions. It’s just not for me. I’m not trying to be elitist here, it’s just that I value my time and I’m sensitive to hostile retail environments like disorganized merchandise and shrieking children. At least my local Walmart is new and located in a relatively upscale suburban neighbourhood. I was in one years ago in a more urban area and in addition to all its other problems, it featured customers who, judging from the aroma, were unfamiliar with the concept of bathing. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/128 "2024-12-09T13:20:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Please tell us more of these mini fruitcakes. Who makes them, where can they be bought, etc. > > IMO the best fruitcakes by far come from these folks: > [https://collinstreet.com/](https://collinstreet.com/) > They’re in Bumfuque Texas, but boy howdy do they make yummy fruitcakes. Hey, I once almost accepted a job in Bumfuque (Corsicana). Could’ve had my daily fill of fruitcakes. In semi-related news, it looks like the end is drawing closer for an iconic [temple of unhealthy eating](https://content.fortune.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/frischs-big-boy.jpg), the [Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants](https://www.wlwt.com/article/frischs-locations-closing-evictions-rent-payments/62898776). In additiion to Cincinnati-area closures, at least a dozen Frisch’s outlets in Kentucky are shutting down this week because of nonpayment of rent. Where will I go for breakfast buffet? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/129 "2024-12-09T13:49:20Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > So Walmart it is. And the Kittanning Walmart, no less. I know a guy who runs a group home for mentally challenged adults. Going to Kittanning Walmart is one of their favorite outings. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/130 "2024-12-09T19:55:28Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > > [@needscoffee](#): > > > > What’d you think of it? > > Good! Like I said my favorite was the traditional fruit cake, but the black cake was pretty decent. Out of all of them I’d probably eat the least of it in a sitting, because of the combination of richness and strong flavor. But that’s not a huge detriment - these are all soaked in booze and wrapped in cheese cloth. They’ll last forever and a day. > > I guess the abbey cake might be my least favorite of the six, as it is the most one note IMHO. But it’s still good, objectively speaking I, another one of those poor sad tortured folks that really enjoy fruitcake, have ordered the sampler box, and I’m looking forward to it! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/131 "2024-12-09T21:03:22Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > In semi-related news, it looks like the end is drawing closer for an iconic [temple of unhealthy eating](https://content.fortune.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/frischs-big-boy.jpg), the [Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants](https://www.wlwt.com/article/frischs-locations-closing-evictions-rent-payments/62898776). In additiion to Cincinnati-area closures, at least a dozen Frisch’s outlets in Kentucky are shutting down this week because of nonpayment of rent. I was going to say, I know Big Boy restaurants but I never heard of Frisch’s, and wondered if they were the same. Kind of; it’s a regional version of Big Boy in Indiana and Kentucky, as well as most of Ohio and Tennessee. I’ve never been to a Big Boy in my life, but I do buy their salad dressings in the grocery store. They make a killer Roquefort dressing, and I also dig their ranch. [![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b2272_a32f7c4722da42a5b887bb66eb5046f2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_500,h_422,q_90/0b2272_a32f7c4722da42a5b887bb66eb5046f2~mv2.webp) ](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b2272_a32f7c4722da42a5b887bb66eb5046f2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_500,h_422,q_90/0b2272_a32f7c4722da42a5b887bb66eb5046f2~mv2.webp) Good to see that these problems seem to be just a subset of that business. I assume my salad dressing isn’t going anywhere. Heck, they even have a Facebook page. > **[Bob's Big Boy Salad Dressings & Dips](https://www.facebook.com/BobsBigBoySaladDressings/)** > > Bob's Big Boy Salad Dressings & Dips. 437 likes. Bob's Big Boy refrigerated salad dressings, sauces, and assorted condiments have been available on the Pacific Coast and the Southwestern United... ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/132 "2024-12-09T22:41:41Z")
Did I mention how intensely I loathe the incompetents who run the cable company that purports to provide both my internet and home phone? When I moved here, they were the only option for both as there was no Bell service at the time. The latest: I got a frustrated email from someone who had been trying to reach me asking why the hell I don’t have voicemail any more. I checked and, sure enough, my voicemail had been completely reset, as if it was a new service, and it was impossible to leave a message. And I don’t even have any way of knowing how long it had been out of commission. These are the same incompetents that were in the news a couple of years ago when a major infrastructure failure brought down their entire cellular network **and** internet service **and** home phone service for more than 24 hours – I think it may have been several days, getting them a great deal of unwanted attention from regulators. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/133 "2024-12-10T00:19:03Z")
Frisch’s tartar sauce is just about the only one I like. I hope it doesn’t go away. We had Big Boy restaurants here in NE Indiana, the last one closed several years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/134 "2024-12-10T00:28:03Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > Frisch’s tartar sauce is just about the only one I like. I hope it doesn’t go away. I don’t remember if I’ve seen it in stores but now I’ll keep an eye out to try it. Their other products are really good (though the Thousand Island isn’t anything special in my opinion) so I’d take a chance on it. In honesty, when I want tartar sauce I just make it myself. It’s not all that many ingredients and then it tastes exactly how I want it. But if I find a jar of something exceptional then I’ll use it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/135 "2024-12-10T01:00:08Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > Frisch’s tartar sauce is just about the only one I like. I don’t think we have that here in Canada. I tend to dislike most commercial brands of tartar sauce, but the premium store brand President’s Choice is a good one. And if you like a bit of extra kick, the Legal Sea Foods chipotle tartar sauce is quite good, too. My standard fish & chips dinner is beer-battered haddock with one or the other. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/136 "2024-12-10T01:22:56Z")
A beloved manager at my company passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. I think most people were notified by their managers, but the VP called a meeting this morning to officially break the news, answer questions, and provide a space for employees to share stories about the deceased manager. One employee felt the need to turn it into an altar call, even going so far as to cast doubt on the deceased’s relationship with Jesus Christ. \>.\< > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think it would be far more fun to post that spreadsheet on your company internal website, print a few copies and leave them around the break areas, reception desks, whatever you have. 🤣 I love this! And it just so happens that the largest bulletin board in the building is in a spot not covered by cameras… > [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s the crappy culture of Enbridge Oh no. I had wondered what to expect out of them; they acquired our gas company from Dominion earlier this year. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/137 "2024-12-10T14:57:26Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > A beloved manager at my company passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. I think most people were notified by their managers, but the VP called a meeting this morning to officially break the news, answer questions, and provide a space for employees to share stories about the deceased manager. One employee felt the need to turn it into an altar call, even going so far as to cast doubt on the deceased’s relationship with Jesus Christ. \>.\< I _love_ it when this shit happens. My High School Baccalaureate featured the daughter of a famous preacher, whom I know you’ve heard of. She was the mother of one of my classmates. I learned that the entire senior class was going to face hellfire and brimstone because we did not worship Jesus like she did. I think that was the last Baccalaureate my High School had. When my Great-aunt died a couple of years ago, she had left specific instructions that she was to have a silent Quaker service, which her son promptly ignored. Cue the sermon from the evangelical preacher. His sister and my father were livid with him. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/138 "2024-12-10T16:52:20Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I think that was the last Baccalaureate my High School had. I had to look this one up - [Baccalaureate service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baccalaureate_service). In my more than half-century on this planet I had never heard of such a thing. Needless to say my HS did not have one in 1980’s CA 🙂. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/139 "2024-12-10T16:56:56Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Needless to say my HS did not have one in 1980’s CA 🙂. I was going to say my HS didn’t either (Class of '95) but then I suddenly had a memory of one. We totally had one. That was almost 30 years ago of course but I’d completely forgotten about it until now. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012/140 "2024-12-10T21:37:26Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > > > Frisch’s tartar sauce is just about the only one I like. I hope it doesn’t go away. > > I don’t remember if I’ve seen it in stores but now I’ll keep an eye out to try it. Their other products are really good (though the Thousand Island isn’t anything special in my opinion) so I’d take a chance on it. > > In honesty, when I want tartar sauce I just make it myself. It’s not all that many ingredients and then it tastes exactly how I want it. But if I find a jar of something exceptional then I’ll use it. I always whip up my own using mayo, sweet pickle relish and onion powder. I like it better than the premade stuff. It literally takes less than a minute for a meal’s worth….if I get takeout that comes with tartar sauce I still make my own. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-come-rants-blah-blah-december-mini-rants/1011012.md?page=8)