# Ho, Ho, Hrmpf! (Dec mini rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008 "2020-12-02T12:38:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/122 "2020-12-19T19:03:56Z")
Fucking Illinois bastards. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/123 "2020-12-19T19:07:50Z")
Ah. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/124 "2020-12-19T19:14:09Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > A dear what? Makes a big difference if it was “a dear little squirrel” vs. “a dear sweet old lady”! > > Oops, a dear deer. > > Brian [You missed a spectacular opportunity there.](https://youtu.be/zPrI8db74kA) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/125 "2020-12-19T20:26:09Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I think that Trumpists, as a group, should be given a Darwin Award for doing their best to eliminate themselves from the gene pool. And let us hope they totally succeed. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/126 "2020-12-20T03:49:28Z")
Apropos of nothing else, I still hate hay fever. ---
**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 20, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/127 "2020-12-20T23:50:10Z")
I was going through my stack of mail from last week, and guess what finally showed up? My stickers!! Guess they were a real company after all. The packing slip has a completely different company name on it, which may partially explain why my emails to them kept bouncing (but not why they still have a fully functioning store under the apparent old name). I’m now in the process of trying to figure out how to reverse a refund. 😑 I did locate the new company’s name online; they appear to be operating as an eBay store now, but I’m pretty sure they can’t take money that way. I did contact them to find out about the name change. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/128 "2020-12-22T04:11:45Z")
I often get surveys from one of the major gas retailers (which is fine - I signed up for them) but about half of them ask questions about my emotional responses to the survey subject. “Does this ad make you trust Company more? Does selling coffee make you feel that Company is more welcoming?” You’re not my best friend or light o’ love, I buy gas from your massive corporation - I don’t have any feelings for you! And I already told you that the last 10 times I bought gas it was from you - your newest ad campaign is not likely to make me buy gas from you more often! ---
**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 22, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/129 "2020-12-22T06:01:05Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > I often get surveys from one of the major gas retailers (which is fine - I signed up for them) So, I think we’d all agree that this is a thinly-veiled cry for help. A hobby will keep you from going stir-crazy, dear Book_keepeur_ (hmmm, curling is in vogue this time of year)… And making real-life friends will keep you from relying on survey-senders and QVC hosts. Look up local Board Game Clubs or Book Studies, I joined a group that does both and meets in a Masonic quonset hut every Tuesday night. BYOB! . . . (just having fun with ya… going a bit stir-crazy m’self here…) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/130 "2020-12-22T12:55:23Z")
Yeah, but I already have a subscription to the Washington Post, which carries both these comics, and they haven’t been showing up _there_, either. ---
**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 22, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/131 "2020-12-22T16:00:45Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I rant about customer satisfaction surveys in general After you’re done participating in this thread, would you mind completing a 5-minute survey on your opinions about surveys? An operator will be on the line shortly. ---
**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 22, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/132 "2020-12-22T16:07:31Z")
I’m 62. Yesterday a 25 year old woman I know approached me asking for advice on potty training her son. She told me she’d “tried everything”. When I asked her specifically what she’d tried, she told me she bought him superhero underwear (a good idea) and she beat him (WTF?). I suggested a sticker chart, with sticker rewards for good behavior and then a toy/book/whatever when he had accumulated ten stickers. But “beating him”? My parents never hit me. I never hit my kids. Her beating her son really bothered me, plus the fact that she admitted it… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/133 "2020-12-22T16:23:58Z")
Maybe she wasn’t serious. Who says that? ---
**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 22, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/134 "2020-12-22T16:30:02Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Maybe she wasn’t serious. She was serious. I barely managed to hide my shock. She told me that her son might have “something wrong with him” since he didn’t respond to the beating and she knew she beat him well, because her hand hurt. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/135 "2020-12-22T17:21:19Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > She told me that her son might have “something wrong with him” since he didn’t respond to the beating and she knew she beat him well, because her hand hurt. And you reported it to the Child Protective Services in your state I hope. It can be done anonymously and that child needs you to do it. She’ll get some parenting education help and the child will have a chance to grow up not embittered and damaged. ---
**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 22, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/136 "2020-12-22T17:42:28Z")
Another vote for reporting her. Don’t think it’ll ruin their family because the kid will be taken away… there are lots of other options. Maybe you could call and ask what _your_ options are… (While reading your post, I had a fantasy of you asking the mom, “Could you repeat that? I just want to get some video of you saying that…”) ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/137 "2020-12-22T20:01:36Z")
Third for reporting her, specifically noting the fact that _her_ hand hurt from beating a _child_. I am so over this week. I don’t know if I am hypersensitive due to the season and stress, but I completely broke down when I discovered that _despite what the box says_ Dunn Brothers coffee pods do not work in my Keurig. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/138 "2020-12-22T20:08:50Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > _despite what the box says_ Dunn Brothers coffee pods do not work in my Keurig. This would indeed be frustrating. I had a similar problem with with both Wide Awake and Cameron pods. I found if I jiggled them a bit setting them in the receptacle and/or was a little more firm in closing the handle that pierces the pod lid to enable heated water flow, both of those brands would work (which I appreciate since they are less expensive, have flavors I like and are compostable). I think I am trying to suggest ‘manhandling’ them a little. Or ‘manhandling the Keurig lid and brew handle. FWIW, I wouldn’t put it past Keurig to jigger things around between models to maintain a monopoly on coffee pods. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/139 "2020-12-22T20:30:31Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > Third for reporting her, specifically noting the fact that _her_ hand hurt from beating a _child_ . It was years ago, and I should have said something, but I had a co-worker who mentioned that his wife had had to upgrade her spankings from her hand to a wooden spoon because the child wasn’t being affected anymore. Very much a “spare the rod, spoil the child” type of Christian. You’d think at some you’d realize that spanking isn’t working and maybe try something else. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/140 "2020-12-22T20:39:16Z")
My condolence’s. Our whole house heating went kahpioo yesterday. Elecrtian/plumber today. (Honestly, 30F in house is not pleasant) ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008/141 "2020-12-22T21:29:25Z")
I don’t know if it’s because they suddenly realized it’s Christmas in 3 days or they just realized the have a dog, but I’ve been swamped with calls of people needing to get in. I had one person accuse me of ruining her Christmas because I couldn’t get her in on short notice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ho-ho-hrmpf-dec-mini-rants/927008.md?page=8)