My experience of shop manager/esses in the UK is far different from those in the US.
I was with a friend of mine in Michigan at a store called Mejier?, she had cause to complain about some ham she wanted to buy, it looked ok to me but she said it was “tatty” and discoloured
Anyway, the manager came, agreed with her and comped her about 5lbs of ham.
In the UK you’d be lucky if the manager gave you ½oz of corned beef.
And this is why I love America almost as much as the UK, you guys take care of your customers
My oven died. I can’t find a repairman to come before next Monday, and none of my friends or family will let us within ten miles of their homes because I am (after three whole weeks!) still trying to fight off H1N1.
Also the Sacred Tivo. Watch shows when you want to, and you can fast-forward through the commercials. That’s a great thing all year round, but it’s even better at this time of year.
Tivo doesn’t pay me to say this, though they probably should.
I am increasingly annoyed at commercials which hijack the few Christmas songs I like in order to sell a product.
I’m looking at you, Garmin, for turning the Carol of the Bells into “Give a, give a, give a, give a Garmin.” Pissed me off so much that I bought a, bought a, bought a, bought a TomTom instead.
I’m also looking at you, random truck people (Hyundai, maybe?), who managed to show your generic pickup romping through the snow to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy roughly 2,500 times during the football games last Sunday.
After spending the day shopping with my lovely wife, I have a new holiday rant.
Why the FUCK are we spending so much money on presents? I have been out of work since MARCH, and we just had to get a cash distribution from our investment account to keep going. SURELY this is a good time to throttle our previous spending BACK a little bit!
But the kids don’t get it, and more importantly by even bringing up the subject, I’m grinching all over the only fun my wife apparently has, which is to top herself every year and plan/shop/spend herself into a holiday ulcer. I am going to just throw up my hands in surrender and try not to knock the mistletoe off its little hook in the process.
Back in the early 90’s, I think it was TJ Maxx did a commercial with “Carol of the Bells” turned into “Nine ninety-nine, nine, ninety-nine”. I don’t remember what they were selling for $9.99, and I’m not sure which store did that commercial, but that song still gets stuck in my head sometimes, dammit.
Thank you thank you thank you! The greatest gift that my family or friends can give me is not to see me or interact with me in holiday gatherings, parties, celebrations, etc. I love being with my family and friends in simple small circumstances when we can actually, you know, talk about something substantive, have a conversation, enjoy our company. Rushing through bustling fragmentary snippets of loud “conversations” of trite affirmations and gossip while juggling travel, dinners, gifts, plans, guests, is not enjoyable and I’m only left frustrated and wanting for some actual quality social time.
Instead of Thanksgiving dinner, let’s just meet for coffee the next day. We’ll bond much much better.
Add me to this sentiment. I do sincerely appreciate the invitation for Thanksgiving dinner, but I would prefer to have some “me time.” I agree with your post 95%. I do love me the traditional TG fixins but I can make that anytime right?
I get it that people like to spend time with family and friends but for a lot of folks this next month is a very stressful time. I really wish I could take Nov 15 - Jan 15th off of work and go somewhere in the world that has no concept of Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Unlikely. Or rather, a Church Father did calculate that Jesus was born on Dec 25th by a method we now consider doubtful. However, he appeared to be sincere in his convictions and calculations. It is true that Xtianity has co-opted many holiday traditions- yule log, Xmas tree, and so forth. But that’s not the Church per se.
I have a few Holiday rants- no retail store should be open for Thanksgiving or Xmas. (except a few 24 hour pharmacies, and such). Give your employees a paid holiday, please.
Toys R Us is opening a 12:01 AM. There’s not enough money in the world to get me to go to a Toys R Us at midnight on Thanksgiving Day/the early hours of Black Friday.
I was just thinking this earlier this evening. I think that all employees should be paid double on such holidays. No exemptions for any field of work. In some cases, employees should be drawing combat pay.
Me? Got just about everything that I had planned to buy, bought. Of course, my dishwasher went out on me a couple of days ago, and so I am looking forward to doing some retail shopping after turkey day. :dubious: Generally, I don’t buy anything except perishables from Thanksgiving til January 2.
