# Mayday! Mayday! (minirants!) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 1, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409 "2018-05-01T14:47:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**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:** [May 23, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/321 "2018-05-23T17:31:42Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Our six year old car is on its fourth windshield. šŸ˜– > > I did not know that. Unfortunately, my husband says I can sell them when he dies. ā˜¹ Tell him he can read them when _you_ die, just for the reciprocity valueā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/322 "2018-05-23T17:40:56Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Itā€™s been a few years since Iā€™ve encountered this, and they were usually white or Hispanic. The last time one stopped by, it was a Sunday evening, and he claimed he was selling magazines to raise money for nursing school. Half his teeth were missing, and he had fresh bruises all over his face and arms. > > Afterwards, when I shut the door without buying anything, my cat sat by the door and growled. > > In the future, I will call the police because a lot of this is yet another form of human trafficking, and the magazines seldom end up being delivered. If I may: please donā€™t call the cops on a young black man who was only trying to sell magazines. ---
**Author:** ![half-elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@half-elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/half-elf)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/323 "2018-05-23T18:00:18Z")
Monday the 28th is state mandated public holiday in my country which everybody was looking forward to because we just completed multiple simultaneous or back to back projects which required a couple of months of 10-12h days, often with no time to even get a decent meal. HR just sent an email saying that Monday is a regular working day and whoever has made plans can take a vac day. I donā€™t even know if thatā€™s legal. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/324 "2018-05-23T18:42:37Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The one by Laura Branigan (RIP) or the one by U2? Branigan ---
**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:** [May 23, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/325 "2018-05-23T19:03:42Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > **Next was Walmart** - Iā€™m trying on shoes, minding my own business, when a store drone comes up to me - ā€œDo you have a Walmart Mastercard?ā€ Wow, sounds like theyā€™re adopting the Sears model. The last time I set foot in a Sears ā€“ I needed a single wrench to replace one that was missing from a Craftsman set I inherited ā€“ there was a freaking wall of employees bearing clipboards, waiting to pounce on each customer that walked through the door. Most were promoting the storeā€™s credit card, but some were offering sketchy-sounding home repair coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/326 "2018-05-23T19:34:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Nothing says ā€œI am a person of wealth and tasteā€ like a Walmart MasterCard. Hmmm, might have to re-think my position on those. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/327 "2018-05-23T20:52:23Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > If I may: please donā€™t call the cops on a young black man who was only trying to sell magazines. The scary-looking man at my door wasnā€™t black. He was Caucasian. And if I see a black person committing a crime, or possibly being the victim of one, Iā€™m going to call. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/328 "2018-05-23T20:54:10Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Who the fuck is ā€œTedā€ Nickerson? I didnā€™t think Nancyā€™s hair was Titian enough either, and she was being uncharacteristically shrill. I only made it through about four minutes. Holy crap. It did get worse. Itā€™s Torchy Blane today. I am ready to pull out my hair. I gotta get up and do something else. I am writing a letter to TCM about this. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/329 "2018-05-23T20:55:22Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I got asked about a charity last week at our local Kroger offshoot. I pointed to the second basket of canned goods and said ā€œThatā€™s what that is for. We provide lunches for some children at the local elementary school.ā€ He at least looked sheepish. If I ever get asked to donate for breast cancer, Iā€™ll tell the cashier that in the past months, I have paid about $7,000 out of pocket for my breast cancer treatment, TYVM, and BTW, get your cancer screenings because thatā€™s how mine was caught before it was big enough for me to find. Iā€™ve heard of people with diabetes, relatives with autism, etc. saying the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/330 "2018-05-23T20:56:27Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > All quiet on the front last night. > > Regarding my son again. They keep using terms like ā€œunresponsiveā€ and ā€œtaking it hour by hourā€ when asked about his status. Iā€™ll be there on Thursday and I hope I can pry more information out of them. Hugs to you. Hope your son recovers, in more ways than one. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/331 "2018-05-23T23:00:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I got asked about a charity last week at our local Kroger offshootā€¦ In a hurry to get out of a convenience store, after replying to all the clerkā€™s offers, ā€œNo, noā€¦noā€¦ No, and never will,ā€ and rushing out, the clerk called after me ā€œWait, donā€™t you want to give $5 to breast cancer?ā€ As I hit the door I yelled over my shoulder ā€œHell, no, I HATE breast cancer!ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/332 "2018-05-23T23:50:20Z")
I get to about the third question out of cashiers before I tell them to stop asking me questions. It annoys the fuck out of me. I also frequently complain about those new CC readers asking me so damned many questions. Shut up and take my money already. Thatā€™s all Iā€™m trying to do here. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/333 "2018-05-24T00:56:17Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I get to about the third question out of cashiers before I tell them to stop asking me questions. It annoys the fuck out of me. > > I also frequently complain about those new CC readers asking me so damned many questions. Shut up and take my money already. Thatā€™s all Iā€™m trying to do here. Iā€™m seriously thinking of just using cash, to avoid all that crap. But I also like the idea of pre-emptively saying ā€œLook, Iā€™m in a hurry (or ā€œIā€™m having a hell of a dayā€¦ā€), can you not ask me any questions? Thanks!ā€ ā€œOf course, sir. Would you like me to not ask you if you have a rewards card?ā€ ā€œYesā€ ā€œAnd you wouldnā€™t want me to point out the 2-for-1 Salted Nut Rolls, even if theyā€™re two for a buck twenty-nine.ā€ ā€œThatā€™s correct.ā€ ā€œEven if they have a nougaty center?ā€ "Waitā€¦ did you say _nougat?"_ Nougat line courtesy of The Bert Fershners: [ā€œCampfire Elephantā€](https://www.murfie.com/albums/the-bert-fershners-the-bert-fershners) ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/334 "2018-05-24T01:03:14Z")
Nobodyā€™s ever offered me 2 for 1 nougaty centered nut rolls. I must shop in the wrong places. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/335 "2018-05-24T01:19:05Z")
In this area, Iā€™ve found that using your phone to pay is still enough of a novelty to shut down most register banter. It was even better when Google was running their last promotion ā€“ cashiers seemed to like seeing the cute animations. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/336 "2018-05-24T03:15:22Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I get to about the third question out of cashiers before I tell them to stop asking me questions. It annoys the fuck out of me. > > I also frequently complain about those new CC readers asking me so damned many questions. Shut up and take my money already. Thatā€™s all Iā€™m trying to do here. Iā€™ve always been able to tell when fast-food workers have recently had an employee meeting about upselling. The phrase ā€œDid I order any?ā€ usually gets used at some point. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/337 "2018-05-24T04:02:35Z")
PetSmartā€™s CC machines annoy the fuck out of me, which is why I donā€™t go there very often anymore. Stop asking me all those damned questions on your machine and Iā€™ll be happy to come back. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/338 "2018-05-24T14:17:51Z")
The gas station I usually go to has just installed new pumps with TV monitors that spew sales pitches and mindless trivia while youā€™re pumping gas. Fortunately I discovered that pushing a specific button on the side of the screen will mute the audio. The main reason I go to this station is that when I use their credit card I get a 10 cent per gallon discount, but Iā€™m seriously thinking of changing. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/339 "2018-05-24T16:15:45Z")
What is the deal with hotel TV providers that donā€™t have a program guide channel? There are online guides but they donā€™t always have the lineup for your particular location. Sure, itā€™s nice(?) to have 50 channels, but having to surf through them all to find something to watch is a royal pain in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409/340 "2018-05-24T16:52:54Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > What is the deal with hotel TV providers that donā€™t have a program guide channel? There are online guides but they donā€™t always have the lineup for your particular location. Sure, itā€™s nice(?) to have 50 channels, but having to surf through them all to find something to watch is a royal pain in the ass. > **[TV Listings- Find Local TV Listings and Watch Full Episodes - Zap2it.com](https://tvlistings.zap2it.com/)** > > Find local TV listings for your local broadcast, cable and satellite providers and watch full episodes of your favorite TV shows online. Put in your zip code, select your provider and youā€™ll get the lineup for your location. Even works in remote villages where thereā€™s no OTA available and the only cable provider is Cousin Bobā€™s Not Quite Reliable Cable Co. (Packages available with as many as 5 channels!!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayday-mayday-minirants/813409.md?page=18)