# New Year’s Rant Solutions (January mini-rants) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2024, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437 "2024-01-01T06:00:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/361 "2024-01-19T03:03:16Z")
Yep, shoes are an issue for me too, along with c-pap masks. If you wear anything out of the “normal/typical” size screw you. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/362 "2024-01-19T03:50:27Z")
[Try San Antonio Shoes](https://www.sasshoes.com/home/). They’re not cheap but they come in a wide array of sizes and widths and there are a couple of stores where we live that sell them - you can get a proper fitting there. I’ve walked all over Europe in the shoes I bought from them and they still look and feel great. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/363 "2024-01-19T06:02:43Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > My grandson starts school at 7:50. > > They announced a two-hour delay. > > So when I found this out I set my alarm for another hour, and then packed him into the car to get him to school just a couple minutes after 8:50… > > Oops. > > Did you know that 1 does not equal 2? Well, that sure takes me back! I used to spend the first hour of every snow delay day telling the parents who called what time school would start that day. And I wasn’t allowed to tell them to count on their fingers. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/364 "2024-01-19T12:59:31Z")
> [@MagicEyes](#): > > It’s so bizarre that something that keeps so many people alive costs so much. That’s not bizarre. Basic economics says something people need to live (high demand) would be expensive. If something that people don’t need to live, and doesn’t serve any basic function were expensive, that would be bizarre. Something like, say, sparkly rocks? ---
**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:** [January 19, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/365 "2024-01-19T13:52:31Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > [“Choosey Mother Fuckers Choose Jif.”](https://imgflip.com/i/8cpg11) > > . I presented an ad campaign to my gf for Heinz Ketchup once (she works in advertising). A waiter offers a ketchup bottle to a diner, who says, “I want Heinz, Hunts is for” and a truck horn blasts, covering up the end of the tagline. The campaign uses a number of similar situations. Each time the final word is covered up with a sound effect. She refuses to pursue my idea. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/366 "2024-01-19T14:11:01Z")
Of course, you don’t want to put your competitors name in viewers minds. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/367 "2024-01-19T15:02:29Z")
Idiot Amazon search engine strikes again. If I’m shopping for a keyboard case for a 10.9" tablet, I am not going to impulsively decide to buy one for a 12.4" tablet. Show me the stuff I might actually buy and get rid of the crap. PS – Have the bailiff or somebody whack the pee-pees of the item description writers who enter “USB cable” without indicating what kind. If one model that looked promising actually does have a USB-C connection just like the tablet (avoiding the need to carry and extra cable because somebody was stupid enough to not make the keyboard use the same charge cable as the tablet), well, congratulations, you just lost a sale. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/368 "2024-01-19T15:02:42Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The campaign uses a number of similar situations. Each time the final word is covered up with a sound effect. > > She refuses to pursue my idea. Frank’s RedHot basically has had that as an ad campaign for years now, except it’s a normal bleep censor. If your ad was done today people would probably find it derivative (even though your idea might have predated the Frank’s commercials). ---
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/369 "2024-01-19T15:04:12Z")
> [@slalexan](#): > > Unfortunately, in order to get into a larger trailer, the only way to afford it is to buy, it looks like. This is scary and probably ill advised. We can’t afford a regular house, not in this school district for sure. I don’t know what to do. So we decided to do it. Turned in the financing application yesterday. Except I had to copy the first page again because they crossed out the top in error. And I copied my husband’s social wrong. And now I feel like an idiot. And someone else is already applied for the house we want. So fuck. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/370 "2024-01-19T15:07:30Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Frank’s RedHot basically has had that as an ad campaign for years now, except it’s a normal bleep censor. Yeah, but the funny part is that the bleeped word would be assumed to rhyme with Hunt’s. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/371 "2024-01-19T16:47:54Z")
Businesses not comprehending how sloppy phone answering makes them look unprofessional, part XXXVIII: Calling a local “handyman” service results in a semi-exasperated sounding recorded voice saying “Hello?” followed immediately by a beep, presumably so you can leave a message. Not happening. \*even if you have a small side business run out of your home, it doesn’t take much effort to record a brief phone message that assures callers they’ve reached the right number and that you’ll return their call. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/372 "2024-01-19T17:23:30Z")
If you have other options, do not buy a home in a park. The lot rent will increase. You will end up basically giving the house to the park to get out. You might be surprised at the other options that may be available. I encourage you to talk to a credit union with a first-time homebuyer program. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/373 "2024-01-19T17:31:58Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Yeah, but the funny part is that the bleeped word would be assumed to rhyme with Hunt’s. [Runts](https://www.ferraracandyshopusa.com/brands/runts)? ---
**Author:** ![slalexan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@slalexan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slalexan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/374 "2024-01-19T17:39:01Z")
> [@stretch](#): > > If you have other options, do not buy a home in a park. The lot rent will increase. You will end up basically giving the house to the park to get out. You might be surprised at the other options that may be available. > > I encourage you to talk to a credit union with a first-time homebuyer program. We have. I promise we have. This is honestly the best option we have to stay in the same school district. We are benefiting from all the rich people that live around here. This school district is basically all fancy, fancy, rich people and two trailer parks. The minimum house price is $400K and that gets you 2 beds. We really did try. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/375 "2024-01-19T17:39:02Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > [Try San Antonio Shoes](https://www.sasshoes.com/home/). They’re not cheap but they come in a wide array of sizes and widths and there are a couple of stores where we live that sell them - you can get a proper fitting there. I’ve walked all over Europe in the shoes I bought from them and they still look and feel great. Thank you for this info–I didn’t know about the store! I did find one shoe on their website that might work, but it’s good to be able to try them on. I can’t really afford to spend $200 on a pair of shoes, but I don’t have a choice if I want to be able to walk. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/376 "2024-01-19T18:02:44Z")
> [@MagicEyes](#): > > I can’t really afford to spend $200 on a pair of shoes That’s what I thought when I had to spend almost that on a pair of well fitted work boots. I used to pay 40 bucks for a pair of work boots that would last about a year before falling apart. My expensive boots worked hard for about 10 years and are still comfortable. I still use them for gardening, I’d guess they are about 15 years old now so I actually saved money buying expensive boots…plus they are comfortable enough for my short fat feet to wear all day every day for months on end. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/377 "2024-01-19T18:13:56Z")
Sounds like the Sam Vimes Boots Theory. Here’s the short version: “A man who could afford $50 had a pair of boots that’d still be keeping his feet dry in 10 years’ time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.” This was Capt. Samuel Vimes’ boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness. I wore SAS shoes when I worked at Circuit City and they were worth every penny. The floors at CC were cheap carpet over concrete. I got picked on for wearing “nurse shoes” but at the end of the day my feet, knees, and back didn’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/378 "2024-01-19T18:14:52Z")
OMG, yes! Also, answer your damn phone! I got locked out of my house, with my two dogs, and my phone. Googled “locksmith near me,” and called the first one. Got no answer. Did not leave a voicemail, because I don’t have time to sit on my front porch in the cold night air and wait for a callback. I moved on with my calls. About 10 minutes later, the first locksmith calls my number. I didn’t answer, because I didn’t need his service at that point. He then texted me a snarky comment about how I didn’t answer my phone. Nice! Not only did he not get my business that day, but because of the snark, he’s on my list of locksmiths I will only use if Hell freezes over. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/379 "2024-01-19T20:44:41Z")
> [@MagicEyes](#): > > I did find one shoe on their website that might work Hopefully the other one works as well. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437/380 "2024-01-19T20:47:04Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Yeah, but the funny part is that the bleeped word would be assumed to rhyme with Hunt’s. I didn’t pick up on that. I assumed it was supposed to be a rude word, but I didn’t think of that particular rude word. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-year-s-rant-solutions-january-mini-rants/995437.md?page=20)