cdemundo

I used to see a failing Chinese restaurant in a little strip mall in LA that was very near to a thriving Chinese restaurant. The workers in the one that wasn't making it were often standing in the shop looking out the front windows hopefully, sadly, but seldom any customers. I felt it was so sad to see them looking out and waiting for customers that didn't come.

Right. I believe this is called the "hand tip". If you give it directly to the person it's all theirs. If you put in tip box etc. it has to be shared. Also, since this custom exists in Thailand it seems that the statement that Thailand is a "non -tipping country" cannot be 100% true.

This guy said "I'm gonna stop drinking." What a declaration, who can doubt him? A guy who even needs to say this appointed to be the Secretary of Defense? As the town drunk said, "it's easy to stop drinking, I've done it hundreds of time".

Funny that this post got 2 thumbs down. Can't imagine what that would mean, they have an alternate description of fascism? Are feeling attacked by fascism just being described?

From 2023, date is in the heading material.

I for one, am very grateful to you, Riclag, for this up to the minute news on Milwaukee politics.

Article says he was "linked to" the gang. Is that like having a "Bacon number"? I have met the congresswoman from California, Representative Judy Chu. Representative Chu is acquainted with Barack Obama. Am I then "linked to" Barack Obama? Smacks of McCarthyism, an accusation is enough.

I understand and sympathize with this point of view. However, it seems that people will not even tolerate discussion of examining the special rights and privileges of religions. As far as all Christian clergy I view them as "gravy train riders with a turned around collar" as Brando (as Terry Malloy) called them years ago. Parasites with a sixth sense for sniffing out a free meal. Once when working in Los Angeles I was required to attend an "information meeting" about reporting elder financial abuse by a guy from some state or county agency that was supposed to protect the elderly from financial abuse. I asked him if his agency scrutinized churches who extracted donations from the elderly using "hope of heaven and fear of hell". He said that kind of scrutiny could not be done. My co-workers acted like I had advocated eating newborn infants. They were shocked and truly acted like I was out my mind.

Trumpism seems to meet most of Eco's criteria. I think that in the historical perspective violence or the threat of violence against political opponents is seen as a big part of fascism.

That is of course always the case. Hardly needs to be said.

"without doubt the most physically demanding of all sports with massive G forces." Different sports, different kinds of physical demands, think about the Tour de France 150 to 200 km per day and through the mountains. Very demanding.

Most important thing you can do.

Always some ninny trying to prove anything people enjoy is harmful. I wonder how much has been spent trying to prove coffee is harmful. I would like to see a crackdown on Brussel Sprouts, can't be good for you.

Possibly 7-11 staff noticed that 999 out of 1000 customers toss the little receipt in the bin outside the door immediately on leaving the shop. That might have resulted in questioning the utility/necessity of providing receipts.

I can imagine him thinking "This guy is a world leader?" and just giving up.

So you're saying you couldn't afford to use it?

I am guessing this will not be about sexuality of any kind. The community is probably nearly as repressed about straight sex as they are about gay sex.

Exactly! I am surprised how few notice this. Many teachers emphasize the tones but as you say, people understand you even if the tones aren't right if you use full sentences.

Passive aggressive hatefulness. Sad really.

What can a person take from this story? There is a saying that I think applies: When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

"decentralized internet media where anyone can present some information" "Information" often belongs in quotes. "Anyone can claim/say anything" without things like editorial boards, fact checkers, libel lawyers, verifying the information. It's possible to get unique, truthful, unbiased information from "decentralized internet media where anyone can present anything" but it's not probable. Which I say because to a certain extent it is true that "anything is possible". More likely it is a forum where those exhibiting "the unshakeable certainty of the half-educated" can engage in mutual admiration.

Ok, I'm kind of hijacking the thread but... I was thinking of differences in the customer-seller relationship between Chinese sellers and others, like American companies, selling Chinese products. Fairly common among Chinese businesses is the principle "I've already got your money, to heck with you." This does not only show up after the sale, it also makes a difference in the quality of product on offer. The lowest quality Chinese products are not usually sold by other vendors because they want repeat business and don't want to deal with after sales complaints. So other vendors tend to sell higher quality goods among the range of goods made in China. After sales complaints are often ignored on the above-mentioned principle "I've already got your money, what do I care about your complaint". As an example, I know of Chinese clothing sellers who are never out-of-stock on a size as long as they have size labels on hand. No XL like the customer ordered? No problem. Sew an XL label on medium t-shirt and send it out.

Obviously, but he said: "And now don't tell us you never ordered something from China" Ordering something from China and ordering something that was made in China, two different things.

"During initial questioning, Mr. Wallop confessed to the crime, stating that he committed the robbery because he was short of money following the Songkran holiday." Oh, well that's different. I mean if you were short of money and all you did was stab and rob...

Don't know what you are on about. When I lived in the US I never ordered anything from China. Now I usually check on Lazada and avoid ordering if it looks like it is coming from China. Not really pertinent to the original point of you post, but you threw it out like a challenge.