Author Topic: Overheard at Work 2  (Read 1112981 times)

dragoncar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1000 on: July 09, 2019, 01:27:47 AM »
Just out of curiosity, what does one do when one goes off alone with a stripper for half an hour that costs thousands of dollars?

My only experience with strip clubs is what I saw in Grand Theft Auto.

https://entertainment.theonion.com/bill-maher-spends-all-night-arguing-with-republican-hoo-1819567438

Oh god, I almost ate the onion

dragoncar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1001 on: July 09, 2019, 01:41:45 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

gooki

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1002 on: July 09, 2019, 02:26:15 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

Not in the USA, but I’ve had random shit like an inspector failing my Nissan Silvia for missing a chassis rail. Fucking numb nuts had me worried, until a google search gave the answer, my car has an a-symmetrical chassis.

kina

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1003 on: July 09, 2019, 04:25:58 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

FindingFI

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1004 on: July 09, 2019, 05:40:34 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

I've had my car failed for worn brake pads despite pulling out calipers and showing the tech that they measure at twice the lower limit. They wanted $400 to replace them, so I took the fail sticker and paid for another inspection somewhere else where the brakes passed just fine because they were fine. Still in favor of safety inspection though, just not that shop which is a bummer because I had free inspections for the life of the vehicle (bought it new in my pre-mustache days). It's hardly free if they make bogus claims about repair needs and won't pass a safe car.

Kitsune

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1005 on: July 09, 2019, 06:20:16 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

This. I'd see a divorce as the only reasonable step. (And to be clear: if my husband came home and was like 'X person... I'd really like to', or even 'hun, I messseeeeeed uppppp last night...', it wouldn't necessarily be a relationship-ending betrayal - like, the problem is the trust and lying and betrayal of trust, not specifically where he puts his dick. But 'oh hey, I found out that you've been deliberately lying and cheating on me to the point of bringing prostitutes into MY BED' is just the extreme. How are you supposed to trust anything about them, ever?)

HOWEVER, once the divorce occurs and you're free of the betraying untrustworthy asshat (and have paid for a fairly in-depth STD panel...), the NEXT reasonable step is to evaluate your finances and make your life suit your resources, and figure out how to fit the things that make you happpy in your list of priorities. (I have a hard time believing that Starbucks every morning is they key to happiness, but if Starbucks coffee, drunk at the table with a friend, once a week, is facilitating your social life? That's a 5$ rent for table space and friend-time, and ok, most people can make that work.)

The problem isn't the divorce, it's the everything after.

OtherJen

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1006 on: July 09, 2019, 07:42:54 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

Yeah, that's not a mistake. He brought the prostitute home, to the marital bed. It almost sounds like he wanted to be caught. I'd never fault someone for choosing divorce in that situation. I would.

Her mistakes after the divorce, though, are on her. What a sad disaster.

dcheesi

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1007 on: July 09, 2019, 07:58:25 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

I've had my car failed for worn brake pads despite pulling out calipers and showing the tech that they measure at twice the lower limit. They wanted $400 to replace them, so I took the fail sticker and paid for another inspection somewhere else where the brakes passed just fine because they were fine. Still in favor of safety inspection though, just not that shop which is a bummer because I had free inspections for the life of the vehicle (bought it new in my pre-mustache days). It's hardly free if they make bogus claims about repair needs and won't pass a safe car.
This. The charge for the inspection is usually regulated at a rate that doesn't make them any money, so they have an incentive to find things to fail you over, in hopes that you'll have them fix it for you. They've got you somewhat over a barrel, since unlike voluntary maintenance, you can't just ignore the "recommendation" legally (though you can take it to a different mechanic, at the cost of a second inspection fee, as FindingFI wisely did).

And on the opposite extreme, there are places that are known to pass just about anything with wink and a smile. They attract the folks who know their cars are on their last legs, but can't/won't afford to fix or replace them properly. Presumably the incentive there is customer loyalty, since these same poorly maintained cars are likely to break down and need major work done sooner rather than later.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1008 on: July 09, 2019, 09:17:48 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

I've had my car failed for worn brake pads despite pulling out calipers and showing the tech that they measure at twice the lower limit. They wanted $400 to replace them, so I took the fail sticker and paid for another inspection somewhere else where the brakes passed just fine because they were fine. Still in favor of safety inspection though, just not that shop which is a bummer because I had free inspections for the life of the vehicle (bought it new in my pre-mustache days). It's hardly free if they make bogus claims about repair needs and won't pass a safe car.
FWIW, Texas has a way around that--places that do inspections aren't allowed to do any car repair.

dragoncar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1009 on: July 09, 2019, 11:10:15 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

I've had my car failed for worn brake pads despite pulling out calipers and showing the tech that they measure at twice the lower limit. They wanted $400 to replace them, so I took the fail sticker and paid for another inspection somewhere else where the brakes passed just fine because they were fine. Still in favor of safety inspection though, just not that shop which is a bummer because I had free inspections for the life of the vehicle (bought it new in my pre-mustache days). It's hardly free if they make bogus claims about repair needs and won't pass a safe car.
FWIW, Texas has a way around that--places that do inspections aren't allowed to do any car repair.

Yeah that makes total sense. 

As for places passing people who shouldn’t...well it’s on the state to audit and enforce. 

People who do emissions testing on newer cars here make plenty... it’s like $50 and they typically just do a visual inspection of the exhaust system and query the cars computer on emissions results.  I was kinda pissed when I realized they didn’t hook up an actual tester like I’ve seen them do in the past

LennStar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1010 on: July 10, 2019, 12:15:21 AM »
I don't like state vehicle inspections (the hassle, the potential games they play) but when I hear stories like this I want people like her to get ticketed or warned into buying tires for the safety of the rest of us.

What games do they play?  I've only lived in one state with inspections, and it seemed pretty reasonable... price was fine, didn't have any issues.  Had a newer car back then.

I wish my state had inspections.  We have emissions, so I don't see why they couldn't just roll those together.  Emissions plus a quick checklist would solve so many problems.

I've had my car failed for worn brake pads despite pulling out calipers and showing the tech that they measure at twice the lower limit. They wanted $400 to replace them, so I took the fail sticker and paid for another inspection somewhere else where the brakes passed just fine because they were fine. Still in favor of safety inspection though, just not that shop which is a bummer because I had free inspections for the life of the vehicle (bought it new in my pre-mustache days). It's hardly free if they make bogus claims about repair needs and won't pass a safe car.
FWIW, Texas has a way around that--places that do inspections aren't allowed to do any car repair.

That sounds like the rules we have here in socialist Germany, where the ever meddling government made a law against the free market and we have the TÜV that inspects cars. Their people make rounds to the repairmans who basically only lift up your car for the TÜV guys to look at. (Of course you are free to ask the repairman to make repairs before that happens, but there is no presure on it.)

Dicey

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1011 on: July 10, 2019, 06:51:12 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

Yeah, that's not a mistake. He brought the prostitute home, to the marital bed. It almost sounds like he wanted to be caught. I'd never fault someone for choosing divorce in that situation. I would.

Her mistakes after the divorce, though, are on her. What a sad disaster.
@Enigma, I don't understand your response. Were you being sarcastic? Making some kind of joke? I'm struggling to give your comment the benefit of the doubt.

M5

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1012 on: July 10, 2019, 08:23:20 AM »
A couple days ago DW's coworker asked DW to accompany her to get a tattoo after work, to which she declined. When DW went to work the next day she found out the tattoo was of coworker's new BF's name, of which she's been dating about a month. This coworker has a history of remarkably bad life decisions, so while I'm not surprised, it still makes my head spin.

Quick update - the boyfriend has now decided they need to take a break. Quite the predictable outcome..

This train wreck has continued to deliver. Apparently they have now been back together off and on but now with a new twist - she's pregnant!!

AMandM

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1013 on: July 10, 2019, 10:36:32 AM »
A couple days ago DW's coworker asked DW to accompany her to get a tattoo after work, to which she declined. When DW went to work the next day she found out the tattoo was of coworker's new BF's name, of which she's been dating about a month. This coworker has a history of remarkably bad life decisions, so while I'm not surprised, it still makes my head spin.

Quick update - the boyfriend has now decided they need to take a break. Quite the predictable outcome..

This train wreck has continued to deliver. Apparently they have now been back together off and on but now with a new twist - she's pregnant!!

So now she can get a new tattoo of the baby's name!

DadJokes

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1014 on: July 10, 2019, 10:43:10 AM »
A couple days ago DW's coworker asked DW to accompany her to get a tattoo after work, to which she declined. When DW went to work the next day she found out the tattoo was of coworker's new BF's name, of which she's been dating about a month. This coworker has a history of remarkably bad life decisions, so while I'm not surprised, it still makes my head spin.

Quick update - the boyfriend has now decided they need to take a break. Quite the predictable outcome..

This train wreck has continued to deliver. Apparently they have now been back together off and on but now with a new twist - she's pregnant!!

So now she can get a new tattoo of the baby's name!

Maybe she and the baby can get matching tattoos.

merula

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1015 on: July 10, 2019, 10:56:21 AM »
Maybe she and the baby can get matching tattoos.

How about coordinating?


wkumtrider

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1016 on: July 10, 2019, 02:04:32 PM »
Heard today that an employee was paying $1100/month for a brand new Dodge Ram. Interest is 15%.  He is in his early 20s and works in production in manufacturing.  Also pays $1200/month rent, and in this area that is a nice apartment.  I can't imagine paying that much for a vehicle. 

SwordGuy

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1017 on: July 10, 2019, 02:53:44 PM »
Heard today that an employee was paying $1100/month for a brand new Dodge Ram. Interest is 15%.  He is in his early 20s and works in production in manufacturing.  Also pays $1200/month rent, and in this area that is a nice apartment.  I can't imagine paying that much for a vehicle.


Damn.  $1100 per month for a vehicle.

To put things in perspective, that's more than our monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, on our old personal home.   

That's 4 monthly car payments the last time I had car payments, about 10 years ago. 

That's 1 monthly car payment on my last car and enough money, in 4 years, to purchase and renovate our first rental property in full, in cash, plus $3000 spending money.




BFive55

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1018 on: July 10, 2019, 03:43:23 PM »
Heard today that an employee was paying $1100/month for a brand new Dodge Ram. Interest is 15%.  He is in his early 20s and works in production in manufacturing.  Also pays $1200/month rent, and in this area that is a nice apartment.  I can't imagine paying that much for a vehicle.

When I bought my first car I put like $3,000 or $5,000 down and paid $150/month. I hated paying that. Now that I have owned the car for two years I don't plan to buy another for a long time. Though I occasionally look... and try to see if there is anything out there for $200/month. $1,100 is insanity.

ysette9

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1019 on: July 10, 2019, 04:03:08 PM »
Holy mother. All that money and he isn’t even getting anything remotely nice for it.

Freedomin5

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1020 on: July 10, 2019, 04:57:35 PM »
Heard today that an employee was paying $1100/month for a brand new Dodge Ram. Interest is 15%.  He is in his early 20s and works in production in manufacturing.  Also pays $1200/month rent, and in this area that is a nice apartment.  I can't imagine paying that much for a vehicle.

When I bought my first car I put like $3,000 or $5,000 down and paid $150/month. I hated paying that. Now that I have owned the car for two years I don't plan to buy another for a long time. Though I occasionally look... and try to see if there is anything out there for $200/month. $1,100 is insanity.

Why? Isn’t that lifestyle creep?

Though I must admit, I also sometimes look to see if I can get something nicer...for less than what I am currently paying.

boyerbt

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1021 on: July 10, 2019, 06:13:29 PM »
Heard today that an employee was paying $1100/month for a brand new Dodge Ram. Interest is 15%.  He is in his early 20s and works in production in manufacturing.  Also pays $1200/month rent, and in this area that is a nice apartment.  I can't imagine paying that much for a vehicle.

What type of income does this person make as a production employee?!? I know from experience that it can be quite high for experienced and skilled workers but they are not the norm.

dragoncar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1022 on: July 10, 2019, 10:11:48 PM »



Though I must admit, I also sometimes look to see if I can get something nicer...for less than what I am currently paying.


Why? Isn’t that lifestyle creep?

Freedomin5

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1023 on: July 11, 2019, 02:01:09 AM »



Though I must admit, I also sometimes look to see if I can get something nicer...for less than what I am currently paying.


Why? Isn’t that lifestyle creep?

Mustachian lifestyle creep. :P  (is that even a thing?)

Davnasty

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1024 on: July 11, 2019, 06:44:56 AM »



Though I must admit, I also sometimes look to see if I can get something nicer...for less than what I am currently paying.


Why? Isn’t that lifestyle creep?

Mustachian lifestyle creep. :P  (is that even a thing?)

Ya, it's when you look at the thermostat and say, "78? huh, feels like 76. Maybe I'll turn it up to 79"

dragoncar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1025 on: July 11, 2019, 07:13:33 PM »



Though I must admit, I also sometimes look to see if I can get something nicer...for less than what I am currently paying.


Why? Isn’t that lifestyle creep?

Mustachian lifestyle creep. :P  (is that even a thing?)

Getting nicer stuff makes it harder to go back to shittier stuff.  Even when I DIY a bunch of stuff and spend almost nothing, my lifestyle is increasing.  So IMO yeah.

Raenia

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1026 on: July 12, 2019, 05:49:06 AM »



Though I must admit, I also sometimes look to see if I can get something nicer...for less than what I am currently paying.


Why? Isn’t that lifestyle creep?

Mustachian lifestyle creep. :P  (is that even a thing?)

Ya, it's when you look at the thermostat and say, "78? huh, feels like 76. Maybe I'll turn it up to 79"

This basically happened to me last night - I got home and went about my stuff as usual.  DH gets home a few hours later:

DH: Why didn't you turn the thermostat back down?
Me: What do you mean?
DH: I decided to turn it up before I left this morning, so it wasn't running when we're not here.
Me: Oh, I hadn't noticed.
DH: *turns temp back down to 80 from 85*

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1027 on: July 13, 2019, 04:01:23 PM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

nouveauRiche

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1028 on: July 13, 2019, 09:31:18 PM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.  No one can fathom having enough money to buy what you want/need (or fathom NOT buying something you can't afford)!

Years ago, I needed to buy a new refrigerator and one of my coworkers mentioned that I could use store financing.  I just thanked her but in my mind it was "I'm going to put it on my credit card and then write a check to pay it off when the bill comes".  [For you young whipper-snappers, this was back when people paid credit cards with checks.]

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1029 on: July 14, 2019, 01:22:40 AM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.  No one can fathom having enough money to buy what you want/need (or fathom NOT buying something you can't afford)!

Years ago, I needed to buy a new refrigerator and one of my coworkers mentioned that I could use store financing.  I just thanked her but in my mind it was "I'm going to put it on my credit card and then write a check to pay it off when the bill comes".  [For you young whipper-snappers, this was back when people paid credit cards with checks.]

It was so weird. I have about $14000 in credit card balance I could use if I wanted to. And I have cash, so I don't need to do that...... And, ffs, what can you possibly want that only costs a few bucks that you HAVE to have right then???

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1030 on: July 14, 2019, 01:34:03 AM »
A guy at work was invited to an 80s-themed party.

He and his girlfriend spent more than $400 on their outfits: acid-washed jeans and a denim jacket for him, an ugly leopard-print dress for her.

Pretty sure I could find similar outfits at my local op shop for $7.

DaMa

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1031 on: July 14, 2019, 07:33:18 AM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.  No one can fathom having enough money to buy what you want/need (or fathom NOT buying something you can't afford)!

Years ago, I needed to buy a new refrigerator and one of my coworkers mentioned that I could use store financing.  I just thanked her but in my mind it was "I'm going to put it on my credit card and then write a check to pay it off when the bill comes".  [For you young whipper-snappers, this was back when people paid credit cards with checks.]

I was telling someone about a rewards credit card, and he asked what the interest rate was.  It took a several extra seconds for my brain to process his question.  I don't know what the interest rate is.  I haven't paid CC interest in 20 years.

Kris

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1032 on: July 14, 2019, 08:05:55 AM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.  No one can fathom having enough money to buy what you want/need (or fathom NOT buying something you can't afford)!

Years ago, I needed to buy a new refrigerator and one of my coworkers mentioned that I could use store financing.  I just thanked her but in my mind it was "I'm going to put it on my credit card and then write a check to pay it off when the bill comes".  [For you young whipper-snappers, this was back when people paid credit cards with checks.]

I was telling someone about a rewards credit card, and he asked what the interest rate was.  It took a several extra seconds for my brain to process his question.  I don't know what the interest rate is.  I haven't paid CC interest in 20 years.

Ha — I realized from reading your post that I’ve never chosen a card based on interest rate. Because I’ve never held a cc balance. It’s irrelevant to me.

Imma

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1033 on: July 14, 2019, 09:17:47 AM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad.  No one can fathom having enough money to buy what you want/need (or fathom NOT buying something you can't afford)!

Years ago, I needed to buy a new refrigerator and one of my coworkers mentioned that I could use store financing.  I just thanked her but in my mind it was "I'm going to put it on my credit card and then write a check to pay it off when the bill comes".  [For you young whipper-snappers, this was back when people paid credit cards with checks.]

I was telling someone about a rewards credit card, and he asked what the interest rate was.  It took a several extra seconds for my brain to process his question.  I don't know what the interest rate is.  I haven't paid CC interest in 20 years.

Ha — I realized from reading your post that I’ve never chosen a card based on interest rate. Because I’ve never held a cc balance. It’s irrelevant to me.

This prompted me to look up the interest percentage of my credit card that I've had since 2008 (it's 14%). I have never held a balance either and with that interest % I certainly never will.

LennStar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1034 on: July 14, 2019, 09:52:17 AM »
My "Credit Card" (OMG I have only one!!!) does not even have a % because while you can use it like any MasterCard, the money still gets deducted from the bank account 3 days later.

One of the first things I did at my bank was applying for Dispo (overdraft). Got a nicely low (for those things) 6% for 950€. Never used it and very likely never will, but it is good to have the reserve in case of cases.

Not able to buy a $20 thing? I can't even imagine how you can live that way. (Or with high interest credit on the card for that matter.) It really is a "hair on fire" emergency, and those people should be in subdued panic!!

kina

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1035 on: July 14, 2019, 10:29:16 AM »
I sell stuff on ebay. Just yesterday I got a request "will you sell this for $5 but I can't pay you until Saturday. Is that ok?"

I almost always, as I did in this case, say yes, because I have never had anyone who asks up front give me a problem.

But I think, really, if you can't pay me $5 for nearly a week, you shouldn't be buying this thing and ought to get your financial house in order.

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1036 on: July 14, 2019, 11:21:00 AM »
I’m a full-time writer (novelist), self-pubbed, and the vast majority of my income is from ebooks.

I write in series, and I will often have the first book in a series as a temporary or permanent 99-cent loss leader to lure people in.

I have had more than a few conversations on social media from people who ask me how long said book will be at 99 cents, because they don’t get paid until X date.

I used to think it was just scammers hoping I’d give them a freebie, but it has happened enough now with readers I actually have a relationship with that I’ve concluded many/most of these people literally don’t have 99 cents to spare.

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1037 on: July 14, 2019, 04:51:17 PM »
I teach at a major University, and always ask my attention to write up their spring break stories.
I taught a class of international language Learners last spring.  The program changes double the international rate, they don't get admitted to the university (but can if they do well in learning English and their grades qualify).  Basically the program exists for extremely rich kids who are from countries that have difficulties getting long term tourist visas. 

The responses were unreal this spring from the class:
I went to Prague.  I went to reykjavik.  I went to ny to see a show then Beijing to visit my boyfriend. 

But my favorite:
I went to Disney world.  But it was hot. So I went to Disneyland.  It was lame.  So I went to euro Disney.  The hotel wasn't good. so I came home early. 

So this 20 year old flew to Florida, then last minute to LA, then last minute to Paris, then last minute back to Charlotte.  I'll assume she bought weekly passes at each park, and probably had insane hotels.  I imagine that a person who complains about LA being boring and Orlando in March being hot would only fly first class... I ended up guessing they spent North of 10k on the "failed vacation"
.




dragoncar

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1038 on: July 14, 2019, 09:49:50 PM »
Was at a work do last night and the conversation turned to after purchase payment schemes - the ones where you get your low cost goods up front and pay a small amount weekly or whatever until it's paid off? I don't quite know how it works since I'd never heard of them! Anyway, not only were the others astonished that I'd never heard of the whole idea of buying a $20 dollar item and paying it off in four easy payments of $5, they were astonished that I'd never needed this sort of plan. I was asked what I did if I wanted something and didn't have the money - BY THE MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER! I was trying to avoid saying that I can afford anything I want for cash, so I said I'd just put it on credit card. But what if you have no balance on your credit card?? Um.... that's never happened and if it did I wouldn't be buying said item. They looked at me like I'd started speaking ancient arabic, and changed the subject.

I’m sure this has been posted a lot, but it’s again relevant:


DadJokes

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1039 on: July 15, 2019, 05:52:25 AM »
Maybe she and the baby can get matching tattoos.

How about coordinating?



It's like they've got each others' backs!

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1040 on: July 15, 2019, 10:49:23 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

Kitsune

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1041 on: July 15, 2019, 11:11:02 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

I would looooove a more detailed definition of 'happily married'. May I never know happiness like THAT.

sherr

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1042 on: July 15, 2019, 01:54:22 PM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

I would looooove a more detailed definition of 'happily married'. May I never know happiness like THAT.

Some people do get over infidelity and become (not "stay" obviously) happily married. But to claim that's what should always happen is nuts. And to blame the victim in the (immediate) situation is also nuts.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1043 on: July 15, 2019, 03:06:09 PM »
I would looooove a more detailed definition of 'happily married'. May I never know happiness like THAT.

Some people do get over infidelity and become (not "stay" obviously) happily married. But to claim that's what should always happen is nuts. And to blame the victim in the (immediate) situation is also nuts.
I think Kitsune may be assuming that either the unfaithful spouse remains unfaithful, or is unrepentant.  In either of those cases, yeah, it's hard to imagine a happy marriage.  If the wayward spouse chooses to return to marital fidelity, then certainly they can become happily married again.

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1044 on: July 15, 2019, 03:48:20 PM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

Good lord.

Yeah.

And also the possible STDs that her husband brought into her life.

Because, um... I think it is statistically unlikely that this was the very first time he had ever been with a prostitute.

Nice blaming the wife for being a "lizard brain."

I am thoroughly disgusted. That's enough internet for one day. I've seen the worst thing I'm likely to see today.

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1045 on: July 16, 2019, 07:07:19 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

Funny how it's always a woman who is supposed to forgive a man for being unfaithful. How often do men forgive a woman who cheats on them? (and before anyone jumps to any conclusions about my gender I'm a guy married to another guy).

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1046 on: July 16, 2019, 07:17:57 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

Funny how it's always a woman who is supposed to forgive a man for being unfaithful. How often do men forgive a woman who cheats on them? (and before anyone jumps to any conclusions about my gender I'm a guy married to another guy).
I don't think anyone is trying to make this a one-way street, and I think it's a mistake to infer any sexism here.  In this particular instance, it was indeed the man who cheated, and the woman who would be in the position of granting forgiveness, so I'm guessing any comments that specify the sex of the offender and the offended are done so in that context.

Just Joe

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1047 on: July 16, 2019, 07:54:19 AM »
It was so weird. I have about $14000 in credit card balance I could use if I wanted to. And I have cash, so I don't need to do that...... And, ffs, what can you possibly want that only costs a few bucks that you HAVE to have right then???

Toothpaste and deodorant on a payment plan... ?!?!?!?!

So basically this is like layaway but the customer gets the thing up front.

I LOVE layaway. Only made use of it a few times in my life. Built-in cooling off period in case buyer's regret sets in or a better deal presents itself.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2019, 08:01:42 AM by Just Joe »

Kitsune

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1048 on: July 16, 2019, 09:29:11 AM »
As devastated as she was, she never should have gotten a divorce.  Everyone is going to make mistakes.
Bringing a prostitute into the marital bed was not a 'mistake'. It was a betrayal.

The husband is responsible for the infidelity (assuming they were monogamous of course) but the wife is the one who chose the disastrous divorce. Plenty of people cheat on each other and stay happily married. Just think how much better off this woman would have been if she had been able to  get over those reptile-brain jealous urges.

Good lord.

Yeah.

And also the possible STDs that her husband brought into her life.

Because, um... I think it is statistically unlikely that this was the very first time he had ever been with a prostitute.

Nice blaming the wife for being a "lizard brain."

I am thoroughly disgusted. That's enough internet for one day. I've seen the worst thing I'm likely to see today.

I mean, it's POSSIBLE to work through cheating and find a happy marriage again - but the basis of most happy marriages is a certain level of trust. And to be clear: if my husband came home and was like "um, I did something reeeeeal dumb last night, we gotta talk", honestly, I would't divorce him, because the trust is still there. If we're at the point where he's bringing prostitutes to my bed, what the hell kind of foundation are you supposed to be building on?? How are you supposed to love someone you don't trust? On a very basic level, how on earth are you supposed to touch them without feeling like you need to coat yourself in latex and get STD tests weekly? (Note: not a reflection on my opinion of prostitution, but rather on 'if I don't know where you've been boning and I can't trust you to tell me the truth,  I can't trust any STD tests from you, and my health is therefore at risk'. And if I can't trust you to not fuck around, I can't trust you to wrap it up while you're fucking around).

And to be excessively clear: I'd much, much rather live in a small cheap apartment alone or with someone I love and trust than in a big house with someone I can't love or trust. Fuck the monetary costs of divorce. Money is a tool, not an end, and misery for money is the shittiest bargain. 

AMandM

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Re: Overheard at Work 2
« Reply #1049 on: July 16, 2019, 11:35:10 AM »
misery for money is the shittiest bargain.

Cross-stitch this in a sampler and frame it on the wall!