Overheard at Work

[kayvent]

I haven't overheard anything good at work this weekend, but I wanted to post just so there's another recent post that isn't about #%@!ing bourbon. ;)

You do realize that your post was about bourbon...

Technically their post was about that many of the posts have been about bourbon.

[Basenji]

Rick: "Your story had me a little confused. Or maybe it was the bourbon."

[MgoSam]

I think I've decided on Buffalo Trace.

[theadvicist]

Overheard with friends:

Friend: "Any book recommendations? I know you like to read."

Me: "I've recently enjoyed x y and z"

Friend: "Great. Where do you buy your books from? I never know where is the best place?"

Me: "Oh I don't buy fiction, I get them at the library."

Friend: "Yeah, but I read in bed. I don't like the idea of something someone else has touched in my bed."

Me: ........................? (Yeah, mainly I was trying to think up dirty jokes, but I was actually left speechless).

[Pooperman]

Overheard with friends:

Friend: "Any book recommendations? I know you like to read."

Me: "I've recently enjoyed x y and z"

Friend: "Great. Where do you buy your books from? I never know where is the best place?"

Me: "Oh I don't buy fiction, I get them at the library."

Friend: "Yeah, but I read in bed. I don't like the idea of something someone else has touched in my bed."

Me: ........................? (Yeah, mainly I was trying to think up dirty jokes, but I was actually left speechless).

"Was your wife a virgin when you met her?"

[pancakes]

A colleague who is single and paying minimal rent in a house their parents own and struggling to make ends meet discovered on the weekend that their sibling earns less than them, is paying a mortgage, raising two kids, supporting a stay at home parent and is getting by just fine.

Hopefully this is the moment when they realise the problem isn't the world or that they are not paid enough but the problem is them and their spending.

[theadvicist]

"Was your wife a virgin when you met her?"

I did actually come up with that one (well, husband) but actually, they're high school sweethearts, so I actually think they both were!

Points for being consistent, I guess?

[Pooperman]

"Was your wife a virgin when you met her?"

I did actually come up with that one (well, husband) but actually, they're high school sweethearts, so I actually think they both were!

Points for being consistent, I guess?

And here I was hoping that it'd be a teachable moment...

[Kitsune]

Overheard with friends:

Friend: "Any book recommendations? I know you like to read."

Me: "I've recently enjoyed x y and z"

Friend: "Great. Where do you buy your books from? I never know where is the best place?"

Me: "Oh I don't buy fiction, I get them at the library."

Friend: "Yeah, but I read in bed. I don't like the idea of something someone else has touched in my bed."

Me: ........................? (Yeah, mainly I was trying to think up dirty jokes, but I was actually left speechless).

"Was your wife a virgin when you met her?"

... Newsflash: bookstore employees have touched new books.

Also, gawd, I wish men like this would talk more when you first meet them. It'd save a lot of time.

[theadvicist]

I did explain that books are made in factories, travel in shipping containers, get unloaded by some Saturday kid who's probably been to the loo and not washed his hands, then picked his nose... not to mentioned fondled by shoppers, scanned by the shop assistant etc.

Apparently that is fine, library germs are not. Interestingly the friend in question would happily read library books elsewhere in the home... just not in bed. I wish we had a 'mind-boggled' emoticon.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

A colleague who is single and paying minimal rent in a house their parents own and struggling to make ends meet discovered on the weekend that their sibling earns less than them, is paying a mortgage, raising two kids, supporting a stay at home parent and is getting by just fine.

Hopefully this is the moment when they realise the problem isn't the world or that they are not paid enough but the problem is them and their spending.

I'll bet their problem suddenly becomes that the country gives too many tax breaks to married people with kids.

[Rogue]

I finally joined the fun!

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

CW objects because they can't afford it, but she reeeeeally wants it, so they finance it.

Not sure what the rate or duration is, but hopefully they're not completely caught off guard by home and dog maintenance costs.

[kayvent]

A colleague who is single and paying minimal rent in a house their parents own and struggling to make ends meet discovered on the weekend that their sibling earns less than them, is paying a mortgage, raising two kids, supporting a stay at home parent and is getting by just fine.

Hopefully this is the moment when they realise the problem isn't the world or that they are not paid enough but the problem is them and their spending.

I'll bet their problem suddenly becomes that the country gives too many tax breaks to married people with kids.

And right he would be. As a single person with a child making an above average wage (and over 2x the average person my age), I'd make the argument that my country gives too much to people with children. ;)

I finally joined fun!

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

CW objects because they can't afford it, but she reeeeeally wants it, so they finance it.

Not sure what the rate or duration is, but hopefully they're not completely caught off guard by home and dog maintenance costs.

I like animals, a lot. But the price of some of these things cause an ache in my heart. Hundreds a year for food/healthcare/doggy daycare. Thousands for some people if they move far away from their job and buy an expensive, large house to have pets.

Not to be offensive but I have a feeling that many people get so obsessed and ignore prices for pets because they don't have children; but children can be cheaper than pets. (Going back to my above writing in this post, last year because of the messed up system I actually made $265.78/month net from having a child. Not including child support, it was 265.36$/month.)

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Overheard with friends:

Friend: "Any book recommendations? I know you like to read."

Me: "I've recently enjoyed x y and z"

Friend: "Great. Where do you buy your books from? I never know where is the best place?"

Me: "Oh I don't buy fiction, I get them at the library."

Friend: "Yeah, but I read in bed. I don't like the idea of something someone else has touched in my bed."

Me: ........................? (Yeah, mainly I was trying to think up dirty jokes, but I was actually left speechless).

"That's what s/he said."

[merula]

Overheard with friends:

Friend: "Any book recommendations? I know you like to read."

Me: "I've recently enjoyed x y and z"

Friend: "Great. Where do you buy your books from? I never know where is the best place?"

Me: "Oh I don't buy fiction, I get them at the library."

Friend: "Yeah, but I read in bed. I don't like the idea of something someone else has touched in my bed."

Me: ........................? (Yeah, mainly I was trying to think up dirty jokes, but I was actually left speechless).

"Was your wife a virgin when you met her?"

... Newsflash: bookstore employees have touched new books.

Also, gawd, I wish men like this would talk more when you first meet them. It'd save a lot of time.

I did explain that books are made in factories, travel in shipping containers, get unloaded by some Saturday kid who's probably been to the loo and not washed his hands, then picked his nose... not to mentioned fondled by shoppers, scanned by the shop assistant etc.

Apparently that is fine, library germs are not. Interestingly the friend in question would happily read library books elsewhere in the home... just not in bed. I wish we had a 'mind-boggled' emoticon.

Bringing the foam back to overheard at work: this is actually a thing I encountered ALL THE TIME when working at a bookstore. People would bring their books up to the cash register and not let me touch them, but would hold them up while I scanned them.

It was kinda annoying, because it was harder to ring up, and they inevitably went to the wrong bar code first (our system could only read the one that was programmed with the ISBN, not the one for big-box stores). But it was hilarious because the cashiers were inevitably the cleanest employees. Dear customer, do you have any idea what our receiving employees or morning stockers are like? (And I was a stocker for awhile!)

That doesn't even touch the problems with other customers! Seinfeld lied to you; there is absolutely no way to track a book that's been in the bathroom, nor would we care.

[theadvicist]

Seriously shocked at how many people are precious about their books!

I last worked retail in 1998, and I scanned everything brought to the till. Can anyone with more recent experience confirm whether customers are funny about staff touching things other than books, or is it limited specifically to things people will be using in bed?!

I guess self-checkout must be popular with germaphobes. They have to touch the screen though, oh no, best get the hand sanitiser out!

[Inaya]

I finally joined the fun!

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

CW objects because they can't afford it, but she reeeeeally wants it, so they finance it.

Not sure what the rate or duration is, but hopefully they're not completely caught off guard by home and dog maintenance costs.

Finance... a dog. Okay, I LOVE dogs. I want a dog some women my age want a baby (but am not at a stage in my life where dog ownership is responsible). But why go into debt for a dog? There are millions of dogs that need homes that you could get for nearly free!


Although I guess on the plus side, maybe being in dog debt will prevent them from dumping the dog if they get tired of it--which happens to many impulse-buy dogs.

[MgoSam]

[

Finance... a dog. Okay, I LOVE dogs. I want a dog some women my age want a baby (but am not at a stage in my life where dog ownership is responsible). But why go into debt for a dog? There are millions of dogs that need homes that you could get for nearly free!

Although I guess on the plus side, maybe being in dog debt will prevent them from dumping the dog if they get tired of it--which happens to many impulse-buy dogs.
[/quote]

I agree, I can't fathom buying a purebreed unless you really have a specific need (showing them or pedigree is that important to you), and would never consider it if I couldn't even afford the purchase price because costs only go up from there.

Nothing wrong with have a furr-baby ;-).

[BDWW]

I finally joined the fun!

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

CW objects because they can't afford it, but she reeeeeally wants it, so they finance it.

Not sure what the rate or duration is, but hopefully they're not completely caught off guard by home and dog maintenance costs.

Finance... a dog. Okay, I LOVE dogs. I want a dog some women my age want a baby (but am not at a stage in my life where dog ownership is responsible). But why go into debt for a dog? There are millions of dogs that need homes that you could get for nearly free!


Although I guess on the plus side, maybe being in dog debt will prevent them from dumping the dog if they get tired of it--which happens to many impulse-buy dogs.

Reminds me of my youthful naivety. Granted I grew up in rural area, but I had no idea people just gave up dogs. In my mind all the dogs at shelters were strays or new puppies. I was probably 20 before I realized in horror that some people just get rid of their dog!

[Kitsune]

I finally joined the fun!

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

CW objects because they can't afford it, but she reeeeeally wants it, so they finance it.

Not sure what the rate or duration is, but hopefully they're not completely caught off guard by home and dog maintenance costs.

Finance... a dog. Okay, I LOVE dogs. I want a dog some women my age want a baby (but am not at a stage in my life where dog ownership is responsible). But why go into debt for a dog? There are millions of dogs that need homes that you could get for nearly free!


Although I guess on the plus side, maybe being in dog debt will prevent them from dumping the dog if they get tired of it--which happens to many impulse-buy dogs.

Reminds me of my youthful naivety. Granted I grew up in rural area, but I had no idea people just gave up dogs. In my mind all the dogs at shelters were strays or new puppies. I was probably 20 before I realized in horror that some people just get rid of their dog!

You're lucky - we keep getting asshats from the city who drive to our rural area to dump off dogs that they no longer want. If they're lucky, they're found by someone who adopts them.

Otherwise, well... how many pampered house pets do YOU think know how to survive in the wild? We find them half-starved, half-feral, and full of worms, assuming they've evaded the coyotes and wolves, and the local vet will put them down at cost if you manage to catch them and bring 'em in, because at that point there's not much else to be done.

Let's just say that the past 30 years of seeing minimum 2-3 dogs who fit that description every year have given me a really jaded view of human affection for dogs. Asshats.

[dragoncar]

I did explain that books are made in factories, travel in shipping containers, get unloaded by some Saturday kid who's probably been to the loo and not washed his hands, then picked his nose... not to mentioned fondled by shoppers, scanned by the shop assistant etc.

Apparently that is fine, library germs are not. Interestingly the friend in question would happily read library books elsewhere in the home... just not in bed. I wish we had a 'mind-boggled' emoticon.

As a licensed germaphobe, there's a pretty big difference between someone touching the cover (which is easily cleaned) and dozens of people touching every single page of the book. Most of the paper in a new book will be untouched by human hands

[LeRainDrop]

I did explain that books are made in factories, travel in shipping containers, get unloaded by some Saturday kid who's probably been to the loo and not washed his hands, then picked his nose... not to mentioned fondled by shoppers, scanned by the shop assistant etc.

Apparently that is fine, library germs are not. Interestingly the friend in question would happily read library books elsewhere in the home... just not in bed. I wish we had a 'mind-boggled' emoticon.

As a licensed germaphobe, there's a pretty big difference between someone touching the cover (which is easily cleaned) and dozens of people touching every single page of the book. Most of the paper in a new book will be untouched by human hands

Sometimes when I check out a hard-cover library book, if it looks kinda old or icky, I will cover it with a paper bag, like how we used to do as kids covering school textbooks.  And I get a little cringe when I get to a page that looks dirty, but then I just don't touch the page there.  I don't feel physical anxiety over the shipper, stocker, cashier, etc.  I realize this line-drawing is nonsensical, but I am just doing what alleviates my anxiety, which is not escalating and not hindering my life's enjoyment.

[boarder42]

I did explain that books are made in factories, travel in shipping containers, get unloaded by some Saturday kid who's probably been to the loo and not washed his hands, then picked his nose... not to mentioned fondled by shoppers, scanned by the shop assistant etc.

Apparently that is fine, library germs are not. Interestingly the friend in question would happily read library books elsewhere in the home... just not in bed. I wish we had a 'mind-boggled' emoticon.

As a licensed germaphobe, there's a pretty big difference between someone touching the cover (which is easily cleaned) and dozens of people touching every single page of the book. Most of the paper in a new book will be untouched by human hands

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

[RyanAtTanagra]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

Because people like me will keep buying them

[dragoncar]

I did explain that books are made in factories, travel in shipping containers, get unloaded by some Saturday kid who's probably been to the loo and not washed his hands, then picked his nose... not to mentioned fondled by shoppers, scanned by the shop assistant etc.

Apparently that is fine, library germs are not. Interestingly the friend in question would happily read library books elsewhere in the home... just not in bed. I wish we had a 'mind-boggled' emoticon.

As a licensed germaphobe, there's a pretty big difference between someone touching the cover (which is easily cleaned) and dozens of people touching every single page of the book. Most of the paper in a new book will be untouched by human hands

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

Yes.  I don't personally have a problem with library books besides the inconvenience of physical medium.  But I can understand the reasoning for why library books are more gross than "new" books.

P.S. Does anyone else keep their kindle in a ziplock bag to keep it safe from germs and pool water?

[zolotiyeruki]

P.S. Does anyone else keep their kindle in a ziplock bag to keep it safe from germs and pool water?

I use a ziplock back for my phone when I'm going to a place/situation where it might get wet, but never for reasons of germs

[druth]

P.S. Does anyone else keep their kindle in a ziplock bag to keep it safe from germs and pool water?

I keep a plastic bag under the bathroom sink specifically for bathtub reading purposes.

[esq]

My supervisor wants to buy a throne for her dining room table.  Everyone else would have to sit in a regular chair.  This little gem she showed me is only $900:

[Chris22]

In fairness, $900 sounds like a not terrible deal on a throne.


Still stupid.

[TexasRunner]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[MrsDinero]

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

I'm all for having dogs and I have even had a rescue pure bread dog (beautiful and loving fluffball but not that smart).  There are some things I will even pay $2500 for, however I will not pay $2500 for something that eats its own poop, if given the chance.

[boarder42]

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

I'm all for having dogs and I have even had a rescue pure bread dog (beautiful and loving fluffball but not that smart).  There are some things I will even pay $2500 for, however I will not pay $2500 for something that eats its own poop, if given the chance.

The upfront cost of that 2500 dog is very small compared to the cost of owning it for years afterwards. If all dogs cost 2500 to buy upfront we'd have less getting dumped in rural areas.

[kayvent]

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

I'm all for having dogs and I have even had a rescue pure bread dog (beautiful and loving fluffball but not that smart).  There are some things I will even pay $2500 for, however I will not pay $2500 for something that eats its own poop, if given the chance.

The upfront cost of that 2500 dog is very small compared to the cost of owning it for years afterwards. If all dogs cost 2500 to buy upfront we'd have less getting dumped in rural areas.

The purebreeds are a minefield of health issues. Breeds of dogs aren't separate species but inbreeding gone crazy.

[Goldielocks]

[ I have even had a rescue pure bread dog

Does a pure bread dog go moldy after a few months?

[pancakes]

On the topic of dogs. Overheard a co worker talking about their friend. $15k on 3 nights in dog hospital and the dog died.

[MrRealEstate]

[ I have even had a rescue pure bread dog

Does a pure bread dog go moldy after a few months?

I think there was an article a few years back about a pure bread maker.. could save on the upfront cost of the pure bread dog.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Re the germs on books: what are they doing to the books that would make germs a problem? Licking them? Are these a very particular genre of book?

Yes, there will be germs on the books, just like there will be germs on the clothes you take off. This is why you have hand sanitizer by the bed (and, I presume, a sheep dip or spray can of sanitizer for any bed companion that you plan on licking).

[GuitarStv]

Re the germs on books: what are they doing to the books that would make germs a problem? Licking them? Are these a very particular genre of book?

Yes, there will be germs on the books, just like there will be germs on the clothes you take off. This is why you have hand sanitizer by the bed (and, I presume, a sheep dip or spray can of sanitizer for any bed companion that you plan on licking).

I don't have hand sanitizer by the bed, and certainly wouldn't use it after reading a book.  Unless you're immuno-compromised germs are pretty good for you . . . they keep your immune system functioning properly and they keep your digestive system working properly.  The potential of an insignificant amount of germ contact from a book from the library is a feature, not a bug.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Re the germs on books: what are they doing to the books that would make germs a problem? Licking them? Are these a very particular genre of book?

Yes, there will be germs on the books, just like there will be germs on the clothes you take off. This is why you have hand sanitizer by the bed (and, I presume, a sheep dip or spray can of sanitizer for any bed companion that you plan on licking).

I think it has to do with what's on their hands as a result of reading the books in bed. Fifty Shades of Something...

[Paul der Krake]

I'm more worried about bed bugs lurking in the book covers. It only takes 5 seconds per book to look, and potentially saves you months of headaches.

Not that it's ever happened to me, but you know what they say about prevention...

[MrMoogle]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

Because every time I buy a book (no that often anymore), paper books are cheaper than digital.  And used paper backs are even cheaper.

[theadvicist]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

Because every time I buy a book (no that often anymore), paper books are cheaper than digital.  And used paper backs are even cheaper.

But the library is free!

(ours does ebook lending, but I don't have a compatible device)

[MrsDinero]

[ I have even had a rescue pure bread dog

Does a pure bread dog go moldy after a few months?

I think there was an article a few years back about a pure bread maker.. could save on the upfront cost of the pure bread dog.

LOL! 

[Papa Mustache]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

I see the picture came from the History channel but we don't have cable TV. Who is that guy? Bad hair day?

[GuitarStv]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

I see the picture came from the History channel but we don't have cable TV. Who is that guy? Bad hair day?

He was always claiming that the reason for something unexplained on a program was due to aliens.

[MgoSam]

so then you must love the digital age where paper books are no longer necessary and i still have no idea why they are still even published.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

I see the picture came from the History channel but we don't have cable TV. Who is that guy? Bad hair day?

He was always claiming that the reason for something unexplained on a program was due to aliens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDKvWiToj8Y

[Papa Mustache]

Thanks folks. I'm a little more educated this afternoon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_A._Tsoukalos

He just makes this stuff up as the cameras roll doesn't he??? ;)

One of the comments below the YouTube video suggested that his college drug use must have left an indelible mark. 

[Primm]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

[Nangirl17]

Overheard at my wife's work:
CW and his wife are buying their first house and are moving in a week or so.  They went to a pet store/breeder, his wife fell in love with a purebred dog (didn't hear what kind).  CW figures it'll be about $800... Nope.  $2,500. 

I'm all for having dogs and I have even had a rescue pure bread dog (beautiful and loving fluffball but not that smart).  There are some things I will even pay $2500 for, however I will not pay $2500 for something that eats its own poop, if given the chance.

The upfront cost of that 2500 dog is very small compared to the cost of owning it for years afterwards. If all dogs cost 2500 to buy upfront we'd have less getting dumped in rural areas.

...and a lot of sad little boys and girls who could never own a dog because of the upfront cost. Ours, for one example.

[MgoSam]

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

Reminds me of people the anti-vaccine crowd.