Overheard at Work

[MoonShadow]

So replacing the grammatically correct "on" with "of".

I guess so, but I never really thought about it before.

[maco]

... I studied several Romance languages at school and always appreciated being able to distinguish between the singular 'you' and the plural 'you', especially on the internet where tone fails can result in a lot of fallout. I therefore took to using "y'all" when I mean "you people generally" as it lessens the chance of an individual poster thinking that I am talking about (and possibly insulting) them personally. In this case I used it to distinguish between "you, the poster I am replying to" and "all of you Americans generally".

Careful! Y'all is often singular. Use "all y'all" to be sure.

Y'all is always plural; "all y'all" is reflexive or emphatic. :-)


Another option, used about as often as y'all in this area, is y'uns. Short for you 'uns, of course.

ETA a husband tells me "y'all" was pretty well universally adopted aboard ship (US Navy) because it fills a practical need.

What the heck are yinz talking about?

There's a Pittsburgher in the house!

The Chinese also have a word for y'all...ni men.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, but I never used yinz. I've only come across one sentence where "you ones" would've made sense. I picked up y'all almost immediately when I left the Burgh though ("y'all" at least makes grammatical sense to me).

[forummm]

One I can't stand is "might could" meaning either "might" or "could", as in "I might could sing that song".

[ender]

I mention that he should have looked at a mini-van if he needed the extra space and it would get better MPG. He looked at me with a shocked look and stated he would never be caught dead driving a mini-van...

Anymore the minivan hate tells me alot about the person I'm talking to - such as appearances > utility. The American rejection of minivan people haulers is just dumb. Its a tool and if it fits use it. I've driven some very comfortable minivans.

The one my inlaws has can tow 2,000+ pounds, gets high 20s in MPG on the highway (probably not when towing...), and fits a full size couch into it with all doors shut (!!).

More useful than most people's trucks.

[LeRainDrop]

And they never break character, no matter who they are.  I wear a fedora, and we went to the 50's cafe. I had a black waitress that was probably 30 years older than me, who kept calling me "massa".  I seriously looked at her the first time she did that and said, "wow, you people never break character do you?"  She didn't even change her expression.  She was a waitress, not an actress playing any known character.

She called you "massa"; you spoke to her, leading with "you people"; and she didn't even change her expression?!?!?!  This is so wrong on so many levels . . . *eyes bugging out of my head, ears bleeding*

[MoonShadow]

And they never break character, no matter who they are.  I wear a fedora, and we went to the 50's cafe. I had a black waitress that was probably 30 years older than me, who kept calling me "massa".  I seriously looked at her the first time she did that and said, "wow, you people never break character do you?"  She didn't even change her expression.  She was a waitress, not an actress playing any known character.

She called you "massa"; you spoke to her, leading with "you people"; and she didn't even change her expression?!?!?!  This is so wrong on so many levels . . . *eyes bugging out of my head, ears bleeding*

Yeah, I'm not sure if that was word for word, I'm going off memory.  Still, she didn't break her character; no matter how many levels of wrong I may have been.

[Caella]

For a non native english speaker, what does "massa" means? couldn't find on google =(

And I'm totally partial on regards to disney. I went once when I was 25, and it was like a dream. I felt like I was 8. Everything was just magical, the architecture, the characters, every single detail taken care of to make you feel like you are indeed on a magical land.
It was some childhood dream to me. But even I would not return every year, or multiple times in a short period. I have plans to going again two or three times during my lifetime, though.

[midweststache]

For a non native english speaker, what does "massa" means? couldn't find on google =(

It's a colloquial or phonetic spelling of master, which draws on the terrible history of the enslavement of black people in the US.

[zephyr911]

For a non native english speaker, what does "massa" means? couldn't find on google =(

It's a colloquial or phonetic spelling of master, which draws on the terrible history of the enslavement of black people in the US.

"Enslavement" is such an ugly word.

[antarestar]

One I can't stand is "might could" meaning either "might" or "could", as in "I might could sing that song".

My favorite is when people have worked really hard to rid themselves of a "hick" accent, and then this slips out when they aren't paying attention. The mortification is epic!

[Pooperman]

For a non native english speaker, what does "massa" means? couldn't find on google =(

It's a colloquial or phonetic spelling of master, which draws on the terrible history of the enslavement of black people in the US.

I've been called "master" exactly once in a non-bdsm setting that was the correct use of the term. I was about 13 at the time, and "master" is the male equivalent of "miss".

[zephyr911]

One I can't stand is "might could" meaning either "might" or "could", as in "I might could sing that song".

My favorite is when people have worked really hard to rid themselves of a "hick" accent, and then this slips out when they aren't paying attention. The mortification is epic!

My upbringing was Yankee as hell, and I'm perfectly capable of using 100% standard English, but I freely admit to regularly using such colloquialisms after a dozen years in Alabama and Mississippi. All y'all can just freakin' deal with it xD

[HairyUpperLip]

Aaaaaah....

"Y'all" tends to be restricted to our rural friends from lower latitudes.   Here in the PNW we say "you guys."

I am, at this moment, sitting at SeaTac waiting my flight to Heathrow.  Perhaps I will bump into you there?

As an Indian person, born in Canada, but lived in Atlanta for 20+ years I can't help but use y'all and find this comment more offensive than a lot of the recent race discussions from the Facebook thread.

Don't worry, I'm not mad over it just think it's interesting how American it is to throw around labels and classify people....

[Zoot]

On "might could":  I grew up hearing and using that expression--and I still use it in colloquial speech, even after later learning to regard it as "non-standard usage" and an example of a "double modal."

In my experience, though, "might could" has a shade of meaning that "might" and "could" do not have on their own.  "I might do it" indicates doubt about doing the thing; "I could do it" indicates conditionality, ability, or ability in the past; "I might could do it" indicates doubt about the ability to do the thing.  "I might could do it tomorrow" means something like "It's possible, but not certain, that I will be able to do it tomorrow."  I've grown to have a great affection for the precision of double modals and use them quite gleefully now, but would likely modulate to something more standard in more formal situations ("I might be able to" instead of "I might could," for example).  :)

And now, something I overheard at work.  :)  "Yeah, I was all about saving money when I was in college.  When I was a senior I even went to some kind of talk that Clark Howard gave, and he was talking about how his wife shops at consignment stores, even though they have so much money now.  That was the end of the whole Clark Howard thing for me--I mean, if shopping at consignment stores is the end point, then it's just not worth it to me."



(edited to clarify who gave the talk!)

[benjenn]

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

[zephyr911]

As an Indian person, born in Canada, but lived in Atlanta for 20+ years I can't help but use y'all and find this comment more offensive than a lot of the recent race discussions from the Facebook thread.

Don't worry, I'm not mad over it just think it's interesting how American it is to throw around labels and classify people....

I grew up with "you guys" and TBH, after years of migrating around and using/hearing both, I think "y'all" is more functional. Also find it amusing that the more liberal/PC regions prefer the inherently sexist version of the second-person plural... ahaha xD

[Pooperman]

If you want to flame anyone for why "y'all" is used, direct those flames at the French for invading England and causing the loss of "thou".

[zephyr911]

If you want to flame anyone for why "y'all" is used, direct those flames at the French for invading England and causing the loss of "thou".

I was just musing upon that question. It seemed clear that both colloquialisms sprang from the lack of a clear second-person plural but I didn't know why.
It's funny how language does shit like that. I spent a whole day recently reading about the evolution of Latin into other Mediterranean and European languages after the fall of the Roman Empire. I could have gone much longer.

[Wilson Hall]

The spread of the new-car disease within my office has been something to behold.

Years ago, before I found MMM yet was semi-frugal, I ditched my used car with ongoing mechanical problems for a new Civic, which I still own. Within less than six months, three of my coworkers had purchased new cars as well. Facepunch round 1.

Fast forward several years, and Coworker 1 has replaced her new vehicle not once, but twice. She had to sell the latest vehicle quickly (long story) and somehow managed to talk Coworker 2 into taking over the payments. Three years go by, and Coworker 2 is tired of having to get the vehicle serviced three hours away (no dealership in town). Coworker 2 then custom orders himself a new vehicle, has it delivered, then proceeds to try to sell the other vehicle on his own, thinking he'll get more money that way. Well, it ain't selling, which means he's got to take it to the nearest dealership, which is almost two hundred miles away, to sell it at a loss because he can't handle two payments.  Facepunch round 2.

And, guess who's been asked to drive all the way to the dealership to give him a ride home because he's too cheap/broke to rent a car one-way or take public transportation? [Aims fist at own face.]

[SweetLife]

Get ready for this ....

Me: Where are you going today???
Bingo - I took a half day off of work.
Me: Oh??When was the last time you went?
Sunday
Me: Oh?! Did you win???
NO I lost $700!!! I am going to make it back
Me: How much did you bring today?
$300


Me (To myself) WTF are you CRAZY!!!!! You took half day off of work to LOSE another $300 after losing $700!!!!!! You need a facepunching MACHINE installed in your car ... everytime you get into it to go to anywhere other than work you should be face punched ....

Meanwhile ... on my planet Mushtachian ... I off to have some delish homemade hummus and make my own coffee ... saving almost $5

[Moonwaves]

Get ready for this ....

Me: Where are you going today???
Bingo - I took a half day off of work.
Me: Oh??When was the last time you went?
Sunday
Me: Oh?! Did you win???
NO I lost $700!!! I am going to make it back
Me: How much did you bring today?
$300


Me (To myself) WTF are you CRAZY!!!!! You took half day off of work to LOSE another $300 after losing $700!!!!!! You need a facepunching MACHINE installed in your car ... everytime you get into it to go to anywhere other than work you should be face punched ....

Meanwhile ... on my planet Mushtachian ... I off to have some delish homemade hummus and make my own coffee ... saving almost $5

Wow! That is some expensive bingo. I used to sometimes go to bingo with my sister as a cheap night out, it cost something like €5 a sheet and you could play up to four sheets, IIRC. Great night out, but, spending a grand on it in less than a week? Consider my gast truly flabbered!

[MgoSam]

Get ready for this ....

Me: Where are you going today???
Bingo - I took a half day off of work.
Me: Oh??When was the last time you went?
Sunday
Me: Oh?! Did you win???
NO I lost $700!!! I am going to make it back
Me: How much did you bring today?
$300


Me (To myself) WTF are you CRAZY!!!!! You took half day off of work to LOSE another $300 after losing $700!!!!!! You need a facepunching MACHINE installed in your car ... everytime you get into it to go to anywhere other than work you should be face punched ....

Meanwhile ... on my planet Mushtachian ... I off to have some delish homemade hummus and make my own coffee ... saving almost $5

Wow! That is some expensive bingo. I used to sometimes go to bingo with my sister as a cheap night out, it cost something like €5 a sheet and you could play up to four sheets, IIRC. Great night out, but, spending a grand on it in less than a week? Consider my gast truly flabbered!

And either they'll come back and say, "Lost it, but I'll win it back next week." Or they'll be smiling and tell you, "I'm on a roll! Going for triple next week...." This is why casinos win.

[zolotiyeruki]

... "master" is the male equivalent of "miss".

I thought "mistress" was the female equivalent of "master"

[Mississippi Mudstache]

... "master" is the male equivalent of "miss".

I thought "mistress" was the female equivalent of "master"

Correct. According to Wikipedia, "Originating in the 17th century, it (miss) is a contraction of mistress, which was used for all women."

[LeRainDrop]

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

I grew up outside Boston and now live in Atlanta.  I use "how come" every now and then.  I think it's a little softer way of saying "why."

[zephyr911]

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

I grew up outside Boston and now live in Atlanta.  I use "how come" every now and then.  I think it's a little softer way of saying "why."

I've heard that one all my life regardless of region/culture within the US. I'm pretty sure my own use of it even predates my Southern phase.

[Pooperman]

... "master" is the male equivalent of "miss".

I thought "mistress" was the female equivalent of "master"

In olden times, master and mistress were equivalent to Mr. and Mrs. (and those were contractions of them). At some point, they separated and took separate meanings. Today, master is for boys and young men (unmarried), miss is for girls and young women (unmarried). Mister and Missus for married people. Master isn't used much in the US due in part to its use during slavery, but it is common in the UK.

[MishMash]

Our new inside sales guys were discussing "bulking up" which meant all kinds of talk of expensive whey powders (dude make some ricotta cheese and use the whey), different supplements, expensive shakes etc.  Coworker one reveals he spends roughly 500 a month on this stuff (and the dude is NOT buff, he's fat, like fat fat)...Coworker 2 however took the cake by revealing he not only spends about that but that he spends another 300 a month on ILLEGAL STEROIDS!!!  Mind you we work in a place with a drug policy, do a lot of government contract clearance work, and he is just starting out his career and this is one of those things that could tank his entire career and life.

[Dr.Vibrissae]

So replacing the grammatically correct "on" with "of".

I guess so, but I never really thought about it before.

Technically this came up on my Facebook awhile ago and not at work, but there's an interesting explanation of this construction at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/of+a+morning (it goes on further, if anyone is really into the grammar derivation.)

Some speakers of vernacular English varieties, particularly in isolated or mountainous regions of the Southern United States, use phrases such as of a night or of an evening in place of at night or in the evening, as in We'd go hunting of an evening. This of construction is used only when referring to a repeated action, where Standard English uses nights, evenings, and the like, as in We'd go hunting nights. It is not used for single actions, as in She returned at night.

I personally love idiomatic speech and regional constructions, they make language more interesting and rich to my ears. One I noticed recently was the phrase 'get you some ___'.  I tend to have a low tolerance for non-standard or confusing habits in written communication, however.

[secondcor521]

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

You learn something new every day.  I've been using "How come..." my whole life and I found out just now it isn't perfectly good English?!?  It is to my ears :-)

[RetiredAt63]

How come you are all making fun of it?  Perfectly normal usage, eh?

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

You learn something new every day.  I've been using "How come..." my whole life and I found out just now it isn't perfectly good English?!?  It is to my ears :-)

[dragoncar]

How come you are all making fun of it?  Perfectly normal usage, eh?

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

You learn something new every day.  I've been using "How come..." my whole life and I found out just now it isn't perfectly good English?!?  It is to my ears :-)

Ya'll's grammar needs fixed.

[MilStachian]

Our new inside sales guys were discussing "bulking up" which meant all kinds of talk of expensive whey powders (dude make some ricotta cheese and use the whey), different supplements, expensive shakes etc.  Coworker one reveals he spends roughly 500 a month on this stuff (and the dude is NOT buff, he's fat, like fat fat)...Coworker 2 however took the cake by revealing he not only spends about that but that he spends another 300 a month on ILLEGAL STEROIDS!!!  Mind you we work in a place with a drug policy, do a lot of government contract clearance work, and he is just starting out his career and this is one of those things that could tank his entire career and life.

MishMash; just an FYI.  If you have a security clearance it's in your interest to report this guy to company leadership.  I've seen a similar circumstance where one employee told another that he was using anabolic steroids.  When the steroid user was caught, both lost their jobs and their clearances.  Steroids are a Schedule III narcotic - not good.

[Candace]

How come you are all making fun of it?  Perfectly normal usage, eh?

Growing up and living most of my life in Oklahoma, I've heard some interesting things said regularly... "might could" is one of them.  "Fixin' to" is another one that's used a lot.  As in "I'm fixin' to go to the store."  But my dad always used to say one that I am especially fond of.  He would say "how come" instead of why.  "How come it's taking you so long to get ready."  :)  I don't hear it often but whenever I do, it makes me smile.

You learn something new every day.  I've been using "How come..." my whole life and I found out just now it isn't perfectly good English?!?  It is to my ears :-)

Seriously. I was born and raised in Boston, traveled all over the country and the world, and have never had anyone laugh at or poke at my "how come." I thought everyone used it everywhere in English (as much as anything else is used in a language worldwide). My mind is blown.

Yep. I'm a bit of a stickler for grammar, and I've used "how come" my whole life. I've never had anyone call it incorrect before now.

[MishMash]

Our new inside sales guys were discussing "bulking up" which meant all kinds of talk of expensive whey powders (dude make some ricotta cheese and use the whey), different supplements, expensive shakes etc.  Coworker one reveals he spends roughly 500 a month on this stuff (and the dude is NOT buff, he's fat, like fat fat)...Coworker 2 however took the cake by revealing he not only spends about that but that he spends another 300 a month on ILLEGAL STEROIDS!!!  Mind you we work in a place with a drug policy, do a lot of government contract clearance work, and he is just starting out his career and this is one of those things that could tank his entire career and life.

MishMash; just an FYI.  If you have a security clearance it's in your interest to report this guy to company leadership.  I've seen a similar circumstance where one employee told another that he was using anabolic steroids.  When the steroid user was caught, both lost their jobs and their clearances.  Steroids are a Schedule III narcotic - not good.

Oh one of our VPs was standing in the kitchen behind a wall about 5 feet away and he and I both heard it and just looked at each other...like why the hell would you say that to your coworkers that you've known less then a few months.  Said coworker doesn't hold a clearance but I don't think he will be employed for much longer. 

[benjenn]

Yep. I'm a bit of a stickler for grammar, and I've used "how come" my whole life. I've never had anyone call it incorrect before now.

I didn't intend to offend anyone or insinuate they were wrong for their use of "how come"... it always reminds me of my dad and makes me smile.  Use it by all means!  I like to smile.  :)

[Joggernot]

How come y'all missed this?  Found on Facebook today.
"Looking for a office job have lots of receptionist experience. Or anything of a morning to day time shift jobs."
Does this count for a use of "of a morning"?

And what about using "...ya hear?"

[SweetLife]

[/quote]
Wow! That is some expensive bingo. I used to sometimes go to bingo with my sister as a cheap night out, it cost something like €5 a sheet and you could play up to four sheets, IIRC. Great night out, but, spending a grand on it in less than a week?

Consider my gast truly flabbered!
[/quote]

Ha ha ha funny!!! :)

[zephyr911]

Yep. I'm a bit of a stickler for grammar, and I've used "how come" my whole life. I've never had anyone call it incorrect before now.

I could see it growing out of (British) English in a fairly natural fashion.
For example:

How come ye by this place, good sir?

[forummm]

One I can't stand is "might could" meaning either "might" or "could", as in "I might could sing that song".

My favorite is when people have worked really hard to rid themselves of a "hick" accent, and then this slips out when they aren't paying attention. The mortification is epic!

I had a girlfriend who had this issue. There were 2 or 3 words where she couldn't say them without a drawl. It's interesting how those things get so ingrained and can't be changed.

[forummm]

As an Indian person, born in Canada, but lived in Atlanta for 20+ years I can't help but use y'all and find this comment more offensive than a lot of the recent race discussions from the Facebook thread.

Don't worry, I'm not mad over it just think it's interesting how American it is to throw around labels and classify people....

Sure, it's American. And Indian. And British. And Sudanese. And....

[mtn]

One I can't stand is "might could" meaning either "might" or "could", as in "I might could sing that song".

My favorite is when people have worked really hard to rid themselves of a "hick" accent, and then this slips out when they aren't paying attention. The mortification is epic!

I had a girlfriend who had this issue. There were 2 or 3 words where she couldn't say them without a drawl. It's interesting how those things get so ingrained and can't be changed.

I understand that you can lose accents over time, but it really annoys me when people try to lose them on purpose.

To quote Jason Isbell, "Don't worry about losin your accent, cause a southern man tells better jokes"

[Apples]

That's a shame. There are a few people I work with like that, but I think of them as quaint country-folk, not as the norm. I suppose over the years I've taught myself to separate people from their politics, since most people mean well, just haven't looked into the science and facts much.

I live and work in a rural area of a northern state.  I have had actual discussions with coworkers disagreeing that Obama has not, in fact, had the most Executive Orders ever.  This is something that is a fact, and can be found online.  But nope, the Dictator in Chief is definitely just sending out dozens of those babies every week.  Also, carbon dating is a giant worldwide conspiracy theory and they're doing it wrong, because the 6,000 years old earth as stated in the Bible is the way it really is. Oy.

And dinosaurs never existed the same folks insist. Wife gave up 15-20 mins to a coworker once who wanted to make his point that the world was only 6,000 years old and never any dinosaurs. This was a college educated person too...

Fossils are just something God made.  Also, same coworkers were trying to convince me last week that the Affordable Care Act was an Executive Order signed by Obama and Congress would have stopped it if they could have...

[Pylon]

So replacing the grammatically correct "on" with "of".

I guess so, but I never really thought about it before.

Technically this came up on my Facebook awhile ago and not at work, but there's an interesting explanation of this construction at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/of+a+morning (it goes on further, if anyone is really into the grammar derivation.)

Some speakers of vernacular English varieties, particularly in isolated or mountainous regions of the Southern United States, use phrases such as of a night or of an evening in place of at night or in the evening, as in We'd go hunting of an evening. This of construction is used only when referring to a repeated action, where Standard English uses nights, evenings, and the like, as in We'd go hunting nights. It is not used for single actions, as in She returned at night.

I personally love idiomatic speech and regional constructions, they make language more interesting and rich to my ears. One I noticed recently was the phrase 'get you some ___'.  I tend to have a low tolerance for non-standard or confusing habits in written communication, however.

A woman I work with uses this quite frequently.  Usually with morning ("Of a morning, I'll eat breakfast at 7.")  She's from Oklahoma originally but has lived in Kansas for 50+ years.  She's the only one I've ever heard use the phrase.

[Twenty4Me]

Reality returns: never mind, having short sighted employees can be useful too I'm sure. A previous employer liked to have folks up to their noses in debt (I think) - employees were a little desperate to keep their job and would work ridiculous hours and go dangerous places like the border towns of Mexico to manage projects.

Yep, that I know all too well. Eventually, after the first 3 years at my current job, my boss stopped trying to talk me into buying a new car ("When are you going to upgrade your car?" "Don't you think it's time for a new car?" etc). Of course, in the 6+ years that I've now been there, he's gone through 4 cars already himself, and has been upside down on each and every single trade-in.

As for the discussion on grammar and language, we've got a unique little expression here that I love...

now
now now
just now

Saying that you'll do something now, means you'll do it right away. Saying that you'll do something now now, means you'll do it soon. And, saying that you'll do something just now, means that it will be a while longer before you get to it.

[forummm]

now
now now
just now

Saying that you'll do something now, means you'll do it right away. Saying that you'll do something now now, means you'll do it soon. And, saying that you'll do something just now, means that it will be a while longer before you get to it.

Never heard of "now now". I would think it means "instantly"--reinforcing the immediacy of now.

[Paul der Krake]

Painfully witnessed in person at work: some guy completely flunked his in-person interview for a technical lead position. There had been two separate phone screens before hand, where the person appeared very knowledgeable and competent, whereas this guy was rambling platitudes and offering no specifics whatsoever when prompted.

We are now thinking that this guy paid an experienced professional to take the phone screen for him, somehow hoping that he could BS his way through the rest of the interview process. This company operates in an industry where background checks are notoriously thorough, so I don't know how he could possibly think that he could get away with this. Mind blown.

[Twenty4Me]

Never heard of "now now". I would think it means "instantly"--reinforcing the immediacy of now.

Yes, you would think so, but not so in SA.

[Cinder]

I bought a protein shake at the employee fitness center the other day, using my ID badge to pay for it, so it comes out of my paycheck. The guy behind the counter tried to tell me that those deductions are pre-tax, and didn't understand when I explained that they aren't. Someone else overheard and agreed with the first guy...

I wonder if they have some sort of 'health and fitness' amount that's provisioned for pre-tax.... I know though my work we get $200 that we can spend on things like gym fees, sports classes, and certain other types of purchases. 

[tofuchampion]

I bought a protein shake at the employee fitness center the other day, using my ID badge to pay for it, so it comes out of my paycheck. The guy behind the counter tried to tell me that those deductions are pre-tax, and didn't understand when I explained that they aren't. Someone else overheard and agreed with the first guy...

I wonder if they have some sort of 'health and fitness' amount that's provisioned for pre-tax.... I know though my work we get $200 that we can spend on things like gym fees, sports classes, and certain other types of purchases.

Nope. I work at a hospital; we can use our badges to pay for extras at the gym (gym membership fee is also paid via payroll deduction), visits to the employee health clinic, cafeteria meals, and the gift shop. But these aren't part of any pre-tax amount; they're just purchases. I double-checked a recent paystub and it is definitely all post-tax.