Overheard at Work

[11ducks]

Anyone who follows one site of the political spectrum, and feels like EVERYONE on the other side is a horrible person and none of their beliefs can possibly have merit, is a ignorant fool and is more problem than solution.  I really wish there was a way that I could unfollow a once fun thread.

Seconded. As Elsa sings 'let it go, let it gooooo'.

[11ducks]

My CWs have a weekly 'order in' lunch date, where they each spend $15-$20 on greasy takeaway, and then sit at the common table and bitch loudly about work, how busy/stressed they are, their weight, and how expensive everything is. I wouldn't actually care except it's in the middle of our office and so loud I have to wear headphones to concentrate on work.

[Friar]

Talking to CW who happens to be a close friend about driving lessons. He's taken them before but stopped due to lack of funds. Bear in mind in the UK you typically have around 15-20 hours of training with an instructor next to you before you're let loose on the roads alone. An hour can cost £20+

Me: "You've started lessons again?"
CW: "Yeah, I should be done by August. I just need to clear the January debt first."
Me: "January debt?"
CW: "Yeah, after spending money for Christmas you're left with a bunch of debt in January. It's going to be a lean month!"
Me: "You could just, you know, not spend as much as Christmas."

I was met with a blank stare.

[nobodyspecial]

Example of the typical workday stuff that happens were I am:

guy 1 to guy 2: Stop opening the door. I keep thinking it lunch.
guy 2 to guy 1: I'm sorry. You can eat me if you like
guy 1 to guy 2: That's hot.
guy 2: Drop it like it's hot (singing)

This happened today. Also today: guy #1 from the story above installed hand sanitizer boxes in a few areas. It comes out white and foamy, so he puts his hand under it and make an orgasm sound. Yep. And he's the highest level employee in the office I work in. All day, every day.

Sounds like a fun place to work

Hey it was hard enough to persaude doctors to wash their hands - don't discourage them

[MoonShadow]

Example of the typical workday stuff that happens were I am:

guy 1 to guy 2: Stop opening the door. I keep thinking it lunch.
guy 2 to guy 1: I'm sorry. You can eat me if you like
guy 1 to guy 2: That's hot.
guy 2: Drop it like it's hot (singing)

This happened today. Also today: guy #1 from the story above installed hand sanitizer boxes in a few areas. It comes out white and foamy, so he puts his hand under it and make an orgasm sound. Yep. And he's the highest level employee in the office I work in. All day, every day.

Sounds like a fun place to work

Hey it was hard enough to persaude doctors to wash their hands - don't discourage them

From my understanding, that was only because a nurse noticed the problem; and after all, what could she know about medical science!

[Malaysia41]

Anyone who follows one site side of the political spectrum, and feels like EVERYONE on the other side is a horrible person and none of their beliefs can possibly have merit, is a ignorant fool and is more problem than solution.  I really wish there was a way that I could unfollow a once fun thread.

Classic Group Attribution Error.  A common logic fallacy.

[LeRainDrop]

Wait a minute -- frugalnacho got moderated:

And for what it's worth, I've known many racist Asians, and most of them are conservative, and most of them are good people.

Does not compute.

I agree.  How can you be a conservative AND a good person?

[MOD NOTE:  Manners, please.  Rule #1]

But Gin1984 did not???

I am not a republican

... but any time anyone criticizes Republicans, I sure pop out of the woodwork to protest.

Maybe he takes his own advice and has friends that are Republicans, so he's sensitive to the all-too-common assertions that all Republicans are racist, and being racist is the only reason somebody would be a Republican.

Racist is not the only reason.  We have sexist, racist, homophobic, believing in the idea that your religion should be shoved down other's throats.  Or those who think money is more important than others having equal rights.  Lots of reasons, none of which are palatable.

[arebelspy]

Wait a minute -- frugalnacho got moderated:
...
But Gin1984 did not???

That's right.

Frugalnacho's post was reported.  Gin's was not. 

Do you think that the volunteer moderators read every post on the forums?

We don't.  That would be more than a full time job for more than one person.

If we happen to notice something breaking forum rules as we casually browse the forums for our own entertainment, we'll correct it, or we'll take a look at something if it's pointed out to us.

You can be helpful, with regards to the moderation (click the "report to moderator" button on the bottom left of every single post if you see something breaking forum rules), or ignore it, but complaining about unpaid mods missing something probably won't get you very far. ;)

[Joggernot]

Wait a minute -- frugalnacho got moderated:
...
But Gin1984 did not???

That's right.

Frugalnacho's post was reported.  Gin's was not. 

Do you think that the volunteer moderators read every post on the forums?

We don't.  That would be more than a full time job for more than one person.

If we happen to notice something breaking forum rules as we casually browse the forums for our own entertainment, we'll correct it, or we'll take a look at something if it's pointed out to us.

You can be helpful, with regards to the moderation (click the "report to moderator" button on the bottom left of every single post if you see something breaking forum rules), or ignore it, but complaining about unpaid mods missing something probably won't get you very far. ;)

The "report to moderator" seems to be at the bottom right on my screen.  YMMV

[arebelspy]

Oh right, thanks!  :)

I so rarely click it. ;)

[ender]

To be fair, it's generally a good idea as a moderator to always check the context for any report you get.

I've... seen a lot of very one sided moderation reports in my years as a moderator (not here) ;-)  The "report to moderators" functionality can be a pretty effective tool if moderators do not check context.

[LennStar]

To be fair, it's generally a good idea as a moderator to always check the context for any report you get.

I've... seen a lot of very one sided moderation reports in my years as a moderator (not here) ;-)  The "report to moderators" functionality can be a pretty effective tool if moderators do not check context.

thats why "hatespeech" deleting/blocking is such a problem. After all, "Woman have the right to drive a car" is hatespeech in Saudi Arabia and "Kurds have a right to live, too" in Turkey.

And then you hear at work (not just now, but happened) that a lot more should be censored to "protect people". Because looking away has always proofed to be a valid strategy to prevent something from happening.

[arebelspy]

To be fair, it's generally a good idea as a moderator to always check the context for any report you get.

I've... seen a lot of very one sided moderation reports in my years as a moderator (not here) ;-)  The "report to moderators" functionality can be a pretty effective tool if moderators do not check context.

We do look at context.  Have no fear on that count.

(Side note though: context does not equate to "someone else was rude, so I'm being rude back.")

And we also rarely (almost never?) straight out delete posts, or edit them to remove content.  We use the strikethrough, so the words are still there.  Not censored, just made clear they aren't appropriate.

[dragoncar]

To be fair, it's generally a good idea as a moderator to always check the context for any report you get.

I've... seen a lot of very one sided moderation reports in my years as a moderator (not here) ;-)  The "report to moderators" functionality can be a pretty effective tool if moderators do not check context.

We do look at context.  Have no fear on that count.

(Side note though: context does not equate to "someone else was rude, so I'm being rude back.")

And we also rarely (almost never?) straight out delete posts, or edit them to remove content.  We use the strikethrough, so the words are still there.  Not censored, just made clear they aren't appropriate.

I never learned to read strikethrough :-(

[arebelspy]

To be fair, it's generally a good idea as a moderator to always check the context for any report you get.

I've... seen a lot of very one sided moderation reports in my years as a moderator (not here) ;-)  The "report to moderators" functionality can be a pretty effective tool if moderators do not check context.

We do look at context.  Have no fear on that count.

(Side note though: context does not equate to "someone else was rude, so I'm being rude back.")

And we also rarely (almost never?) straight out delete posts, or edit them to remove content.  We use the strikethrough, so the words are still there.  Not censored, just made clear they aren't appropriate.

I never learned to read strikethrough :-(

Hit quote and read without, or copy/paste it to notepad.

;)

[dragoncar]

To be fair, it's generally a good idea as a moderator to always check the context for any report you get.

I've... seen a lot of very one sided moderation reports in my years as a moderator (not here) ;-)  The "report to moderators" functionality can be a pretty effective tool if moderators do not check context.

We do look at context.  Have no fear on that count.

(Side note though: context does not equate to "someone else was rude, so I'm being rude back.")

And we also rarely (almost never?) straight out delete posts, or edit them to remove content.  We use the strikethrough, so the words are still there.  Not censored, just made clear they aren't appropriate.

I never learned to read strikethrough :-(

Hit quote and read without, or copy/paste it to notepad.

;)

I had to highlight and right-click.. Chrome will display "search for..." option.  But it's still a pain.

Don't get me started on red text... incomprehensible

[frugalnacho]

Wait a minute -- frugalnacho got moderated:
...
But Gin1984 did not???

That's right.

Frugalnacho's post was reported.  Gin's was not. 

Do you think that the volunteer moderators read every post on the forums?

We don't.  That would be more than a full time job for more than one person.

If we happen to notice something breaking forum rules as we casually browse the forums for our own entertainment, we'll correct it, or we'll take a look at something if it's pointed out to us.

You can be helpful, with regards to the moderation (click the "report to moderator" button on the bottom left of every single post if you see something breaking forum rules), or ignore it, but complaining about unpaid mods missing something probably won't get you very far. ;)

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

[ender]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

[AllieVaulter]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

I assumed it was a joke, and I even laughed.  :)  But as someone who doesn't identify as Democrat or Republican, maybe I just have less skin in the game. 

I would agree that people should try to be respectful of others.  But if people honestly try not to offend anyone...  Nothing would ever be said.  And then someone would be offended by the silence.  At the ripe old age of 31 I'm pretty confident in my assessment that much of the world's problems stem from our over-readiness, even over-eagerness to be offended. 

Back on topic:  The other day, a friend (who works in STEM) bought $90 worth of Powerball tickets because "Someone has to win".  (at this point in the story I'm already shaking my head)  Then he tells me he did win!  He won $11.  So he bought a bottle of Champagne. 

[frugalnacho]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

Because it is out of character for me.  I don't think I have strong political leanings one way or the other, and I haven't been participating in the discussion bashing either side at any point in the thread.  I thought it was obvious as a joke because oinkette was clearly (to me at least) having some dissonance with someone simultaneously being a racist and a good person, and  I agreed with her, and then put in a twist that you probably weren't expecting.  That was the joke. Even after I explained it and expressed my intent was not malice you seemed not to get the second joke, which is LITERALLY the same joke.  I even took the liberty of striking it out so that it wouldn't be misinterpreted again.

Some people get offended way too easily.

[dragoncar]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

This is why I like trump so much...dude never says anything offensive

[arebelspy]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

This is why I like trump so much...dude never says anything offensive

[coin]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

This is why I like trump so much...dude never says anything offensive

Ok I had to stop and say this

YES DANGER FIVE!

*cough* Ahem. Anyway...

I had a coworker who thought that if you didn't have two TVs minimum in your house you were 'failing at life'.

I've also been hearing a lot of 'you need a minimum of a million to retire, two if you want to be comfortable!' statements lately. I sort of inwardly cringe at these comments, I don't know what to say beyond laughing and saying 'yeah as if I'll retire any time soon!'... which isn't a lie, but it seems quite close to it.

[Kitsune]

Yea wait, I got reported for that?  I thought it was obvious it was a joke.  I mean I don't lean very far in either direction, it was just an opportunistic joke. Apparently you can't be a conservative AND have a sense of humor.

Why would it be obviously a joke? Even what you wrote here comes across as a backhanded insult and "self moderating" (if you can call it that) doesn't really help.

The way to self moderate is to not say things other people find offensive.

This is why I like trump so much...dude never says anything offensive

Ok I had to stop and say this

YES DANGER FIVE!

*cough* Ahem. Anyway...

I had a coworker who thought that if you didn't have two TVs minimum in your house you were 'failing at life'.

I've also been hearing a lot of 'you need a minimum of a million to retire, two if you want to be comfortable!' statements lately. I sort of inwardly cringe at these comments, I don't know what to say beyond laughing and saying 'yeah as if I'll retire any time soon!'... which isn't a lie, but it seems quite close to it.

... If I spend enough time watching TV to MERIT two tvs in my house, I'll feel I've failed at life.

[LeRainDrop]

I've also been hearing a lot of 'you need a minimum of a million to retire, two if you want to be comfortable!' statements lately. I sort of inwardly cringe at these comments, I don't know what to say beyond laughing and saying 'yeah as if I'll retire any time soon!'... which isn't a lie, but it seems quite close to it.

Yes, for the last huge Powerball drawing, a dozen colleagues and I agreed to do a small pool.  A few of us said we had never played the lottery before, and for others, this was like their second or third time.  (Good so far.)  So we did not win the jackpot.  (Shocker.)  But we did win a measly $4, and decided to just buy a couple entries in the next drawing, rather than distribute 31 cents to each person.  Some of us were in a pretty joking conversation like, "I don't know, the next drawing is just $40 million.  Once we divide that up, it's like not even worth it!  Haha!"  Then it turned serious, and CW1 was like, "I could retire on $2 million."  And I said, "I would definitely retire if I got even $1 million."  CW1 did some calculations in her head and said, "That's just $55k per year.  You could live on $55k per year?"  And I'm like, "Definitely!  There's NO WAY that I could spend more than $55k per year!"  CW1 thought about it and resignedly said, "No, I would need at least a little more than that."  CW2 chimed in to agree with me that $55k per year is plenty to retire on.  But then CW3 (who does have a chronic health condition) chimed in that she would need to keep working for the health insurance.  And then once people realized you'd need to pay for healthcare after retirement, most everyone resigned that they couldn't retire on $1 or 2 million.  (Suckers.)

Later, each of us are in the process of setting our professional goals/plan that we need to submit to our boss.  CW4 comes to me, and we are struggling with what to write.  We agree that our honest goals would be to just do a good job, sock away money, and retire by age 40.  Of course, those are not acceptable things to write.  /It goes without saying that EVERYONE's goal is to make partner and work here forever, right?/

[MgoSam]

retire by age 40.  Of course, those are not acceptable things to write.  /It goes without saying that EVERYONE's goal is to make partner and work here forever, right?/

I don't know your work environment, but I would be wary of telling people there that you plan to retire early. Bosses generally want people that are dependent on their job as they know that they are going to get more utility out of them.

[LeRainDrop]

retire by age 40.  Of course, those are not acceptable things to write.  /It goes without saying that EVERYONE's goal is to make partner and work here forever, right?/

I don't know your work environment, but I would be wary of telling people there that you plan to retire early. Bosses generally want people that are dependent on their job as they know that they are going to get more utility out of them.

Oh, no doubt, I hear that.  There are three of us who are very close and have no problem sharing this type of goal with the other two.  Outwardly, we must project the partnership track -- hence, why we cannot write our true goals on our professional plan.  But honestly, two of us are at the point where we kind of don't care about concealing the goal all that much -- we would be completely fine moving on from here now, whether to take a break from work or to work elsewhere.

[babysnowbyrd]

From my understanding, that was only because a nurse noticed the problem; and after all, what could she know about medical science!

Incorrect. It was a doctor who championed this advice. Ignaz Semmelweis. It was met with considerable resistance and ridicule because the medical cocommunity wasn't willing to consider that they could be directly responsible for the deaths of patients and the spread of infections.

[RyanAtTanagra]

I thought it was obvious it was a joke.

It was, I laughed.  Though to be fair, it's hard to read sarcasm over text.  But to be even more fair, that was pretty obvious sarcasm (to me).

[MishMash]

More of an oversaw at work.  So for the last couple of years I've seen this very pricey BMW in the parking lot, the specialty license plate is O mst Go and the rear end is covered in Obama is an illegal immigrant, NObama (and more recently pro donald trump stickers).  For years I've been mentally profiling the owner without realizing it as the plethora of non removable, hate spewing, racist crap stickers increased.  I always figured old white man bitter that he's still working. 

Well today the owner of this car pulled into the space besides me and I saw them for the first time....95 lb Asian woman with a couple of Costco sized crates of cat food in the back seat, along with her cat print laptop bag and the radio was blaring some political AM station that was denouncing on how white people can't afford to live in this country any more, and how the Demoncraps have ruined this once great nation etc....yup, threw me for a loop.  The biggest anti Obama person in our office park is a crazy Asian cat lady folks.

**PS I'm also owned by a couple of cats, this just struck me as a huh....didn't see THAT one coming.

You didn't see that coming, probably because you have likely never taken the time to actually consider the viewpoints of your opposition. I am not a republican, but I've known many Asian republicans.  In my own experience, the Asian republican is more common than the American-of-African-Decent republican; but that might just be a local thing.  I'd challenge you to ask her about her real perspectives.  If you were to honestly consider them, I'd wager that you'd find that her responses are much more thoughtful than what you expected, and certainly more thoughtful than a bumper sticker slogan.  You probably would still disagree, but you might gain a better appreciation for differing viewpoints.

MoonShadow, I have to ask: do you often talk to vile-spewing racists, and have them respond thoughtfully?

Beltim, do you honestly think that an Asian woman driving a nice car with anti-Obama stickers is racist?

I don't think an Asian woman is racist because she is driving a nice car with anti-Obama stickers.  MishMash said she had "hate spewing, racist stickers" on the car (that's why I bolded that section).  That could make her racist, yes.

I'd say that is more likely to reflect upon MishMash's interpretations of anti-Obama bumper sticker slogans generally than the inner thoughts of a random Asian woman.  Actual quotes of said bumper stickers might be helpful here.

And to your response, how can you possibly know anything about how much MishMash has considered the viewpoints of her opposition?  It sure looks like you jumped to a conclusion there.

Obviously, there has been a whole lot of jumping going on.  Based upon what you write in other political threads, I'm surprised you're not exhausted yourself.

So yes, you jumped to a conclusion.

Yes, of course I did.  So did you.  So did MishMash, for that matter; which is why he was surprised.  Prey tell, how would any of us avoid conclusion jumping, based only upon a single forum post without any photos?

See I started the foam on this thread, my apologies everyone.

 Moonshadow, you and I will probably never see eye to eye, we haven't on pretty much anything you've posted, but seriously, you need to learn to take things at face value and not think everything is a conspiracy theory or that "someone's out to get ya".  When I say racist bumper stickers...I mean RACIST bumper stickers, not my interpretation of them.  I wasn't going to elaborate on them since I don't think any of them are worth so much as someone googling them, and dare someone actually click on one and give the creator a pay per click bump for perpetuating racism.  But, since you want to put your overly obviously biased opinions out there, she's got more then a couple with non veiled monkey comparisons. a 2012 one stating don't re-Nig in 2012, a reference to only idiots (with the O being the campaign symbol) are from Kenya or something along those lines.

PS I'm originally registered as a Republican, I'm now pretty much an independent as political parties seem to take turns selecting the most bat shit crazy politicians for election.  Around here though the stereotype on those types of bumper stickers is solidly in the old white men category heck, we are in DC after all.

[Malaysia41]

When I say racist bumper stickers...I mean RACIST bumper stickers, not my interpretation of them.  I wasn't going to elaborate on them since I don't think any of them are worth so much as someone googling them, and dare someone actually click on one and give the creator a pay per click bump for perpetuating racism.  But, since you want to put your overly obviously biased opinions out there, she's got more then a couple with non veiled monkey comparisons. a 2012 one stating don't re-Nig in 2012, a reference to only idiots (with the O being the campaign symbol) are from Kenya or something along those lines.

O_o !!!???!!!???  eye... twitching ...

[Rural]

When I say racist bumper stickers...I mean RACIST bumper stickers, not my interpretation of them.  I wasn't going to elaborate on them since I don't think any of them are worth so much as someone googling them, and dare someone actually click on one and give the creator a pay per click bump for perpetuating racism.  But, since you want to put your overly obviously biased opinions out there, she's got more then a couple with non veiled monkey comparisons. a 2012 one stating don't re-Nig in 2012, a reference to only idiots (with the O being the campaign symbol) are from Kenya or something along those lines.

O_o !!!???!!!???

I see you don't live near me. I quit counting those sometime in the winter of 2011-2012. To depressing.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

For whatever reason some Taiwanese don't like Chinese.  Some Chinese don't like Japanese. 

History and politics are enough to explain those feelings.

Yeah, I didn't really mean "for whatever reason."  I saw it mostly with the parents who had lived in those countries, and less in the kids who were mostly born here. 

I.. I was told I could listen to music at a reasonable volume from 11 to 12..

Most amplifiers only go to ten, but this one goes to eleven.

It's a time, not a volume.  Office Space 4tw.

I am guessing Beltim is well aware and looked at it as an opportunity to toss in a Spinal Tap joke (another cult classic you need to watch).  Nice work.

I wish I could claim credit for that excellent reference, but the Spinal Tap joke was TheGrimSqueaker's – perhaps unsurprising considering his user name (is that a Discworld reference?).

No, just a reference to a nickname I used to have.

[Malaysia41]

When I say racist bumper stickers...I mean RACIST bumper stickers, not my interpretation of them.  I wasn't going to elaborate on them since I don't think any of them are worth so much as someone googling them, and dare someone actually click on one and give the creator a pay per click bump for perpetuating racism.  But, since you want to put your overly obviously biased opinions out there, she's got more then a couple with non veiled monkey comparisons. a 2012 one stating don't re-Nig in 2012, a reference to only idiots (with the O being the campaign symbol) are from Kenya or something along those lines.

O_o !!!???!!!???

I see you don't live near me. I quit counting those sometime in the winter of 2011-2012. To depressing.

That makes me sad. :(

[MoonShadow]

don't re-Nig in 2012[/b],

I'll grant you this one, that's pretty blatant.

a reference to only idiots (with the O being the campaign symbol) are from Kenya or something along those lines.

That one, not so much.  That one is just a reversal of the 2004 one that said, "Somewhere in Texas, a village is missing it's idiot".  I saw that one for a while around here, because Democrats outnumber Republicans almost 2:1 around here.  Even still, it's hard for me to find anyone who will still admit to voting for Obama twice, and doesn't hold any regrets.

[arebelspy]

Even still, it's hard for me to find anyone who will still admit to voting for Obama twice, and doesn't hold any regrets.

I have a hard time finding someone who did vote for him twice that would go back and change it.

Wish he did some things differently?  Absolutely.

Would have switched to McCain or Romney?  No way.

If you meant the former, sure, there's some "regrets" by people who voted for him about how he's done things.  But if the latter, I think that's extremely rare.

(Disclaimer: I voted for none of the above mentioned people in 2008/2012; though I did vote, it was not for a candidate from one of the two main parties.)

[golden1]

I jumped parties and voted for Obama twice.  Hell, with this crop of people running, I'd vote for him a third time if I could.  While I don't agree with everything he has done obviously, I think he has generally done a good job, and I like having a smart articulate pragmatic person who generally believes in science as our president.   I also believe that at heart he is a good and decent human being.  FWIW, I believed many of the same things about Romney and I think he would have been a good president too. 

Back to the topic at hand: 

I have a co-worker who is a really nice guy but is constantly talking about stuff he buys, going out to eat etc....  I always wondered how he affords it all.  We normally get paid on Mondays at our work, and he asked me if today was our biweekly payday.  When I told him it was next week, he looked nervous and told me that he received a notice from his bank that he had less than $25 in his checking account.  Then five minutes after saying that he bought a $7 lunch on his credit card.....\\

[Papa Mustache]

I jumped parties and voted for Obama twice.  Hell, with this crop of people running, I'd vote for him a third time if I could.  While I don't agree with everything he has done obviously, I think he has generally done a good job, and I like having a smart articulate pragmatic person who generally believes in science as our president.   I also believe that at heart he is a good and decent human being.  FWIW, I believed many of the same things about Romney and I think he would have been a good president too. 

Back to the topic at hand: 

I have a co-worker who is a really nice guy but is constantly talking about stuff he buys, going out to eat etc....  I always wondered how he affords it all.  We normally get paid on Mondays at our work, and he asked me if today was our biweekly payday.  When I told him it was next week, he looked nervous and told me that he received a notice from his bank that he had less than $25 in his checking account.  Then five minutes after saying that he bought a $7 lunch on his credit card.....\\

Count me in with Golden1. He/she said it very well. I was considering voting for McCain until they brought in Sarah Palin. I thought Romney and McCain were/are both viable candidates. Sarah sunk McCain's ship for me.

[Apples]

Back to the topic at hand: 

I have a co-worker who is a really nice guy but is constantly talking about stuff he buys, going out to eat etc....  I always wondered how he affords it all.  We normally get paid on Mondays at our work, and he asked me if today was our biweekly payday.  When I told him it was next week, he looked nervous and told me that he received a notice from his bank that he had less than $25 in his checking account.  Then five minutes after saying that he bought a $7 lunch on his credit card.....\\

Ahhh yess "that guy".... I bet if you called him out on it, he'd say "But I can't make a lunch this cheap! - Yesterday I bought a bottle of coke when I gassed up the car, and in the gas station convenience store it was $3.00!" I know that guy.

Haha- I work with several of "those guys".  Drive me bonkers sometimes.

[MgoSam]

I jumped parties and voted for Obama twice.  Hell, with this crop of people running, I'd vote for him a third time if I could.  While I don't agree with everything he has done obviously, I think he has generally done a good job, and I like having a smart articulate pragmatic person who generally believes in science as our president.   I also believe that at heart he is a good and decent human being.  FWIW, I believed many of the same things about Romney and I think he would have been a good president too. 

Back to the topic at hand: 

I have a co-worker who is a really nice guy but is constantly talking about stuff he buys, going out to eat etc....  I always wondered how he affords it all.  We normally get paid on Mondays at our work, and he asked me if today was our biweekly payday.  When I told him it was next week, he looked nervous and told me that he received a notice from his bank that he had less than $25 in his checking account.  Then five minutes after saying that he bought a $7 lunch on his credit card.....\\

Count me in with Golden1. He/she said it very well. I was considering voting for McCain until they brought in Sarah Palin. I thought Romney and McCain were/are both viable candidates. Sarah sunk McCain's ship for me.

I did as well, and think that he's done a fairly great job, considering the hand he was dealt and comparing him to the people that he was running against. If he could run for a third term, I wouldn't hesitate to vote for him seeing the current slate of republicans running.

[Merrie]

Oh, I just thought of one. A lady at work broke up with her boyfriend who she'd been with for quite a length of time (a couple of years at least). She just basically wasn't that into him, he was undermotivated, a slacker, didn't help around the house, was jealous of her relationship with her grown child, etc. He wasn't happy about the breakup and wanted to get back with her. Eventually she took him back, and part of her reasoning was that the $350 he paid her in rent was really helpful.

[Kitsune]

Oh, I just thought of one. A lady at work broke up with her boyfriend who she'd been with for quite a length of time (a couple of years at least). She just basically wasn't that into him, he was undermotivated, a slacker, didn't help around the house, was jealous of her relationship with her grown child, etc. He wasn't happy about the breakup and wanted to get back with her. Eventually she took him back, and part of her reasoning was that the $350 he paid her in rent was really helpful.

... If part of my reasoning for sleeping with someone on a regular basis is 350$/month, I will have failed at life.

(Full disclaimer: I am a feminist who is generally pro-sex-worker's-rights and sex-positive. But seriously: if you're going to spend time/have sex with someone for money, it's probably in your best interest to negotiate a rate up front. 350$/month is a shit rate for putting up with someone like that.)

[Merrie]

I'm not sure if she cooks.

I told her that if she needs the money have him as her roommate, not her boyfriend. Or get a different roommate.

[frugalnacho]

Oh, I just thought of one. A lady at work broke up with her boyfriend who she'd been with for quite a length of time (a couple of years at least). She just basically wasn't that into him, he was undermotivated, a slacker, didn't help around the house, was jealous of her relationship with her grown child, etc. He wasn't happy about the breakup and wanted to get back with her. Eventually she took him back, and part of her reasoning was that the $350 he paid her in rent was really helpful.

... If part of my reasoning for sleeping with someone on a regular basis is 350$/month, I will have failed at life.

(Full disclaimer: I am a feminist who is generally pro-sex-worker's-rights and sex-positive. But seriously: if you're going to spend time/have sex with someone for money, it's probably in your best interest to negotiate a rate up front. 350$/month is a shit rate for putting up with someone like that.)

Well the dude is doing alright, $350 for a personal assistant with sex on the side. Does she cook for him too?

$350 mo = $4,200 /yr = $105,000 stash

[mm1970]

I jumped parties and voted for Obama twice.  Hell, with this crop of people running, I'd vote for him a third time if I could.  While I don't agree with everything he has done obviously, I think he has generally done a good job, and I like having a smart articulate pragmatic person who generally believes in science as our president.   I also believe that at heart he is a good and decent human being.  FWIW, I believed many of the same things about Romney and I think he would have been a good president too. 

Back to the topic at hand: 

I have a co-worker who is a really nice guy but is constantly talking about stuff he buys, going out to eat etc....  I always wondered how he affords it all.  We normally get paid on Mondays at our work, and he asked me if today was our biweekly payday.  When I told him it was next week, he looked nervous and told me that he received a notice from his bank that he had less than $25 in his checking account.  Then five minutes after saying that he bought a $7 lunch on his credit card.....\\

Count me in with Golden1. He/she said it very well. I was considering voting for McCain until they brought in Sarah Palin. I thought Romney and McCain were/are both viable candidates. Sarah sunk McCain's ship for me.

Yep.  I'm a registered Democrat, but I was planning on voting for McCain until then.

Even still, it's hard for me to find anyone who will still admit to voting for Obama twice, and doesn't hold any regrets.

I don't hold any regrets.  He's not perfect, but I support most of what he's done, or tried to do.

[partgypsy]

I  have a good friend who owns (has a mortgage) on a house, bought it and moved in with her boyfriend. She and the boyfriend broke up, so now are just roommates. However the weird thing was after they broke up she didn't tell anyone for a couple years (when I learned she told me not to tell anyone). Also she let him know if he starts going out with someone else he needs to move out. So far it is working out, but it seems controlling and could get messy in the future.

[runningthroughFIRE]

I  have a good friend who owns (has a mortgage) on a house, bought it and moved in with her boyfriend. She and the boyfriend broke up, so now are just roommates. However the weird thing was after they broke up she didn't tell anyone for a couple years (when I learned she told me not to tell anyone). Also she let him know if he starts going out with someone else he needs to move out. So far it is working out, but it seems controlling and could get messy in the future.

I'd get the hell out of there asap if I was the guy.  It is controlling (if somewhat understandable in a certain light), and even if I didn't have plans to see anyone else I'd leave based on principle.

[MrMoogle]

I jumped parties and voted for Obama twice.  Hell, with this crop of people running, I'd vote for him a third time if I could.  While I don't agree with everything he has done obviously, I think he has generally done a good job, and I like having a smart articulate pragmatic person who generally believes in science as our president.   I also believe that at heart he is a good and decent human being.  FWIW, I believed many of the same things about Romney and I think he would have been a good president too. 

Count me in with Golden1. He/she said it very well. I was considering voting for McCain until they brought in Sarah Palin. I thought Romney and McCain were/are both viable candidates. Sarah sunk McCain's ship for me.

Yep.  I'm a registered Democrat, but I was planning on voting for McCain until then.

Conservative, who voted for Romney and McCain, who does not like much of what Obama has done.
If it was Obama vs Clinton vs Trump, I'd go with Obama. 

[JordanOfGilead]

I  have a good friend who owns (has a mortgage) on a house, bought it and moved in with her boyfriend. She and the boyfriend broke up, so now are just roommates. However the weird thing was after they broke up she didn't tell anyone for a couple years (when I learned she told me not to tell anyone). Also she let him know if he starts going out with someone else he needs to move out. So far it is working out, but it seems controlling and could get messy in the future.

I'd get the hell out of there asap if I was the guy.  It is controlling (if somewhat understandable in a certain light), and even if I didn't have plans to see anyone else I'd leave based on principle.

Or a boundary, he IS free to leave (from what we can glean from a few words on the Internet). Likely more complicated, but we don't know enough to draw any real conclusions about either of them or their relationship, such as it is.

It really sounds like "we are both in this housing arrangement already and it's mutually beneficial, but can barely tolerate each other enough to live together and I couldn't handle seeing you around somebody else in my home right now."
I've been in a similar situation. It's reasonable.

[JordanOfGilead]

I've got a fresh one from this morning.

When discussing travel arrangements with a coworker for an upcoming business trip, the topic of which hotel to stay at came up. He suggested the local Hampton because he was able to call and get a deal on a group of rooms with fancy water jet bathtub things. I won't be traveling at the same time as him and a few others, so I suggested that I would stay at the Marriott since it's the same distance from our destination, I am part of their rewards points program, and the price is about the same with all discounts considered.

He scoffed at my lack of desire to have a hot tub in my room and suggested I "stop chasing points." After I mentioned that I've already saved up enough for a free night and intend to use the points to help (significantly) reduce the cost of a road trip with my wife later this year, he looked insulted and told me "just spend your money!" I was flabbergasted. Had no idea how to respond to that. Why would I go out of my way to get a room with something in it that I won't have time to enjoy on a business trip, when I could go to a hotel with accommodations that are just as comfortable and get points towards a free stay in the future in the process? All so that I can spend even more money on crap I don't need when I decide to treat my wife to a vacation? Ridiculous ...