Overheard at Work

[partgypsy]

Why do people need this much Kleenex? (haven't bought Kleenex in years except for decorative box for office).

[dragoncar]

Why do people need this much Kleenex? (haven't bought Kleenex in years except for decorative box for office).

Some people get a cold/flu.  Some people have allergies.  Other people just poop a lot.

[irishbear99]

CW: You're lucky you can allow yourself to do that since you have someone at home to pay for things. If I stopped working I would lose my house in a few months.

...

And by they way, my BF is starting his PhD and in NO WAY pays my living expenses. You can feel free to go f*** yourself for that assumption.*

This story actually reminded me of one my previous bosses. He had mentioned one day that he needed to change his beneficiaries for his retirement accounts to list his wife first and his daughter second. When I asked, "What about your son?" (meaning, was he not also going to list his son as a beneficiary), he said, "Well, my daughter could marry a bum."

Cue the blank stare and the silent backing away. Sure, it's his decision to choose whomever he wants for his beneficiaries. But it took a lot of willpower not to say, "Or, you know, she could get an education and a job and support her damned self."

[Silverado]

CW: You're lucky you can allow yourself to do that since you have someone at home to pay for things. If I stopped working I would lose my house in a few months.

...

And by they way, my BF is starting his PhD and in NO WAY pays my living expenses. You can feel free to go f*** yourself for that assumption.*

This story actually reminded me of one my previous bosses. He had mentioned one day that he needed to change his beneficiaries for his retirement accounts to list his wife first and his daughter second. When I asked, "What about your son?" (meaning, was he not also going to list his son as a beneficiary), he said, "Well, my daughter could marry a bum."

Cue the blank stare and the silent backing away. Sure, it's his decision to choose whomever he wants for his beneficiaries. But it took a lot of willpower not to say, "Or, you know, she could get an education and a job and support her damned self."

I assume (in the original story) there is a lot of context missing. It's possible the CW merely thought it was a two income household. Love the immediate piling on by the haters.

What, and how much, do you people eat that gets on the throne for a number two more than once a day? Twice is abnormal for me. You need to eat things your body needs in proper amount and cut down on the waste.

If I read the tissue comments correctly, it seems like people are one blow and in the trash? That baffles me. I use a paper towel and will use it for blow after blow after blow, using square inch by square inch. Ditto for times when I grab a tissue or TP. There is some crazy waste going on around here.

[Megma]

Speaking as a female, buying Kleenex is a waste of time, to works just fine.
I might buy actual Kleenex if I have a cold  requiring lots of tissues because it is softer and your nose does get sore over time

Lady, you are still doing it wrong.
The one or two free packages of Kleenex (if they are build the same as our german Taschentücher) you get at the apothecary are for emergency on-the-road usage and last the whole year or even longer.
For all uses at home ESPECIALLY for a flu you use the paper for wiping your face clean of cosmetics etc. (german Kosmetiktücher)
It is way cheaper and way more softer (flu nose will say thank you) then kleenex. And easier to dispose without touching the stuff.


Speaking as a male who poops only one or twice a day my toilet paper rolls last for longer then a month.

Oh if I could get free taschentuecher... I'd have to buy them here (apparently you get them free?!?) and the per unit tissue price is much higher than a whole box. I'm not sure if we have kosmetiktuecher or not bc I haven't seen these in Germany so while I understand the translation, not sure we have the same thing...so I will have to carry on with my current illness strategy!

Now if you want to make some big bucks, start selling apfelschorle in the USA, shit is delicious and we don't have it!

[MgoSam]

This story actually reminded me of one my previous bosses. He had mentioned one day that he needed to change his beneficiaries for his retirement accounts to list his wife first and his daughter second. When I asked, "What about your son?" (meaning, was he not also going to list his son as a beneficiary), he said, "Well, my daughter could marry a bum."

I recall in "Millionaire Next Door," that they mention that this is not uncommon for parents to do.

[Ebrat]

Speaking as a female, buying Kleenex is a waste of time, to works just fine.
I might buy actual Kleenex if I have a cold  requiring lots of tissues because it is softer and your nose does get sore over time

Lady, you are still doing it wrong.
The one or two free packages of Kleenex (if they are build the same as our german Taschentücher) you get at the apothecary are for emergency on-the-road usage and last the whole year or even longer.
For all uses at home ESPECIALLY for a flu you use the paper for wiping your face clean of cosmetics etc. (german Kosmetiktücher)
It is way cheaper and way more softer (flu nose will say thank you) then kleenex. And easier to dispose without touching the stuff.


Speaking as a male who poops only one or twice a day my toilet paper rolls last for longer then a month.

If your nose is getting sore, you're using the tissue wrong . . . regardless of Kleenex or TP.  Take your right finger and place it against your right nostril, pushing it towards the nose until it's blocked.  Blow hard into tissue held below the nose.  Repeat on the left side.  Gently dab the nose once to remove excess in extreme cases.

Now you know how to blow your nose properly.  This technique works fine with burlap, I think you'll be OK with TP.

So...like a snot rocket, but holding a tissue?  I do like a good snot rocket

[arebelspy]

Now if you want to make some big bucks, start selling apfelschorle in the USA, shit is delicious and we don't have it!

I agree it's good, but isn't it basically equivalent to Martinelli's?

[shelivesthedream]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

[arebelspy]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

Sure we do!   Why just the other day I was blowing my nose on a handkerchief while hanging out at the soda fountain waiting for my shoes to get cobbled.

[Goldielocks]

The Kleenex has an advantage that if you need to keep it out for some reason, say on the kitchen counter, it looks nicer to guests than a roll of TP.  Maybe there's a market for decorative TP holders that dispense it upwards and slice it when you pull out a certain amount.

ooooh!  One of my wedding gifts was a homemade Kleenex box decorative cover, made to look like a fabric house with lace shingles and "smoke" (tissue) coming out of the chimney.   I bet that thing could cover a nice roll of TP.!!

 (I guess I was married pre BrideZilla era? ) 

[Taran Wanderer]

Looking for Kleenex, I came across the review from the mom who has teenage sons:

I want to start this off by thanking Kleenex for selling these in 36-packs. I've put it on subscription, and if they want to start selling a 72-pack, sign me up. I have three reasons for needing this much Kleenex, and their names are Liam, Samuel and Hank.

This is how it goes in this house. First the Kleenex disappears. Then the toilet paper. Then they go for fabrics. And you don't want it to get there, unless you're ready to invest in a five gallon drum of Fabreeze.

This used to be a good Christian home. But it's not about moral judgment anymore. I'm way beyond that. I'm in survival mode. If I don't supply absorbent paper products, I'm going to find my dish towels hidden in the basement, stiff as aluminum. The other day, I almost cut my hand on a sock. I am sorry to speak so frankly, but with three teenage boys, a woman has got to be practical.

The funny part is, they think they're being sneaky, with their 45 minute showers and sudden need for "privacy", as if I'm going to walk in on them journaling. They slink around the house like unfixed cats, while I try to announce my location at all times. No one needs to ask me to knock anymore. I knock on the walls. I practically wear a cow bell. I'm not looking to catch anyone by surprise, believe me. I'm just trying to get through this.

The other day my husband was watching me unload the groceries, and he asks me, all sweetness and light, "Honey, what're you doing with all that Kleenex?"

I about knocked him off his chair.

Okay, so I kept wondering why her three teenage sons were blowing their noses so much.  Then I realized...

[Kitsune]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

I do! :)

I found some lace and linen vintage ones on eBay for about 1$ each when my daughter was born. She was endlessly spitting up, and I was tired of Kleenex taking over my pockets, purse, sleeves, etc (and sometimes you're going somewhere, covering everything with flannel blankets isn't always practical...) the lace and nice fabric felt a lot less "I have been taken over b baby entropy" and a lot more "I can handle this". Probably cheaper in the long run, but honestly not the main concern. :)

[JordanOfGilead]

But all 'highway miles' so that makes it OK, right???   :)

lol - I love when I see a car for sale in any major city - ALL HIGHWAY MILES.

ooooh so the car spent it's life in stop and go traffic and constantly idling so there is probably way more wear and tear than the miles actually indicate.... lol

Highway miles generally indicate much less wear. Most highways in the US aren't gridlocked.

I believe they were implying that highway travel in major cities is about the same as repeated stop and go with intermittent idling.

[JordanOfGilead]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

I do! :)

I found some lace and linen vintage ones on eBay for about 1$ each when my daughter was born. She was endlessly spitting up, and I was tired of Kleenex taking over my pockets, purse, sleeves, etc (and sometimes you're going somewhere, covering everything with flannel blankets isn't always practical...) the lace and nice fabric felt a lot less "I have been taken over b baby entropy" and a lot more "I can handle this". Probably cheaper in the long run, but honestly not the main concern. :)

I use a handkerchief if I'm working outside around a lot of dust or pollen or if I am at a formal event and I have a cold, but generally I don't need to blow my nose enough to justify carrying one. I have a nice stack of monogramed ones in my dresser that I received as a gift from my grandmother when I graduated from high school though.

[Basenji]

I carry and use hankies. I carry one like Ford Prefect's towel.

[MandalayVA]

Looking for Kleenex, I came across the review from the mom who has teenage sons:

I want to start this off by thanking Kleenex for selling these in 36-packs. I've put it on subscription, and if they want to start selling a 72-pack, sign me up. I have three reasons for needing this much Kleenex, and their names are Liam, Samuel and Hank.

This is how it goes in this house. First the Kleenex disappears. Then the toilet paper. Then they go for fabrics. And you don't want it to get there, unless you're ready to invest in a five gallon drum of Fabreeze.

This used to be a good Christian home. But it's not about moral judgment anymore. I'm way beyond that. I'm in survival mode. If I don't supply absorbent paper products, I'm going to find my dish towels hidden in the basement, stiff as aluminum. The other day, I almost cut my hand on a sock. I am sorry to speak so frankly, but with three teenage boys, a woman has got to be practical.

The funny part is, they think they're being sneaky, with their 45 minute showers and sudden need for "privacy", as if I'm going to walk in on them journaling. They slink around the house like unfixed cats, while I try to announce my location at all times. No one needs to ask me to knock anymore. I knock on the walls. I practically wear a cow bell. I'm not looking to catch anyone by surprise, believe me. I'm just trying to get through this.

The other day my husband was watching me unload the groceries, and he asks me, all sweetness and light, "Honey, what're you doing with all that Kleenex?"

I about knocked him off his chair.

Okay, so I kept wondering why her three teenage sons were blowing their noses so much.  Then I realized...

Your post made the review even funnier. 

[HairyUpperLip]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

lol, my father does. :)

[pachnik]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

Yes, I use a hanky.  Where I live you can't find new ones in stores other than huge pocket squares for men so I buy them at flea markets.   My mom also brought a ton of them from Europe when they moved to Canada so I'm pretty stocked up.

The wood fibre in the kleenex really irritates my nose so don't like it for that reason.

[frugalnacho]

But all 'highway miles' so that makes it OK, right???   :)

lol - I love when I see a car for sale in any major city - ALL HIGHWAY MILES.

ooooh so the car spent it's life in stop and go traffic and constantly idling so there is probably way more wear and tear than the miles actually indicate.... lol

Highway miles generally indicate much less wear. Most highways in the US aren't gridlocked.

I believe they were implying that highway travel in major cities is about the same as repeated stop and go with intermittent idling.

I don't think that's accurate though.  Maybe during rush hour in larger cities, but it's still not as stop and go as city driving.  At least not in any of the major cities i've driven in.

[mlejw6]

I carry and use hankies. I carry one like Ford Prefect's towel.

Yes! This!
Apparently I am allergic to air, so I need to carry two hankies at all times. And I use them constantly.

[shelivesthedream]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

Yes, I use a hanky.  Where I live you can't find new ones in stores other than huge pocket squares for men so I buy them at flea markets.   My mom also brought a ton of them from Europe when they moved to Canada so I'm pretty stocked up.

The wood fibre in the kleenex really irritates my nose so don't like it for that reason.

I totally just buy and use massive man hankies. I have tried to buy second hand ones but they're all too small! Like barely 6" x 6". To be fair, though, the reason I carry a hanky is so that I can get a lot done in a day with just one square of cloth - nose blowing (admittedly rare unless I have an actual cold), minor bandaging, cleaning my glasses, wiping up minor spills, picking up gross things. It's an amazing multitasker. Please note that these almost never all happen on one hanky on one day... But if you have a proper hanky you can use four different corners and the middle before it starts getting a bit icky. If I had to carry around a whole pack of tissues and find a bin for them every time (even those little travel packs) I'd go nuts, but chucking a folded hanky in a pocket or bag is no big deal.

[chaskavitch]

My husband uses hankies too :)  I can't bring myself to do it most of the time, which is ridiculous.  They are awesome on hikes and camping trips, though. 

For Christmas he asked for hankies for himself and for putting around our dog's neck, and I think we received literally 20 hankies between our two families.  We are set for life.

[LennStar]

Oh if I could get free taschentuecher... I'd have to buy them here (apparently you get them free?!?) and the per unit tissue price is much higher than a whole box. I'm not sure if we have kosmetiktuecher or not bc I haven't seen these in Germany so while I understand the translation, not sure we have the same thing...so I will have to carry on with my current illness strategy!

Now if you want to make some big bucks, start selling apfelschorle in the USA, shit is delicious and we don't have it!

Haha, you made me curious and I searched a bit. Second hit on Amazon.de für Kosmetiktücher is "Kleenex original" - so much for that.
It seems there is quite a big difference even in those tissues.
I dont even remember where I got my last box from. About 3 years ago ;)
Regarding Taschentücher, you need to get a big box, its cheaper then buying the single 10x thingy.
Perhaps you can have Amazon bring something like this to the US?
http://www.amazon.de/Tempo-Taschent%C3%BCcher-Klassik-T%C3%BCcher-P%C3%A4ckchen/dp/B014SY8BRC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455116959&sr=8-1&keywords=taschent%C3%BCcher
Or this, with eucalyptus oil
http://www.amazon.de/dp/B00897WUMW

Anyway, fold them Kosmetiktücher on the line that is there anyway and it doesnt get wet if you are fast even with the water flu.
The Taschentücher I get free if I am in the drugstore when I am there to buy my allergy medicine. (or generally if you buy something there in the flu season)

@Apfelschorle: I will tell you a secret. You can just put applejuice together with bubbly mineral water and you have Apfelschorle. If you dont mean any special sort.

The wood fibre in the kleenex

O.O you are kidding? Paper with wood fibre isnt sold here anymore since years, not to mention for thinks you use near your nose. OMG

[JLee]

But all 'highway miles' so that makes it OK, right???   :)

lol - I love when I see a car for sale in any major city - ALL HIGHWAY MILES.

ooooh so the car spent it's life in stop and go traffic and constantly idling so there is probably way more wear and tear than the miles actually indicate.... lol

Highway miles generally indicate much less wear. Most highways in the US aren't gridlocked.

I believe they were implying that highway travel in major cities is about the same as repeated stop and go with intermittent idling.

I realize this, but it's pretty tough to rack up 20, 30, or 40,000 miles a year in stop and go traffic. Averaging 12mph, 30,000 miles would require almost seven hours of driving a day, every day of the year.

[Ashyukun]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

Yes, I use a hanky.  Where I live you can't find new ones in stores other than huge pocket squares for men so I buy them at flea markets.   My mom also brought a ton of them from Europe when they moved to Canada so I'm pretty stocked up.

The wood fibre in the kleenex really irritates my nose so don't like it for that reason.

I totally just buy and use massive man hankies. I have tried to buy second hand ones but they're all too small! Like barely 6" x 6". To be fair, though, the reason I carry a hanky is so that I can get a lot done in a day with just one square of cloth - nose blowing (admittedly rare unless I have an actual cold), minor bandaging, cleaning my glasses, wiping up minor spills, picking up gross things. It's an amazing multitasker. Please note that these almost never all happen on one hanky on one day... But if you have a proper hanky you can use four different corners and the middle before it starts getting a bit icky. If I had to carry around a whole pack of tissues and find a bin for them every time (even those little travel packs) I'd go nuts, but chucking a folded hanky in a pocket or bag is no big deal.

I use handkerchiefs as well. SWMBO thinks I'm nuts and can't stand them- she can't understand how I can 'carry around all that snot in my pocket'. Since I am not particularly inclined toward starting arguments I generally refrain from pointing out the number of used napkins/Kleenex/TP (she uses TP primarily for blowing her nose when around the house, and whatever she can find otherwise when away from home) that she has stuffed into the pockets and such in her car.

It kind of drives me nuts at home since she will go into the bathroom and reach over the toilet to grab a few squares of TP, blow her nose in it- and then have to open the cabinet under the sink to throw the used TP into the trash can there. No amount of prodding can get her to just throw it into the toilet that she's already standing right next to for it to be flushed down the next time someone uses the toilet. It wouldn't be so bad if she would empty the trash can when she notices it's gotten full of (mostly) her used TP Kleenexes and not just keep chucking them in there. Though at least there is some remote logic to her thinking she has to throw them in the trash can and not the toilet- she grew up in a house with a septic system and they were strongly discouraged from flushing anything that didn't HAVE to be flushed.

Personally, I prefer just carrying a hankie or two. I shudder to think how many rolls of TP we'd go through if I also used it as Kleenex...

[maco]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

I have several. I cut some squares off one of my bolts of linen and hemmed them. Then at my brother's wedding in the middle of summer, I found my dad wiping his eyes and the sweat off his forehead in the receiving line outside the church, with his bare hands. Not a hanky or pocket square in sight! Handily, I had a couple in my purse, so I gave him one to use, then made a note to sew him some linen hankies for Christmas that year.

[MgoSam]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

An amusing moment from my high school was a cross country meet. Someone on the women's team finished and was hugging her parents because it was her career's best and had snot and droll running down her face from the exertion. I tried to casually hand her my hanky (not wanting to embarrass the young woman). The father just broke down laughing, but all were very appreciative.

[Threshkin]

...Snip (highway miles)...

I realize this, but it's pretty tough to rack up 20, 30, or 40,000 miles a year in stop and go traffic. Averaging 12mph, 30,000 miles would require almost seven hours of driving a day, every day of the year.

Uber?  Lyft?

[JLee]

...Snip (highway miles)...

I realize this, but it's pretty tough to rack up 20, 30, or 40,000 miles a year in stop and go traffic. Averaging 12mph, 30,000 miles would require almost seven hours of driving a day, every day of the year.

Uber?  Lyft?

Sure, just like a taxi - but the vast majority of cars sold with high "highway miles" are highway miles, not 7 hours a day of stop and go.

[Beaker]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

Absolutely. Started off when I got into a sport that involved jumping in and out of water a lot, with all your gear. Kleenex are basically useless in that circumstance, hankies work just fine. I started off using bits cut from worn out pants, but my Grandma saw me and gave me a stack of my grandfather's old ones. Does using antique, second-hand handkerchiefs make me a hipster? :)

BTW, that whole "does not disintegrate" thing is even better when you have three days of stubble that shreds kleenex into obnoxious clingy bits.

[dragoncar]

No hanky here, but sometimes I use a kerchief

[JordanOfGilead]

No hanky here, but sometimes I use a kerchief

so ... a bandana?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerchief

I guess somebody should clarify that bandana is another word for a kerchief, whereas a HANDkerchief is commonly referred to as a hanky (although I've only ever heard it called that in conversation with children).

[Well Respected Man]

I have several. I cut some squares off one of my bolts of linen and hemmed them. Then at my brother's wedding in the middle of summer, I found my dad wiping his eyes and the sweat off his forehead in the receiving line outside the church, with his bare hands. Not a hanky or pocket square in sight! Handily, I had a couple in my purse, so I gave him one to use, then made a note to sew him some linen hankies for Christmas that year.

This is one of the best uses for your spare, clean handkerchief: damsel/knight in distress. Boom, clean handkerchief, and you are the hero. They are also great for outdoor winter activities.

[dragoncar]

No hanky here, but sometimes I use a kerchief

so ... a bandana?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerchief

I guess somebody should clarify that bandana is another word for a kerchief, whereas a HANDkerchief is commonly referred to as a hanky (although I've only ever heard it called that in conversation with children).

Yup.. Why buy a small kerchief that does in your pocket when you can have a full sized one that does double duty on your head?

[NoraLenderbee]

Does no one here use a hanky? It's handier and nicer to use (softer, does not disintegrate) for all but the grossest of colds.

Absolutely. Started off when I got into a sport that involved jumping in and out of water a lot, with all your gear. Kleenex are basically useless in that circumstance, hankies work just fine. I started off using bits cut from worn out pants, but my Grandma saw me and gave me a stack of my grandfather's old ones. Does using antique, second-hand handkerchiefs make me a hipster? :)

I use my grandmother's handkerchiefs. They are starting to wear out. She died in 1992.

[LeRainDrop]

No hanky here, but sometimes I use a kerchief

so ... a bandana?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerchief

I guess somebody should clarify that bandana is another word for a kerchief, whereas a HANDkerchief is commonly referred to as a hanky (although I've only ever heard it called that in conversation with children).

Yup.. Why buy a small kerchief that does in your pocket when you can have a full sized one that does double duty on your head?

Whatever happened to just using your sleeve?  ;-)

[horsepoor]

No hanky here, but sometimes I use a kerchief

so ... a bandana?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerchief

I guess somebody should clarify that bandana is another word for a kerchief, whereas a HANDkerchief is commonly referred to as a hanky (although I've only ever heard it called that in conversation with children).

That's what my dad used, but he called it his snot rag because he's classy that way.

[jprince7827]

Oh, my god, please stop with the handkerchiefs, toilet paper, bandanas and tissues! I've had to scroll through two whole pages of this garbage scanning for that oh so rare gem of an actual topic post. :P

[Elliot]

Yeah but what item are you crying into, is the question.

[Joggernot]

Yeah but what item are you crying into, is the question.

I cry in my beer, not my snot rag...

[JordanOfGilead]

...Snip (highway miles)...

I realize this, but it's pretty tough to rack up 20, 30, or 40,000 miles a year in stop and go traffic. Averaging 12mph, 30,000 miles would require almost seven hours of driving a day, every day of the year.

Uber?  Lyft?

Sure, just like a taxi - but the vast majority of cars sold with high "highway miles" are highway miles, not 7 hours a day of stop and go.

Even in speed limit highway traffic in the city (45 or 55 mph) the rush-hour congestion is so heavy that it will sometimes result in a lot of hard braking and acceleration for most (untrained/ignorant) drivers. I live in Dayton, Ohio and during rush hour there is heavy traffic all the way to Cincinnati (80-ish miles away). That means sudden braking and then hard acceleration to compensate for the loss of speed on a regular basis for most drivers for 160 miles a day for anybody that commutes between the two cities, which happens a lot more frequently than it should (in my last office, I was the only engineer that didn't live in Cincinnati out of 6). I know it's a bit of an exaggeration to say that all highway miles is worse than city miles, but in a lot of ways it causes different kinds of wear and tear on a vehicle depending on the area, and big cities happen to be the type of the area that tends to cause those kinds of wear and tear (paint damage from flying rocks, windshield chips from the same, suspension problems from uneven surfaces in construction zones, transmission wear from being in one gear at semi-high speeds all the time, engine wear from hard acceleration, brake system wear from hard braking, etc.) It is arguable that a car with high miles "all highway" is as bad as, if not worse than, a comparable car with lower miles in suburban or city traffic.

[JLee]

...Snip (highway miles)...

I realize this, but it's pretty tough to rack up 20, 30, or 40,000 miles a year in stop and go traffic. Averaging 12mph, 30,000 miles would require almost seven hours of driving a day, every day of the year.

Uber?  Lyft?

Sure, just like a taxi - but the vast majority of cars sold with high "highway miles" are highway miles, not 7 hours a day of stop and go.

Even in speed limit highway traffic in the city (45 or 55 mph) the rush-hour congestion is so heavy that it will sometimes result in a lot of hard braking and acceleration for most (untrained/ignorant) drivers. I live in Dayton, Ohio and during rush hour there is heavy traffic all the way to Cincinnati (80-ish miles away). That means sudden braking and then hard acceleration to compensate for the loss of speed on a regular basis for most drivers for 160 miles a day for anybody that commutes between the two cities, which happens a lot more frequently than it should (in my last office, I was the only engineer that didn't live in Cincinnati out of 6). I know it's a bit of an exaggeration to say that all highway miles is worse than city miles, but in a lot of ways it causes different kinds of wear and tear on a vehicle depending on the area, and big cities happen to be the type of the area that tends to cause those kinds of wear and tear (paint damage from flying rocks, windshield chips from the same, suspension problems from uneven surfaces in construction zones, transmission wear from being in one gear at semi-high speeds all the time, engine wear from hard acceleration, brake system wear from hard braking, etc.) It is arguable that a car with high miles "all highway" is as bad as, if not worse than, a comparable car with lower miles in suburban or city traffic.

I think we may have a fundamental difference in our perspectives of 'highway driving,' which may be the root of our disagreement.  Higher sustained speeds for longer periods of time are easier on a car than constantly accelerating/braking.  Outside of overly congested areas, "highway driving" is far different.  If somebody claimed 'highway miles' commuting in and out of NYC every day, absolutely...that's going to be a lot of wear compared to someone with an easy desert highway commute in Arizona.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl785h.htm
http://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/buying-a-used-car-why-are-highway-miles-better-225870
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2797635

[frugalnacho]

I think we may have a fundamental difference in our perspectives of 'highway driving,' which may be the root of our disagreement.  Higher sustained speeds for longer periods of time are easier on a car than constantly accelerating/braking.  Outside of overly congested areas, "highway driving" is far different.  If somebody claimed 'highway miles' commuting in and out of NYC every day, absolutely...that's going to be a lot of wear compared to someone with an easy desert highway commute in Arizona.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl785h.htm
http://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/buying-a-used-car-why-are-highway-miles-better-225870
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2797635

Even in NYC, wouldn't highway miles be far better than NYC city miles?

[JLee]

I think we may have a fundamental difference in our perspectives of 'highway driving,' which may be the root of our disagreement.  Higher sustained speeds for longer periods of time are easier on a car than constantly accelerating/braking.  Outside of overly congested areas, "highway driving" is far different.  If somebody claimed 'highway miles' commuting in and out of NYC every day, absolutely...that's going to be a lot of wear compared to someone with an easy desert highway commute in Arizona.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl785h.htm
http://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/buying-a-used-car-why-are-highway-miles-better-225870
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2797635

Even in NYC, wouldn't highway miles be far better than NYC city miles?

Oh yeah, NYC city traffic is brutal.

[zephyr911]

Even in NYC, wouldn't highway miles be far better than NYC city miles?

Unless you're well outside of the city, or driving at 2AM, there's not much difference.
Source: lived in Brooklyn for 5mos.

[Sam E]

Not so much of an "overheard" as a direct conversation, but one of the junior attorneys who works for me makes ~330K with his wife, they are 27.   He has not put a cent in to his 401K all year, and the 20K bonus went straight to his honeymoon.  I could kill him.

With that kind of money and my kind of spending I'd be a millionaire in 5 years even with my most spendypants behavior.

[JLee]

Even in NYC, wouldn't highway miles be far better than NYC city miles?

Unless you're well outside of the city, or driving at 2AM, there's not much difference.
Source: lived in Brooklyn for 5mos.

Probably less chance of getting ran into if you're not spending all your time on the city streets, though - the amount of body damage on NYC cars is crazy.

[zephyr911]

Probably less chance of getting ran into if you're not spending all your time on the city streets, though - the amount of body damage on NYC cars is crazy.

True that, but "highway miles" supposedly means less wear on powertrain components, brake systems, etc, and most body damage happens while parking/parked.

Toronto area here. My commute used to be 75km and just under an hour. The first 50 km were at 90 km/h to the freeway, then 110 km/h and took 30 minutes or so. The last 25 km took half an hour, still on the freeway, all stop & go. My office was right at the end of the exit ramp. All freeway miles when I sold my cars though.    :)

Hahaha... yeah, if by "freeway", you mean "parking lot".
I have two friends who once lived near Finch & Yonge in North York. They've since moved, but I remember the traffic. Such a blast to visit though. \m/

[Megma]

Now if you want to make some big bucks, start selling apfelschorle in the USA, shit is delicious and we don't have it!

I agree it's good, but isn't it basically equivalent to Martinelli's?

Ok I guess! But I'd like a smaller bottle. And Lennstar, solid point on mixing my own using mineral water. But I maintain you could make a lot by selling the real thing, we Americans are lazy and like convenience. 😀