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The grumpy old men's rant thread

19K views 206 replies 26 participants last post by  Reflex 
#1 · (Edited)
There are days when you want to get something off your chest and today is one of these days. In no particular order:

  • Crown guards on watches that don't really need it. Actually, no watch needs crown guards :D
  • Mercedes hands on watches that are not Rolex. Please, come up with something new.
  • 'Innovative' dive watch designs that turn out to be Sub clones with a yellow dial.
  • Watches with a case and bracelet made out of wood. Ha, ha, very funny. Toss them in the fireplace right now!
  • 'Fruit drinks' that contain 0.04% of the fruit so prominently portrayed on the label (the result of clever and consistent lobbying by the food industry). This is an utter and bloody disgrace and can be found all over the products on super market shelves. I know what to do with the b@stards that came up with this :mad:
  • Restaurants that try to pass off orange juice from a carton as 'fresh'. Really? Really?! We consistently send this back. Why? Because of the price they charge for this 'fresh' orange juice and I've heard all the excuses by now. "We squeeze our juice in the morning". DO NOT TRY TO CON ME!
  • Artisanal products at large. In my country 'artisanal' means absolutely nothing, it's not a protected description or something. Look, I make 'artisanal' cheese! Well, you know what you can do with your 'artisanal' cheese! :D

    Edit:
  • The term ‘rare’ used on eBay. The Mona Lisa is rare, not that silly beer bottle that has been made in the hundreds of thousands.
 
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#61 ·
Today is National Rant day! :D
 
#43 ·
Pet hate:

TLAs make me grumpy !!
 
#45 ·
IHY :D :D
 
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#47 ·
In The Netherlands it is illegal to hold something in your hand and/or operate it while driving a motor vehicle (bicycles will follow soon). They had to change the law because of all the excuses that were made up and convinced judges. “I just prevented my phone from falling to the floor, your honour”. No phones, no calculators, no dictaphones, nothing. The fine is 310 Euro. Most modern cars have a built-in hands free set and my employer supplies us with car kits free of charge -> safety first. But hands free or not, talking on the phone whilst driving is distracting.
 
#48 ·
And yes, it drives me crazy too. Women in my country are the biggest culprits. Especially in the city while driving on a multiple lane road. You can see them frantically tapping on their iGadget. Taking a quick glance every 20 seconds or so. Alas, cars nowadays come with active city braking, actually catering to this behaviour. Up to 60 kph, the car will brake by itself in case of an emergency. Read: the driver is tapping on his or her phone and not paying attention. Dang!
 
#49 ·
Okay, another one...
People are so afraid of confrontation that they refuse to address an issue that is adversely effecting them and/or their team at work. Confrontation doesn't have to be aggressive or blaming. It can be constructive and communicative. In my experience, usually the problem is **** communication to begin with! Confront the problem and partner on a solution for the betterment of everyone! ARGH!
 
#51 ·
Wow! Same here but I have no problems with addressing issues when and if they arrive. But there has been one that took all my courage so to speak. I once had a trainee in my team who had to do a project to graduate. His final year. He had everything against him: he was 22 but looked 16, very small for his age, with a less fortunate (financially) background and he wore hand me downs that were way to big. But the worst was his body odour. People came to my office to complain about this and they refused to let him help them with their computer or printer problems any more.

So I consulted a colleague of mine, an older and much wiser operational shift leader. He told me what I could do and a week later, after I had evaluated this trainee (his work was good and getting better once he'd become less shy) I sat him down with a cup of coffee and asked him how he was feeling, how his home situation was and so on. He told me his father had run off and that his mother was struggling to make ends meet. Washing machine very old and malfunctioning. Aha! So I steered the conversation to his tatty cloths and the fact that they smelled and that my colleagues complained about this.

He took it surprisingly well and said that he was aware of this. So we drew up an improvement plan. Fresh clothes every day, lose the fuzz on your upper lip and shower daily. I even suggested that he could take a shower at work, we were very well equipped. But I triggered all this with the question what he was planning to do after he received his diploma. Go looking for a job he said. So I asked him: if there are two candidates left, you and another person that is clean shaven, well dressed and has a fresh looking appearance but the same qualifications and work experience, who do you think will be chosen? Bingo, we have a winner! :D
 
#52 ·
And some of them have become very crafty with this. When asked point blank about their opinion, the usual answer is: "I concur with the opinion of the previous speaker!". Arghhhhhhhhhhh :mad:
 
#56 ·
Soft parenting. Here we go. I often revisit my early childhood and this is no exception. My father’s will was law. No talking back, strict return from playing outside at 18.00 sharp, no exceptions, no excuses were accepted. 18.01 meant: clip around the ears and no playing outside for a week and straight to bed. Not being allowed to play outside was real punishment, which is light years away from what happens nowadays. Children slouched on a couch and glued to an iGadged. To kick a ball, nick some potatoes to bake them in a tin can on a fire and chaffin both knees whilst running away from an angry neighbor are unknown events in 2018.

And when I see how some parents raise their children now, this started about a decade ago, I wonder what has happened. Over-protective mollycoddling is what I call it. When the temperature drops just a few degrees, playing outside is a no-no. “He might get sick”. Playing outside has become questionable in the first place, “he might fall and hurt himself”.

And the endless warnings followed by..... nothing at all. “Now, William, you know just well you mustn’t do this”. William doesn’t show any reaction. “William, if you don’t stop, mommy will get angry”. William continues ruining someone’s coffee table with a pen and pretends he didn’t hear mommy. Mommy is somewhat uneasy and now gets, really, really ‘angry’. But William turns around, sizes up his mommy and knows nothing will happen. Just like the other 324 times before.

And many parents think their child is a prodigy. Wow, he’s only three years old but can count to ten and back! A genius who must be placed at a school for gifted children. We had a parrot once who could do the same, in Bahassa Indonesia, because Anne had taught him to do so. Just a trick although I must admit the bird showed some intelligence :D

Please forgive me, I’m very grumpy today :D
 
#57 ·
Perhaps we're distantly related as we seem to have the same thoughts....lol!

I've on more than one occasion called out kids doing things in my presence where I thought their parents should have, but didn't. Each time I was hoping their parents would defend them from the big bad man who actually said don't do that, so I could call them out as well, but never happened.
 
#62 ·
Food trucks. Don't get me wrong, I love the (initial) concept. But the innocent, enthusiastic and almost childlike way it started out has been devoured by commercialism. (Turn-key, hipster 'food trucks' out of the box and secretly sponsored by big food companies who want to try out a new flavour of the month). What a buzz kill! Whole food truck festivals are organised now (Rrrolling....) but the spontaneity is all but gone. I've seen enough bearded men with a bun and a leather apron for the next 50 years, thank you. And those deep fried grasshoppers taste like cardboard :D
 
#67 ·
For the same reason I always go over a restaurant receipt. It wouldn’t be the first time they charged me for three bottles of water (five times more expensive than petrol :mad:) instead of two. “Ah, someone made a mistake, I’m so sorry”. Yeah, sure.....
 
#68 ·
Thermal printers perhaps? I know exactly what you mean. I tend to keep all the receipts that really matter (e.g. for warranty purposes) and noticed that too. They fade to a very light brown, almost illegible. That’s why I stick them on a piece of paper and make a copy. But only if it matters.
 
#74 ·
Last Wednesday we had a late lunch at an ‘Italian’ restaurant in the center of Rotterdam. We both had lasagne, Anne an ice tea and I had a white wine. Nothing special you might say. But none of the waiting staff spoke Dutch! When I asked why, the answer was: “This is an Italian restaurant”. What? They only spoke English. So in my own country, in one of the most Dutch cities there are I am forced to speak a foreign language. International, multi cultural, tourism, blah, blah, blah. We are selling out, that’s what it is! There are major universities here that started to conduct their most coveted courses in English, forcing Dutch students to take them in English as well. All for the money. Complicated enough in Dutch, let alone in the broken English some of the Dutch professors use. It’s a bloody shame!
 
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#75 ·
Many of the ‘star’ football players in the major European leagues receive more money per WEEK than the average worker earns in a year. Lately this has become ludicrous, I mean, isn’t 480K per week a bit too much? Nope, it’s even defended. And this is without the sponsor deals. And this is even dwarfed by what the top-10 F1 drivers receive, where 700K per week is quite acceptable. Did you notice that I avoid the word ‘earn’! ;) Kudos to all them guys who are in the right circumstances to be able to exploit their talents to such an extent. I hope they possess the wisdom to also do good with this.

In my neighbourhood the garbage men and street sweepers do an extraordinary job to keep things neat and clean and I often compliment them on this. They also exploit their talents but alas, no one is interested so the pay is accordingly. They have to work 10 years to earn the same as one of those footballers receives in one week. And I think their contribution to society is at least as much as important as that of those immensely spoiled prima donnas. I’m probably wrong.
 
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#77 ·
“Melty” cheese. Cheese can be solid, in the process of melting, or already melted. But it can never be MELTY! :mad:

Oh, and “cracked” eggs, as in cracked eggs with melty cheese on a yummy bun. I hope to God that they’re cracked. I don’t want egg shells on my breakfast sandwich!

It’s painful to watch the dumbing down of society to the lowest common denominator.
 
#78 ·
Made up 'problems' in TV-commercials. Boiling eggs has become one of those huge problems. So you can buy a device that literally replaces the perfect container (egg shell) that nature has provided. You crack the egg open and pour the content in the egg shaped plastic device and place that into a pan of boiling water. WTF? And the even bigger problem of sparkling water. You have to go all the way to the store (never heard of delivery?) and the guy in the commercial of course drops two of the bottles. Well, we have a solution to that huge problem. A device that carbonates tap water for you. What a relief! ;)
 
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#79 ·
Two grips today.


1. Being told by advertisers what I "need".


2. E-bikes. They are very popular here in Ontario, Canada. It's not the bikes themselves, but the stoopid riders who think they are motorcyclists. Riding down the middle of the lane, slowing traffic, not abiding by any rules of the road. Oh, did I mention they carry no insurance, licence, training, pay for no plate or renewal sticker! All because they have two tiny peddles which are never used.
 
#80 ·
Two grips today.


2. E-bikes. They are very popular here in Ontario, Canada. It's not the bikes themselves, but the stoopid riders who think they are motorcyclists. Riding down the middle of the lane, slowing traffic, not abiding by any rules of the road. Oh, did I mention they carry no insurance, licence, training, pay for no plate or renewal sticker! All because they have two tiny peddles which are never used.
Ah, yes. The sales of e-bikes have surpassed that of 'normal' bikes over here. The most accidents are causes by the elderly because they have no idea what power they are controlling. Or rather not controlling. And I see the same behaviour, they think that they have become a demi-god because they ride an e-bike. Not all of them off course.

Bikes that can go up to 35 Km/h autonomously (no pedalling), are classified as a light moped, must carry a plate (blue) and the owner must have mandatory insurance.

For e-bikes that can reach speeds up to 45 Km/h new legislation is in the making. They will be classified as a moped, must carry a plate (yellow), the owner must have mandatory insurance and wear a helmet.

And now there's a new phenomenon: tuning kits for e-bikes! They make the e-bikes reach speeds upwards of 70 Km/h! They are illegal to use on an e-bike but can be readily bought in e-bike stores (?). What I have gathered, the kits replace some main electronic components, add much thicker battery cables and remove power output restrictions. It drains the battery over twice as fast but hey, you can go 70 Km/h on a bike :mad: Utter madness! If something happens you are NOT insured and are liable for all damages inflicted on third parties. It can bankrupt you but hey, you can go 70 Km/h on a bike :mad:
 
#81 ·
I invite all members, you needn't be old, to vent in this thread! Get it all out :D
 
#83 ·
Wife & I were out for dinner a few nights ago for a special celebration. We frequent this place about 6 times a year. It's pricey. Two entrees, 2 salads, no booze or dessert sets us back about 3 c notes.
Problem is, that our server, whom we've had before, has taken to wearing perfume - & alot of it. She stunk! She is middle aged, no kid. It ruined our dinner. I told the owner quitely on the way out of our displeasure & he said he would speak to his staff.
Neither myself or my wife have any alergies to fragrance etc. Her odor would linger 10 minutes after she left our table. Gag!
Doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics etc post no body scent allowed. Why oh why does the service industry allow staff to be so offensive? It's not just this place, it's everywhere.
Was in a chicken place yesterday for lunch & a little old blue haired lady had such a cloud around her, we asked to be seated elsewhere. Where is the management & code of conduct for employees?
All we can do is vote with our wallet.
 
#86 ·
Wife & I were out for dinner a few nights ago for a special celebration. We frequent this place about 6 times a year. It's pricey. Two entrees, 2 salads, no booze or dessert sets us back about 3 c notes.
Problem is, that our server, whom we've had before, has taken to wearing perfume - & alot of it. She stunk! She is middle aged, no kid. It ruined our dinner. I told the owner quitely on the way out of our displeasure & he said he would speak to his staff.
Neither myself or my wife have any alergies to fragrance etc. Her odor would linger 10 minutes after she left our table. Gag!
Doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics etc post no body scent allowed. Why oh why does the service industry allow staff to be so offensive? It's not just this place, it's everywhere.
Was in a chicken place yesterday for lunch & a little old blue haired lady had such a cloud around her, we asked to be seated elsewhere. Where is the management & code of conduct for employees?
All we can do is vote with our wallet.
Over here this is the result of the lack of proper training, instruction and protocol. My brother has been in the restaurant business all of his life and he always tells me the importance of proper training is highly underestimated. He's 'old school'. He went to a catering industry trade school (there are two very good ones in Rotterdam) and did his exams after a proper education. Wine, etiquette, languages, etc., and after the first term opted for the 'white brigade' (chef) education. Another 4 years. The 'black brigade' are the waiting staff. I realise this could sound a bit offensive to American ears but waiting staff in the finer restaurants 30 years ago wore black attire (tails) and in the kitchen it was white cotton. Why white? Because you notice when it becomes dirty and thus unhygienic.

But good staff can be expensive so now you are waited upon by students making an extra buck. The menu always has to presented to the ladies present first but what do they know? I always make a comment on this when it's is not the case, and again during ordering. Waiting staff tends to address me first so I always point out that it's ladies first. Dang, it's so simple. How to make a table 'à blanc'? They even don't know what it means. But hey, they work for peanuts! (So you get monkeys :D).

But to be honest, there are enough restaurants that employ knowledgeable and well trained staff that are also able to 'read' a guest. Formal when formal needs be and relaxed when possible and required. Bu alas, that is mainly in Michelin star restaurants where this can be fully expected.
 
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