Pet Peeves: Aka Things That Make You Go "Gah!"

[annzeepark914]

59 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Peeve:  when people go in about how certain lifestyles/upbringings are “real” as if others are not.  This is why we have class issues and refuse to discuss it as a society.  Depending on how I read the room or an individual, I probably won’t even bring up where I grew up, even if other people talk about how they did.  And I’m usually open about it, including how my so-called “immigrant upbringing” doesn’t fit the “narrative” so to speak (I’ve talked about this on my on my blog and podcast numerous times).  Like, am I not real?  Do I not live in “real life?” 

So, which lifestyles/upbringings are "real" according to these experts? 

[PRgal]

2 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

So, which lifestyles/upbringings are "real" according to these experts? 

Basically, if you had things “easy,” then your life isn’t “real.” 

[annzeepark914]

18 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Basically, if you had things “easy,” then your life isn’t “real.” 

These experts must've never read about people who financially had it easy but were emotionally destroyed by dysfunctional families.  

[PRgal]

37 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

These experts must've never read about people who financially had it easy but were emotionally destroyed by dysfunctional families.  

Or those pressured by parents to take over their businesses, even if they have zero interest.  

[oliviabenson]

Grass is greener on the other side.

[ginger90]

34 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

Grass is greener on the other side.

And by the septic tank. 😁

[Leeds]

On 8/4/2023 at 6:02 AM, millennium said:

I have never found Will Ferrell funny, which only compounds the problem.

I find Will Ferrell the opposite of funny and can't bear to watch him, except, ironically, in the cowbell skit for some reason (sorry).*   And then, just the other day I found him tolerable in the Barbie movie, possibly because his appearance was limited and he was somewhat muted, and perhaps also because otherwise I enjoyed the film so much.

* After years of hearing how funny and iconic and unmissable blah, blah, blah, SNL is/was, when I finally saw it I found it completely overrated and rarely funny, with the cowbell skit being a rare exception.  Sorry (again) for yucking on so many people's yums.  

[Laura Holt]

7 minutes ago, Leeds said:

* After years of hearing how funny and iconic and unmissable blah, blah, blah, SNL is/was, when I finally saw it I found it completely overrated and rarely funny, with the cowbell skit being a rare exception.

SNL, up to when I stopped watching, had funny, unmissable moments, but within a 90 minute show that had a lot of not very funny, sometimes downright stupid, moments.  We bought a few 'Best of...." DVDs for the SNL performers we liked and those include. of course, the SNL skits that hit our funnybone.  Watching a whole episode?  Not a chance.

[Laura Holt]

n/m peeve resolved!

Edited August 6, 2023 by Laura Holt

[Leeds]

47 minutes ago, Laura Holt said:

n/m peeve resolved!

 

Glad to hear it!  I don't have much hope for mine 😁

[StatisticalOutlier]

On 8/4/2023 at 6:39 PM, theredhead77 said:

Who knows. Maybe the people setting it up didn't feel the need to air the family's business.

They were obviously right, and it stuns me that people have given $135,000 without knowing what it's for.  Would people give differently if they knew the money would be used for hospital expenses as opposed to a new Porsche? 

Of course it's the donors' money to do with how they please, but I wonder how many of them really thought about the purpose of their donations, and understood that the money isn't earmarked for anything.  Of course, as far as I know people who get money via gofundme don't have to actually spend the money on what they say they're going to spend the money on, but at least they give a reason why the money might be needed.  But maybe donors can look at the photo of this family and be assured they wouldn't do anything untoward with the money.

And to be clear, these payments to a personal fundraiser aren't "tax-deductible donations" because the family is not a non-profit.  They can set up a non-profit to honor their son, and that's what people usually do.  But that's not what's going on here. 

[theredhead77]

1 hour ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

And to be clear, these payments to a personal fundraiser aren't "tax-deductible donations" because the family is not a non-profit.  They can set up a non-profit to honor their son, and that's what people usually do.  But that's not what's going on here. 

It's very clear, at least for me. I understand how GoFundMe works, and how it fills a gap to support our fellow persons that our "social systems" clearly failed at.

It seems that lots of people have it in their hearts to help strangers. Frankly, hearing this story gives me hope for humanity. Constantly bombarded with the societal attitude of "I've got mine, pull yourself up like I did", while pulling up the proverbial rope they used so the support systems that helped them aren't available to those who need it now, is so toxic and exhausting. (that's a peeve of mine).

FWIW, the family will have to pay taxes on that money as "other income".

 

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, theredhead77 said:

FWIW, the family will have to pay taxes on that money as "other income".

Where the intent of the "crowdsourcing" is to gather funds to cover the costs of life events, medical expenses, etc. and the contributors didn't receive any goods or services as an incentive to donating, it's generally considered a gift.  Gifts are not taxable unless over $17,000 (meaning if they got more more than $17,000 from any one person, not if they received more than $17,000 total from everyone).

Edited August 6, 2023 by Bastet

[theredhead77]

14 minutes ago, Bastet said:

Where the intent of the "crowdsourcing" is to gather funds to cover the costs of life events, medical expenses, etc. and the contributors didn't receive any goods or services as an incentive to donating, it's considered a gift.  Gifts are not taxable unless over $17,000 (meaning if they got more more than $17,000 from any one person, not if they received more than $17,000 total from everyone).

Huh. That's not how I understood the IRS section but I'm not a tax expert and am 100% comfortable being wrong.

Regardless, the rest of my thoughts on crowdsourcing and society's failures remain intact. 

Edited August 6, 2023 by theredhead77

[Bastet]

17 minutes ago, theredhead77 said:

Huh. That's not how I understood the IRS section but I'm not a tax expert and am 100% comfortable being wrong.

I left out an important word (and will edit)!  They're generally considered gifts.  As with all things taxes, there are exceptions (like if an employer donated to a fund for someone who works for them; that's counts towards the recipients gross income and is thus taxable at that rate).

And I should have noted GoFundMe and similar processing sites file a report with the IRS whenever anyone receives over a certain amount total, and that amount was recently dramatically reduced so that a lot of recipients are now the subject of one.  But that form being generated doesn't mean the income is taxable; it all comes down to whether or not it constitutes a gift.  The test is whether "contributions are made as a result of the contributors' detached and disinterested generosity, and without the contributors receiving or expecting to receive anything in return". 

[Kitty Redstone]

On 8/3/2023 at 10:54 AM, EtheltoTillie said:

The glasses have been found, and as usual, they are stuck under something in a corner where they land after they fall off the top of my head. 

This one is particularly funny, so I am sharing the photos.

 

I don't want to have to wear the string around my neck, because I use the glasses for very limited purposes.  TV watching and driving.  They are prescription glasses, post cataract surgery, and they are not needed at all for reading. 

Love your curtains! I'm a sucker for toile.

 

On 8/5/2023 at 10:39 AM, Browncoat said:

Argh!  My lawnmower is broken and it could be weeks before the lawnmower shop can fix it because they're backed up.  It has rained a LOT, so my yard is more like a jungle -- it's been about three weeks to a month since I last mowed. 

This won't help your immediate problem, but have you thought about getting rid of the grass? I've removed almost all the grass in the backyard and a lot in the front for perennials, shrubs and small trees. My original purpose was to benefit the birds and pollinators and to have something pretty to look at, but it's turned out to be less maintenance as well.

[EtheltoTillie]

Gifts are not taxable income to the recipient. The taxable discussion of gifts e.g. over $17,000 would apply to the giver in regard to IRS rules for estate and gift taxes for very wealthy people. Most givers would not actually owe any tax. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by EtheltoTillie

[Browncoat]

4 hours ago, Kitty Redstone said:

Love your curtains! I'm a sucker for toile.

 

This won't help your immediate problem, but have you thought about getting rid of the grass? I've removed almost all the grass in the backyard and a lot in the front for perennials, shrubs and small trees. My original purpose was to benefit the birds and pollinators and to have something pretty to look at, but it's turned out to be less maintenance as well.

I would love to get rid of the grass, especially to fescue, but I currently have neither the time nor money to do it.  I really want a clover lawn, even though white clover is an exotic invasive.  I do already leave a chunk unmown all summer.

[peacheslatour]

3 hours ago, Browncoat said:

I would love to get rid of the grass, especially to fescue, but I currently have neither the time nor money to do it.  I really want a clover lawn, even though white clover is an exotic invasive.  I do already leave a chunk unmown all summer.

I tried overseeding my lawn with clover all last spring. A lot of it came up and then just kind of went away. I'd love to have it professionally done. I hate grass.

[Kitty Redstone]

4 hours ago, Browncoat said:

I would love to get rid of the grass, especially to fescue, but I currently have neither the time nor money to do it.  I really want a clover lawn, even though white clover is an exotic invasive.  I do already leave a chunk unmown all summer.

I hear you. It's been a multi-year process to get it done here, and in order to save money many of the plants were small (quart size instead of gallon), or on clearance, or started from seed. To get rid of the grass I just covered it up with a couple layers of newspaper or paper bags and then covered that with mulch. Hauling the mulch was the most physically demanding part. Some people do completely dig out the grass to get rid of it but there was no way in hell I was doing that.

Clover yards are very pretty @peacheslatour. I bought some pink clover seed from someone on ebay a few winters ago but haven't tried it yet.

[nokat]

Not exactly a peeve but something I experienced today that bothers me. I was out walking to a store. It's quite a walk and I use my rollator. I don't see many pedestrians as this is a car mostly area. I'm walking home with frizzy hair as it was humid, with my purchases in my rollator, and passed a man and his daughter. I said hello (I'm rural, you can do that) and I got no response and the daughter AVERTED HER EYES. Did I look homeless? Did my need to use a mobility device cause embarrassment for me? Either way, why respond that way?

I feel I should elaborate. The daughter was a teen, not a child. Still, I shouldn't take it as an offense.

Edited August 7, 2023 by nokat

[annzeepark914]

On 8/6/2023 at 11:47 AM, Leeds said:

* After years of hearing how funny and iconic and unmissable blah, blah, blah, SNL is/was, when I finally saw it I found it completely overrated and rarely funny, with the cowbell skit being a rare exception.  Sorry (again) for yucking on so many people's yums.  

Did you see SNL in the early years? It started in 1975 with Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Lorraine Newman, Garrett Morris, etc. I stopped watching several years ago thanks to the dip in quality writers of sketches (except for Alec Baldwin's characters, Fred Armisen's, Bill Hader's, Kate McKinnon's...they were always wonderful). I just read somewhere that Tina Fey might take over if/when Lorne decides to retire. I never cared for her work (often kinda smutty).

[Laura Holt]

28 minutes ago, nokat said:

Did my need to use a mobility device cause embarrassment for me? Either way, why respond that way?

I can't answer your question but my aunt was in a wheelchair and it amazed me how often people would never meet her eye or talk directly to her.  It was like having a mobility issue meant she couldn't communicate for herself.  I don't think (or at least I hope anyway) that people are being intentionally hurtful.  But thoughtlessly hurtful isn't much better.

[peacheslatour]

12 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

Did you see SNL in the early years? It started in 1975 with Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Lorraine Newman, Garrett Morris, etc. I stopped watching several years ago thanks to the dip in quality writers of sketches (except for Alec Baldwin's characters, Fred Armisen's, Bill Hader's, Kate McKinnon's...they were always wonderful). I just read somewhere that Tina Fey might take over if/when Lorne decides to retire. I never cared for her work (often kinda smutty).

I loved the Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman and Kevin Nealon years.

[theredhead77]

47 minutes ago, nokat said:

I said hello (I'm rural, you can do that) and I got no response and the daughter AVERTED HER EYES.

She could have social anxiety, or another social challenge.

[nokat]

1 minute ago, theredhead77 said:

She could have social anxiety, or another social challenge.

Good point. I could see myself doing that in my youth.

[PRgal]

54 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

Did you see SNL in the early years? It started in 1975 with Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Lorraine Newman, Garrett Morris, etc. I stopped watching several years ago thanks to the dip in quality writers of sketches (except for Alec Baldwin's characters, Fred Armisen's, Bill Hader's, Kate McKinnon's...they were always wonderful). I just read somewhere that Tina Fey might take over if/when Lorne decides to retire. I never cared for her work (often kinda smutty).

For me, I don't think I really watched the show until I was in university.  My husband watched it during the Dana Carvey/Mike Myers years (on days he was allowed to stay up that late...we're Xennials and weren't even ALIVE when the show first premiered) though.

[annzeepark914]

37 minutes ago, PRgal said:

For me, I don't think I really watched the show until I was in university.  My husband watched it during the Dana Carvey/Mike Myers years (on days he was allowed to stay up that late...we're Xennials and weren't even ALIVE when the show first premiered) though.

Mike Myers--loved his cheeky monkey sketches (playing a kid in a bathtub). Dana Carvey as the Church Lady. Martin Short's Ed Grimsley (initially on SCTV) was hilarious.

[Bastet]

11 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

The taxable discussion of gifts e.g. over $17,000 would apply to the giver in regard to IRS rules for estate and gift taxes for very wealthy people. Most givers would not actually owe any tax. 

Yes, it would be the giver who would file and pay the gift tax if over $17,000 (I thought the recipient had to report it, but maybe not).  Except any part of the gift in excess of the $17,000 cap isn't taxable right away, it just counts towards their lifetime exclusion amount -- which is almost $13 million!  So only if those amounts over the annual limits added up to over the lifetime exclusion amount at some point in the giver's life would the gift tax kick in.  So, yeah, givers generally never wind up paying the gift tax.

Where the $17,000 limit is most commonly an issue for those who have that kind of money to give but aren't billionaire wealthy is the case of parents giving money to their adult children.  But if the parents give the gift out of a joint account, they can each give $17,000, so could give the kid $34k without having to report it.  (Not that reporting it would be a big deal if they wanted to give the kid more, since they'd never wind up giving $13m total!)

Edited August 7, 2023 by Bastet

[EtheltoTillie]

Pet peeve:  Instagram is limiting the number of hashtag posts you can see to 9 top posts when you are viewing on a computer.  But there is no such limit on a mobile device.  What's up with that?  Is there anyway around it?  I have searched in vain for an override.  I'm trying to view the projects of people who have made a particular dress pattern I'm planning to sew. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by EtheltoTillie

[dargosmydaddy]

3 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Pet peeve:  Instagram is limiting the number of hashtag posts you can see to 9 top posts when you are viewing on a computer.  But there is no such limit on a mobile device.  What's up with that?  Is there anyway around it?  I have searched in vain for an override.  I'm trying to view the projects of people who have made a particular dress pattern I'm planning to sew. 

This is a peeve of mine, too... All I know is that it happens periodically, but always seems to revert back eventually (like, weeks later... which is quite annoying when you're trying to search for things). I didn't realize it was a computer-only thing (as I only use it on the computer)-- how unfair!

[EtheltoTillie]

5 minutes ago, dargosmydaddy said:

This is a peeve of mine, too... All I know is that it happens periodically, but always seems to revert back eventually (like, weeks later... which is quite annoying when you're trying to search for things). I didn't realize it was a computer-only thing (as I only use it on the computer)-- how unfair!

I wouldn't have known about it but I saw a post about it on a reddit sewing sub.  Just when I wanted to review some patterns!

[Rose Quartz]

4 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Pet peeve:  Instagram is limiting the number of hashtag posts you can see to 9 top posts when you are viewing on a computer.  But there is no such limit on a mobile device.  What's up with that?  Is there anyway around it?  I have searched in vain for an override.  I'm trying to view the projects of people who have made a particular dress pattern I'm planning to sew. 

So far the only workaround I've found is really limited.  If you click on the last of the top posts and then click on the right arrow, you'll be taken to the most recent post using the hashtag.  From there you can continue clicking the right arrow to see older posts.  But I haven't found any way to search the posts or view them out of order.  It's a cumbersome workaround that's only effective if the hashtag isn't too popular and you only want to see recent posts. 🤷‍♀️

[roseha]

7 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Pet peeve:  Instagram is limiting the number of hashtag posts you can see to 9 top posts when you are viewing on a computer.  But there is no such limit on a mobile device.  What's up with that?  Is there anyway around it?  I have searched in vain for an override.  I'm trying to view the projects of people who have made a particular dress pattern I'm planning to sew. 

@EtheltoTillie I just looked myself and the same thing happened.  I think this is a new development and I have no idea why they are doing it.  What has always bugged me about Instagram, among other things, is that you can't post any pictures of your own unless you use a phone or a tablet.  I post some of my photographs, but have put off posting a new one because I'd have to email the picture then retrieve it from my email to post it via my Ipad!

This is in addition to all the junk Instagram has added since I joined it.  I originally wanted to use it to look at photography and art, but there are not only a ton of ads but all these irrelevant "reels" aka videos, mainly of celebrities, that I really didn't ask for, but when you scroll past one you still get more of them!

Separate but related peeve:  I am so tired of having to update technology.   I bought a new Ipad last year because my old one, which worked fine, would no longer support all the apps, not even Gmail!   Now I am afraid that my 2012 Mac Mini is on its last legs and I may have to buy a new one.  It already can't use my Adobe Photoshop CS6 anymore (new OS doesn't support mine) and if another OS comes along I may lose Lightroom.  Greedy tech companies.

[TattleTeeny]

Quote

It seems that lots of people have it in their hearts to help strangers. Frankly, hearing this story gives me hope for humanity. Constantly bombarded with the societal attitude of "I've got mine, pull yourself up like I did", while pulling up the proverbial rope they used so the support systems that helped them aren't available to those who need it now, is so toxic and exhausting. (that's a peeve of mine).

With you on this. Unless I can't or unless I know someone/something is totally full of crap, I generally contribute. I have been told that I'm probably being fooled here and there, or that it's not my problem, or that the person needing help "did it to him/her/themself," blah, blah, blah... But outside of making a possibly gullible error in judgment if the person is being dishonest, it doesn't hurt or say anything bad about me to have attempted to help.

 

Edited August 8, 2023 by TattleTeeny

[EtheltoTillie]

14 hours ago, Rose Quartz said:

So far the only workaround I've found is really limited.  If you click on the last of the top posts and then click on the right arrow, you'll be taken to the most recent post using the hashtag.  From there you can continue clicking the right arrow to see older posts.  But I haven't found any way to search the posts or view them out of order.  It's a cumbersome workaround that's only effective if the hashtag isn't too popular and you only want to see recent posts. 🤷‍♀️

Thanks for this!  I would never have figured this out. 

[dargosmydaddy]

13 hours ago, roseha said:

What has always bugged me about Instagram, among other things, is that you can't post any pictures of your own unless you use a phone or a tablet.

I have only ever used Instagram on a computer, and I can post photos.

[JTMacc99]

20 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

But there is no such limit on a mobile device.  What's up with that? 

Based on no actual facts at all, I would speculate that Facebook/Instagram wants to direct us to use the app because the apps are far more efficient at collecting data about us than is the PC.

The app is connected to you phone, which is connected to all the other apps you use and your microphone so it can listen to you. The PC site is nowhere near as invasive/helpful for Instagram.

/end conspiracy theory rant

[isalicat]

On 8/7/2023 at 10:04 AM, nokat said:

I said hello (I'm rural, you can do that) and I got no response and the daughter AVERTED HER EYES. Did I look homeless? Did my need to use a mobility device cause embarrassment for me? Either way, why respond that way?

I feel I should elaborate. The daughter was a teen, not a child. Still, I shouldn't take it as an offense.

I say hello to most people (and doggies!) I pass if I am walking, as I think it is rude not to acknowledge my fellow humans in close proximity, and this applied to when I lived way out in the mountains and now that I am in a kind of suburb by the beach. I would bet that people that don't say hi back, or look away, are super urban types that have been told to avoid eye contact or contact of any kind as city dwellers can react very weirdly these days and its considered a form of self-protection. So don't take it personally!

[nokat]

3 minutes ago, isalicat said:

I say hello to most people (and doggies!) I pass if I am walking

Yes to the doggies, if they are tail waving I'll say hi with the walkers consent. I'm recently from an area with a lot of homeless, and that is how people treat them, the eyes averted. This is rural, so if I remember it can be "we don't know you" so no hello.  Both urban and very rural can be like that.

[nokat]

I'm sure it differs with where you are. Do you avoid eye contact, do you do the nod, do you wave, do you say hello? I've lived in a place where you don't make eye contact with the homeless. They can be mean and demanding. Also have been in areas where you smile and wave at strangers. The most unfriendly place I've been is a small town in Pennsylvania, where they didn't take kindly to strangers.

So what do you all do in your towns or cities? It can be hard to navigate the norms in a new place.

[realityplease]

In Chicago, we were taught to smile or nod when passing neighbors, acquaintances or someone who makes eye contact - and especially in response if someone had smiled or nodded at you.  Nothing too lingering however, and obviously excepting crazies or anyone with whom you wouldn't want to engage. 

Upon entering an elevator (most especially in a building you live in) and even if you didn't know the people in the elevator (& unless jammed with many people), there too, you'd nod or smile or said good morning or good day or good evening upon entering, and upon exiting, have a nice day, or evening, as the case may be. It was deemed good manners to acknowledge people around you.  Friendly, but not overly involved. Found that to be the same in Boston and large East Coast cities. And London & Paris to some extent.

In Los Angeles, it runs more to extremes.  Full conversations struck up by strangers in elevators, checkers in stores, waiting in line at stores, etc. - or conversely, complete snubbing.  Doesn't bother me either way.  Sometimes it's too intrusive, other times too rude. But I never take it personally. I find, that it's nicer world when people are pleasant.  I don't need to know their life story - but find a smile or nod or acknowledgment is nice.   

[SuprSuprElevated]

I'm a talker. I'll strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Some are for it, others not. Just have to read the room so to speak. 

But yes, a smile and a nod to anyone close enough. See no reason not to, frankly.

[Laura Holt]

9 minutes ago, SuprSuprElevated said:

I'm a talker. I'll strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Some are for it, others not. Just have to read the room so to speak. 

But yes, a smile and a nod to anyone close enough. See no reason not to, frankly.

Same.  I'm not shy, happy to talk to anyone but I am selective about what I talk about.  I will back away fast if a total stranger veers into politics or religion.  That said this doesn't happen often.  Usually it's exciting topics like the weather.

I have noticed that I am far more likely to do the smile and nod when I am out and about in my small town - when I am in the Big City this is less likely.  Mainly because it seems like Big City folk walk with their heads down as if they're searching for money that might have fallen on the sidewalk.

[realityplease]

14 minutes ago, Laura Holt said:

I have noticed that I am far more likely to do the smile and nod when I am out and about in my small town - when I am in the Big City this is less likely.  Mainly because it seems like Big City folk walk with their heads down as if they're searching for money that might have fallen on the sidewalk.

And well they might be - absolutely nothing brought more glee to my mother than when she found a coin on the sidewalk!  Maybe it came out of being raised during the depression - but it absolutely made her day.

[peacheslatour]

44 minutes ago, SuprSuprElevated said:

I'm a talker. I'll strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Some are for it, others not. Just have to read the room so to speak. 

But yes, a smile and a nod to anyone close enough. See no reason not to, frankly.

I will if I'm in a store or other public venue where there are other people around. Not on the street. I've been hassled, followed and catcalled since I was nine years old. I avoid eye contact with men and don't talk to them.

[Ohiopirate02]

40 minutes ago, Laura Holt said:

Same.  I'm not shy, happy to talk to anyone but I am selective about what I talk about.  I will back away fast if a total stranger veers into politics or religion.  That said this doesn't happen often.  Usually it's exciting topics like the weather.

I have noticed that I am far more likely to do the smile and nod when I am out and about in my small town - when I am in the Big City this is less likely.  Mainly because it seems like Big City folk walk with their heads down as if they're searching for money that might have fallen on the sidewalk.

I was raised Big City adjacent and spent enough time there to learn at a young age how to divert my eyes while walking.  Making eye contact is the invisible sign you want to talk to them and you never know what is going to come next.  But you also are scanning the area and assessing the people around you.  Sometimes you will look up and risk making eye contact.  It depends on your personal threat assessment and how busy you are at that particular moment.  Running late, eyes stay glued to the pavement.  You never know how long it is going to take to remove yourself from the situation.  City folks will gladly help out a lost tourist if they have the time and said tourist is not a total idiot.    

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

I was raised Big City adjacent and spent enough time there to learn at a young age how to divert my eyes while walking.  Making eye contact is the invisible sign you want to talk to them and you never know what is going to come next.  But you also are scanning the area and assessing the people around you.  Sometimes you will look up and risk making eye contact.  It depends on your personal threat assessment and how busy you are at that particular moment.  Running late, eyes stay glued to the pavement.  You never know how long it is going to take to remove yourself from the situation.  City folks will gladly help out a lost tourist if they have the time and said tourist is not a total idiot.    

You overhear things sometimes.  I was at the gym and one of the trainers was talking to the receptionist about something that sounded highly political and I kind of rolled my eyes.  In fact, it made me uncomfortable.  I didn't want to say anything, since I didn't want to get them into trouble.

Peeve:  Due to certain legislation (am I allowed to say that here?), Facebook has banned all Canadians from sharing news on the platform.  Canadians can't even view news pages from outside of Canada, so I can't see CNN on Facebook.  Off to Elon I go, I guess...

[theredhead77]

10 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Canadians can't even view news pages from outside of Canada, so I can't see CNN on Facebook.  Off to Elon I go, I guess...

It looks like Canada is requiring tech companies to pay publishers when using their content which, for those interested, is why FB is blocking news, (wouldn't Twitter follow suit) but I'm confused. Are CNN and the BBC direct websites blocked in Canada? Why do you have to get your news from Facebook and Twitter instead of the direct news website?


 

[Laura Holt]

9 minutes ago, theredhead77 said:

Why do you have to get your news from Facebook and Twitter instead of the direct news website?

I am guessing it's convenience.  As far as I am aware there is no reason at all why we can't get our news direct from the source. 

The only impact I can foresee for myself personally is if I wanted to link a news story onto my FB page I am assuming it might be blocked.