Free Thread -- Two or Three kisses?
March 18, 2024 6:38 AM Subscribe
We've been enjoying Eugene Levy's The Reluctant Traveler on Apple TV+ -- this week's episode saw him in the South of France, where we delighted in his confusion about two (Provencal) or three (St Tropez) cheek kisses on greeting someone. How many would you give? (Or talk about anything you want!)
How many would you give?
Zero. I don't kiss strangers, even on the cheek. A polite handshake if it's a formal occasion, otherwise a head nod. This is the hill I will die on.
posted by tommasz at 7:16 AM on March 18 [9 favorites]
Zero. I don't kiss strangers, even on the cheek. A polite handshake if it's a formal occasion, otherwise a head nod. This is the hill I will die on.
posted by tommasz at 7:16 AM on March 18 [9 favorites]
I do the double-cheek air kiss if things roll that way.
...Towards the end of the last free thread I talked about how I woke up Saturday morning with A DRIVING AND ABUNDANT NEED to bake cookies. I think I just really, really needed a weekend of domesticity - work was a real beast last week (I'm still settling in, but occasionally running into some bumps - some of which comes from some imposter-syndrome neuroses I'm working on settling). My roommate had one house guest staying with us until Friday, but spontaneously another came in just as the first one was leaving for just a few extra days, and I promised him I would share cookies if they would just leave me alone in the damn house for a couple hours at some point, please please please.
Saturday's cookies did the trick - they were easier and so they were done faster. I made these insane chocolate and peanut butter cookies, with both chocolate and peanut butter in the dough, and with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and chopped-up Reeses' cups in them. It was a huge batch and filled four Tupperware boxes; when our current guest asked if she could have a couple, I handed her one entire box with a grin and said to go nuts. I also made a simple batch of shortbread, the kind you press into the pan, using REALLY good butter.
On Saturday I also made up the dough for some roll-and-cut cookies - some fancy French Breton Butter cookies, chocolate sables, lemon sables, and a coffee-and-almond butter cookie. I tried rolling them out on Sunday - and I don't quite know what the issue was, but they were going soft as soon as I took them out of the fridge and trying to roll and cut and transfer to the cookie sheet made for a huge mess. I gave up and threw everything back in the fridge again; I'll try rolling out some today, and just gradually roll out and cut and bake those through the week.
I also made some chocolate financiers to use up the egg whites left over from the shortbread; that also used up some hazelnut flour I've had in my pantry a while.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:37 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
...Towards the end of the last free thread I talked about how I woke up Saturday morning with A DRIVING AND ABUNDANT NEED to bake cookies. I think I just really, really needed a weekend of domesticity - work was a real beast last week (I'm still settling in, but occasionally running into some bumps - some of which comes from some imposter-syndrome neuroses I'm working on settling). My roommate had one house guest staying with us until Friday, but spontaneously another came in just as the first one was leaving for just a few extra days, and I promised him I would share cookies if they would just leave me alone in the damn house for a couple hours at some point, please please please.
Saturday's cookies did the trick - they were easier and so they were done faster. I made these insane chocolate and peanut butter cookies, with both chocolate and peanut butter in the dough, and with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and chopped-up Reeses' cups in them. It was a huge batch and filled four Tupperware boxes; when our current guest asked if she could have a couple, I handed her one entire box with a grin and said to go nuts. I also made a simple batch of shortbread, the kind you press into the pan, using REALLY good butter.
On Saturday I also made up the dough for some roll-and-cut cookies - some fancy French Breton Butter cookies, chocolate sables, lemon sables, and a coffee-and-almond butter cookie. I tried rolling them out on Sunday - and I don't quite know what the issue was, but they were going soft as soon as I took them out of the fridge and trying to roll and cut and transfer to the cookie sheet made for a huge mess. I gave up and threw everything back in the fridge again; I'll try rolling out some today, and just gradually roll out and cut and bake those through the week.
I also made some chocolate financiers to use up the egg whites left over from the shortbread; that also used up some hazelnut flour I've had in my pantry a while.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:37 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
Hard pass. While my German grammar is childish I’ve had several Germans volunteer that my accent is amazingly good for a non-native (my German immigrant grandmother was the German teacher at my school - I’ve forgotten half the words but not the nuance of mouth-feel). Point is: depending on the circumstances (expected social duration, potential for meeting again) I might attempt to pass myself off as an actual German with short, blunt sentences just to add an extra layer of “absolutely not tolerating any of this kissing bullshit.”
posted by Ryvar at 7:42 AM on March 18
posted by Ryvar at 7:42 AM on March 18
two (Provencal) or three (St Tropez) cheek kisses on greeting someone
Nah, nah forget that. Four Loire Valley style or GTFO.
posted by fiercekitten at 7:44 AM on March 18
Nah, nah forget that. Four Loire Valley style or GTFO.
posted by fiercekitten at 7:44 AM on March 18
Two kisses, but only if I know that it's expected (either I know them, or I let someone else go first). Hugs are more common in my circle.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:52 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
posted by Artful Codger at 7:52 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
(Also barely managing to pass myself off as German only to keep running into the same people over and over again for increasing durations and never being sure when to come clean sounds like a great comedic setup. And exactly the kind of shit I get myself into, and deserve.)
posted by Ryvar at 7:55 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
posted by Ryvar at 7:55 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
I reserve my kisses for my partner
when my sister starting initiating kisses, the rest of the family was scandalized.. believe me, we like a good hug but our Scots-to-Nova Scotia ancestry did not yield casual kissing as a social more
posted by elkevelvet at 7:57 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
when my sister starting initiating kisses, the rest of the family was scandalized.. believe me, we like a good hug but our Scots-to-Nova Scotia ancestry did not yield casual kissing as a social more
posted by elkevelvet at 7:57 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
We tried to watch Rhys Darby In Japan and it was so cringeworthy that it kind of soured us on celebrity travel shows in general. It made me like Rhys less, which was sad!
I will roll with whatever the kissing culture is. I like kisses.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:58 AM on March 18
I will roll with whatever the kissing culture is. I like kisses.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:58 AM on March 18
I miss refrigerator cookies, extruded with a cookie press, with hard icing on. My mom used to make them.
Can't eat them now, though. Gluten is verboten, and I am avoiding sugar. Ahh well.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:09 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]
Can't eat them now, though. Gluten is verboten, and I am avoiding sugar. Ahh well.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:09 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]
I had a job interview on Friday that I later turned into a storytelling comedy story. That should tell you about how that went. On my end it was fine, but let's just say that organization's stereotypes for their employees are...not stereotypes, and then they tried to give me a ticket for parking in visitor parking, as I was told to do. *eye-roll* As for storytelling, I went to a storytelling event Saturday. I haven't been able to write one in four years (thanks, pandemic!), and I managed to come up with one and tell it while I was there. So that went great. Bad job interviews make for good stories.
I have two interviews this morning and I can't wait to get those over with and then go have fun with my friends and get out of this boring, boring black business outfit. I am wearing all black because there's two hours in between the interviews (which are located within about 15 minutes of each other, no point in driving home in between) and I'll have to kill time in a restaurant and I WILL dribble down my shirt, no question. Man, I hate dressing like a boring corporate drone.
I did finally get an interview (of sorts...it's different standards when you are applying on disability) for a job at my organization--or at least it's organization-adjacent, it's not totally clear since it seems to be split between my usual organization and its sibling organization in the city--on Thursday. We'll see how that goes. Sadly they are insisting on in person, both for the interview and the job itself. And it's with a hiring manager and not the actual boss, who is on vacation, so that's another interview I'll have to do again, but what can you do. More corporate drone clothes. I'm hoping it works out because while I have some concerns, it sounds like the best of the options out there.
I admit I am not psyched to go back to work and get judged and told how awful I am again, and going back to not sleeping because I don't sleep well if I know when I have to get up at and it's early. Yesterday I was tired all damn day despite getting over 8 hours of sleep, started prepping to go to bed/taking sleeping pills at 9, went to bed at 10, and by 10:20 a.m. I could have danced all night, I was that not tired. Got six hours of sleep, which figures. I can't even drug myself into sleeping if I have to get up early.
I also found out that my HR lady friend is getting the same kind of nitpicking harassment from her new boss that I get at my job. Stuff like "it's highly offensive to say "first things first," and nitpicking whether or not you wrote "absent" vs. "out," and her probation report is full of nothing but awful. I'm horrified that someone who's had a good career for so long is getting sunk like this.
See, this is why I hated doing Morning Pages: if I'm up early writing, I am nothing but cranky-ass.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:13 AM on March 18 [7 favorites]
I have two interviews this morning and I can't wait to get those over with and then go have fun with my friends and get out of this boring, boring black business outfit. I am wearing all black because there's two hours in between the interviews (which are located within about 15 minutes of each other, no point in driving home in between) and I'll have to kill time in a restaurant and I WILL dribble down my shirt, no question. Man, I hate dressing like a boring corporate drone.
I did finally get an interview (of sorts...it's different standards when you are applying on disability) for a job at my organization--or at least it's organization-adjacent, it's not totally clear since it seems to be split between my usual organization and its sibling organization in the city--on Thursday. We'll see how that goes. Sadly they are insisting on in person, both for the interview and the job itself. And it's with a hiring manager and not the actual boss, who is on vacation, so that's another interview I'll have to do again, but what can you do. More corporate drone clothes. I'm hoping it works out because while I have some concerns, it sounds like the best of the options out there.
I admit I am not psyched to go back to work and get judged and told how awful I am again, and going back to not sleeping because I don't sleep well if I know when I have to get up at and it's early. Yesterday I was tired all damn day despite getting over 8 hours of sleep, started prepping to go to bed/taking sleeping pills at 9, went to bed at 10, and by 10:20 a.m. I could have danced all night, I was that not tired. Got six hours of sleep, which figures. I can't even drug myself into sleeping if I have to get up early.
I also found out that my HR lady friend is getting the same kind of nitpicking harassment from her new boss that I get at my job. Stuff like "it's highly offensive to say "first things first," and nitpicking whether or not you wrote "absent" vs. "out," and her probation report is full of nothing but awful. I'm horrified that someone who's had a good career for so long is getting sunk like this.
See, this is why I hated doing Morning Pages: if I'm up early writing, I am nothing but cranky-ass.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:13 AM on March 18 [7 favorites]
I've never experienced the cheek-kiss thing, I'd probably instinctively jerk away if somebody tried it. I don't think I've kissed anyone but my wife or dog in decades. My extended family isn't the kissing type.
Film student update: as I mentioned last time, last week was spring break, so I basically had to do my homework that's due this week but that's it. Last week was also quiet like I hoped, I got some stuff done at work but am still behind on some things. I haven't heard from my director/professor about the personal project, but it was his break too, I'm sure he was enjoying his time off.
This week -- The Fargo Film Festival. This was my first year on a jury, my category was Documentary Short. It starts tomorrow afternoon, and when I leave for lunch from work that day I'm off until next Monday. I intend to live on popcorn and fountain drinks for the next five days. My jury status also gets me into special dinners and other events and panels, and my wife may not see me again until Sunday, I'm not sure.
So, my cute story about getting on a jury is that the Festival had put a short Facebook post out about looking for volunteers for the 2024 season. I thought I might be an taking tickets or stuffing envelopes or such, so I sent a short note offering to help -- I forgot about it for a few months but then they sent me a link to a Zoom volunteer orientation and it quickly dawned on me that I inadvertently volunteered to join a jury.
But -- part of being on a jury means you DO have to work during the festival doing things that keep it going. I'm manning the merch table Friday morning, but the more exciting thing is Saturday afternoon: I'm performing "host" duties which means I get up in front and tell people to turn off their phones, introduce films, announce the break, etc., but I have something extra, two of the films have part of the production teams present. The first is a short documentary called "Chasin' Butterflies," about an eclectic artist in the South, and the director will be on hand; the other, "AJ Goes To The Dog Park" is a feature-length comedy made right here in Fargo, so literally everyone involved in the prodution is going to show up.
When we have people from the movie present, they do a Q&A after the film is shown, so I get to MC this as well. How I pitched my qualifications for hosting this session was that I'm comfortable in front of an audience and I've interviewed people before, so I'm really excited and hoping I do a good job.
The film made here in Fargo makes me nervous: I'm starting to see posters up all over town, calling this their world premiere. Between the production crew, the cast, and other interested people from the community, I may be working on front of a packed house.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:15 AM on March 18 [11 favorites]
Film student update: as I mentioned last time, last week was spring break, so I basically had to do my homework that's due this week but that's it. Last week was also quiet like I hoped, I got some stuff done at work but am still behind on some things. I haven't heard from my director/professor about the personal project, but it was his break too, I'm sure he was enjoying his time off.
This week -- The Fargo Film Festival. This was my first year on a jury, my category was Documentary Short. It starts tomorrow afternoon, and when I leave for lunch from work that day I'm off until next Monday. I intend to live on popcorn and fountain drinks for the next five days. My jury status also gets me into special dinners and other events and panels, and my wife may not see me again until Sunday, I'm not sure.
So, my cute story about getting on a jury is that the Festival had put a short Facebook post out about looking for volunteers for the 2024 season. I thought I might be an taking tickets or stuffing envelopes or such, so I sent a short note offering to help -- I forgot about it for a few months but then they sent me a link to a Zoom volunteer orientation and it quickly dawned on me that I inadvertently volunteered to join a jury.
But -- part of being on a jury means you DO have to work during the festival doing things that keep it going. I'm manning the merch table Friday morning, but the more exciting thing is Saturday afternoon: I'm performing "host" duties which means I get up in front and tell people to turn off their phones, introduce films, announce the break, etc., but I have something extra, two of the films have part of the production teams present. The first is a short documentary called "Chasin' Butterflies," about an eclectic artist in the South, and the director will be on hand; the other, "AJ Goes To The Dog Park" is a feature-length comedy made right here in Fargo, so literally everyone involved in the prodution is going to show up.
When we have people from the movie present, they do a Q&A after the film is shown, so I get to MC this as well. How I pitched my qualifications for hosting this session was that I'm comfortable in front of an audience and I've interviewed people before, so I'm really excited and hoping I do a good job.
The film made here in Fargo makes me nervous: I'm starting to see posters up all over town, calling this their world premiere. Between the production crew, the cast, and other interested people from the community, I may be working on front of a packed house.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:15 AM on March 18 [11 favorites]
I lived and worked in France for a very brief spell during my 20s, graduate school “what am I going to do with my life” period, and the cheek kissing was enough for me to write off the idea of settling there long term… The casual racism was one thing, but I simply could not imagine signing myself up for a lifetime of kissing my coworkers. (Cue Britta meme, “you can excuse racism but you draw the line at kissing?!”)
posted by btfreek at 8:18 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
posted by btfreek at 8:18 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
I have just tested positive for COVID for the first time ever and so I guess I will not be offering cheek-kisses to anyone.
posted by mittens at 8:19 AM on March 18 [6 favorites]
posted by mittens at 8:19 AM on March 18 [6 favorites]
(How Apple TV+ Cornered the Market on Prestige Dad TV (GQ, archive.is))
posted by box at 8:35 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 8:35 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Eén? Twee? Drie? This Netherlands commentator floats the hypothesis that three kisses was a Catholic plot instigated by premier Dries van Agt [RIP last month] in the late 70s.
posted by BobTheScientist at 8:41 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
posted by BobTheScientist at 8:41 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
That's pretty funny about Apple funding "Prestige Dad TV" because I've always thought there were way too fucking many dudes on Apple TV+. Stories about dudes. Stories by dudes. Stories starring dudes.
And why is Tom Hanks in everything they produce? Because he's the ultimate Avatar Dad? A good actor, but with a face and body merely average, so the Dad Viewer can just imagine themselves in the role? BAAARRRFFF
None of their dramas have landed at all for us. There are some good documentaries on there, though.
Also, and this seems to be an issue across all of their productions: the colour timing is washed out bullshit, and the audio mixes are treble heavy so as to be almost painful. (Possibly related to DADS having bad hearing?)
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:53 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
And why is Tom Hanks in everything they produce? Because he's the ultimate Avatar Dad? A good actor, but with a face and body merely average, so the Dad Viewer can just imagine themselves in the role? BAAARRRFFF
None of their dramas have landed at all for us. There are some good documentaries on there, though.
Also, and this seems to be an issue across all of their productions: the colour timing is washed out bullshit, and the audio mixes are treble heavy so as to be almost painful. (Possibly related to DADS having bad hearing?)
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:53 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
Spouse's Polish cousins have trained me into cheek kissing and I make an exception for them since they are lovely, lovely people.
I have officially admitted defeat and am turning my beloved office into a space for one of the cats as they cannot get along and need to be separated. Yesterday was spent outfitting a corner of the family room into a workspace for me. I have a lot of complicated feelings about giving up my office.
We are also getting estimates to upgrade the sunroom into a year-round space in the hope I can reclaim my office at some point.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 9:01 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
I have officially admitted defeat and am turning my beloved office into a space for one of the cats as they cannot get along and need to be separated. Yesterday was spent outfitting a corner of the family room into a workspace for me. I have a lot of complicated feelings about giving up my office.
We are also getting estimates to upgrade the sunroom into a year-round space in the hope I can reclaim my office at some point.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 9:01 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
With my wife being from the south of France, it's two air kisses, right cheek first, for everyone (including men) with a stronger relationship than say, shopkeeper - only when I'm in France, or with French people though. When in Rhône, etc.
It is rather amusing though when someone new does the la bise circle round the room, then pause at me and offer a solemn handshake to the obvious Brit.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 9:12 AM on March 18 [7 favorites]
It is rather amusing though when someone new does the la bise circle round the room, then pause at me and offer a solemn handshake to the obvious Brit.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 9:12 AM on March 18 [7 favorites]
The chile verde came out great last night, though next time I make it I want to try more of a liquid-with-green-bits rather blending the tomatillas and peppers into a sauce.
The weather here was uncharacteristically lovely this weekend. On Saturday I met some friends for an al fresco lunch (I had some very good fish and chips) at a local food cart pod, which was very nice. At one point the conversation turned to Rice Krispies marshmallow treats, and we workshopped various cereals to substitute for the Rice Krispies, which it turns out is pretty popular. We did, however, rule out Grape Nuts as an option. Whether or not anyone in the group subsequently makes $cereal marshmallow treats remains to be seen - it won't be me, I don't have much of a sweet tooth and I'm not a fan of marshmallow in particular.
I'm with tommasz regarding kissing.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:41 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
The weather here was uncharacteristically lovely this weekend. On Saturday I met some friends for an al fresco lunch (I had some very good fish and chips) at a local food cart pod, which was very nice. At one point the conversation turned to Rice Krispies marshmallow treats, and we workshopped various cereals to substitute for the Rice Krispies, which it turns out is pretty popular. We did, however, rule out Grape Nuts as an option. Whether or not anyone in the group subsequently makes $cereal marshmallow treats remains to be seen - it won't be me, I don't have much of a sweet tooth and I'm not a fan of marshmallow in particular.
I'm with tommasz regarding kissing.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:41 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
I'm more of a hugger.
posted by The Manwich Horror at 9:55 AM on March 18
posted by The Manwich Horror at 9:55 AM on March 18
How many would you give?
None. Also no hugs unless I really know you well*, and if at all possible I believe we ought to strongly consider the fist bump as the only suitable universal greeting.
* And by "well" I mean, there's ~10 people on the planet I actually welcome hugs from.
posted by jzb at 10:03 AM on March 18 [5 favorites]
None. Also no hugs unless I really know you well*, and if at all possible I believe we ought to strongly consider the fist bump as the only suitable universal greeting.
* And by "well" I mean, there's ~10 people on the planet I actually welcome hugs from.
posted by jzb at 10:03 AM on March 18 [5 favorites]
"Eén? Twee? Drie?"
My Dutch family does three, left right left. There was some bisou inflation going to four the last time I was there, but that could just have been me being irresistibly handsome.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:23 AM on March 18 [5 favorites]
My Dutch family does three, left right left. There was some bisou inflation going to four the last time I was there, but that could just have been me being irresistibly handsome.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:23 AM on March 18 [5 favorites]
The Italian/polish/English: 2 to 4 kisses for friends, hugs abundant, occasional head scratches to coworkers who I can see need boom defusal (consent asked first).
I have also learned I have a reputation in the office, but oh well 😅
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 10:52 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]
I have also learned I have a reputation in the office, but oh well 😅
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 10:52 AM on March 18 [2 favorites]
I have to share my favorite recent tweet (which I absorbed via the Fediverse, but I'll link the original from @tomgara:
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:59 AM on March 18 [10 favorites]
Randomly on this subject, my (Egyptian) wife had never heard of Stonehenge when I mentioned it recently, so I showed her photos of it, assuming she’d recognize the look but not the name etc, and she was just like, this is pathetic, your ancestors were small and weakI found this highly relatable, given that I am married to a Romanian who, upon being taken to the reconstructed Fort Massac by my parents, guffawed and said, "Even if this were the original fort--and it's not--my mom's house is older than this."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:59 AM on March 18 [10 favorites]
I absolutely do not like being touched. I get all Francis from STRIPES. I had never noticed until someone told me. She told me that I responded poorly to touch. And I think I said not bloodly likely as I am starved for physical affection.
And she then took one small step toward me and i jumped back like a cat shocked in a box with a lock.
Now I notice it all the time; that exchanging change at a store gives me huge shoulders to the ears crinkle nose and even i let out an audible gasp of pain sometimes. Shaking hands feels horrible. And i move around in lines a lot so that i have space.
i can't imagine being European and surviving.
That said Levy just has a film retrospective on GQ or Vanity Fair. I was wondering why.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 11:03 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
And she then took one small step toward me and i jumped back like a cat shocked in a box with a lock.
Now I notice it all the time; that exchanging change at a store gives me huge shoulders to the ears crinkle nose and even i let out an audible gasp of pain sometimes. Shaking hands feels horrible. And i move around in lines a lot so that i have space.
i can't imagine being European and surviving.
That said Levy just has a film retrospective on GQ or Vanity Fair. I was wondering why.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 11:03 AM on March 18 [3 favorites]
Stuff like "it's highly offensive to say "first things first"
Usually I can make a reasonable guess why some phrases are considered offensive but I'm absolutely drawing a blank on this one.
posted by tclark at 11:16 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Usually I can make a reasonable guess why some phrases are considered offensive but I'm absolutely drawing a blank on this one.
posted by tclark at 11:16 AM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Usually I can make a reasonable guess why some phrases are considered offensive but I'm absolutely drawing a blank on this one. [first things first]
Yeah, I would like more info on that too, as attempting to Google it with "problematic" or "offensive" just produces a crushing onslaught of results from the First Things First sports talk show on FS1, which deals with sports controversies, effectively burying the results we would be looking for.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:20 AM on March 18
Yeah, I would like more info on that too, as attempting to Google it with "problematic" or "offensive" just produces a crushing onslaught of results from the First Things First sports talk show on FS1, which deals with sports controversies, effectively burying the results we would be looking for.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:20 AM on March 18
I went to Provence last summer to visit my brother and it was no kisses at all for me, not anywhere there. Also, I spoke next to none of the French I had been refreshing for much of a year. It was wonderful. Possibly the best trip of my life.
posted by Peach at 11:23 AM on March 18
posted by Peach at 11:23 AM on March 18
Stuff like "it's highly offensive to say "first things first,"
What? Why is that offensive? Or is this ginned up corporate nonsense?
posted by axiom at 11:27 AM on March 18
What? Why is that offensive? Or is this ginned up corporate nonsense?
posted by axiom at 11:27 AM on March 18
I still remember the first time I saw a male family friend give my Mom a single cheek kiss. Cue surprised Pikachu face. lol
This time of year is weird for me. I've always been a bit introspective around my bday (it's tomorrow). But it's also the time of year I met The Late Mr. Nerd for the first time in person (3/15/96) and around the time we found out 10 years ago we were losing our house, and I almost lost Mr. Nerd 4 months before I actually did. So yeah, it sucks.
Spent lots of Friday after work in bed. Same thing with yesterday--went to "rest" at 4pm and pretty much stayed in bed the rest of the day.
I had a great day with my Darling on Saturday. Oh yeah, we also saw Paul Rodriguez at a comedy club Thursday night. It was great. Yes, my tip could have been better, but it took way too much effort to have the waitress not call Darling and I "ladies." (He's Trans.)
At least I get a free lunch today courtesy of one of the many food apps I've downloaded.
posted by luckynerd at 11:28 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
This time of year is weird for me. I've always been a bit introspective around my bday (it's tomorrow). But it's also the time of year I met The Late Mr. Nerd for the first time in person (3/15/96) and around the time we found out 10 years ago we were losing our house, and I almost lost Mr. Nerd 4 months before I actually did. So yeah, it sucks.
Spent lots of Friday after work in bed. Same thing with yesterday--went to "rest" at 4pm and pretty much stayed in bed the rest of the day.
I had a great day with my Darling on Saturday. Oh yeah, we also saw Paul Rodriguez at a comedy club Thursday night. It was great. Yes, my tip could have been better, but it took way too much effort to have the waitress not call Darling and I "ladies." (He's Trans.)
At least I get a free lunch today courtesy of one of the many food apps I've downloaded.
posted by luckynerd at 11:28 AM on March 18 [4 favorites]
I never would have taken MeraFilter for a “kiss and tell” kind of place, yet here we are.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:34 AM on March 18 [5 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:34 AM on March 18 [5 favorites]
Been off contract since the end of 2023 and have just lined up 2 different actually good sounding job prospects. One interview last Friday and one tomorrow and I'm not sure which I'd choose. Tomorrow should provide a lot more insight...or none at all. Raining//Pouring so I'm quite happy to feel like I'm on to something.
In unrelated news I just booked a trip to NOLA with an old friend to spend 3 days EATING ACROSS THE CITY
posted by djseafood at 12:02 PM on March 18 [4 favorites]
In unrelated news I just booked a trip to NOLA with an old friend to spend 3 days EATING ACROSS THE CITY
posted by djseafood at 12:02 PM on March 18 [4 favorites]
With my wife being from the south of France, it's two air kisses, right cheek first, for everyone (including men)...see, even if this is a known thing I still find a way to fuck it up by overthinking (is it like theater, where stage left is actually right...like, is it my right cheek or their right cheek?)
I say this from personal cringeworthy experience: Years ago at my good friend's engagement party with his French fiancee, and at the entryway I notice everyone is doing the double-kiss thing but there's no logic to the cheeks! So comes time to introduce myself to her mother (with everyone spectating OF COURSE) and I go for the double-kiss, but my brain spazzes out at the last second and yep, we meet in the middle for a very awkward lip graze....
Arghhh. See this is why I hate going to social events.
posted by jeremias at 12:12 PM on March 18 [4 favorites]
One or two kisses are all you need
to travel over the French greeting, over the deep
roughage of unshaven cheeks and through the stiff
flowers of personal space--- some deep
memory of bidding welcome, some cutting
knowledge of social awkwardness.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 12:18 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]
to travel over the French greeting, over the deep
roughage of unshaven cheeks and through the stiff
flowers of personal space--- some deep
memory of bidding welcome, some cutting
knowledge of social awkwardness.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 12:18 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]
This seems like a safe place to admit that my favorite character in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is Scorpia. Sure, she can appear a little off-putting at first: big, heavily armored, spikes, claws, scorpion tail. But she's a hugger! Her generally cheerfulness and camaraderie belie her overwhelming presence.
posted by SPrintF at 12:20 PM on March 18 [5 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 12:20 PM on March 18 [5 favorites]
I have family in Paris and they do two kisses, and somehow it always catches me off guard.
Here, we do one kiss/hug thing. I was hosting a party Thursday, and suddenly realized how I got corona after the same party in 2021. Duh.
You only kiss people you actually know. But then that includes everyone you know. This looks a bit oblique, but you know when you know.
I'm still quite overwhelmed after that party. My dog is surprisingly calm in spite of the lack of order. Being a host at a huge party is a weird thing, because you can't really connect with anyone, and everyone knows, but they still try to get your attention. It is a bit stressfull, even though everyone accepts the premises. I went to bed at half past seven yesterday, I slept most of the day today, and I think I'm heading to bed soon now.
posted by mumimor at 12:24 PM on March 18 [3 favorites]
Here, we do one kiss/hug thing. I was hosting a party Thursday, and suddenly realized how I got corona after the same party in 2021. Duh.
You only kiss people you actually know. But then that includes everyone you know. This looks a bit oblique, but you know when you know.
I'm still quite overwhelmed after that party. My dog is surprisingly calm in spite of the lack of order. Being a host at a huge party is a weird thing, because you can't really connect with anyone, and everyone knows, but they still try to get your attention. It is a bit stressfull, even though everyone accepts the premises. I went to bed at half past seven yesterday, I slept most of the day today, and I think I'm heading to bed soon now.
posted by mumimor at 12:24 PM on March 18 [3 favorites]
In Chile, for my generation it's one kiss on the cheek, but only there's at least 1 woman involved, always even in formal business contexts, even with complete strangers, which I've always found odd. The younger generations often kiss even if it's 2 men, which I find refreshing.
posted by signal at 12:41 PM on March 18
posted by signal at 12:41 PM on March 18
I don't even like exchanging emoji, but I'll shake hands, high five, hug, or kiss if the moment requires it. If it goes any further, though, I call dibs on top.
posted by pracowity at 12:45 PM on March 18
posted by pracowity at 12:45 PM on March 18
I regret to inform everyone that I, too, have fallen into playing Balatro, the solitaire poker game with customizable decks and a seemingly endless supply of special rules and upgrades to earn.
posted by JHarris at 12:55 PM on March 18
posted by JHarris at 12:55 PM on March 18
see, even if this is a known thing I still find a way to fuck it up by overthinking (is it like theater, where stage left is actually right...like, is it my right cheek or their right cheek?)
Thinking about it more, their cheek on the right from my point of view, which is actually my left cheek to their left cheek. Gah. The other way, starting on the left (so uh, actual right cheek to right cheek) is an indicator you're usually going for 3 kiss style. Sorry!
Option B - just say 'bisous' to indicate you would kiss them, but won't currently because you've already done it, getting to them is too hard, you're doing a video chat, or you have a cold. If they're not a personal friend then a handshake is a more appropriate greeting, unless everyone is doing it (e.g. group of friends) then it's back to les bises.
You also don't need to do it literally every time, just the first time you haven't seen them for a bit, and when you won't see them again for a while. But WTF do I know anyway, I'm British as a bowler hat.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 12:55 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Thinking about it more, their cheek on the right from my point of view, which is actually my left cheek to their left cheek. Gah. The other way, starting on the left (so uh, actual right cheek to right cheek) is an indicator you're usually going for 3 kiss style. Sorry!
Option B - just say 'bisous' to indicate you would kiss them, but won't currently because you've already done it, getting to them is too hard, you're doing a video chat, or you have a cold. If they're not a personal friend then a handshake is a more appropriate greeting, unless everyone is doing it (e.g. group of friends) then it's back to les bises.
You also don't need to do it literally every time, just the first time you haven't seen them for a bit, and when you won't see them again for a while. But WTF do I know anyway, I'm British as a bowler hat.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 12:55 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
I wouldn't object to the cheek kissing but have never experienced it, even in Europe/from European friends. Presumably I am just so incredibly U.S. midwestern in my nature and vibe that it's instinctively assumed I have zero sophistication or grace. (Which is true! But it's not because I'm U.S. midwestern, it's just because I'm awkward, clumsy, and was raised by wolves.)
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:55 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:55 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Job interviews went well, I eventually found a Popeye's to hang out at in between interviews (surprise, the nearest Starbucks had no seating?!), found the locations, everyone was nice, whew. Now I am back to normal clothes and eating that Popeye's.
As an FYI from two weeks ago, Joann's has now filed for bankruptcy.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:19 PM on March 18 [8 favorites]
As an FYI from two weeks ago, Joann's has now filed for bankruptcy.
The filing allows JOANN to continue to operate while it repays its debts, meaning no stores or online shopping is expected to be affected by the filing, according to a press release...JOANN expects to complete the Chapter 11 process as early as late April 2024, citing strong support from its financial stakeholders. Following this process, the company will likely become a private company, and shares will no longer be listed on Nasdaq or other national stock exchanges, according to the press release.https://www.joannforward.com/ This makes things sound pretty positive....?
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:19 PM on March 18 [8 favorites]
All this German coldness stuff is baffling to me. I suffered endless amounts of cheek kissing from untold numbers of German friends-of-family as a kid. IIRC most did the double, but I think some did the triple. I always hated it. And it wasn't just Germans. Other Europeans did the same thing. Maybe it has been a generational shift, but every German I knew was a huggy/kissy/grabby type.
posted by sardonyx at 1:21 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 1:21 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
The only episode of The Reluctant Traveler that I've watched was when he went to Amangiri in Utah. I watched that one because I know someone who works there, and I wanted to see some more of the place aside from what was on their website. It's an isolated place where people can go and be left the hell alone except for whatever help they desire from the staff. It's such a gorgeous area.
posted by azpenguin at 1:34 PM on March 18
posted by azpenguin at 1:34 PM on March 18
Stuff like "it's highly offensive to say "first things first,"
OOf. All signs point to get out as soon as expedient.
I got harangued by the VP at a previous job for swearing in a test system. The word I used was "crap". Apparently a woman using such language was offensive to his delicate sensibilities.
Part of what I was testing was the language filters. Gods help me if a "fuck" had gotten through.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 2:43 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
OOf. All signs point to get out as soon as expedient.
I got harangued by the VP at a previous job for swearing in a test system. The word I used was "crap". Apparently a woman using such language was offensive to his delicate sensibilities.
Part of what I was testing was the language filters. Gods help me if a "fuck" had gotten through.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 2:43 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Um, none? Unless it’s my girlfriend and then I’m going centerline, so a number between one and “get a room you two!”.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 2:49 PM on March 18
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 2:49 PM on March 18
butts.
Ohhhhhh, I thought "kissing cheeks" meant something else...
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:50 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Ohhhhhh, I thought "kissing cheeks" meant something else...
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:50 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Stuff like "it's highly offensive to say "first things first,"
What? Why is that offensive? Or is this ginned up corporate nonsense?
As a procrastinator I much prefer every possibly other thing first.
posted by srboisvert at 3:21 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
What? Why is that offensive? Or is this ginned up corporate nonsense?
As a procrastinator I much prefer every possibly other thing first.
posted by srboisvert at 3:21 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Procrastinator's motto: "Last things first"
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:02 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:02 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]
Saint Patty's is finally over which is a mixed bag because it's the best paying gig of the year if you're the fiddle player, but I get so sick of that music over the course of this weekend. I did have two people on Sunday inform me that I should smile more as I play, and when I relayed that to my mother, she suggested that I invest in some fangs, or stuff used to blacken out some of my teeth. Maybe both.
posted by wurl1tzer_c0 at 5:05 PM on March 18 [8 favorites]
posted by wurl1tzer_c0 at 5:05 PM on March 18 [8 favorites]
My favorite procrastinator's motto is:
Never put off for tomorrow what you can get out of doing entirely.
posted by MtDewd at 6:09 PM on March 18 [7 favorites]
Never put off for tomorrow what you can get out of doing entirely.
posted by MtDewd at 6:09 PM on March 18 [7 favorites]
Back in the 70s, I started making the assumption that things would continue pretty much as they had been. Back then, it made me an optimist.
Sometime in the late 80s, early 90s, that same attitude made me a realist.
In the 2000s, it made me a pessimist.
Now, with the very same attitude, I'm a doomer.
If you ever want to know why I assume that the world isn't going to come together, collaborate on rational solutions, and solve climate change, take a look at this thread. In the face of a global pandemic that's killed millions, we can't abandon traditions that put our lives at risk, that risk the lives of the sick and old and young and immunocompromised. It's not just that we can't be bothered to mask, we can't even be bothered to change how we greet each other. "Hi, nice to see you, here's the risk of death or long-term disability! Ciao!"
We can't do the simplest things for each other. We can't change, even if our lives depend on it.
Things are going to continue pretty much the way they have been.
Plan for the future accordingly.
posted by MrVisible at 6:22 PM on March 18 [5 favorites]
Sometime in the late 80s, early 90s, that same attitude made me a realist.
In the 2000s, it made me a pessimist.
Now, with the very same attitude, I'm a doomer.
If you ever want to know why I assume that the world isn't going to come together, collaborate on rational solutions, and solve climate change, take a look at this thread. In the face of a global pandemic that's killed millions, we can't abandon traditions that put our lives at risk, that risk the lives of the sick and old and young and immunocompromised. It's not just that we can't be bothered to mask, we can't even be bothered to change how we greet each other. "Hi, nice to see you, here's the risk of death or long-term disability! Ciao!"
We can't do the simplest things for each other. We can't change, even if our lives depend on it.
Things are going to continue pretty much the way they have been.
Plan for the future accordingly.
posted by MrVisible at 6:22 PM on March 18 [5 favorites]
Fuck it we're going to 5 kisses.
posted by BrotherCaine at 7:06 PM on March 18 [9 favorites]
posted by BrotherCaine at 7:06 PM on March 18 [9 favorites]
Fuck it we're going to 5 kisses.
This evidently does exist in some parts of France. I saw "Carte des Bises" with several regions with some respondents who said they did 5.
(It turns out that that the French are themselves quite interested in this topic... here is some 2016 data. It only goes up to 4, though.)
posted by ropeladder at 7:51 PM on March 18
This evidently does exist in some parts of France. I saw "Carte des Bises" with several regions with some respondents who said they did 5.
(It turns out that that the French are themselves quite interested in this topic... here is some 2016 data. It only goes up to 4, though.)
posted by ropeladder at 7:51 PM on March 18
(I'm sure there's a "goes up to 11" joke in here, but it's too late in the day for me to be able to tease it out)
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:13 PM on March 18 [3 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:13 PM on March 18 [3 favorites]
By the time you're doing 11 kisses, the risk of choking on someone else's vomit is growing pretty extreme...
posted by hippybear at 9:20 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 9:20 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]
Fuck it we're going to 5 kisses.
I assume this was a reference to the classic Onion article: Fuck Everything We’re Doing Five Blades.
From 2004. Jesus fucking Christ: it’s twenty years old. …y’know, the only reason I can say I haven’t wasted my life is that literally all human activities are, at a certain remove, equally and utterly futile.
Good night and have an uplifting week, Metafilter!
posted by Ryvar at 10:43 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]
I assume this was a reference to the classic Onion article: Fuck Everything We’re Doing Five Blades.
From 2004. Jesus fucking Christ: it’s twenty years old. …y’know, the only reason I can say I haven’t wasted my life is that literally all human activities are, at a certain remove, equally and utterly futile.
Good night and have an uplifting week, Metafilter!
posted by Ryvar at 10:43 PM on March 18 [2 favorites]
Pre-covid, yeah, sure: one, two, whatever - though generally really only people I like (and who I assume like me back.) Post covid? Fist bumps all around.
I've sprouted a bunch of walnuts and chestnuts, which I have to move to planters now. The long term plan is, yes, a plantation. It's also a head-fake to my own sense of climate-doom. Hope for the best and, go ahead and act like things will work out - because nothing came of all the nightmarish atomic-disaster chaos that rode rough-shod over my teens. Also, otherwise how the hell do you get through your days?
posted by From Bklyn at 3:02 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
I've sprouted a bunch of walnuts and chestnuts, which I have to move to planters now. The long term plan is, yes, a plantation. It's also a head-fake to my own sense of climate-doom. Hope for the best and, go ahead and act like things will work out - because nothing came of all the nightmarish atomic-disaster chaos that rode rough-shod over my teens. Also, otherwise how the hell do you get through your days?
posted by From Bklyn at 3:02 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
My general experience is that French people expect the kisses when in France, less so elsewhere. There were plenty of two kiss greetings with our Breton partners, none at all with the Nordistes on a 5 year project we just finished, but we never got to France to meet the latter due to Covid, meetings were mostly in Belgium, where there was no insistence on kissing, but maybe that was as we were working in Flanders and not Wallonia?
Its also worth mentioning that going straight to hugs can overstep boundaries in some countries, as I found out from my Italian colleague, the two cheek kisses is standard, hugging for her was for close friends and family.
Also met Swiss who were on for 4 cheek kisses.
posted by biffa at 5:30 AM on March 19 [2 favorites]
Its also worth mentioning that going straight to hugs can overstep boundaries in some countries, as I found out from my Italian colleague, the two cheek kisses is standard, hugging for her was for close friends and family.
Also met Swiss who were on for 4 cheek kisses.
posted by biffa at 5:30 AM on March 19 [2 favorites]
I don't even like exchanging emoji, but I'll shake hands, high five, hug, or kiss if the moment requires it.
Ugh. Shaking hands can be such a minefield sometimes. Will it be a simple grasp-n-shake? Two or three shakes? Or, will it be the ever-evolving combo of grasp, shake, soul-grasp, slide to finger clasp, pull into shoulder bump, and slap on back? Anymore, I just prefer to give a feeble wave and say “hi.”
posted by Thorzdad at 5:45 AM on March 19
Ugh. Shaking hands can be such a minefield sometimes. Will it be a simple grasp-n-shake? Two or three shakes? Or, will it be the ever-evolving combo of grasp, shake, soul-grasp, slide to finger clasp, pull into shoulder bump, and slap on back? Anymore, I just prefer to give a feeble wave and say “hi.”
posted by Thorzdad at 5:45 AM on March 19
Once you pass 4 kisses, you need to add something to warrant the extra kisses -- cheek, cheek, cheek, cheek, forehead, forehead, tip of nose, bite earlobe, deep kiss with no tongue (with tongue reserved for close friends)
posted by AzraelBrown at 5:49 AM on March 19 [2 favorites]
posted by AzraelBrown at 5:49 AM on March 19 [2 favorites]
While I'm working I have the coverage of Mulroney's lying-in-state on in the background. The family is receiving the dignitaries. The women of the family (wife, daughter and daughters-in-law) are getting kissed. The men (sons) are getting handshakes--at least from the men in attendance.
posted by sardonyx at 7:07 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 7:07 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
we like a good hug but our Scots-to-Nova Scotia ancestry did not yield casual kissing as a social more
“No, it’s just that my people are Nordic.”
posted by kirkaracha at 7:35 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
“No, it’s just that my people are Nordic.”
posted by kirkaracha at 7:35 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
Two in Paris, and it’s going to be really hard to stop doing this when I go back to England for a while!
posted by ellieBOA at 7:43 AM on March 19
posted by ellieBOA at 7:43 AM on March 19
coverage of Mulroney's lying-in-state on in the background
I cannot muster any genuine solemnity for the occasion, but I do look back wistfully at this period of Canadian politics when _this_ was conservatism
also, a golden period for Air Farce on the radio. my god they enjoyed doing their John Turner, Brian Mulroney.. "HI I'M ED BROADBENT" still makes me chuckle.. this was radio humour, it did not really translate to television imo
posted by elkevelvet at 8:16 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
I cannot muster any genuine solemnity for the occasion, but I do look back wistfully at this period of Canadian politics when _this_ was conservatism
also, a golden period for Air Farce on the radio. my god they enjoyed doing their John Turner, Brian Mulroney.. "HI I'M ED BROADBENT" still makes me chuckle.. this was radio humour, it did not really translate to television imo
posted by elkevelvet at 8:16 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
(I'm sure there's a "goes up to 11" joke in here, but it's too late in the day for me to be able to tease it out)
an 11 kiss society might go:
cheek
forehead
tip of nose
lips
other cheek
hand
hand
other other cheek
other other other cheek
left ear
right ear, executed with a subdued belch
who's with me
posted by elkevelvet at 8:22 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
an 11 kiss society might go:
cheek
forehead
tip of nose
lips
other cheek
hand
hand
other other cheek
other other other cheek
left ear
right ear, executed with a subdued belch
who's with me
posted by elkevelvet at 8:22 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
I awkwardly follow the lead of the person who I unwisely let get that close? ... Unless they're going for 11, I think I'd make an awkward escape after three or so.
I can report that the shelves are now up. The brackets had a scroll design that blocked the drill, and the screws were uncooperative. When I finally got the brackets up, it turned out the wall curved by a couple millimeters, enough for a funky gap at one end. But they're up. And I got lucky with everything else this weekend and the room is done, only a month behind schedule. It looks real nice! On to the next project...
posted by mersen at 8:29 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
I can report that the shelves are now up. The brackets had a scroll design that blocked the drill, and the screws were uncooperative. When I finally got the brackets up, it turned out the wall curved by a couple millimeters, enough for a funky gap at one end. But they're up. And I got lucky with everything else this weekend and the room is done, only a month behind schedule. It looks real nice! On to the next project...
posted by mersen at 8:29 AM on March 19 [1 favorite]
I'm with you, elkevelvet. I'm not watching with any sense of grief. I tuned for for the political and historical spectacle, that's all.
This piece from Rabble comes closer to my feelings on the man than anything being said today.
posted by sardonyx at 9:08 AM on March 19 [3 favorites]
This piece from Rabble comes closer to my feelings on the man than anything being said today.
posted by sardonyx at 9:08 AM on March 19 [3 favorites]
*blink blink*
....So the latter half of last year I was working part-time for this construction company while doing more permanent job hunting. It was a super-small spot; you had the two owners, their two wives, an extremely harried operations manager, a few designers, and me. They liked me a lot - my boss especially - and tried to figure out a way to keep me on; but the owners were a little wishy-washy about things (one was a bit of a space-cadet who did better with building and design than anything else, and the other was very tight-fisted to the point that we had no benefits). My direct boss did about 87 kinds of mental gymnastics trying to come up with some way to justify a) paying me more than a pittance and b) getting them to kick something in for health insurance. They didn't budge, I moved on. At some point in there, my boss confided that he may start looking for other work himself at some point.
Today I had a call from my old boss at that job asking how things were going at my new place. "Well, busy, but....so far so good. Why?"
"Well, I've gotten another job, and I start in a couple weeks. And - the owners asked me to call you and find out if YOU would be interested in MY old job."
* blink blink *
"Yeah, so lemme tell you about the benefits I have where I am now..." and I went through the whole list.
He immediately said, "yeah, forget I said anything, stay there."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:33 PM on March 19 [8 favorites]
....So the latter half of last year I was working part-time for this construction company while doing more permanent job hunting. It was a super-small spot; you had the two owners, their two wives, an extremely harried operations manager, a few designers, and me. They liked me a lot - my boss especially - and tried to figure out a way to keep me on; but the owners were a little wishy-washy about things (one was a bit of a space-cadet who did better with building and design than anything else, and the other was very tight-fisted to the point that we had no benefits). My direct boss did about 87 kinds of mental gymnastics trying to come up with some way to justify a) paying me more than a pittance and b) getting them to kick something in for health insurance. They didn't budge, I moved on. At some point in there, my boss confided that he may start looking for other work himself at some point.
Today I had a call from my old boss at that job asking how things were going at my new place. "Well, busy, but....so far so good. Why?"
"Well, I've gotten another job, and I start in a couple weeks. And - the owners asked me to call you and find out if YOU would be interested in MY old job."
* blink blink *
"Yeah, so lemme tell you about the benefits I have where I am now..." and I went through the whole list.
He immediately said, "yeah, forget I said anything, stay there."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:33 PM on March 19 [8 favorites]
Ryvar, yes that prophetic Onion article was my intent, but twenty years old is a bit too old to be referencing (sigh). Was listening to Lorde's 'Royals' today at some burger joint and realizing that it's like ten plus years old at this point too. Sometimes time passes so quickly I feel like I'm sliding down a greased rail to the columbarium.
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:17 PM on March 19 [1 favorite]
posted by BrotherCaine at 6:17 PM on March 19 [1 favorite]
Was listening to Lorde's 'Royals' today at some burger joint and realizing that it's like ten plus years old at this point too.
Frankie
Say
40
Years
Old
posted by hippybear at 6:28 PM on March 19 [2 favorites]
Frankie
Say
40
Years
Old
posted by hippybear at 6:28 PM on March 19 [2 favorites]
I will add more later, but I have an interview for a promising job scheduled for 11:30 am EDT this morning. I would appreciate any prayers, best wishes, karmic energy, or powerful brain beams you could send my way at that time.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 4:55 AM on March 20 [7 favorites]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 4:55 AM on March 20 [7 favorites]
I would appreciate the same sort of well wishes, prayers, etc. for mine on Thurs am. You have mine, Multicellular Exothermic.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:55 AM on March 20 [7 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:55 AM on March 20 [7 favorites]
In other news, my 12 Angry Jurors audition went well. Nine people at the audition on my night, I hope less than 13 show up total (2nd night is today) so I can get a part. I wanted to shoot for one of the bigger parts (8 or 4, but a friend of mine is basically 4 IRL so she's getting it) and that is clearly not happening, but since the "straight and normal" parts were pretty dull to read last night, that's probably fine. I had more fun reading 7 and 12 with NYC accents and 'tude. I did get annoyed that I got assigned parts last almost every time- I think that's a bad sign and usually the treatment I get, well, everywhere. (I have been told directors have the people they like best read first, and I am usually dead last to read.) BUT the director openly said he'd give me 12 because I can play "a big cheese asshole." So...good sign? List comes out Friday.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:06 AM on March 20 [5 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:06 AM on March 20 [5 favorites]
Rooting for you, jenfullmoon!
posted by mpark at 8:31 AM on March 20 [2 favorites]
posted by mpark at 8:31 AM on March 20 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter: "a big cheese asshole."
posted by elkevelvet at 8:38 AM on March 20 [1 favorite]
posted by elkevelvet at 8:38 AM on March 20 [1 favorite]
Thought same! Name up for grabs if anyone wants it!
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:51 AM on March 20
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:51 AM on March 20
I had a thought related to both the ongoing "generations" thread and the loss of our own ricochet biscuit.
I thought this was supposed to be the window where Gen X started having adorable grandbabies. How does it feel like we already ended up knee deep in the "friends starting to die off" window?
Anyway, what I am saying is: if you're Gen X and you have adorable grandchildren, please tell me how about them and adorable they are, because it will recalibrate my personal doomsday clock.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:48 AM on March 20
I thought this was supposed to be the window where Gen X started having adorable grandbabies. How does it feel like we already ended up knee deep in the "friends starting to die off" window?
Anyway, what I am saying is: if you're Gen X and you have adorable grandchildren, please tell me how about them and adorable they are, because it will recalibrate my personal doomsday clock.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:48 AM on March 20
That may have something to do with fewer Millennials/Gen-Y people being able to afford to buy houses, have babies, invest in the stock market, go on expensive travel holidays - you know, all the usual "Millennials are ruining the economy" malarkey. Not to mention people being less willing to bring children into an over-populated world and a looming climate crisis.
I tried to come up with an amusing quip so I could end this comment on a lighter note, but.... Maybe I'm just logy from too much economy-destroying avocado toast.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:29 AM on March 20 [2 favorites]
I tried to come up with an amusing quip so I could end this comment on a lighter note, but.... Maybe I'm just logy from too much economy-destroying avocado toast.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:29 AM on March 20 [2 favorites]
Between my partner and I there are four offspring and two of them for sure will not spawn, and the other two haven't and are unlikely to. I can tell you about my cats though. They're cute.
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:13 PM on March 20
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:13 PM on March 20
"World is too ruined and/or expensive for our generation's kids to feel confident enough to reproduce" seems to be the answer, yeah.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:21 PM on March 20 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:21 PM on March 20 [2 favorites]
welp i'm apparently too burned out to even conceive of a life in which I could read a book or take a class at the library so yeah, gonna say it's unlikely that I'll commit to gestating, birthing, and raising an entire human.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 1:26 PM on March 20 [2 favorites]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 1:26 PM on March 20 [2 favorites]
I'm just copying this wholesale from Mastodon:
Dear New York Times et al,
He was never a successful businessman.
1. He inherited 400 million dollars and turned that into zero dollars.
2. He went bankrupt 7 times.
3. Some of those bankruptcies were casinos, literally a licence to print money which he couldn't manage.
4. He conned kids with cancer out of money once. That's why he can't run a charity anymore.
5. The following business ventures no longer exist or are insolvent:
a. Trump Steaks
b. Trump University
c. Trump Mortgage
d. Trump Vodka
e. Trump: The Game
f. Trump Ice
g. GoTrump.com
h. Trump Magazine
i. The New Jersey Generals
j. Trump Airlines
k. Trump Entertainment Resorts (filed for bankruptcy FOUR TIMES)
l. Trump Tower Tampa
m. Trump Taj Mahal
n. The Trump Plaza
o. Trump Castle
p. Plaza Hotel
q. Trump Media and Technology Group
r. Truth Social
s. Trump Shuttle, Inc
t. Trump Fire
u. Trump Power
v. Trump's American Pale Ale
w. Trump Marina
x. Trump Casino, Indiana
y. Trump Style
z. Trump World Magazine
aa. Trumpnet, LLC
ab. Trump Entrepreneur Initiative
ac. Trump Fragrances
ad. Empire by Trump
ae. Trump Mattress
af. Tour de Trump
ag. Trump Network
ah. Trumped!
ai. Trump Menswear
aj. Trump Home
ak. Success by Trump
al. Trump Hotel Bedding Line
am. Donald J. Trump Eyeglasses
an. Donald Trump Regency Lighting
ao. Select by Trump Coffee
6. Of the 16 companies that were manufacturing Trump-branded products in 2015, only 2 remain in business less than 10 years later. Neither of those companies are American. One is located in Panama and the other is located in Turkey.
Stop saying "successful businessman". My little company founded in 2014 has been in business longer, employs more people, and makes more income than 99% of his ventures. The difference between him and me is access to capital, which means he gets unlimited bites at the apple, and I get just this one if I'm lucky.
Signed,
a small business owner in Washington
posted by hippybear at 3:20 PM on March 20 [13 favorites]
Dear New York Times et al,
He was never a successful businessman.
1. He inherited 400 million dollars and turned that into zero dollars.
2. He went bankrupt 7 times.
3. Some of those bankruptcies were casinos, literally a licence to print money which he couldn't manage.
4. He conned kids with cancer out of money once. That's why he can't run a charity anymore.
5. The following business ventures no longer exist or are insolvent:
a. Trump Steaks
b. Trump University
c. Trump Mortgage
d. Trump Vodka
e. Trump: The Game
f. Trump Ice
g. GoTrump.com
h. Trump Magazine
i. The New Jersey Generals
j. Trump Airlines
k. Trump Entertainment Resorts (filed for bankruptcy FOUR TIMES)
l. Trump Tower Tampa
m. Trump Taj Mahal
n. The Trump Plaza
o. Trump Castle
p. Plaza Hotel
q. Trump Media and Technology Group
r. Truth Social
s. Trump Shuttle, Inc
t. Trump Fire
u. Trump Power
v. Trump's American Pale Ale
w. Trump Marina
x. Trump Casino, Indiana
y. Trump Style
z. Trump World Magazine
aa. Trumpnet, LLC
ab. Trump Entrepreneur Initiative
ac. Trump Fragrances
ad. Empire by Trump
ae. Trump Mattress
af. Tour de Trump
ag. Trump Network
ah. Trumped!
ai. Trump Menswear
aj. Trump Home
ak. Success by Trump
al. Trump Hotel Bedding Line
am. Donald J. Trump Eyeglasses
an. Donald Trump Regency Lighting
ao. Select by Trump Coffee
6. Of the 16 companies that were manufacturing Trump-branded products in 2015, only 2 remain in business less than 10 years later. Neither of those companies are American. One is located in Panama and the other is located in Turkey.
Stop saying "successful businessman". My little company founded in 2014 has been in business longer, employs more people, and makes more income than 99% of his ventures. The difference between him and me is access to capital, which means he gets unlimited bites at the apple, and I get just this one if I'm lucky.
Signed,
a small business owner in Washington
posted by hippybear at 3:20 PM on March 20 [13 favorites]
While the above is good, are we still doing "no politics" in free threads?
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:14 PM on March 20
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:14 PM on March 20
I am rooting for you, jenfullmoon. Go get 'em!
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 5:12 AM on March 21 [1 favorite]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 5:12 AM on March 21 [1 favorite]
Yes I was likely outside of bounds by posting that.
But no regrets.
posted by hippybear at 7:07 AM on March 21 [2 favorites]
But no regrets.
posted by hippybear at 7:07 AM on March 21 [2 favorites]
It went well, I answered the questions well and it seemed to go well on my end, she liked my questions. Pay will probably be around the same, but it's technically working for a sibling campus to my current one (even if I am staying mostly on the current work campus) and they take a month or more to make you get investigated and tested before you can start. Lots of driving, phones and front counter, but I am gonna have to deal with it. I think this is the best that it gets.
I did get two more interviews elsewhere for Monday and Wednesday, so there's that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:35 PM on March 21 [6 favorites]
I did get two more interviews elsewhere for Monday and Wednesday, so there's that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:35 PM on March 21 [6 favorites]
THREE interviews. Unfortunately one of them is 1.5 hours, involves a test, and being there in person at 8:30 a.m., kill me now. I'm so tired, y'all.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:07 PM on March 21 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:07 PM on March 21 [4 favorites]
Nothing of significant consequence should ever happen before at least 10am.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:49 PM on March 21 [4 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:49 PM on March 21 [4 favorites]
I'm just copying this wholesale from Mastodon
I really feel, eh, in short, to recap it slightly in a clearer version, eh, the words of David Cassidy in fact, eh, while he was still with the Partridge Family, eh, "I think I love you."
posted by kirkaracha at 1:17 AM on March 22
I really feel, eh, in short, to recap it slightly in a clearer version, eh, the words of David Cassidy in fact, eh, while he was still with the Partridge Family, eh, "I think I love you."
posted by kirkaracha at 1:17 AM on March 22
HOORAY the important meeting I was trying to schedule finally got finalized yay
(I was the contact liaison between a group of consultants and one of our offices, and my contact at the office apparently doesn't really do email that well - I finally called her to nudge and gave her the shpiel and she was like, "oh yeah, that'd be fine". So I could nudge that to the finish line.)
AND I'm doing this while working from home with a cold, and this is the group of consultants that included a dude I went to college with so yay I get to look impressive and capable.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:23 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
(I was the contact liaison between a group of consultants and one of our offices, and my contact at the office apparently doesn't really do email that well - I finally called her to nudge and gave her the shpiel and she was like, "oh yeah, that'd be fine". So I could nudge that to the finish line.)
AND I'm doing this while working from home with a cold, and this is the group of consultants that included a dude I went to college with so yay I get to look impressive and capable.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:23 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
Nothing of significant consequence should ever happen before at least 10am.
I agree, since I got a fourth interview call for next week at 8:15 am, which I did not answer because this is the first day I've slept fully. Oh well, booked it now. FOUR interviews in three days, at least most of them are virtual. I am tired, though. (No word on anything else today yet.) I'm going to go sew in an hour and hopefully that will be distracting from waiting.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:48 AM on March 22
I agree, since I got a fourth interview call for next week at 8:15 am, which I did not answer because this is the first day I've slept fully. Oh well, booked it now. FOUR interviews in three days, at least most of them are virtual. I am tired, though. (No word on anything else today yet.) I'm going to go sew in an hour and hopefully that will be distracting from waiting.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:48 AM on March 22
I'm going to go sew in an hour and hopefully that will be distracting from waiting.
OMG I had a colonoscopy on Monday in the afternoon so I did half the prep the evening before and then the other half the morning of and then Just Sat And Waited For My Appointment.
Truly some of the most miserable hours of my life because I'm tired and hungry and thirsty and can't do anything about any of it! It's just waiting for the clock to turn!
posted by hippybear at 10:05 AM on March 22 [2 favorites]
OMG I had a colonoscopy on Monday in the afternoon so I did half the prep the evening before and then the other half the morning of and then Just Sat And Waited For My Appointment.
Truly some of the most miserable hours of my life because I'm tired and hungry and thirsty and can't do anything about any of it! It's just waiting for the clock to turn!
posted by hippybear at 10:05 AM on March 22 [2 favorites]
Still haven't heard about play or yesterday's job, but I got a skirt made and it looks excellent!
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:11 PM on March 22 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:11 PM on March 22 [1 favorite]
I do not get to play a big cheese asshole. I got the part with the least number of lines in the show. What's wrong with me?
Better than not getting in at all, but I'm feeling kinda betrayed after that, to be honest.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:44 PM on March 22 [1 favorite]
Better than not getting in at all, but I'm feeling kinda betrayed after that, to be honest.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:44 PM on March 22 [1 favorite]
Metafilter: a big cheese asshole
(not a thing I was expecting to contemplate on a Friday evening, or indeed ever)
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:11 PM on March 22 [1 favorite]
(not a thing I was expecting to contemplate on a Friday evening, or indeed ever)
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:11 PM on March 22 [1 favorite]
Good Sunday Morning all!
I still have that cold from a couple days ago, but it's only affecting sinus and mucous membranes - I still have energy and don't have a fever. I'm basically healthy except I blow my nose a lot and sometimes have a nasty cough. I'd had plans to visit some dear friends who've since moved to Colorado; they were back east in Rhode Island because of a medical issue (one of them needed some fairly unusual surgery, and Providence was the only place she could get it). I've been to Providence loads, but only as a pass-through - it's where I take the train to when I visit my parents, who drive in to get me and then drive another hour the rest of the way back to Cape Cod. So we had planned on my going to visit and crash for a night in their AirBnB one of the weekends they were there. My cold threatened that - my friend's surgery was on the lower spinal column, and if she caught a cough in those conditions that would suck.
We talked it out and decided that making it just a day trip would be okay. We hung out in their short-term rental with masks on and windows open, and sent out for takeout dinner at some point. It was still a good decent 6-hour visit with them, and they sent me home with some frozen chicken soup they'd made up for themselves that they weren't going to eat; they'd spent the day before the surgery cooking and pre-freezing some quick meals to eat while she recovered, but they kind of overdid it and were frantically trying to figure out what to do with it all.
Today, then, I'll be having some of that soup for lunch, and I've cooked up some beans to go into a chili for dinner; there's a bison chili recipe from Rancho Gordo I've been meaning to make for a while, and I think today is the day. Other than getting the beans done, I spent the rest of the morning holed up in my room with a vaporizer (to maybe dislodge the gak causing the cough), and reading through a big stack of books I'd borrowed from the library (one of which is actually overdue now). Fortunately the supermarket and the library are all within a 3 block radius of my house, and I have to go get the bison for the chili anyway, so at some point this afternoon I'll pull myself together a bit, go throw all the books back at the library, then get the chili and one or two other ingredients and then come back home. If i"m feeling really ambitious I'll clean the fridge out a bit, but likely I will just stream a movie until it's time to start the chili.
It will be a slow, easy day, in short, and I really think I need that.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:13 AM on March 24 [2 favorites]
I still have that cold from a couple days ago, but it's only affecting sinus and mucous membranes - I still have energy and don't have a fever. I'm basically healthy except I blow my nose a lot and sometimes have a nasty cough. I'd had plans to visit some dear friends who've since moved to Colorado; they were back east in Rhode Island because of a medical issue (one of them needed some fairly unusual surgery, and Providence was the only place she could get it). I've been to Providence loads, but only as a pass-through - it's where I take the train to when I visit my parents, who drive in to get me and then drive another hour the rest of the way back to Cape Cod. So we had planned on my going to visit and crash for a night in their AirBnB one of the weekends they were there. My cold threatened that - my friend's surgery was on the lower spinal column, and if she caught a cough in those conditions that would suck.
We talked it out and decided that making it just a day trip would be okay. We hung out in their short-term rental with masks on and windows open, and sent out for takeout dinner at some point. It was still a good decent 6-hour visit with them, and they sent me home with some frozen chicken soup they'd made up for themselves that they weren't going to eat; they'd spent the day before the surgery cooking and pre-freezing some quick meals to eat while she recovered, but they kind of overdid it and were frantically trying to figure out what to do with it all.
Today, then, I'll be having some of that soup for lunch, and I've cooked up some beans to go into a chili for dinner; there's a bison chili recipe from Rancho Gordo I've been meaning to make for a while, and I think today is the day. Other than getting the beans done, I spent the rest of the morning holed up in my room with a vaporizer (to maybe dislodge the gak causing the cough), and reading through a big stack of books I'd borrowed from the library (one of which is actually overdue now). Fortunately the supermarket and the library are all within a 3 block radius of my house, and I have to go get the bison for the chili anyway, so at some point this afternoon I'll pull myself together a bit, go throw all the books back at the library, then get the chili and one or two other ingredients and then come back home. If i"m feeling really ambitious I'll clean the fridge out a bit, but likely I will just stream a movie until it's time to start the chili.
It will be a slow, easy day, in short, and I really think I need that.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:13 AM on March 24 [2 favorites]
Just got back from the first Portland meetup in...4 years? 5 years? Got to hang out with people I haven't seen in ages, and have a couple beers. A+++, would meetup again!
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:58 PM on March 24 [3 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:58 PM on March 24 [3 favorites]
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
--
I expected to love those Eugene Levy shows, but the time required for him to "start uncomfortable and then thaw to a place" every episode could have been spent enjoying himself. The Stanley Tucci show in Italy, by contrast, has the star/host loving the shit out of every minute, which I found way more fun.
(The scene with Levy floating in the frozen lake in a survival suit was pretty funny, I admit.)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:55 AM on March 18 [6 favorites]