The Reading Vent & Rant Thread

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by DNSB

She is an old friend whom my wife knew from middle school. We are used to her inability to make up her mind on what food and drink to order without studying the menu and interrogating the servers like it was a life and death decision so it was not a surprise that it took her so long.

I was actually enjoying the people watching and the kiddies got to order their meals.

Well, hell. If she's an old friend and it doesn't bug you, great. I admit it--shocking to all of you, I know (ha), I'd have been deranged pretty damn quickly.

Originally Posted by Quoth

Ah, those are called thrones. Make sure to have a cushion.

I figured if the people in question had thrones, the High part was a given. It's those posh chairs that are giving me the Galloping Giggles.

Hitch

[arjaybe]

Originally Posted by DNSB

She is an old friend whom my wife knew from middle school. We are used to her inability to make up her mind on what food and drink to order without studying the menu and interrogating the servers like it was a life and death decision so it was not a surprise that it took her so long.

I was actually enjoying the people watching and the kiddies got to order their meals.

And it was the Empress. One does not make a scene.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

And it was the Empress. One does not make a scene.

???

Who said anything about making a scene? That is not necessary, nor warranted, but I seriously would have to gracefully bow out of any scenario in which I was being trapped whilst someone else was deciding which bl**dy tea they wanted to order for thirty minutes.

Extrication ≠ mortification.

Hitch

[arjaybe]

Originally Posted by Hitch

???

Who said anything about making a scene? That is not necessary, nor warranted, but I seriously would have to gracefully bow out of any scenario in which I was being trapped whilst someone else was deciding which bl**dy tea they wanted to order for thirty minutes.

Extrication ≠ mortification.

Hitch

At the Empress, opening your napkin too loudly would be making a scene.-)

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

At the Empress, opening your napkin too loudly would be making a scene.-)

Plus as I mentioned earlier, we were used to that behaviour. If you look up dither in the dictionary, her photo should be there.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

At the Empress, opening your napkin too loudly would be making a scene.-)

FYI:

I built the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel in the mid-80's. I'm acquainted with Fairmont and their properties.

Hitch

[Renate]

Originally Posted by DNSB

One of the members of our party took 30 minutes just to decide which tea to try.

Half an hour to decide is reasonable.
As long as I have already been served a gin and tonic.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by issybird

Stark Library's denial of access to OverDrive is getting very old.

I really don't understand a library that charges for a non-resident library card and then says "oh, yeah, you can't use this card for anything that doesn't require your physical presence". Maybe it makes sense for a city right near the state border, with a lot of people who come into the city for work or play. In the case of employment, though, many libraries will give you a free card if you work in the area they service, even if you don't live in that area.

Even before eBooks, though, I suspect the number of people who wanted to check out physical materials from a library where they were considered "out of area" was pretty small. If a library had something special you needed for research, it likely wasn't circulating, so you had to read while in the building, so didn't need a card.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Renate

Half an hour to decide is reasonable.
As long as I have already been served a gin and tonic.

LOLOL...

Hitch

[JSWolf]

This is a better description of High Tea.

High tea is a British dining tradition that typically takes place in the late afternoon or early evening. It is often confused with the more formal afternoon tea, but the two are actually quite different.

High tea originated in the 19th century as a working-class or laborer's meal, served on high tables or counters after a long day of work. It was meant to be a substantial meal to satisfy hunger, unlike afternoon tea, which was a lighter, more delicate affair enjoyed by the upper classes.

High tea usually consists of a combination of savory and sweet dishes, along with tea or other beverages. It often includes items like sandwiches, savory pastries, meat pies, quiches, scones, cakes, and other desserts. The specific items served can vary depending on the region and personal preferences.

In modern times, high tea has evolved and can be enjoyed by people of all social classes. It is often served in hotels, tea rooms, or upscale restaurants as a special dining experience. High tea is known for its relaxed and casual atmosphere, making it a popular choice for gatherings, celebrations, or simply enjoying an indulgent meal.

It's important to note that the term "high tea" is often misused outside of the United Kingdom, where it may be mistakenly used to refer to a more formal afternoon tea.

[HLS]

Originally Posted by nabsltd

I really don't understand a library that charges for a non-resident library card and then says "oh, yeah, you can't use this card for anything that doesn't require your physical presence". Maybe it makes sense for a city right near the state border, with a lot of people who come into the city for work or play. In the case of employment, though, many libraries will give you a free card if you work in the area they service, even if you don't live in that area.

Even before eBooks, though, I suspect the number of people who wanted to check out physical materials from a library where they were considered "out of area" was pretty small. If a library had something special you needed for research, it likely wasn't circulating, so you had to read while in the building, so didn't need a card.

Well it's the local community that pays for the library and runs it. Their taxes at work not ours. So it makes sense to charge

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Hitch

???

Who said anything about making a scene? That is not necessary, nor warranted, but I seriously would have to gracefully bow out of any scenario in which I was being trapped whilst someone else was deciding which bl**dy tea they wanted to order for thirty minutes.

Extrication ≠ mortification.

Hitch

You'd be OK with me. I don't like tea or coffee.

[nabsltd]

Originally Posted by HLS

Well it's the local community that pays for the library and runs it. Their taxes at work not ours. So it makes sense to charge

I don't have a problem with a library charging for a non-resident card.

It's the ones that are willing to charge you and then don't let you use it unless you are physically at a branch of the library. If I'm at a branch and want to borrow stuff, I probably qualify for a resident card. Maybe something like an extended vacation would be an exception, but if I'm near that library long enough to borrow and then return a book, I'm probably a resident, own property nearby, or work nearby.

[Kindleing]

Originally Posted by nabsltd

If I'm at a branch and want to borrow stuff, I probably qualify for a resident card.

It depends on where you are. Voters in my county have rejected paying library property taxes so there are no library services for residents of unincorporated county areas. Several of the towns/cities have funded their own libraries through property taxes within their corporate limits. They will issue cards to non-residents after paying a fee equivalent to the average property taxes paid by their residents. But simple proximity to the town does not equate to paying their taxes.

[theducks]

Owning property or working there does not make you a resident.

As a property OWNER, you pay taxes but unless you RESIDE IN THAT PROPERTY, you can't vote in elections that affect it (ask those in Berkeley ). But your tenants CAN.

In some jurisdictions, there are Payroll taxes (on the pay stub) on employees working in a jurisdiction. But again, they can't vote unless the reside in that same jurisdiction.

Oh and the one that gets me riled: Transients (AKA Hotel) tax. This is in addition to the property tax paid by the landlord. (and at a higher rate than the local Sales Tax)