The Vent and Rant Thread

[wodin]

Originally Posted by dreams

I also hate when cold drink cups are filled to the top with ice and then you only end up with a few sips of drink.

Especially when fountain drinks have their biggest profit margin, compared with the cost of the cup, the drink inside costs virtually nothing. I’d be surprised if the ice didn’t cost more in electricity to produce that the cost of the water, CO2, and smidgen of syrup in the drink itself.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by orlok

One of my bugbears too, as I always drink it black. If I had wanted a half a cup, I'd have asked for a half a cup .

Don't come to Japan. It's the cultural norm to only fill a glass or a cup 1/2 - 2/3's full!
This really used to tick me off when I first arrived, and took years before I came to terms with it, made worse by the fact that the local cup sizes were much smaller than I was used to in the US. A "Large" here was the same size as a "Regular" in the States. This has changed a bit over the past 20 years, but there is still no "Jumbo" sizes sold nor any "Big Gulps" sold in convenience stores.

Stitchawl

[wodin]

Stitchawl, you have obviously been away too long, regulars here are tiny too, and there is no such thing as small.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

A "Large" here was the same size as a "Regular" in the States.
Stitchawl

Originally Posted by wodin

Stitchawl, you have obviously been away too long, regulars here are tiny too, and there is no such thing as small.

My point exactly.
As you say, "Regulars" are tiny in the US.
"Large" in Japan is the same size as regular in the US.
Tiny.

What ever became of the 'Small Coke' I used to buy at the corner soda fountain for 6¢
A spritz of Coke syrup, a pull of seltzer, and two ice cubes...

Stitchawl

[wyndslash]

as large sizes here become larger, so do the people :P

[SameOldStory]

Mild language

Spoiler:

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Don't come to Japan. It's the cultural norm to only fill a glass or a cup 1/2 - 2/3's full!
This really used to tick me off when I first arrived, and took years before I came to terms with it, made worse by the fact that the local cup sizes were much smaller than I was used to in the US. A "Large" here was the same size as a "Regular" in the States. This has changed a bit over the past 20 years, but there is still no "Jumbo" sizes sold nor any "Big Gulps" sold in convenience stores.

Stitchawl

I have been to Tokyo, actually, and was so overwhelmed by the wonderful food, and the place itself, that I can't say I noticed. I still lust after the Kobi beef

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by orlok

I have been to Tokyo, actually, and was so overwhelmed by the wonderful food, and the place itself, that I can't say I noticed. I still lust after the Kobi beef

Kobe is only a 90 minute bike ride from my door step... And if I sell my bike, I can almost afford a dinner there.


Stitchawl

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Kobe is only a 90 minute bike ride from my door step... And if I sell my bike, I can almost afford a dinner there.


Stitchawl

I am so envious. I only spent two weeks there on a contract, and it still remains the place I would most like to revisit, especially as I didn't get out of Tokyo. As for the cost of Kobi steaks, it was many years ago, and even then cost £100 for a meal, so I know what you mean .

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by orlok

I am so envious. I only spent two weeks there on a contract, and it still remains the place I would most like to revisit, especially as I didn't get out of Tokyo. As for the cost of Kobi steaks, it was many years ago, and even then cost £100 for a meal, so I know what you mean .

Today, 'good quality' Kobe beef sells for between $300-$400 per pound. That's at the butcher shop, not in a restaurant. Remember, there is low quality Kobe beef too. That only costs about $200 a pound. I'm pretty sure that if you ate Kobe beef in Tokyo, you were eating pre-sliced beef cooked as you ate it, rather than something like a Porterhouse or T-bone. The closest Japan comes to U.S. style cuts is the Strip steak, and Kobe beef is NEVER sold in those cuts.

In the typical restaurants serving top quality Kobe beef, the average serving size of meat is 1/4 - 1/3 pound. I've only seen a larger portion once, roughly 7-8oz, but the meat was not the pure pink of good Kobe beef. I could see waaay too much red meat between the fat. Top quality Kobe beef is as pink as a baby's butt. Here's an example of top quality Kobe beef...



...and here is what is usually sold to people as Kobe beef in the US



Top quality Kobe beef can only be eaten sliced very thin and quick seared on a grill. To try to eat a typical U.S. cut such as a T-bone, or Strip steak of quality Kobe beef would be like chewing down on a piece of lard. When I see US restaurants offering Kobe beef 'in U.S. cuts,' with high prices, I KNOW somebody is getting taken for a ride!

The next time we get to a steak house (that isn't Outback) I'll have a fork-full in your honor!


Stitchawl

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

The next time we get to a steak house (that isn't Outback) I'll have a fork-full in your honor!


Stitchawl

I'll be drooling as I think of it! The Kobe I had was prepared by a chef in front of me on a hot plate in thin strips (the Prince Hotel is where I was staying, if memory serves), so I would think it was quite good quality. Certainly the best steak I have ever had.

[Nyssa]

I awoke to an e-mail informing me to call my bank ASAP. Someone skimmed my number somehow and ran a few "test" withdrawals. Thankfully they were very small amounts and the bank caught it right away.

I'm still irritated, though, as Amazon only accepts electronic checks on shopping cart orders not "One Click" e-book orders.

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I awoke to an e-mail informing me to call my bank ASAP. Someone skimmed my number somehow and ran a few "test" withdrawals. Thankfully they were very small amounts and the bank caught it right away.

I'm still irritated, though, as Amazon only accepts electronic checks on shopping cart orders not "One Click" e-book orders.

That sucks! It happens to me pretty often also.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

That sucks! It happens to me pretty often also.

Often!?! Ugh! This was a first for me... I really hope this doesn't become a repeat thing.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by orlok

I'll be drooling as I think of it! The Kobe I had was prepared by a chef in front of me on a hot plate in thin strips

That's how most steak is sold in Japan. Always pre-sliced into small thin strips. Other cuts, such as for sukiyaki, are cut into thin sheets. If I want strip steak or thicker cuts, I have to go to the wholesale butcher shop. Can't get them in the neighborhood supermarkets.

(the Prince Hotel is where I was staying, if memory serves), so I would think it was quite good quality. Certainly the best steak I have ever had.

That's sounds like the Real Meal Deal! the Prince Hotel chain does everything top quality. We often go to the one in Kyoto for their Sunday buffet. Their food is delicious!

But to add a good vent to this thread, when we do go to the Outback restaurant, I can't get a decent sized steak! They do sell 'some' western cuts but they are really small... 6-8oz. When I want a grilled steak I want 16-20oz, and I want the steak to be thick!


Stitchawl