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Archive through September 01, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: Free Expression... (ARCHIVES): The return of The Return of the Gripe Thread (ARCHIVES): Archive through September 01, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, August 13, 2004 - 10:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Regarding your third item. That is probably my only gripe on Amazing Race. The idiots that go to another country, then mutter something like, "stupid foreigners" when they can't find someone who speaks English. They just don't understand that, while in another country, they are the foreigners!

Sort of reminds me of the people who tried to pass an "english only" rule at my work. They were protesting cause groups of non-english speaking people would sit and talk amongst themselves in their native language. So, I asked them, "if you, a few other people and I all travelled to Vietnam, and were sitting down to dinner by ourselves, you mean to say we should not be allowed to speak English to each other, we should only speak Vietnamese?" Needless to say, they just couldn't grasp that concept.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Friday, August 13, 2004 - 11:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That does annoy me. When I travel abroad, I struggle with the phrasebooks, and usually get rewarded for my attempt.

That version of the English-only rule is dumb, Who. It didn't pass, did it??

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 12:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thankfully LK, no it didn't!

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 10:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
interesting conversation. sometimes it annoys me. other times i am more generous. i secretly wish i had worked harder in language class and was truly multilingual myself.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 4:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My only problem is the companies who hire people with thick accents to man their phones. I truly do get frustrated when I'm trying to conduct, oh, say, banking and can't understand what's being said to me.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 4:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That can be frustrating OG!

Funny story. I worked for a time with international customers on the phone. I had customers from several Asian countries. I never had a problem understanding any of them on the phone. Then, one day I get a call from someone with an accent so thick I could hardly even understand what company he's from. I finally had to have him spell it out. Turns out his company was headquartered in Sunnydale, CA!

Gidget, I'm with ya on wishing I could fluently speak other languages. I only know a handful (if even that) in Spanish, French and ASL (and those I learned through osmosis when my sisters took Spanish and French, and my Mom took ASL). I'd love to learn them to where I could be proficient at it.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 4:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
me too who. it's on my list. of course i figure i will have to live to be 140 to get thru that list but i am optomistic.

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 5:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OG, with more and more companies outsourcing their jobs, you'll be getting more and more call centers in India.

Anyone catch the recent 60 Minutes or Dateline episode about it?

Danas15146
Member

03-31-2004

Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 5:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I tried to order zone pilates and ended up just frustrated and hanging up. Bad enough that they try to sell you eight million other things - but the guy had such a heavy Indian accent I just ended up hanging up on him and hitting ebay to get my stuff!

LK- not sure if everywhere is the same, but in Pittsburgh we can call 911 for someone disturbing the peace without even having to give a name. The cops will just drive by and bust the "party" up.

Secretsmile
Member

08-19-2002

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 10:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
GRRRRR, I'm so mad this morning! This is just a personal rant, but I have to vent someplace. My son's buddies love to stay here on weekends, I don't usually mind but a new guy has been hanging out with them and he REFUSES to sleep in the bed, he sleeps on top. Well darn it, I can wash the sheets but I have to dry clean the spread. Not to mention he sleeps in his clothes and works at McDonalds so they stink! No matter how many times I've asked him not to sleep on top of the bed again this morning the same thing.


Zachsmom
Moderator

07-13-2000

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 10:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
secret..remove the spread yourself (or have your son do it) before they go to sleep

Secretsmile
Member

08-19-2002

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 11:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL! OH you are right zmom, but these kids are grown ups, and they should be more respectful when at someone else's house. But, the problem is mine and you are right I should bare the responsibility of it.

I would be less upset today, if I hadn't just had it cleaned because I'm having company tomorrow and have no time to get it done again.

Zachsmom
Moderator

07-13-2000

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 11:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL..Maybe what you can do is buy a cheaper washable one and save the dry clean on for when you have company?

Secretsmile
Member

08-19-2002

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
ZMOM! You are ruining my perfectly good temper tantrum here by making me laugh at myself!

Zachsmom
Moderator

07-13-2000

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 11:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    


I can see where you would be mad, especially when you have asked him NOT to sleep on top of the covers. I've had incidents like that happen in the past and learned that I am the one who takes action. It's a pisser ..





Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 12:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Heck, he probably thinks he is saving you from washing the sheets by sleeping on top! LOL!!

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 8:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ok...this is a dumb rant, but it got my panties in a bunch!

DH turns 40 this week, so I invited his entire family over for dinner tonight (his dad's birthday is tomorrow as well). I only asked them to bring whatever meat they wanted for the grill, then I provided everything else -- watermelon, salad, grilled potatoes, ice cream, and cake.

To start off...his only brother calls about 2 hours before they were supposed to come, and cancels because his kids are tired (too many church activities this weekend) and his wife doesn't feel good. Honestly, I wasn't surprised. They hardly ever do things on Sunday -- and it's been made VERY clear to all of us that their church activities will always have priority over family activities. I understand that priorities "should be" God, family, friends in that order -- but church is NOT God, and I get tired of them putting their family so low on the totem pole. However, it's been this way forever and since my SIL drives me batty, it's not a huge deal.

Soooo -- we have a big dinner (11 people), sit around, shoot the breeze and DH gives his dad his present. Just a t-shirt with a cute saying about fishing, which is his dad's favorite pasttime. Not a big gift (obviously), but a small token to wish him well. DH's family never is "big" on presents, but since this year is DH's 40th, I figured he'd get at least a shirt. Nope -- he got, are you ready for this? ..... A card. That's it. Nothing else. Not even cash. He didn't say anything about it, and I don't know if it even bothers him, but it bugs the heck out of me! Good grief!

I know gifts are not the "only" way to show love, but his family really doesn't do ANYTHING for our family. His sister and her family are over to the Inlaws all the time (they live on a lake), and I know for a fact inlaws have helped both DH's brother AND sister out financially a few times. While we certainly don't need the financial help, it would be nice if they showed their son they cared a bit about him once in awhile. Our son (their grandson) never gets as big of gifts as the other grandkids, never gets invited over just for a fishing day w/ grandpa, etc. And the first thing out of my MIL's mouth tonight was how long of a drive it was to our house (it's only one hour....and we are expected to make the drive to their house many times!).

GGRRRR....as inlaws go they truly aren't bad, I'm just irritated w/ them tonight because they seemed to care so little for my DH (and IMHO, he's the "best kid" of the family!). Oh well....we won't see them now until probably Thanksgiving, so I'll have time to get my panties squared away! LOL Thanks for letting me vent...can't really say this stuff to the DH.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, August 16, 2004 - 8:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I too have a hubby whose family is sorely lacking in good sense. His kids are great about ignoring his birthday and Father's Day, although when in front of others they make a bid todo over him...all for show. My knickers have been in a permanent twist for 27 years. Bah!

Marysafan
Member

08-07-2000

Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay...I know this is trivial but,....I just logged on to my computer and my home page just blurted out the results of the highly anticipated swimming match-up in tonight's prime time Olympic coverage. Thanks a lot msn.com!

I hate it when the events take place 8 hours before our coverage. Cnn just broadcast the results also. No one can keep a secret!

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I know what you mean. I was sitting in a restaurant and two people at a nearby table were loudly discussing the surprise ending of a recently released movie that I hadn't seen yet (which of course they have every right to do). I knew there was no way I could get up and move in time without hearing so I just sat there and covered my ears. I looked foolish but I didn't hear the ending!

Anyway in your situation, with today's information age it's darn near impossible not to hear what has happened.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Monday, August 16, 2004 - 3:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What a bummer Mary! Our local news channel gives viewers a heads up, with a "if you don't want to know, turn down your sound and look away from the screen for the next few minutes." Then they give us a couple of seconds to do it, then they start off with the results. Pretty cool of them, I think!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Awww, Teach. I am so sorry you had to be gracious while watching your dh find himself on the receiving end of his own parents' lack of consideration. Hurts all the more because it is family doing the hurting--and because I know your hubby has had to deal with a serious medical issue recently.

Sounds as if they think because your family isn't needy that that means they excuse themselves from doing anything. They obviously don't realize the impact their behavior has had. (And I'll bet your hubby DOES notice but is too proud to admit that it bothers him.)

Unfortunately, I doubt you'll ever see them change. I feel kinda sorry for them, don't you--for being so shortchanged in their understanding of the importance of exchanging gifts. It's a symbolic thing, not a monetary one. It's a way of saying, "I think so much of you that I went looking for this because I knew it would make you happy." So I guess my best (unsolicited, I know!) advice is to find a way to change how you and your dh react to their behavior--so their careless attitude can no longer hurt you.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 8:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Gripe time - I don't want to reopen the can of worms but....
I was doing laundry today and a guy came in and started asking me questions in Spanish. I politely told him I didn't understand Spanish. He kept pointing to me and the washers and asking questions. I just shrugged and said I don't understand Spanish. He went out and got somebody who didn't know the answer to his question so the 2nd guy translated to me. The first guy wanted to know how to use the washer, so I showed him while 2nd guy translated. First guy thanked me and offered me money I said no thank you. The second guy waited until the first guy left and then told me that if I wanted to live in this country I needed to learn Spanish.

EXCUSE ME?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 8:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh my! I have never heard that before!

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 2:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That's so ridiculous its almost funny! I probably would have started laughing and looking around for the camera and Peter Funt.