The totally off-topic thread

[Hvr]

Here's a little game to play:
Wait until the shop assistant has run up the sale and then offer partial change.
For example: Sale: $13.75. Tender a $20, wait for them to ring it up, the register will tell them $6.25 change.
At that point offer 75 cents in addition to the 20 or even $3.75: 9 out of 10 won't know what change to give you!
Sad but true.

Why torment people? If you want to play games with people do it with people who can make your life a misery rather than the other way around. Then tell us how much you enjoyed it.

I agree that they should be able to calculate it without blinking but offer the whole lot at the beginning or not at all.

At Aldi there is no amount given for change, the shop assistant has to be able to work it out and quickly. It would be interesting to see how many people fail at this stage of the recruitment procedure.

 

[markis10]

A bit smaller than a NT road train, which would take corners better that the Chinese option.

 

[Pushka]

It's a worry when any dead animal ends up in your water supply; it's more of a worry when it is a pig and it's diseased as their biology is somewhat similar to humans, but add this, and that it happened in China is catastrophic. I'd be drinking coke and to hell with the calories.

 

[markis10]

It's a worry when any dead animal ends up in your water supply; it's more of a worry when it is a pig and it's diseased as their biology is somewhat similar to humans, but add this, and that it happened in China is catastrophic. I'd be drinking coke and to hell with the calories.

Coke is often bottled locally using local supplies.....

 

[Pushka]

Coke is often bottled locally using local supplies.....

Vodka it is then, neat.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

A bit smaller than a NT road train, which would take corners better that the Chinese option.

Apples and oranges - China do not permit multi trailer combinations - but your point on cornering correct - especially in reverse - the longer the trailer the easir to reverse position.

In actual fact most experienced truck drivers find it way easier to 'back' a 40 footer than a 6 x 4 car trailer - they are a pain in the cough.

I'd be drinking coke and to hell with the calories.

I get bloated after 100 cokes - Tsingtao perfect substitute.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Oh BTW - anybody heading to Beijing and wanting to indulge in some shopping at the 'fake' markets now better strike 'Silk Market' off the list.

Silk Market WAS best fake market in town IMHO - way better than Ya Show (Sunlitun) - but no more. All the open stalls chocked with knock off designer labels TOTALLY gone - now replaced by glass walled 'shops' - some fakes still there - jeez what is it with Jeep labelled clothing? - but just shadow of former past.

Ya Show now biggest and best - another alternative that is smaller but much cheaper and little room to negotiate is behind Westin Hotel Chaoyang which is opposite Lufthansa Centre - market is right behind Westin on side road oppsite Kunlun Hotel. $8 Ralph Lauren shirts and $15 Armani jeans still do it for me. $25 Samsonite roller bags gotta be a bargain also.

So many things in China get up your nose - but the +s are just overwwhelming.

 

[Pushka]

I read that Amazon's kindles are sometimes shipped direct to Australia from Shenzhen. Which kinda confirms that sometimes those apparent "knock-offs" are the real deal, being made in China. Those are the ones you have to go behind closed doors and security to get to.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I read that Amazon's kindles are sometimes shipped direct to Australia from Shenzhen. Which kinda confirms that sometimes those apparent "knock-offs" are the real deal, being made in China. Those are the ones you have to go behind closed doors and security to get to.

Yes I have no doubt you are 100% correct.

The wife of my #1 man in our company runs an extremely high profile USA designer label here in Australia - has 20 years experience in top end of rag trade.

She regularly inspects the clothes I bring back from the markets and will readily point out those that indeed may be genuine and those that are genuine fakes - interesting point is the actual feel you can get yourself - maybe fake maybe real - but goddam cheap anyway. Had a Diesel jacket with me last week where zipper started to malfunction - not a thought of repair - tossed it and went and paid $16 for replacement.

Was short a short sleeved shirt for return PEK-SIN-MEL journey so went to Ya Show to buy one (1) - saw a new range of long sleeved Ralph Lauren shirts so ended up buying 7 of them also - RMB50ea (AD8.00) - just ca't help myself.

 

[Pushka]

She regularly inspects the clothes I bring back from the markets and will readily point out those that indeed may be genuine and those that are genuine fakes - interesting point is the actual feel you can get yourself - maybe fake maybe real - .

I now have a gorgeous real designer bag and in the past have had several fakes - yep, can't help myself either. For me, for handbags, the difference is actually the Zipper! And stitching can be a give away if bad.

But I think I am over the cheap bags, because you see so many distastefully dressed women with their gucci/prada/LV knockoffs in the supermarket that just scream, wrong!

 

[medhead]

A bit smaller than a NT road train, which would take corners better that the Chinese option.

I was going to say surely a triple or a b double is going to be more efficient and safer than that monstrosity.

 

[TheEmu]

I spent some time in Arnhem a couple of years ago and walked over the John Frost Bridge. Fascinating area

Hope you took your 'brolly'

 

[anat0l]

Was reading ABC News on the app, when this article appeared with an unusual headline:



Rather befitting, you think?

 

[TheEmu]

Why torment people? If you want to play games with people do it with people who can make your life a misery rather than the other way around. Then tell us how much you enjoyed it.

You may be taking my comments out of context. I have used this tactic in response to rude, lazy or ignorant shop attendants. You're a lucky shopper if you haven't experienced one of these.
I have spent enough time on the other side of the counter (figuratively speaking) to know what dealing with the public on a daily basis can be like, and I also know that you need to make an effort to do the job well.
Like anything, it tends to be what you make of it.
I am a polite, friendly customer; I expect the same in return. I don't set out to belittle folk for the fun of it but do your job properly or do something else.

 

[Katie]

They say peppermint and chocolate is an old fashioned thing. Not implying anything about you, Katie

I think I should make a run for it now....

Running is wise, especially if someone might construe you are calling a lady old! :shock:

 

[TheEmu]

A trip to China will always throw up the unexpected -

When in China if you are not looking at something amazing - either wait 2 mins or look in another direction - never a dull moment.

Very true! Always something fascinating/horrifying nearby.
A car carrier??? somewhat down the peking order (sorry! somewhere north-west of Beijing…)

 

[Skyring]

You may be taking my comments out of context. I have used this tactic in response to rude, lazy or ignorant shop attendants. You're a lucky shopper if you haven't experienced one of these.

Well, yes. Still, I think it's unnecessary. If I was standing at a counter all day dealing with customers who are sometimes rude, lazy or ignorant, I might get a little jaded. I wouldn't really appreciate people playing games with me.

Why not a smile and a kind word?

 

[Hvr]

Slightly on topic here, one of my friends who used to bag me out a bit about my status chasing thought he might get to (QF) silver just to see what it was like.

Since then he has raved about how well he was treated during the OOL weather disruptions and then tonight has been op-upped from Y to Y+ on the flight to NRT tonight. Now he knows what it's all about and the benefits of status.

I am spreading the word.

 

[Pushka]

Slightly on topic here, one of my friends who used to bag me out a bit about my status chasing thought he might get to (QF) silver just to see what it was like.

Since then he has raved about how well he was treated during the OOL weather disruptions and then tonight has been op-upped from Y to Y+ on the flight to NRT tonight. Now he knows what it's all about and the benefits of status.

I am spreading the word.

I guess people won't get it until they reach it, although maybe he imagined the service he received for silver.

 

[simongr]

Oh. Like this?

Very yummy (for crisps). I think I have a new favorite...

Pickled Onion Monster Munch are my absolute favourite

And buyable in Sydney now!!!!

When I first moved here I almost went back for Monster Munch - I now am on first name terms with the shop owner...

There really is such a difference between Oz Chippies and British Crisps.

Although my favourite "crisps" of all time are Ruffles Sour Cream and Onion chips - I would kill people for a packet. Kill.