The totally off-topic thread

[straitman]

Greetings to everyone from Puntarenas Costa Rica.
About to reboard our ship and will be at sea (offline) for the next 3 days.

 

[Major]

We were there last month. Did you go to one of the coffee plantations ?

 

[Cynicor]

With regards to the breastfeeding- nestle et al have had very successful campaigns in Asia and Africa to discourage breastfeeding and imply that breast milk is inferior to formula.

Regulations have been tightened periodically and the companies censured but the damage is done, and the perception remains.

It's all very sad, like most health related issues in those continents.

 

[JohnK]

Jeez this system is really going to screw JohnK with that team of ankle biters he has in Thai and was bragging about in the Aust $ thread!

Does Thailand have the same problem? I better start looking to bring the team over.

 

[drron]

Our son certainly thought breast was best.Dad had to do the 0200 feed with a bottle.At 4 weeks of age he began sleeping through the night.Bright lad.

 

[OATEK]

Our son certainly thought breast was best.Dad had to do the 0200 feed with a bottle.At 4 weeks of age he began sleeping through the night.Bright lad.

Our first just lost weight over the first few days and it was obvioulsy that breast feeding was not working. Bottle worked, and that was that.

 

[whatmeworry]

So I'm off to China next week - my No. 1 trading partner's neice is soon to give birth - so he asks me can I bring some tins of baby formula for her. No doubt you will all know history of probs in this area in China and over the years I have taken 100's of tins over with me. Product below on special in WW 2 tins / $30.

View attachment 38717

So I go to WW Thrift Park last night and ask for assistance in getting box of 6 rather than taking 6 loose off shelves. Manager says sorry cannot sell you a 'full carton' as too many people taking it in bulk overseas. So I said I will just grab 6 loose of shelf - OK he says.

I go to check out and COC says 'Sorry - limit 2 tins per customer per day' - WTF. Lady imm in front me says I will buy 2 for you - so I flick her $50 and she pays for 2 - I pay for 2 - and COC puts other 2 aside. I then collect 2 and $20 change from helpful lady - thank her - then drive to WW Mentone and buy another 2. I did test staff there and asked for 6 but same answer 2 tins per customer per day.

How long has this been going on? I know I bought 6 tins in July to take over there.

About two years ago I saw an Asian guy buying a whole trolley full of baby formula at Chemist Warehouse. :shock:

 

[JohnK]

Anyone stayed at the Sydney Star Casino or Brisbane Treasury? Worth it?

I had 2 free nights to use by 31 December and booked a night in each although I have to pay $40 in Sydney as there are no free rooms.

 

[hummel]

Nothing at all wrong with KQ. All the birds I've flown on in Africa have been quite new, staff were good and they have at least one B787 in the fleet IIRC.

And it's the 787 that flies the BKK-CAN leg.. so even better

 

[Buzzard]

Can you buy more than 2 tins of formula if you go through the self serve checkout?
Or several times through the self serve?

 

[Bindibuys]

Anyone stayed at the Sydney Star Casino or Brisbane Treasury? Worth it?

I had 2 free nights to use by 31 December and booked a night in each although I have to pay $40 in Sydney as there are no free rooms.

I have stayed at Star City several times. I have no complaints with room or service.

 

[Pushka]

Can you buy more than 2 tins of formula if you go through the self serve checkout?
Or several times through the self serve?

There is probably a system alert that will require checkout assistance. For example, try buying a set of knives, as in cutlery, and see what happens in the self serve area.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Can you buy more than 2 tins of formula if you go through the self serve checkout?
Or several times through the self serve?

Sorry cannot answer that.

I did just talk to Amy from Nanjing via Skype - Amy had her baby 3 years ago and this is what she tells me:

1. ALL Chinese mothers would prefer to breast feed if possible to 1 year or so - just natural she said

2. Most Chinese mothers would prefer to breast feed at home if possible but also most would breast feed outside if baby requires

3. Most Chinese mothers don't really care about finding out of sight places to breast feed if outside home but clearly this varies

4. So many Chinese mothers have to return to work almost immediately post natal in order to make ends meet so for them breast feeding extremely difficult - others for various reasons just prefer not to breast feed

How's that? Sound familiar boys and girls? Not unlike a country / race of people we are all so familiar with huh?

 

[Pushka]

That all sounds very reasonable then Cruiser. The Chinese must ensure that Baby formula produced in China is safe then. But I imagine many will take a long time to trust in that.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

That all sounds very reasonable then Cruiser. The Chinese must ensure that Baby formula produced in China is safe then. But I imagine many will take a long time to trust in that.

Check this snip from Skype:

[1:09:06 PM] wangjingamy: becasue Australia milk powder is good
[1:09:14 PM] wangjingamy: chinese 'S is cough

 

[serfty]

There is probably a system alert that will require checkout assistance. For example, try buying a set of knives, as in cutlery, and see what happens in the self serve area.

There are such systems ... try buying more than 4 packets of aspirin or paracetamol ...

 

[Pushka]

There are such systems ... try buying more than 4 packets of aspirin or paracetamol ...

I shall try that! I'm up for a stir.

 

[erkpod]

I shall try that! I'm up for a stir.

For additional points, wear a leather jacket at the time of purchase.

 

[JohnK]

Teeth whitening is not meant for everyone. Lasted 10 minutes before walking out.

 

[hummel]

Teeth whitening is not meant for everyone. Lasted 10 minutes before walking out.

I saw 4 pods set up at Westfield the other day offering teeth whitening...