The totally off-topic thread

[PLANT]

Just after some info with Taxi's/Uber in Rome.
Family there at the moment and it was the day of train strike.

1. Is it normal that taxi's unmetred?
2. Airbnb host said trip should be 13 euro's, taxi wanedt 40 euro's...settled on 30 to get to destination via translation from Airbnb host!
3. Would Uber have been cheaper?
4. How do you get a metered taxi in Rome...what do you look for?

 

[Flashback]

Just after some info with Taxi's/Uber in Rome.
Family there at the moment and it was the day of train strike.

1. Is it normal that taxi's unmetred?
2. Airbnb host said trip should be 13 euro's, taxi wanedt 40 euro's...settled on 30 to get to destination via translation from Airbnb host!
3. Would Uber have been cheaper?
4. How do you get a metered taxi in Rome...what do you look for?

Punch the A and B end into https://uber.com/cities/Rome to get a rough price.

 

[PLANT]

Thanks for that Uberblack turns out to be 30.51 Euro!

 

[Denali]

You know how we go to work every day, hoping to make a difference, hoping to make someone's day better, hoping to bring a change to bring happiness and peace... I think I cracked it!

I dont work on my birthday, every year I take a "Denali Day" as paid leave and I have been campaigning for this as a company thing so everyone gets a "Denali Day" but with pay and not annual leave.

My GM just told me its going to happen from Jan 1st

Im actually going to create the Leave Type in our online payroll system as "Denali Day". It will be my legacy

 

[anat0l]

Oh lookie
ing the party
Now I am join



Me too using firefox on W8

Just tried it out here. Seems to be no problem.

This is Firefox on Windows 10, desktop.

 

[Pushka]

That's a great idea Denali. I wonder what people will think when their birthday is on a weekend? Be able to make it a long weekend?

 

[Denali]

That's a great idea Denali. I wonder what people will think when their birthday is on a weekend? Be able to make it a long weekend?

Denali Day has rules.

Must be taken on the actual day unless your birth date is the weekend, public holiday or Feb 29th. Then it must be taken on the immediate Friday before or Monday after your birth date.

Cannot be accrued and cannot be changed to a different day that week. Its a use it or lose it day off with pay.

 

[JohnK]

Im actually going to create the Leave Type in our online payroll system as "Denali Day". It will be my legacy

Well done.

A couple of years ago our company introduced a 'Me' day. All permanent staff get an extra day paid leave a year after their anniversary as long as you have been employed for 12 months or more. I'll have my second one in December but not on my birthday. Next year I'll take a day of leave on my birthday and do some flights on that day.

 

[vetrade]

Just after some info with Taxi's/Uber in Rome.
Family there at the moment and it was the day of train strike.

1. Is it normal that taxi's unmetred?
2. Airbnb host said trip should be 13 euro's, taxi wanedt 40 euro's...settled on 30 to get to destination via translation from Airbnb host!
3. Would Uber have been cheaper?
4. How do you get a metered taxi in Rome...what do you look for?

Rome taxi drivers are notorious scoundrels especially around places like the main railway station (Termini?) who prey on most travellers' inexperience.
Whatever price they quote is probably about 50% higher than what it should be so expect that around 66% of the quote is about right.
If there is a queue of taxis you often find some touts trying to usher you into a particular one. If you wave them away and say "Too much" they will start dropping their price.
Avoid them and walk down the rank (or even down the road) a bit; ask the driver if he will take you to where ever you're going for the 66%-off price - invariably they will take it. Also make sure your bags are included - plenty will try and hit you up for another 5 or 10 Euros after you're on your way.

 

[Hvr]

Tragedy at MEL AP 28 Oct.

This morning when passing through on my way home I saw the result of a tragic fall. The AFP Officer present called it a sad waste.


A photo is attached but certain people on this board will find it too traumatic to view.

 

[anat0l]

Tragedy at MEL AP 28 Oct.

This morning when passing through on my way home I saw the result of a tragic fall. The AFP Officer present called it a sad waste.


A photo is attached but certain people on this board will find it too traumatic to view.

A more serious tragedy closer to home today (as if the theme park incident is still fresh in mind): a bus driver has died after he was set alight at Moorooka.

Moorooka bus fire: driver dead and 11 injured

 

[Pushka]

Just some awful people in this world. Just doing his work. Driving a bus. Murdered horrifically.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Appalling - will wait on more details as to why

 

[whatmeworry]

Major Kudos must go to the bloke that kicked the rear exit doors open or we might be talking multiple fatalities.

 

[JohnK]

Just some awful people in this world. Just doing his work. Driving a bus. Murdered horrifically.

Very sad but is there more to the story?

 

[anat0l]

Just some awful people in this world. Just doing his work. Driving a bus. Murdered horrifically.

Appalling - will wait on more details as to why

Because he's a bus driver?

I dunno - according to sentiment going around the traps, bus drivers are just another on the list of people who are part of a service to the public but are regularly abused or assaulted (along with paramedics and others).

Most who abuse or assault are never caught; many who are charged don't get away with much more than a slap on the wrist after an apology, usually lacking in contrition.

This poor driver unfortunately is one of the unlucky ones who was assaulted but won't see another day.

When they find the low life scum who did this, I'd like to know how it would feel if it were doused in a flammable liquid then set alight. I believe such a punishment used to be performed very long time ago on those who were convicted of being wicked or evil.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I can understand (although not condone) abuse. My daughter is training as a paediatrician and she cops a lot of abuse from stressed parents. However this is a whole step further, not to mention premeditated.

I mean which of us hasn't lost our cool and yelled at someone over something. Even swinging a punch I can understand, but this is insanity.

 

[anat0l]

Very sad but is there more to the story?

What's the possible more to the story?

The driver owed someone a debt? He disgraced his family? Is the person he was engaged to have jealous or oppressed relatives or friends that he insulted? His race? Xenophobia? Did he annoy someone in his previous life as a taxi driver? The driver paid someone to kill him in place of attempting suicide? Unlucky victim in an anti-bus driver syndicate? The device was only meant to burn him but not kill him - the latter part was an accident? The accused, wherever they are, is deranged or insane, so they're criminally less liable?

Help me out here....

 

[Pushka]

My sister in law who worked in casualty last week was assaulted last Tuesday by a large male patient. He grabbed her arm and dragged it behind her. Almost like he was trying to dislocate her shoulder. She reported it and spent the next day doing the paperwork. She is considering quitting now - she has been a registered nurse for over 30 years and has been pushed, hit etc but this one has shaken her and still in pain. She doesn't want to go on workcover as it is a torturous path. Why do people abuse those who are trying to help them.

 

[anat0l]

Why do people abuse those who are trying to help them.

Why can't we punish those who abuse adequately?

I'd advise your sister-in-law to be strong and keep going. She has helped so many people before her; it isn't fair that she should leave behind a successful career because of some dick (there, I said it - censor it if you will but my contempt is the same). I know that's very tough, but it just goes to show that sentencing someone does not take into account the damage which has been caused that you can't see at face value. (I make a similar argument for the victims of white collar crimes).

As a teacher to be, I'm told we have to be ready for anything and everything. That includes all manner of objects being thrown at us, whether it be spit balls, chairs or computer monitors. I'm told that overbearing parents can also be sources of abuse, though nominally not of the physical type. Most of the offending is done by people who are far too young to face court let alone prison.