The totally off-topic thread

[TomVexille]

$84,000 is more than I make...

 

[Denali]

Its a tough call, respecting someones privacy but also being a good citizen.

You werent to know how long she was there for - you were going to investigate when you returned so dont beat yourself up.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Its a tough call, respecting someones privacy but also being a good citizen.

You werent to know how long she was there for - you were going to investigate when you returned so dont beat yourself up.

I know but the fact that she had a walker on a very rough rocky path should have set some alarm bells ringing but it just didn’t. She was very old, but we couldn’t see that at the distance we were from her.

 

[Denali]

$84,000 is more than I make...

Sounds like a once in a lifetime trip.

Im sure if most of us added up how much we have spent on various trips, we would all need a lie down and cold compress And I know my scary number would be far less than most.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Sounds like a once in a lifetime trip.

Im sure if most of us added up how much we have spent on various trips, we would all need a lie down and cold compress And I know my scary number would be far less than most.

you don’t add it up - far too scary

I did want to do something special for Ms FM for her last trip with us - once the babies come, she is going to learn what hard work is about Of course I am assuming the family happens - no guarantees I suppose!

 

[Denali]

If its financially doable, do it. We accumulate enough "things" in our lives, inc home & mortgage, an experience or good memories this will create makes it worth while.

One of hubbys brothers will die worth millions but in the 20yrs Ive known him, he doesnt even go to the movies. I think thats sad.

 

[Flying mermaid]

If its financially doable, do it. We accumulate enough "things" in our lives, inc home & mortgage, an experience or good memories this will create makes it worth while.

One of hubbys brothers will die worth millions but in the 20yrs Ive known him, he doesnt even go to the movies. I think thats sad.

A really good friend of ours used to be quite careful with money. Always travelled economy etc. Then her Mum had a stroke and she said to me she saw how useless money was when you had lost your quality of life and she started traveling more and booking business and really enjoying life. It was about 5 years after this that she was on MH17 when it was shot down - it comforted me a little to know that she had got the most out of her life in the years prior.

 

[Denali]

A really good friend of ours used to be quite careful with money. Always travelled economy etc. Then her Mum had a stroke and she said to me she saw how useless money was when you had lost your quality of life and she started traveling more and booking business and really enjoying life. It was about 5 years after this that she was on MH17 when it was shot down - it comforted me a little to know that she had got the most out of her life in the years prior.

We really need a hug button! Sad to read but yes, she got to live some wonderful experiences and that helps.

 

[tgh]

She apologised and said she would get onto it. Early April I sent a polite email. Mid April I sent a Did you see this? Then I phoned twice and left messages. Then I sent another email. I have had no answers to my emails or phonecalls since 14 March and the refund hasn’t turned up,

IMO this a good example of the Ferrari factor ; the Sydney person has probably tried to get something done by the UK office and failed.
I agree ,Escalate..( but don't cancel.. SS are great once at sea.)
Make a formal complaint to an au regulator... AND THEN… join the Silversea list on cruise Critic and spell it all out in dispassionate detail.
Hit facebook , hit them everywhere, squeaky wheels receive grease, maybe even compensation…..

Stuffing you around costs them little.. 2 bookings is neither here nor there… hitting their public perception button will hurt and will likely get results. Tell the world .

I guess I should also say that (IMO of course) there is no value in booking direct.
The agents fees are built into the price anyway and a decent agent really has some clout .

 

[Flying mermaid]

She apologised and said she would get onto it. Early April I sent a polite email. Mid April I sent a Did you see this? Then I phoned twice and left messages. Then I sent another email. I have had no answers to my emails or phonecalls since 14 March and the refund hasn’t turned up,

IMO this a good example of the Ferrari factor ; the Sydney person has probably tried to get something done by the UK office and failed.
I agree ,Escalate..( but don't cancel.. SS are great once at sea.)
Make a formal complaint to an au regulator... AND THEN… join the Silversea list on cruise Critic and spell it all out in dispassionate detail.
Hit facebook , hit them everywhere, squeaky wheels receive grease, maybe even compensation…..

Stuffing you around costs them little.. 2 bookings is neither here nor there… hitting their public perception button will hurt and will likely get results. Tell the world .

I guess I should also say that (IMO of course) there is no value in booking direct.
The agents fees are built into the price anyway and a decent agent really has some clout .

i am going to start escalating next week and then hit social media. Not something I like to do really.

I said to Mr FM that I would never book direct again - clearly cruises you need an agent to take away the hassle factor.

 

[Flying mermaid]

$84,000 is more than I make...

We couldn’t have afforded it at your age either. It is one of the few advantages of being old and decrepit. But you know I would swap the money for your youth any day.

 

[TomVexille]

We couldn’t have afforded it at your age either. It is one of the few advantages of being old and decrepit. But you know I would swap the money for your youth any day.

I saw the photos, you're not old and decrepit

 

[TheRealTMA]

We couldn’t have afforded it at your age either. It is one of the few advantages of being old and decrepit. But you know I would swap the money for your youth any day.

Nah!

 

[straitman]

We couldn’t have afforded it at your age either. It is one of the few advantages of being old and decrepit. But you know I would swap the money for your youth any day.

I agree. I'd swap the money for the youth any day. (...and hopefully keep a little of the knowledge gained)

 

[TheRealTMA]

I agree. I'd swap the money for the youth any day. (...and hopefully keep a little of the knowledge gained)

No, that’s mutually exclusive.

 

[juddles]

Do people really care if the toilet seat is up or down?

YES!

Me included. I don’t like touching anything when I go. If a public toilet has the lid down I use my feet (shoe) to raise it up.

definitely good technique

Definitely leave public toilet lids up, but down at home.

agree

Divided opinion. I prefer the lid (and seat) up as that ensures no surprises for next person.

Public toilets, including office, are awful. I'm not perfect but ensure I do not leave a mess for next person but can't say the same for others.

People, I live in Medellin, Colombia. My work is in the badlands here. Bloodthirsthy gangs, implaccable rebels. There are minefields and rainbow-coloured serpents three metres long. But I have come to fear raising the lid on a public toilet more than any other single task in the world.

Traveling the globe, you encounter such horrendous, even inexplicable, revulsions lurking under those lids, that I almost believe there are aliens or a Dark Lord at work......

 

[Quickstatus]

But I have come to fear raising the lid on a public toilet more than any other single task in the world.

Traveling the globe, you encounter such horrendous, even inexplicable, revulsions lurking under those lids, that I almost believe there are aliens or a Dark Lord at work......

That’s why universally leave lids up. Seat up or down who cares.

I just want to be able to open the door exiting the toilets without touching door with hands (after washing)

 

[Bindibuys]

Sounds like a once in a lifetime trip. Im sure if most of us added up how much we have spent on various trips, we would all need a lie down and cold compress And I know my scary number would be far less than most.

Difficult when you are married to an accountant..... and as I do all the bookings, and pay for everything while on holidays, he has no idea how much it has cost. He only wants to know at the end of the trip.

 

[Bindibuys]

I just want to be able to open the door exiting the toilets without touching door with hands (after washing)

I use my pinky finger to hook around the bottom edge of the door handle. I also use my knuckle for pushing buttons at pedestrian crossings.

 

[TheRealTMA]

YES!



definitely good technique



agree



People, I live in Medellin, Colombia. My work is in the badlands here. Bloodthirsthy gangs, implaccable rebels. There are minefields and rainbow-coloured serpents three metres long. But I have come to fear raising the lid on a public toilet more than any other single task in the world.

Traveling the globe, you encounter such horrendous, even inexplicable, revulsions lurking under those lids, that I almost believe there are aliens or a Dark Lord at work......

In Brisbane (or Queensland) you always leave the seat up so you can see the snakes, toads and redbacks before you sit down!