Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
flyer
Participant[quote=zk][quote=squat250]this skill might have been raised to an actual art form by judges and lawyers who want to appear normal “on the record” in the written transcript, but who are conveying utter contempt for the other party, in facially polite language.
actually, i hate being called sir, and can’t recall any time I’ve ever heard it when it was actually employed as a term of respect.
I do really like being called Counselor, though….don’t like mouthpiece, shyster or leech.[/quote]
I was in line at Costco and I dropped something. The 30-year old guy in line behind me said, “sir, you dropped your…” I remember thinking, “sir?” Might as well call me “old man.” If I was 30, I doubt he’d have called me sir. He’d probably have called me “dude.” Which I think I’d have preferred, even though I’m 50.[/quote]
Agree with squat on the intention of how someone addresses another person being key. Case in point regarding the “dude” thing. I was flying with a younger co-pilot on an international flight a couple of months ago. He was a great guy, and called me “dude” for the entire flight.
I didn’t have a problem with it, and for what they pay us, I can stand being called “dude,” anytime.
ParticipantRight, again, Allan. The common courtesy thing seems to have all but disappeared from our society, and, to me, that’s sad. Perhaps people don’t respect others, because they don’t respect themselves??
In addition, I just don’t get where the “attitude thing” comes from in most cases, (if, in fact, people are basing their “attitudes” on finances) when only 5% of the population have over a million in net worth. Very strange.
We’re “old school” and, in most situations, go out of our way to be respectful of others–and it’s a really good feeling. More people should actually give it a try!
ParticipantInteresting story, Allan, and don’t feel bad about feeling a bit old-fashioned. I call it class, and, IMO, we could use a lot more of it in this world.
ParticipantYou’re probably right, Dave.
Actually, an education and the lottery have a lot more in common than they used to. Either way, you pay your money, and you take your chances.
ParticipantThanks, Hobie, and you are absolutely right about that perspective of the connections thing!!
ParticipantAbsolutely agree, EP and BG.
25+ years ago, when my wife and I finished college, that allowed you to walk into just about any job you wanted. Not true today. If kids aren’t majoring in “in-demand” fields, they are really wasting their time and their parents money.
As far as the connections thing I mentioned, I’ve seen that strategy work out well for both “morons” and “non-morons”–OM. Hopefully there are more in the “non-moron” category.
ParticipantInteresting how this topic comes up almost once a month in some form.
As I know I’ve posted before, I can only speak from the perspective of what I’m actually seeing in the real world with my kids, and their peers, who are now in their mid to late 20’s.
All of my kids went to college, and have done well, but they all had very specific goals when they started, and each knew exactly what they wanted to try to achieve.
On the other hand, many of their friends who also attended college with very specific goals have had problems finding positions in their desired fields. Those who attended with no particular goals in mind, are completely lost.
Sadly, many expected their dreams would be handed to them with little effort on their part, and that has not worked out well. In reality, it seems to be about a 50/50 success rate from what we’ve seen–and that’s being optimistic.
If I were to analyze what gave my kids an edge, I’d have to say it was probably inside connections in their desired fields. Each one of them built amazing connections with people they knew along the way, and we threw in a few, too.
Apart from genius–to which the OP alluded–never underestimate the power of connections. IMO,that single element can really make all the difference in whether your kids live their career dreams or not–with, or without a college diploma.
ParticipantVery sorry to hear this–always a shock when something unexpected happens to someone close. Prayers are with you.
Participant[quote=CA renter][quote=Rich Toscano]As far as Black Friday goes, Barry Ritholtz offered the idea that people crowding the stores to get the discounts while they are available is a sign of consumer weakness, not strength. I’m not convinced of that but it’s an interesting idea. I guess we will have to see what the rest of the season looks like retail spending wise…[/quote]
This is what happened in 2007, which was the slowest season I’ve ever seen in my life (based on the physical presence of shoppers wherever we looked, and personal discussions with various retailers — we made a point of traveling around different counties in So Cal to see how the shopping malls, outlets, and restaurants were doing). The inventory piled up in the second half of 2007, so retailers discounted by a very large margin. That brought lots of shoppers out, but the stores were losing money in many cases because many people only bought the loss leaders and went home.
While this year is certainly busier than 2007 from what we’ve seen, I get the sense that the discounts are steeper and people are focusing on these cheaper items.
Like many of us were saying before the bubble burst, it will take some time for people to realize this isn’t your “standard” recession. Things have not picked up for a lot of people since the credit bubble burst. IMHO, they are just now beginning to realize that they will have to cut back significantly if they want to financially survive the coming years.[/quote]
BINGO–CAR. Glad to hear someone else realizes it will soon be a matter of financial survival–and I’m not talking about the “out there” folks, I’m talking about the “average” American household.
If we had not planned well, and saved far more than we think we’ll ever need, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep.
ParticipantThe film was moving. Can’t beat Daniel-Day Lewis and Spielberg.
Two of my kids who work on the corporate side of the entertainment industry have friends who worked on the movie, and they said it was a phenomenal experience.
Also check out Skyfall, Silver Linings Playbook and Flight–a bit fantastical–but still entertaining. (and no, MOST pilots don’t have the problems the character in the movie has–and as for the technical issues in the film–here’s a pretty good explanation from one of my peers. . .)
http://blogs.airspacemag.com/view/2012/11/is-denzels-upside-down-flying-trick-plausible/
Participant[quote=squat250][quote=flyer]Fantastic–and I admit defeat in that department![/quote]
only 40 more lbs by may 9th 2013 and i don’t have to eat the can of alpo i bought as part of a bet.
40 measly pounds. focus!
flyer, start with the bar —and add a little bit every time![/quote]
Thanks, squat. I’m 6’3,” 200 lbs., active, and in good health, so I’ll keep working on it. Good luck with that May 2013 goal!
Participant[quote=Rich Toscano]As far as Black Friday goes, Barry Ritholtz offered the idea that people crowding the stores to get the discounts while they are available is a sign of consumer weakness, not strength. I’m not convinced of that but it’s an interesting idea. I guess we will have to see what the rest of the season looks like retail spending wise…[/quote]
Interesting you should mention this Rich, I was just thinking the same thing.
IMO, just because people are spending (if, in fact they are), doesn’t mean they can afford to–and could actually indicate a level of desperation as noted in the article.
This also magnifies one of the reasons most people can’t afford to retire well–which may become an almost insurmountable problem in the near future.
Guess only time will tell how all of this ends.
ParticipantFantastic–and I admit defeat in that department!
ParticipantVery interesting “status” stories.
Sure, it’s fun to drive the Porsche, and, in my wife’s case carry the LV, but, IMO, those things really mean very little in and of themselves.
For example, we shop and dine around the DM, CV, RSF area often. Talk about the epitome of status conscious–BUT, something we’ve noticed over the many years we’ve lived in the area, is how most of the people we see out and about seem to perpetually remain in the 30-45 age range–it’s like a revolving door.
We’ve rarely seen a large population of the 50+ crowd–even when we were in our 30’s–20+ years ago. Since it’s a pretty great area in which to live, we find it odd.
I realize many of them probably have to relocate for jobs, but, it also tells me many of them don’t “last” because they can’t sustain the lifestyle.
IMHO, “perceived” or “real” “status” is meaningless, unless you have the net worth to sustain it over your lifetime.
-
AuthorPosts
