Minor things that bother you

[SSOWorld]

On a roadgeek theme, I'm annoyed when BGSs and signals are centered over a lane(s) in a curve and therefore not centered as seen on approach.  For example:

Westbound I-94 ramp to I-96 in Detroit:  The BGS for eastbound I-96 is too far to the left.

Westbound I-96 ramp to Wixom Road in Novi  The traffic signals are way too far to the left.

Whoa.  Sorry if I am new to the block on this one, but I have never seen a control "city" of Canada.

Yep.  I-96 terminates at the exit to the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor, Ontario.  It merges into southbound I-75 so the sign also could have shown a control city of Toledo, but none do. 

Another example:  Once you're in Port Huron, the control "city" for eastbound I-69 and I-94 is Canada.

Also at the Soo:  BR I-75 near I-75

https://www.google.com/maps/@31.7780005,-106.4544006,3a,22y,94.82h,99.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syJIZpyQ-FurbMvBNCvyExw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I am used to the foreign city actually being mentioned.  Not just the entire country. 

Could be worse - California doesn't even mention Mexico.  Welcome to the town of International Border

[kphoger]

California doesn't even mention Mexico.  Welcome to the town of International Border

Depends on the route.

[CtrlAltDel]

One of the minor things that bothers me on this forum is when people use a written description to present a more or less complex route that they've traveled. Perhaps it's just me, but it seems like drawing a line on a map would be easier and clearer. My eyes just glass over when trying to work through those mountains of text, which I can only make sense of by comparing the description to a map anyway.

[hbelkins]

It should be "physical distancing." There's no reason you can't be socially distant with people, just keep your physical distance.

I try to be socially distant from people even if I'm not physically distant from them. Example: I hate small talk in places like doctor's office waiting rooms. There's a reason I pick up a magazine or scroll through my phone once I sit down. It's because I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!!!!

[formulanone]

One of the minor things that bothers me on this forum is when people use a written description to present a more or less complex route that they've traveled. Perhaps it's just me, but it seems like drawing a line on a map would be easier and clearer. My eyes just glass over when trying to work through those mountains of text, which I can only make sense of by comparing the description to a map anyway.

Sometimes I have to control myself from posting "I'M STUPID AND NEED VISUALIZATION, SO WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE POST A DAMN MAP ALREADY!" about three pages into some sort of discussion of an unfamiliar corridor.

(ah, that felt better)

[kurumi]

One of the minor things that bothers me on this forum is when people use a written description to present a more or less complex route that they've traveled. Perhaps it's just me, but it seems like drawing a line on a map would be easier and clearer. My eyes just glass over when trying to work through those mountains of text, which I can only make sense of by comparing the description to a map anyway.

Old newspaper articles love to do this when describing the route of a proposed highway. Instead of a copy of the project map, however small, you'll instead see 3-4 paragraphs like this:

Starting at a point east of McGraw's General Store, the route proceeds northerly through properties belonging to the Benson and Chumley families; skirting the old apple orchards, the route follows the proposed Cedar Grove development boundary to the top of the ridge. Crossing Sharon Road (hey! something that still exists!), the route turns left at the barking dog and continues down the lane where Gertie Johnson rode her bike in the ditch 30 years ago. We wore an onion on our belt, as was the style at the time...

This might have all made sense in 1954 to someone having grown up in that town. But today, those businesses are gone, the families are gone, the landmarks are forgotten, (even the newspaper is no longer publishing) and a simple map would have been so much more useful.

Is a picture is worth 1,000 words? A map certainly would be.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

For COVID-related terms...

I dislike people using the word 'quarantine' to mean any restrictions.  Sorry, but your having to work from home because your office is open doesn't mean you're quarantined.  When I got back from Mexico in March, I was under state order to stay in my house for two weeks.  I couldn't pick up my computer from work, friends had to buy us groceries, couldn't take the remaining trip money to the church secretary.  That's what 'quarantine' means.

I dislike the phrase 'social distancing' to mean only physical distancing.  To me, social distancing is arranging things so that you don't have in-person interactions.  It means canceling activities, doing meetings by phone instead of in the conference room, not having company over, that kind of thing.  On the other hand, physical distancing means that, when you do have interactions with other people, you don't get close to each other.  So, for example, a teacher moving desks around so they're six feet apart isn't doing so for reasons of social distancing:  it's the same students interacting socially either way, just the physical separation is different.

In that vein, for me it's the name of the "COVID-19" itself. It doesn't describe what causes, just says that is a disease caused by a coronavirus. And what the freak is it? It's just nondescript. I'd prefer "Wuhan Respiratory Syndrome", after where it was first described, even if it turns out it didn't originate there (compare Spanish flu, first reported in Spain as we were neutral in WWI and thus news circulated freely , although it really originated somewhere in Kansas). Or, if a location-based name is discouraged due to stygma, I'd rather use "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2", like the virus itself.

[kphoger]

Old newspaper articles love to do this when describing the route of a proposed highway. Instead of a copy of the project map, however small, you'll instead see 3-4 paragraphs like this:

Starting at a point east of McGraw's General Store, the route proceeds northerly through properties belonging to the Benson and Chumley families; skirting the old apple orchards, the route follows the proposed Cedar Grove development boundary to the top of the ridge. Crossing Sharon Road (hey! something that still exists!), the route turns left at the barking dog and continues down the lane where Gertie Johnson rode her bike in the ditch 30 years ago. We wore an onion on our belt, as was the style at the time...

This might have all made sense in 1954 to someone having grown up in that town. But today, those businesses are gone, the families are gone, the landmarks are forgotten, (even the newspaper is no longer publishing) and a simple map would have been so much more useful.

Hey, that's how everybody gave directions in the town I grew up in!

– Where does Harold live?
– You know the house that Murphy Hamlin built back in '54?
– No.
– It's across the street from it.

One time, when I was on a mission trip at a children's home in Mexico, the phone rang while the director was running an errand.  It was the police, and they needed to know which building to come to.  (That freaked me out, by the way, especially when I was called outside to speak with them.  It turned out they were just picking up a girl who had been kidnapped in another state and then put in the care of the children's home while everything was being processed.)  I told them it was the building that had intimidating dogs on the roof, and they immediately knew which building to come to.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

It was more or less in this same way how "the street where the clinic is" in the same town as the Calles "Ote." and "Pte." came to be a reference point and magical spot for me .  I even had a photo of the street sign for the Street Sign Name Game, but I lost the photo, too bad because the street name ends in Z...

[jeffandnicole]

People, on travel sites and elsewhere, that say they are looking for a hotel that's clean and food that's good.

I've yet to see anyone say "Hey, I'm looking for a hotel room that specializes in roaches and bed bugs.  Recommend restaurants would include alleyway varmints walking around the dining floor."

Related to this:  People that describe themselves as "foodies", then say they want restaurant recommendations.  No, you're not a foodie. You're looking for places to eat on vacation, which is what everyone does when they're on vacation.

[texaskdog]

People, on travel sites and elsewhere, that say they are looking for a hotel that's clean and food that's good.

I've yet to see anyone say "Hey, I'm looking for a hotel room that specializes in roaches and bed bugs.  Recommend restaurants would include alleyway varmints walking around the dining floor."

Related to this:  People that describe themselves as "foodies", then say they want restaurant recommendations.  No, you're not a foodie. You're looking for places to eat on vacation, which is what everyone does when they're on vacation.

I look at total score.  my wife looks at trip advisor and focuses on bad review and every place has some bad reviews.

[J N Winkler]

I tend to interpret "hotel that's clean and food that's good" as "I'm not picky as long as certain basic standards are met"--in other words, money or convenience (usually money) is the driving consideration.

I look at reviews too, but don't sweat the details.  Euphemisms I've seen used over the years include "mature facility" (no longer subject to brand policing) and "ideal for solo travellers" (look elsewhere if you are concerned a substandard or downright squalid motel will prompt an intimate partner to wonder how highly you value the relationship).

[formulanone]

Euphemisms I've seen used over the years include "mature facility" (no longer subject to brand policing)

Haven't seen that one before, though at first glance, I'd assume it's one step away from "retirement home".

"ideal for solo travellers" (look elsewhere if you are concerned a substandard or downright squalid motel will prompt an intimate partner to wonder how highly you value the relationship).

People that describe themselves as "foodies", then say they want restaurant recommendations.  No, you're not a foodie. You're looking for places to eat on vacation, which is what everyone does when they're on vacation.

I think the "foodie" is one who plans out their meals at specific restaurants, so I would figure they would have already done their homework much like we plan our routes in advance. In the words of the late Steve Travis: "a foodie is someone who can't cook."*

In the past, I've tried to stop at one or two places that I'd had my eye on, but I've been just going to grocery stores and avoiding take-out at unfamiliar places. Sometimes it's just an additional headache to eat in the car or or take it back to the hotel. I'd imagine being a self-professed "foodie" in these times is a bit difficult.

* I'm not that good a cook, honestly.

[kphoger]

This is a different topic, but we're there now so...

When I read hotel reviews, I'm mainly looking for reviews that mention the following:
(1)  a quiet night's sleep, i.e. not hearing their neighbors;
(2)  comfortable beds;

Other than that, I mainly just make sure there aren't more than one or two people mentioning bugs or bad management or whatever.  Those things are bound to happen sometimes no matter what hotel it is, so I just make sure they don't constitute like one-fifth of all reviews.

[SEWIGuy]

Euphemisms I've seen used over the years include "mature facility" (no longer subject to brand policing)

Haven't seen that one before, though at first glance, I'd assume it's one step away from "retirement home".

"ideal for solo travellers" (look elsewhere if you are concerned a substandard or downright squalid motel will prompt an intimate partner to wonder how highly you value the relationship).

People that describe themselves as "foodies", then say they want restaurant recommendations.  No, you're not a foodie. You're looking for places to eat on vacation, which is what everyone does when they're on vacation.

I think the "foodie" is one who plans out their meals at specific restaurants, so I would figure they would have already done their homework much like we plan our routes in advance. In the words of the late Steve Travis: "a foodie is someone who can't cook."*

In the past, I've tried to stop at one or two places that I'd had my eye on, but I've been just going to grocery stores and avoiding take-out at unfamiliar places. Sometimes it's just an additional headache to eat in the car or or take it back to the hotel. I'd imagine being a self-professed "foodie" in these times is a bit difficult.

* I'm not that good a cook, honestly.

Exactly.  A "foodie" is someone who feels that a good meal is part of the vacation experience, and researches and selects options in advance.  And isn't going to the local Applebees because it's across the street from the hotel.

[jeffandnicole]

People that describe themselves as "foodies", then say they want restaurant recommendations.  No, you're not a foodie. You're looking for places to eat on vacation, which is what everyone does when they're on vacation.

I think the "foodie" is one who plans out their meals at specific restaurants, so I would figure they would have already done their homework much like we plan our routes in advance. In the words of the late Steve Travis: "a foodie is someone who can't cook."*

In the past, I've tried to stop at one or two places that I'd had my eye on, but I've been just going to grocery stores and avoiding take-out at unfamiliar places. Sometimes it's just an additional headache to eat in the car or or take it back to the hotel. I'd imagine being a self-professed "foodie" in these times is a bit difficult.

* I'm not that good a cook, honestly.

Exactly.  A "foodie" is someone who feels that a good meal is part of the vacation experience, and researches and selects options in advance.  And isn't going to the local Applebees because it's across the street from the hotel.

There are numerous definitions of a foodie, and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with vacations or even eating out.  Someone could consider themselves a foodie if they like to experiment with cooking different things at home.   

But ultimately, regardless where people are eating, people have done this all the time.  It's why people calling themselves Foodies bothers me (a little), because people have to eat!  Maybe if someone were to say "I'll like to try different versions of Lamb recipes and meals" would I feel that's a bit more of a foodie.  Someone saying "tell me places in the city where I can eat" isn't a foodie, because for the most part the food served in most restaurants really don't have anything specific to that city.  The restaurants recommended may be nice restaurants, but ultimately you could move that restaurant to a different city, and the food would be the same.

I tend to interpret "hotel that's clean and food that's good" as "I'm not picky as long as certain basic standards are met"--in other words, money or convenience (usually money) is the driving consideration.

I look at reviews too, but don't sweat the details...

Sometimes it's not necessarily money, but rather...I dunno...just comfort I guess.  It's not even unusual for someone to ask about clean, then ask if they should stay at either the Flamingo or the Bellagio in Vegas, which are normally vastly different price points.  Both will be clean, and you can walk anywhere for food.  But would the person want cheaper at the inclusion of possibly older, or nicer and newer?  And even then, there's no guarantee what is actually nicer.  The Flamingo is definitely older, but some of their recently renovated rooms are very nice.  The Bellagio actually gets lower reviews sometimes. Some people think that it's a 5 star hotel, and they should be treated like royalty.  When they're treated like an ordinary hotel guest, they get upset.  When they lose money at the casino, they get really upset!   And in a place like the Bellagio where they are probably spending a few hundred a night for a room, the only thing they can do is give a bad review.

Referencing reviews - I do the same thing.  I'll look for consistencies between reviews, but otherwise I take them for a bit of entertainment value.  My favorite ones always start with "I would give this hotel/restaurant 0 stars if I could".  Bed bugs are also a red flag that they simply aren't happy with the hotel.  While it's quite possible there could have been bed bugs, I've figured out that most people have no clue what bed bugs are.  "The Bed Bugs were as big as a bumblebee".  No. You probably saw a stink bug. Not pleasant, but not a bed bug.

[ethanhopkin14]

There are numerous definitions of a foodie, and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with vacations or even eating out.  Someone could consider themselves a foodie if they like to experiment with cooking different things at home.   

But ultimately, regardless where people are eating, people have done this all the time.  It's why people calling themselves Foodies bothers me (a little), because people have to eat!  Maybe if someone were to say "I'll like to try different versions of Lamb recipes and meals" would I feel that's a bit more of a foodie.  Someone saying "tell me places in the city where I can eat" isn't a foodie, because for the most part the food served in most restaurants really don't have anything specific to that city.  The restaurants recommended may be nice restaurants, but ultimately you could move that restaurant to a different city, and the food would be the same.

I hate the term foodie for the same reason.  It's made up.  I love to eat, and I love a lot of food that's not considered to be very good as well as food that many consider to be top notch.  I am the guy that says pizza is like sex; when it's good, it's good, and when it's bad, it's still good.  None of that makes me a foodie.  It makes me a hungry human being. 

[Rothman]

"Foodie" just means "picky eater," in terms of only wanting to eat foods they deem of a high quality, however subjective that determination is.

[kphoger]

"Foodie" just means "picky eater," in terms of only wanting to eat foods they deem of a high quality ...

I can get behind that definition.

A foodie never makes scrambled eggs with chopped-up store-brand hot dogs for lunch.  A foodie never goes to McDonald's for the 2-for-2 deal.  A foodie never buys a birthday cake from the Kroger counter.  A foodie never gets Fettucine Alfredo at the Olive Garden.  That's all too pedestrian for a foodie to even consider.

[vdeane]

"Foodie" just means "picky eater," in terms of only wanting to eat foods they deem of a high quality ...

I can get behind that definition.

A foodie never makes scrambled eggs with chopped-up store-brand hot dogs for lunch.  A foodie never goes to McDonald's for the 2-for-2 deal.  A foodie never buys a birthday cake from the Kroger counter.  A foodie never gets Fettucine Alfredo at the Olive Garden.  That's all too pedestrian for a foodie to even consider.

That's how I picture it too.  Thus, the request for restaurant recommendations doesn't disqualify someone from being a foodie for me - if they're traveling, they probably want a local, hole in the wall place service top-notch gourmet local cuisine, not tourist fare.

[webny99]

A foodie never makes scrambled eggs with chopped-up store-brand hot dogs for lunch.

I don't think anyone does that (at least I sure hope they don't).

[jeffandnicole]

"Foodie" just means "picky eater," in terms of only wanting to eat foods they deem of a high quality ...

I can get behind that definition.

A foodie never makes scrambled eggs with chopped-up store-brand hot dogs for lunch.  A foodie never goes to McDonald's for the 2-for-2 deal.  A foodie never buys a birthday cake from the Kroger counter.  A foodie never gets Fettucine Alfredo at the Olive Garden.  That's all too pedestrian for a foodie to even consider.

That's how I picture it too.  Thus, the request for restaurant recommendations doesn't disqualify someone from being a foodie for me - if they're traveling, they probably want a local, hole in the wall place service top-notch gourmet local cuisine, not tourist fare.

And honestly, sometimes I think those people miss out on true local fare.  Some locals are suggesting places with $40 steaks that can be cooked in any kitchen anywhere in the world. 

In Philly, our local cuisine is the cheesesteak.  A $10 heart attack served in waxy paper.   Stray from that, and you might as well go to Any City, USA.

[kphoger]

A foodie never makes scrambled eggs with chopped-up store-brand hot dogs for lunch.

I don't think anyone does that (at least I sure hope they don't).

Dude.  You can make a pretty good authentic Mexican lunch this way for cheap.  Honestly, the seasonings and cheese really make it less authentic, but they also make it tastier.  I've had something similar to this, home-cooked in Mexico, more than once.  It's a staple lunch for our family if we have some hot dogs leftover from grilling out.  Boil some beets and carrots or something ahead of time to have on the side, and you've got yourself a full meal.

1.  Sauté some onions, peppers, carrots, garlic, tomatoes–whatever leftover veggies you have floating around the kitchen, really.

2.  Chop up hot dogs into little rounds.  My wife and I prefer name-brand all-beef dogs (usually Oscar Mayer or Ballpark), but people like whatever they like.  In this application, it doesn't matter so much.  Toss them in with the veggies.

3.  Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano, coriander–whatever floats your boat.

4.  Add a little more butter (or oil or bacon grease or whatever you're using), and pour in some beaten eggs.

5.  Cook over medium-how heat, stirring gently every few minutes.  Just before they finish cooking/scrambling, throw in some cheese and stir one last time.

6.  Serve with heated-up tortillas and either salsa or hot sauce.



Speaking of hot dog rounds, they make a tasty pizza topping too.

[kphoger]

If I search YouTube for a certain band, then I can click to play a mix by that band.  Just need to skip ads every so often, but a lot of ads are short enough to not bother.  I do this regularly at work.

Now, however, it has started asking me every so often to sign in to "get the best YouTube experience".  I have to pause what I'm doing, bring the browser to the top, and then click [NOT NOW] in order for it to advance to the next song.  Grrr.

[tchafe1978]

If I search YouTube for a certain band, then I can click to play a mix by that band.  Just need to skip ads every so often, but a lot of ads are short enough to not bother.  I do this regularly at work.

Now, however, it has started asking me every so often to sign in to "get the best YouTube experience".  I have to pause what I'm doing, bring the browser to the top, and then click [NOT NOW] in order for it to advance to the next song.  Grrr.

Even more annoying than having to click "not now", is of you're using the mobile app, every so often the video will pause and will ask "are you still watching?" and you'll have to click yes to continue. This is most annoying as I like to listen to music on Youtube while in the shower, and the music all of a sudden stops. So I have to step out of the shower dripping wet to tap on my phone. Ads that are longer than 15 seconds are annoying while in the shower too. Some ads can be 1-2 minutes or even longer.