Major or minor things that puzzle you

[hbelkins]

Why does the  favored team in a sporting event have a (-) sign in front of the point spread?

For instance, Indiana is a seven-point favorite over Alabama tomorrow. That's indicated as "IU -7."

Why isn't it "IU +7" if the Hoosiers are the favorite?

That puzzles me.

[Big John]

^^ For the betting line, the book will subtract 7 points from the Indiana score and compare it to the actual Alabama score to determine the winner of the bet.

[Molandfreak]

Why can't I wear white after Labor Day?

[Big John]

What practical usefulness do neckties offer?

[mgk920]

^^ For the betting line, the book will subtract 7 points from the Indiana score and compare it to the actual Alabama score to determine the winner of the bet.

And then the line is constantly adjusted so that an approximately equal amount is wagered on each side.  This makes things profitable or the bookmaker.  These lines tend to be very accurate.

Mike

[Max Rockatansky]

I don't understand why we try to call government employees "team members" or "associates" at work. 

[kphoger]

What practical usefulness do neckties offer?

They cover up the fact that the front placket of my white dress shirt has accumulated lint that's otherwise visible through the thin fabric.

[kphoger]

Men, not women, should be the ones to ride side-saddle.  For obvious reasons.

[kkt]

What practical usefulness do neckties offer?

Group identification.  You are the group that wears ties, possibly ties of a certain design, or you are not.

Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond books among other things) wrote about the value of an Eton tie in his autobiography.  It didn't matter that he did not graduate, he was entitled to the Tie for attending and it opened a lot of doors in a surprising variety of places even far from England.

My grandfather was raised that if you were college educated you ALWAYS put a tie on when you got dressed and did not take it off again until you were getting undressed for bed.  He wore ties with casual clothes even when he was just kicking back around the house all day.

[Scott5114]

Men, not women, should be the ones to ride side-saddle.  For obvious reasons.

Likewise, it's strange that traditionally American women's clothing was open at the bottom and men's had separate legs. Seems like the reverse would make more sense.

Now women usually wear pants with separate legs, but it's still considered unusual for men to wear clothing that's open at the bottom. Kilts are an exception, but it's considered strange to wear one outside of Scotland.

[Beltway]

What practical usefulness do neckties offer?

Keep the top of your shirt buttoned -- stay warmer.

I don't understand why we try to call government employees "team members" or "associates" at work. 

Government agencies should operate as much like a private business as possible --  customer service, accountability, transparency, predictable timelines, and budgeting that is realistic, sustainable, and tied to measurable outcomes.

That is how Virginia works, we even had customer service training for all employees at VDOT.

[Max Rockatansky]

What practical usefulness do neckties offer?

Keep the top of your shirt buttoned -- stay warmer.

I don't understand why we try to call government employees "team members" or "associates" at work. 

Government agencies should operate as much like a private business as possible --  customer service, accountability, transparency, predictable timelines, and budgeting that is realistic, sustainable, and tied to measurable outcomes.

That is how Virginia works, we even had customer service training for all employees at VDOT.

I work for an NF branch.  We aren't allocated any taxpayer revenue for funding.  All the same, I'm not getting (puzzled?) how your reply has anything to do what I said originally?

[Scott5114]

Government agencies should operate as much like a private business as possible

No they shouldn't.

[Beltway]

Government agencies should operate as much like a private business as possible

No they shouldn't.

Right -- it's not a profit‑making enterprise, and it shouldn't be. I'm only talking about adopting the operational habits that make well‑run organizations effective: customer service, accountability, predictable timelines, clear financial accounting, and clear communication.

I work for an NF branch.  We aren't allocated any taxpayer revenue for funding.

What is an NF branch?

[Scott5114]

accountability

Like how you avoid taking accountability for making up the word "impleasable"?

[vdeane]

Men, not women, should be the ones to ride side-saddle.  For obvious reasons.

On Holey Moley, practically everyone rode side saddle at King Parthur's Court, which was especially weird given that the objective was to stay on the horse while being jousted, and the horse was greased up enough that it would be difficult enough even when not being in a position that would make it impossible to attempt to grip the horse.  I can't remember anyone making it to the putting green without a stroke penalty for falling into the water.

[kphoger]

On Holey Moley, practically everyone rode side saddle at King Parthur's Court, which was especially weird given that the objective was to stay on the horse while being jousted, and the horse was greased up enough that it would be difficult enough even when not being in a position that would make it impossible to attempt to grip the horse.  I can't remember anyone making it to the putting green without a stroke penalty for falling into the water.

I had never heard of Holey Moley.  And I read your first word as "Oh" rather than "On".

Keep that in mind, re-read your post, and you can see how bizarre it came across to me at first.

[Scott5114]

On Holey Moley, practically everyone rode side saddle at King Parthur's Court, which was especially weird given that the objective was to stay on the horse while being jousted, and the horse was greased up enough that it would be difficult enough even when not being in a position that would make it impossible to attempt to grip the horse.  I can't remember anyone making it to the putting green without a stroke penalty for falling into the water.

I had never heard of Holey Moley.  And I read your first word as "Oh" rather than "On".

Keep that in mind, re-read your post, and you can see how bizarre it came across to me at first.

Oh good, it wasn't just me. 

[kphoger]

Likewise, it's strange that traditionally American women's clothing was open at the bottom and men's had separate legs. Seems like the reverse would make more sense.

Now women usually wear pants with separate legs, but it's still considered unusual for men to wear clothing that's open at the bottom. Kilts are an exception, but it's considered strange to wear one outside of Scotland.

If it were socially acceptable for men to wear unbifurcated bottoms, then I'd definitely go for it.  And then my wife would probably bury her head in the sand...

I do own a thawb, which was sent to me as a gift from the mother of a young Saudi man who rented a room from us one year while he attended college.  I've worn it around the house before, as a sort of male nightgown, but it's not exactly the sort of thing I'd wear in public.

I'm not completely old-fashioned when it comes to gender roles, but probably more so than the forum average.

[vdeane]

On Holey Moley, practically everyone rode side saddle at King Parthur's Court, which was especially weird given that the objective was to stay on the horse while being jousted, and the horse was greased up enough that it would be difficult enough even when not being in a position that would make it impossible to attempt to grip the horse.  I can't remember anyone making it to the putting green without a stroke penalty for falling into the water.

I had never heard of Holey Moley.  And I read your first word as "Oh" rather than "On".

Keep that in mind, re-read your post, and you can see how bizarre it came across to me at first.

It was a reality show/parody of sporting competition where people would compete at miniature golf.  The twist was the obstacles weren't just for the balls - they were for the people.  The most prominent hole was probably Double Dutch Courage, where contestants would have to get through two windmills.

[webny99]

• Future I-49 in Arkansas

[GaryV]

ON good, it wasn't just me

FIFY

[1995hoo]

... The twist was the obstacles weren't just for the balls - they were for the people.  The most prominent hole was probably Double Dutch Courage, where contestants would have to get through two windmills.

...

Cue Beavis and Butt-head laugh. "Uh, aren't the balls part of the people?"

[kphoger]

Cue Beavis and Butt-head laugh. "Uh, aren't the balls part of the people?"

Also, now 'Double Dutch' sounds like some sort of weird kinky sex act.

The most prominent hole was probably Double Dutch Courage, where contestants would have to get through two windmills.

[vdeane]

... The twist was the obstacles weren't just for the balls - they were for the people.  The most prominent hole was probably Double Dutch Courage, where contestants would have to get through two windmills.

...

Cue Beavis and Butt-head laugh. "Uh, aren't the balls part of the people?"

And on that, this clip takes on a whole new meaning.  Especially since it looks like that was the episode that was a crossover with The Bachelor (note that he's wearing a suit and not golfing gear).

Cue Beavis and Butt-head laugh. "Uh, aren't the balls part of the people?"

Also, now 'Double Dutch' sounds like some sort of weird kinky sex act.

The most prominent hole was probably Double Dutch Courage, where contestants would have to get through two windmills.

And to think that episode's gimmick was that the two finalists would "find love at Double Dutch Courage".