We’ve still got a good week left before even CONSIDERING doing an All Holy Day Version--this week, you’re just gonna have to WAIT. Or, you know, participate in today’s rendition of the game that’s sweeping the nation, the Axis of Weevil Thursday Three, Unbearable Anticipation Edition!
Huzzah!
As is the custom, we will ask you three probing and insightful questions (or three just-regular questions) and you will either answer them in the comments below, or leave a link to your blog so we can run thither and gape at your answers there.
SO, what sort of questions today?
Well, as we noted, this is all about the thrill of waiting, so--
1) Have you ever camped out overnight to be able to purchase something? If so, what was it?
2) If your service in a restaurant has been abysmally slow because of the waiter, do you withhold a tip from the waiter, leave a penny or two for spite, leave something a bit smaller than a 15% tip, or go ahead and tip 15% or more just so if you come in again in the future, the waiter won’t spit in your food if he remembers you?
3) Do you ever listen to “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” on NPR?
Now! Run away and answer the questions as quickly as you possibly can without delay! First one up gets a free autographed picture* of Ralph Waite!
*Autograph not included. Subject to all copyright restrictions.
NOW THEN, for my answers, wait no more!
1) No, of course not. Even when I was young, I didn’t do stuff like that, and I can’t imagine any reason to do it now. I just don't understand the urge to stand in line for something, especially for toys or stuff like that that are supposed to be hot items. Especially those people who wait in the hot sun or freezing cold.
2) I don’t tip for bad service. I’ve heard the arguments some people have for leaving at least 10% or so, even if you get bad service, but I remain unpersuaded that it’s good to reward bad service. On the other hand, I won’t leave a spite tip, either. For good service, I’m a waiter’s dream--I’ll tip well and mention to the manager if I’ve had good service.
3) Yeah, sometimes, but only if P.J. O’Rourke is on the panel. Most of the time it’s just too twee and baselessly smug for its own good.
So, there you go--and just WAIT ‘til next week!!
Posted by Terry Oglesby at December 15, 2005 08:00 AM1. Nope.
2. Don't recall service that bad lately.
3. Never heard of the program 'til today.
Steevil put up my answers.
Posted by: Janis at December 15, 2005 09:19 AMDitto to Janis, but if there is a program with P.J., I need to start.
Posted by: Larry Anderson at December 15, 2005 09:23 AMOkay, no cribbing from the kids in the desk next to you!
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at December 15, 2005 09:54 AMYea—it’s the not so lame Thursday Three. Cleaning out the cabinets before the kids leave for the semester, huh? Well anyway I’m UP.
Posted by: jim at December 15, 2005 10:10 AM1) No way.
2) If I get good service I am a generous tipper, I'd say--but if I get service between 2 and 4 on a ten-point scale the tip gets reduced to 10%, and if it is below 2 (mind you I realize it is subjective) I leave no tip whatsoever.
I've not encountered that program either.
Posted by: Stan at December 15, 2005 10:16 AM1) Never.
2) If the service is really bad, I don't leave a tip.
3) I had never heard of it either. I did go to a live taping of "Whad'ya Know?" a few years ago.
I'm playing this week. But the comment box ate my link.
Posted by: Nate at December 15, 2005 11:59 AM1. Never
2. I am not usually the one who tips, because that would require doing math, in my head! I can barely add 2+2 in my head and taking percentages -- even easy ones like 10% are too much for me. So I leave that to Someone else. But the general rule around here is 20%+ for good service, 10% for marginal service and nothing for really, really horrible service, but I've rarely had it that bad.
3. We used to listen and enjoyed the show, long, long ago when we had but one tiny, wee little child. Now it is just to loud to attempt to listen to something carefully. Is Roy Blount Jr. still on? He cracked me up most of the time. I've never heard a show with PJ.
Yep, Jordana--Roy is on, and he's funny, too. But I still don't like it as much as Whad'ya Know.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at December 15, 2005 04:33 PMSomehow Tall End Tony just isn't as good as Charlie, though YMMV. As to the questions here's me answers, cross-posted of course.
1) Have you ever camped out overnight to be able to purchase something? If so, what was it?
Led Zeppelin tickets when I was 17, I'd never do it again though.
2) If your service in a restaurant has been abysmally slow because of the waiter, do you withhold a tip from the waiter, leave a penny or two for spite, leave something a bit smaller than a 15% tip, or go ahead and tip 15% or more just so if you come in again in the future, the waiter won’t spit in your food if he remembers you?
I'm really good on tipping, I know just how hard waiters work. The Caveat is when they mess up I know that too. Bad service gets no tip and a message to the manager or owner, professionalism counts.
3) Do you ever listen to “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” on NPR?
nope, prolly never will either ... can't stand NPR.
Posted by: Tony von Krag at December 15, 2005 09:45 PM