Daryl wrote --

you're going to have to wait a bit...unless you get there when it's
unusually slow, and they have plenty of staff on hand...but those
occurrences are EXTREMELY RARE.

I sprained my right ankle at work a few weeks before I retired and due
to university and company policy, (CYA) I had go to the ER. Now my
security company has personnel working there, in ER and other places.
(Mostly to assist people, shuttle them to the parking lots, etc).
I hobble in and none of "my" people are visible. The lobby is pretty
much empty, a slow day.
I give my information and take a seat. While waiting I take out my
phone and play solitaire.
One of the guys walks through and sees this senior ranking officer, a lieutenant, doing something on his phone and looking around. I guess I
looked as if I were texting some superior. Shortly another passes by and glances in my direction.
I look around and see a couple of them looking through the window and shrugging their shoulders, and could imagine them saying "I have no idea
who he is, we better be on our best behaviour". Then they scattered like
kids who have done something.
I sat there silently chuckling to myself as they tried to figure out
who I was and why I was there and if they were in trouble.
But nobody ever approached me to inquire who I was and why I was there
and who was I "texting". :)
There were times spot checks would be made by ranking officers, sort of
like mystery shoppers, on various posts.

manager...when the customer said "No, thanks...I won't need one of

those today". She didn't have a clue!! <G>

Being a Walmart pretty much sums it up. :)

That speaks volumes. What you ought to ask if they take Federal
Reserve Notes or Legal Tender...and see what kind of reaction that gets.

I sometimes ask a cashier "Do you accept American money/cash" just for
their reactions. Mostly it a cheerful "you bet!" where they get the joke.
Don't get me started on cashiers who can't make change unless the
register tells them how much it is...
Joe


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Joe,

Don't get me started on cashiers who can't make change unless the
register tells them how much it is...

I've gotten into arguments with cashiers and their managers, telling
them that "they gave me too much change" (honesty is the best policy).
Well, when they insist they are right, I say "Have a nice day", and I'm
gone. In that regard, I don't consider it stealing, as I did attempt to
make it right. They will realize that later when they reconcile the cash drawer.

Forty years ago, when I was working for the Burger King Corporation in
Little Rock, when the registers went down, except for me, the rest of
the cashiers had a conniption fit...because they couldn't figure out
the transaction. I'll never be as good as my late father, in doing
transactions in my head, but I'm far ahead of most kids nowadays.

In Little Rock, the sales tax at the restaurants right now is 12 cents
on the dollar. It would've been a little easier if it was just 10 cents,
but I can still figure things out. The tax is basically a combination
for the city, county, state, and the local convention and visitors
bureau, the latter to get tourism into the city. You would expect
travelers to spend the money like mad. That's why when there are big
events, the room rates skyrocket, unless the group gets a block with a discount.

Even so, you're lucky to find a hotel room for under $100 a
night...so, it helps having a discount, such as being an AAA Member.
Years ago, there was a deal called "Diners Club"...not sure if it
was a credit card or what, but like "American Express Travelers
Cheques", it's gone.

Back to Burger King, I had worked for 2 different franchises in the
area (both of the original owners are dead and gone now). Both had a
policy for the cashiers that "If you had a "perfect drawer" (nothing over/nothing short...the money matched what the register had for
transactions), with at least $300 in sales during the meal period...you
got a free meal (a Whopper, French Fry, and Soft Drink)." At one time, I
had 7 of them built up. I basically was "head cashier", because it was
rare that I had a shortage.

At the second franchise, there was an increasing number of shortages
from the cash drawers. Thinking he had a thief among the employees, he
made them take a polygraph. They had to sign a statement noting that
they weren't being forced to take the test...but if they refused, they
were fired (sounds like coersion to me). Yet, I had nothing to hide, so
I gladly took it.

He had also instituted a policy where if the cashier had a certain
number of cash shortages in a 3 day period (especially if the shortage
was large), you were put on a 2 week suspension, without pay. It
happened to me, but since I counted the money before I started the
shift, and did every transaction, I took responsibility for it. What
didn't occur to anyone is that possibly one of the managers may have
been the embezzler.

Anyway, when I didn't show up for work, but came in the third day of
the suspension to get my check (it was pay day), the owner asked me
where I had been. I replied "2 Week Suspension Without Pay for Cash Shortages...your policy". He scowled, and said "Consider it ENDED...I
NEED YOU!!". To me, that spoke volumes. He thought so much of my
integrity, that he felt I wasn't one of the "possible thieves".

Also, restaurants (except fast food, but that may be added eventually <shudder!>) are placing the tip/gratuity on the ticket when you first enter...even before you see your server...who may give you crappy
service. At one restaurant (a buffet), it happened to me (this was
before my wife died, and we were having lunch there). I have to have
quite a bit of liquid with my food...but my late wife would eat her food
first, then drink her beverage "to fill up the nooks and crannies".

I nearly choked on some of the food, as my mouth got so dry, that when
we were getting set to leave, I got the manager, and chewed him
out...saying "if this had been our first visit here, it would've been
our last, and we would've told all our friends to avoid the place". We
got a free meal on our next visit. Even if they had been short handed,
the server should've still tried to check on us every so often.

Yesterday, I went to a Pizza Inn for lunch (they have an all you can
eat buffet Monday through Friday from 11am to 2pm), and this one young
girl was busting her butt...moving quickly, asking everyone if they were needing anything...as well as being cashier at the front. Her hard work
so impressed me, I gave her a $5 tip. I also found out that on Fridays,
a local school orders 100 pizzas, to go...but it's split between 2 Pizza
Inn locations. The kitchen was busy to say the least!!

Back to the "pre-eating tip requirement", it so angered my late
father...so, I told him 3 things to say...which he used until he got
sick in late 2006 with pancreatic cancer (he only lasted 6 weeks). When
they asked for a tip, he said "I'll give you three...".

1) Plant your corn early.
2) Keep your powder dry.
3) Always have clean underwear on. <G>

With the last one, I saw a cartoon where this woman's son was in a
wreck, and he was in the Emergency Room. The doctor steps out of the
treatment room, and summons his mother, telling her "I've got bad news.
Your son was in a wreck...and, he did not have clean underwear on".

The mother starts screaming violently "NO!! NO!! WHY??!! WHY??!!" <G>

In that regard, when you get in the ER, you usually have to remove
part or all of your clothing, and put a gown on. While there is a time
and place for modesty, the doctors office, hospital, emergeny room, etc.
is not that place...although you don't go walking around the place naked
as a jaybird!! In the case of a woman in labor before childbirth, that
boy isn't coming out in a tuxedo...and the girl isn't coming out in a
white satin dress!! <G>

When I was in the ER the other day, when they needed a urine sample, I
didn't want to wet on the Depends (incontinence, part of growing old),
so thought "Nuts to this!!", and just stripped out. I figured they would
have to do X-rays and CT Scans in that area anyway. Plus, urine is
basically ammonia...and like ammonia, it will burn your skin.

But, I think of the joke where this one older man was constantly being
"baby talked to" by one of the nurses, and it just infuriated him!! So,
he got the idea to order a thing of apple juice, because this one nurse
always came in, asking for a urine sample (I guess the guy had urinary
tract issues).

Well, he had the juice hidden, and sure enough, she walked in with a
specimen cup. She told him "I'll step out while you void", and walked
out. (To me, void is cancelling a transaction...not peeing!!). Anyway,
he poured the apple juice (warm by now) into the specimen cup, and he
hid the empty deal away. She walked in, picked up the specimen cup, and
sighed "Oh, dear!! A little dark!!". Normally, that means you aren't
getting enough fluid...which can also cause kidney stones to form.
That's why I normally drink 1 to 2 liters of flavored water a day.

Anyway, this 'ol boy grabs the cup from her, and says "No problem!!
I'll run it through again!!", and swigs down the warm apple juice!!

The nurse fainted dead away!! <BG> -- but she never bothered him
again!! :D

Daryl

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Daryl wrote --

Don't get me started on cashiers who can't make change unless the
register tells them how much it is...

the cashiers had a conniption fit...because they couldn't figure out
the transaction. I'll never be as good as my late father, in doing transactions in my head, but I'm far ahead of most kids nowadays.

They all rely too much on what the machine says. Math isn't really
taught any longer. At least not in the old style we grew up with add/subtract/multiply/divide. Simple stuff really. (Though my division
isn't that great). They use calculators for the least little thing. (I
have to admit I use it when balancing my cheque book). (Aside: I worked
with a guy one time who would have a long list of figures. He first ran
it through the adding machine then in his head. I once asked why and he replied to make sure the machine was right. <g>)

bureau, the latter to get tourism into the city. You would expect
travelers to spend the money like mad. That's why when there are big
events, the room rates skyrocket, unless the group gets a block with a discount.

True in most places. And the block rate is generally what it would
normally be anyway. Maybe a little less.

Years ago, there was a deal called "Diners Club"...not sure if it
was a credit card or what, but like "American Express Travelers

At one time Diner's and AE where the only national credit cards,
accepted "everywhere". Diners was geared more for restaurants and AE was general (hotels, gas, food, clothing, etc). Many local/regional
department stores, etc had their own credit card good only with that
business. The only national card that comes to my mind was Sears. Then
of course you had smaller places where one charged and were sent a bill
each month, such as corner grocery stores, etc.
I don't know about Diner's but AE had no limit, and no interest, but
it had to be paid in full each month. I don't recall how they made their money. I never made enough to have one. One had to be above a certain
income level.

Also, restaurants (except fast food, but that may be added eventually <shudder!>) are placing the tip/gratuity on the ticket when you first enter...even before you see your server...who may give you crappy
service.

That is quite common with delivery people and other personal services
(i.e, UBER, LYFT, etc). The catch there is the individual is charged tax
on that tip. I never use that, I just slip them a few bucks.
When I drove a cab my tips were never reported. If asked we drivers
just said none were received, lying though out collective teeth. :)

Yesterday, I went to a Pizza Inn for lunch (they have an all you can
eat buffet Monday through Friday from 11am to 2pm),

Pizza Hut here had that for the longest time, but discontinued it a
couple of years ago. I miss those...

this one young girl was busting her butt...moving quickly, asking

everyone if they were needing anything

I always hate when they come by when I have a mouth full of food and
can't answer, just nod or point to whatever more was needed. :)

Your son was in a wreck...and, he did not have clean underwear on".

The mother starts screaming violently "NO!! NO!! WHY??!! WHY??!!" <G>

The horror! The shame on the family...
Bill Cosby once had a line about that. He said even if his underwear
was clean before the accident it wouldn't be afterward, or words to that effect. :)
Joe
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On 01-07-19 08:14, Joe Mackey <=-
spoke to Daryl Stout about ER And Money <=-

I don't know about Diner's but AE had no limit, and no interest,
but it had to be paid in full each month. I don't recall how they made their money. I never made enough to have one. One had to be above a certain income level.

AE made their money by charging the vendor a percentage of what was
charged. Other credit card companies do the same, but AE charges more.
Visa & Mastercard would love for people to pay the minimum each time so
that they could rake in the interest fees. They don't get any such
fees from me.

Dale Shipp
fido_261_1466 (at) verizon (dot) net
(1:261/1466)


... Shipwrecked on Hesperus in Columbia, Maryland. 00:29:50, 08 Jan 2018
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Dale,

AE made their money by charging the vendor a percentage of what was DS>charged. Other credit card companies do the same, but AE charges more. DS>Visa & Mastercard would love for people to pay the minimum each time so DS>that they could rake in the interest fees. They don't get any such
fees from me.

My parents always paid the balances off. But, now with my Mom in a
nursing home, and her assets into a Miller Trust to pay the huge monthly
cost ($6000 a month in Arkansas), Arkansas Asset Protection Group
basically sent the credit card companies a "too bad, so sad letter",
where they have to "write it off". My Mom had paid for expenses for
getting her car and my car repaired before she had to go into the
nursing home. Only one of her 3 cards had a very low balance, which I
was able to pay off...but the other 2 had to be "written off".

I originally had a Discover Card and a Visa Card, but ended up going
into bankruptcy in 2009. All I have now is a debit card. I couldn't
believe how many people were at the "hearing of creditors" when I went
down there, and several had been in bankruptcy before. I came out
"smelling like a rose" with paying $135 a month. But, several were
there, paying in the thousands, to tens of thousands of dollars per
month. I asked the lawyer why, and he said "boats, yachts, RV's, fancy
houses, etc.".

Daryl

===
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Quoting Joe Mackey to Daryl Stout on 01-07-19 08:14 <=-

They all rely too much on what the machine says. Math isn't really
taught any longer. At least not in the old style we grew up with add/subtract/multiply/divide. Simple stuff really. (Though my
division isn't that great). They use calculators for the least little thing. (I have to admit I use it when balancing my cheque book).

I'll use the calculator to help me find an error in my calculations...
or for complicated computations like on some of the tax forms.... but
most I'll do longhand, at least to begin with....

(Aside: I worked with a guy one time who would have a long list of figures. He first ran it through the adding machine then in his head.
I once asked why and he replied to make sure the machine was right. <g>)

I can relate to that... :) If my on paper figures don't match with the calculator, I'll redo it both ways.... the machine could be wrong... all
it takes is putting in the wrong number.... ;)

Years ago, there was a deal called "Diners Club"...not sure if it
was a credit card or what, but like "American Express Travelers

At one time Diner's and AE were the only national credit cards,
accepted "everywhere". Diners was geared more for restaurants and AE
was general (hotels, gas, food, clothing, etc). Many local/regional department stores, etc had their own credit card good only with that business. The only national card that comes to my mind was Sears.
Then of course you had smaller places where one charged and were sent a bill each month, such as corner grocery stores, etc.
I don't know about Diner's but AE had no limit, and no interest,
but it had to be paid in full each month. I don't recall how they made their money. I never made enough to have one. One had to be above a certain income level.

Back then, it also came with a substantial annual fee.... that alone was
enough to keep me from considering it, even if I had had the required
income level, which I didn't...

Your son was in a wreck...and, he did not have clean underwear on".
The mother starts screaming violently "NO!! NO!! WHY??!! WHY??!!" <G>

The horror! The shame on the family...
Bill Cosby once had a line about that. He said even if his
underwear was clean before the accident it wouldn't be afterward, or
words to that effect. :)

Very good point... <G>

ttyl neb

... New Cocktail: Mary Poppins - Vodka, tomato juice & a spoonful of sugar

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Re: Re: ER And Money
By: Dale Shipp to Joe Mackey on Tue Jan 08 2019 12:26 am

AE made their money by charging the vendor a percentage of what was charged. Other credit card companies do the same, but AE charges more. Visa & Mastercard would love for people to pay the minimum each time so that they could rake in the interest fees. They don't get any such
fees from me.

I do the occasional balance transfer for 0% for 12 months to a chase card but make sure to set a payoff schedule for 11 months. Balance transfers for 'free'
always charge an upfront fee that works out to about 5% but if paid off in the time frame, thats it. Rates after that timeframe are quite high.

Be sure to do it to a card with no balance and don't use that card at all for anything else.

xxcarol
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Quoting Carol Shenkenberger to Dale Shipp on 01-11-19 08:17 <=-

AE made their money by charging the vendor a percentage of what was charged. Other credit card companies do the same, but AE charges more. Visa & Mastercard would love for people to pay the minimum each time so that they could rake in the interest fees. They don't get any such
fees from me.

I do the occasional balance transfer for 0% for 12 months to a chase
card but I make sure to set a payoff schedule for 11 months. Balance transfers for 'free' always charge an upfront fee that works out to
about 5% but if paid off in the time frame, thats it. Rates after that timeframe are quite high.

I have an offer pending that I'm considering taking advantage of, moving
a balance from a card that is raising its interest rate significantly...
I'm planning to keep that card open, but just use it for things I can
pay off totally each month from now on... If I continue to pay the
same monthly on the second card as I was on the first, there should be
no problem in getting the whole principle paid off in the time frame of
the 0% interest offer.... The transfer fee is only 4% of the balance, so
that's not too bad a deal.... :)

Be sure to do it to a card with no balance and don't use that card at
all for anything else.

Exactly... :) ALthough, this particular card states that the minimum
payment would go to the 0% interest balance, and anything above the
minimum will go to the higher interest balance, so that's not too shabby
a deal... One still would have to be pretty disciplined with it,
though... :)

ttyl neb

... I'd love to own a candy factory. I'd make a mint!

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Quoting Zoohouse to Daryl Stout on 10-16-19 13:08 <=-

A new face... :) Welcome to MEMORIES.... ;)

firm)...originally in Miami, Florida...then, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Speaking of Miami, Florida and math, Daryl, I don't know if you ever visited ROBERT IS HERE fruit stand in Florida City/Redlands. Till this
day they add up your purchases by hand.

Nice that someone still uses their brains.... ;)

Just wanted to add that to the conversation. <G>

Do you live somewhere near that, then....? Or just visit regularly...?
Nice to have you jumping into the conversation... I've been on the road
a lot lately, so am a bit behind, but still wanted to welcome you... :)

ttyl neb

... If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.

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