h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

hoovooloo: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=shoe+prints+on+ceilings+of+parking+garages+in+vegas&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

mrs zen: if, as you suggested, you do decide to make this into a guide entry please don't include me in the list of contributors...

There's nothing illegal about reversing into parking spots. I suspect that we're used to angled parking spots. There's also the issue of skill. Since most Americans aren't used to it, before the advent of backup cameras and sensors, it could lead to dents.

I tend to back in when I can. It's sort of a cop thing. Plus I park in a parking deck a lot, it makes it easier to break into a line of cars trying to get out. Also, I carry gear in a crossover SUV, so it's harder for noisy people to wonder what's back there.

This reminds me of Douglas Adams' essay on the difference between Americans and the English ideas about undertaking and parking against traffic.

>> I tend to back in when I can. It's sort of a cop thing.

My Ma used to call reverse parking, parking like a highwayman, so you could manage a quick getaway.

B

PS - fkf, if I do pull this into an entry, I'm perfectly happy to leave you off the list of contributors; do you want me to not quote or reference anything you've said in this forum too?

B

Here's the story that inspired the story that inspired the question. As I recall, it was from fourteen years ago when I was new police officer. Someone was telling me about a person visiting in England. They were surprised when they saw a pokice officer, and the person was surprised at all the things they had on their belt.

It seemed like an odd observation. Here it's just taken as read that cops have gun belts with guns, ammo, flashlights, handcuffs, glove pouch, less lethal weapons, radios, etc. Unless you actually put one of the things on, I doubt that most Americans give it a second thought.

Our policemen are more likely to be brandishing a Greggs sausage roll.

B

I remember seeing 2 policemen on ponies in Savannah and thinking it looked odd. Over here, police horses are huge and intimidating. The American cops looked like they were on the way to a gymkhana on their ickle horses.

Once you're already at the cop on a horse versus person scale, does it matter what kind of horse it is?

Oh I'm sure they were effective, it just looked odd.

Not sure what our cops wear on the belts. They *do* wear pistols, maybe also handcuffs and other stuff. I never really payed attention.

Once you're already at the cop on a horse versus person scale, does it matter what kind of horse it is?

no, I think of all the and hope they don't get hurt

One of my friends is a policeman in Glasgow. He got transferred* to the Armed Responsse Unit six years ago. He hasn't fired a round yet.








*should that be one 'r' or two?

Mrs Zen: "PS - fkf, if I do pull this into an entry, I'm perfectly happy to leave you off the list of contributors; do you want me to not quote or reference anything you've said in this forum too? "

thank you and yes... do not quote me or reference anything i have said in this thread

Even in training?

not sure about the r's Pedro, fairly sure that there shouldn't be two ss in the Armed Response Unit

Peanut. Bit distracted there methinks.

Two Bit, I'm sure he has in training, but never for real, thankfully. Given that Glasgow's got a reputation (justly) as a violent place, I think that says a lot.

Several people have mentioned customer service. This is one of the more surprising things to me. If you're dealing with a customer, why wouldn't you be courteous? You're asking someone for money. Politeness would help close the deal.

Is the US tipping system really as selfish and mercenary as it's portrayed on TV? Here in Blighty we tip only when the service has been good, whereas I get the impression that across the pond the tip is more in exchange for not getting bad service and you tip up front to ensure good service (often several times in bars).

well, yes Mr. Dreadful (and Icy North too) Television portrays nothing but reality

American wait staff render the minimum service they can get away with
without losing their jobs (unless they want to lose their jobs)
Since it is evident from Television that many fat Americans don't want to work
many waitresses and waitrons barely take your order, bring your food and collect your money

In this light, i can understand why you may suspect the service industry to be in the protection racket...
its simply not true
why, i myself actually know a 16 sweetie down at the local soda fountain who is not mafia

amazing, i know, but true

You tip after the meal or service is performed. It's sort of an evaluation. For meals, it's currently 15% for decent service and 20 for really good service. If I get exceptional performance I'll go up to 25%.

I'm kind of clueless about other tipping situations. Bell men at hotels drive
me crazy. I don't care to be waited on like that. I got my bag in the car, I can get it out. When I go to nice hotels where they're hard to avoid, or we need their carts, I try to make sure my wife is closer to bin when it's time to pay.

One interesting service is nagging groceries. At military commissaries, the baggers work for tips only. At the grocery store I like to go to, they will bag your groceries and load them in your car, but there are signs posted that states that the store pays them adequate wages, and there's no need to tip them, but if the service is exceptional, the can accept tips.

I don't like tipping. I think employers should find other ways of compensating employees rather than depending on customers to do it directly.