Like many folks, I’m not proud of the amount of time I spend watching videos on social media. Sure, I often try to justify it by saying that it’s part of my job and gives me ideas.
Sometimes it works and even gives me some fodder for this here Gripe Report, but while it’s occasionally useful, I have no good explanation for why I’ve spent hours of my life watching people crush everything from Legos to cantaloupes with a hydraulic press.
In-between hydraulic press videos I see all kinds of other crappy videos, but there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the last couple of years that drives me insane, and it’s that no one ever goes out and buys a normal-sized microphone.
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It seems like every video I see where someone is talking straight into the camera they’re using a tiny livelier mic. However, they don’t clip it to themselves the way the microphone was intended to be used.
Instead, they clutch them between their thumb and forefinger with their three other fingers flared out; the same way a pretentious Frenchman holds a cigarette.
It doesn’t need to be a big, long ‘70s Gene Rayburn microphone, but one that doesn’t need to be picked up with tweezers would be appreciated.
I don’t know if there’s a reason for this, and frankly, I don’t care. I hate it.
It could be that it’s just the wrong tool for the job. Sure it works, but there are better options out there. You can hammer a nail with the butt-end of a screwdriver if you really want to, but why not just go get a hammer?
Sorry, if you can’t unsee this phenomenon now, but maybe that’s the first step toward change.
Anywho, that’s about enough of my griping for now, let’s see what you guys are miffed about this week…
Be trustworthy, all of us peep the restaurant menu forward of time. (Getty Images)
Online Restaurants Menus
This might stun you based mostly on my chiseled physique, however I really like a pleasant meal out in town. Dave in Cleveland has some ideas about on-line restaurant menus:
We have primarily been conditioned to anticipate {that a} restaurant ought to have some kind of on-line presence with their menu, however a shocking quantity merely don’t, and it is senseless. I perceive {that a} new native spot might not have a full-blown web site proper out the gate, however please simply publish an image of your menu on Facebook at a naked minimal. Don’t make me go in there and make some split-second determination that I’ll quickly remorse.
On the flip aspect, for eating places that do have an internet site, don’t make me undergo the steps to place an internet order once I simply need to peep the menu no strings connected. Just a easy PDF of the menu in your web site is what the individuals need.
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Dave in Cleveland speaks my language.
I’m a check-the-menu-ahead-of-time sort of man. I identical to getting into with a recreation plan so when the server comes up and asks if I’m able to go, I’ve issues narrowed down and don’t have to try this sheepish, “I’m gonna want a pair extra minutes” transfer with a pretend chortle.
I hate that, and one of the best ways to keep away from that’s by doing all your homework.
Couldn’t agree extra that within the yr of our Lord 2024, there’s no excuse for on the very least posting a photograph.
And that transfer the place the one solution to see the menu is by going by way of the web order course of as an alternative of a pleasant, clickable PDF? Criminal.
I’m certain there’s some phony psychology concerned that claims individuals will see one thing on the menu and order as a result of they’re already within the a part of the web site the place you place orders.
I guarantee, in all of human historical past, that has occurred roughly zero instances.
So, restaurant individuals, when it turns into so abundantly clear that this methodology has didn’t convert as soon as, possibly simply throw your arms up and provides individuals the PDF they needed from the beginning.
Believe me, I’m not a fan of presidency intervention, but when somebody floats a invoice requiring eating places to publish a menu exterior of the web ordering portal, I’d entertain it.
If we simply talked about going out to eat, then I feel the subsequent logical subject can be…
This restroom seems to be so crisp and clear it is both an AI picture or someplace in Japan. (Getty Images)
Public Restrooms
Bill from PA has a breakdown of one of many points with one in every of life’s mandatory evils:
My gripe is EVERYTHING about public restrooms. I don’t need to hear or scent different individuals, nor do I would like them to listen to or scent me. All I can take into consideration is how filthy some individuals are and if every thing isn’t motion-activated, now I’ve to the touch what they’re touching. Why are there door handles? You know each illness identified to man is on it. Doors ought to open out so I can use my foot like I do on the flusher.
Long reside Buc-ee’s and its personal stalls with floor-length doorways and motion-activated every thing.
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I’ve by no means been to a Buc-ee’s, however that was all I wanted to listen to.
I perceive why most locations don’t do the floor-length doorways — as a result of individuals will use them for every kind of nonsense —- however a few of us like a bit privateness when nature calls.
Those stalls go a good distance in preserving the sensory byproducts of somebody offloading their Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich to a minimal, and I feel that’s one thing we are able to all get behind.
I’m torn on the utilizing your foot transfer. That works if everybody makes use of the foot, however everyone knows these flooring are cesspools and also you’re placing a pattern of that cesspool proper on the door or the flusher.
I agree with the doorways needing to open out. Did you ever encounter a type of loos the place the door opens into the stall, however they did not go away sufficient clearance for anybody taller than Peter Dinklage to open it with out having to resolve a puzzle of kinds to get out? I’ve, and it is silly.
Maybe they try this so a door opening out does not clobber an unsuspecting patron, however individuals do not normally fling stall doorways open like they’re walking right into a Wild West saloon, so I feel we’re effective.
The motion-activated stuff is nice although… when it really works. We’ve all encountered the automated rest room with the over-active sensor that flushes anytime you progress an inch.
You’re already making an attempt to tear a deuce in public, now the bathroom flushes each time you shift even an oz of weight.
There are lots of people who would fairly get their enamel drilled than drop-trou in a public restroom after an ill-advised journey by way of the Taco Bell drive-thru.
The least we as a society can do is make it as comfy an expertise as it may be… or not less than as comfy as defecating in a room stuffed with strangers will be.
Everyone loves letting their canine get some vitality out, however be sure to’re abiding by correct leashing guidelines. Otherwise, I can guarantee you that each one different patrons will hate you. (Getty Images)
Dogs, Parks, And Dog Parks
Those of us with dogs have plenty of emotions about how they need to be dealt with at parks and canine parks throughout this nice nation.
Anonymous (if that’s his actual title) has some ideas in regards to the individuals who assume they’re exempt from guidelines about leashing their pooches:
I get so pissed once I take my canine to the park on a leash – and different individuals do not comply with the posted guidelines that dogs have to be on leashes. 1) the dogs that come up and sniff are a ache, by no means know if they’re cool are going to attack 2) When somebody throws a ball for his or her canine, my canine sees it and freaks as a result of she needs to chase the ball 3) when the canine is greater than 10 yards away – the house owners aren’t going to scoop their poop 4) I should not have to alter my route as a result of somebody does not assume the foundations apply to them. go to the canine park and allow them to run free – however if you’re at a daily park, comply with the foundations. my canine is a large number seeing different dogs not on leashes.
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Ugh… these individuals.
Couldn’t agree extra. If some large canine comes flying at you whilst you’re within the park you by no means know if it is Marmaduke or Cujo barreling towards you.
And do not get me began on dogs getting distracted. I do know it is lower than different individuals to keep away from distracting your canine, but it surely must be a consideration. My canine will get distracted if a cat farts in an condo throughout the parking zone, and that results in me begging him to only do his factor so I can return inside. I’d admire in the event you did not whiz by us in your bike.
Also, these individuals who take the out-of-sight, out-of-mind strategy to their canine’s poop must be arrested. That’s premeditated dook-leaving.
They know what they’re doing, they let the canine wander away simply far sufficient in order that if somebody calls them out for not selecting up after them they are often like, “Oh, I hadn’t even seen that he did that?!” like their canine s–ts like its doing a sleight-of-hand magic trick and in the event you blink you will miss it.
Just comply with the foundations. Unless you are at a canine park, put your four-legged buddy (or four-legged acquaintance in the event you two aren’t that shut but) on a leash.
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That’s all for this version of The Gripe Report. If you have obtained a gripe of your individual or need to touch upon another person’s gripe, you should definitely ship it in!: [email protected].
