Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
>> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
>> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is a
>> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY." I park in them
>> ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
>>
>> Paul
>
> It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for short
> term parking only.

There has to be more than a little irony there. Starbucks patrons are
notorious for loitering, sitting at a table fore hours at a time,
drinking one coffee while reading or using their laptop to type the next
great American novel. It is odd that they would expect their customers
to have special short term parking but not object to them hogging the
tables.

Dave Smith said...

> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>>> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
>>> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is
a
>>> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY." I park in them
>>> ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>
>> It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for short
>> term parking only.
>
> There has to be more than a little irony there. Starbucks patrons are
> notorious for loitering, sitting at a table fore hours at a time,
> drinking one coffee while reading or using their laptop to type the next
> great American novel. It is odd that they would expect their customers
> to have special short term parking but not object to them hogging the
> tables.


Having to drink a cappuccino out of a styrofoam cup just wreaks of low
class.

There's a point, where two main roads crisscross at a diagonal (picture the
tip of a slice of pizza), that's shared by a Quiznos and Starbucks.

The intersection is so busy, it's a challenge pulling in or out. The
parking lot of maybe 12 spaces is usually vacant. Probably the most cursed
property in town, except the across the street "twice burned down" Burger
King (now a going for broke bank).

Twice I've had Starbucks coffee and twice it sucked!!! Drunkin' Donuts,
down the block, has better coffee at less than half the price.

Andy

Grandma never learned how to drive, so after grandpa died, my sister or
I would take her to the supermarket. I would drop her off at the door
and grandma would hang on to the car door, until she reached for the
brick pillars in front of the store, then she would hang onto that until
she could reach a shopping basket, then she would lean on that as she
shopped. <sigh> How do you tell grandma she is old? I couldn't, so, we
obtained a handicapped parking permit. I would park the car, then I
would bring her a shopping basket. I did not feel comfortable with
grandma hanging on the a brick wall, like a Spiderman wannabe, knowing
she could topple over at any minute, while I parked the car.


She refused to use a cane or a walker because it would make her look
old. We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant and one of the assisted
living centers had a large table full of elderly residents. She
commented about how old they looked, but at the age of 94, I think she
was the oldest person in the room. lol She thought she looked much
younger and of course I agreed with her. Even when she was in her 90's,
grandma was a lovely woman who had the prettiest legs. I miss her.


Becca

"Boron Elgar" wrote:

> On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:20:41 +1100, David
> > wrote:
>
>>In article >,
>> Kathleen > wrote:
>>
>> I have no problems
>>> > with that at all. I *do* have a problem for preferred parking for
>>> > just
>>> > "people with children" etc. It's not right IMO
>>
>>I wonder if you have ever had to try and hold tight to three
>>pre-schoolers, whilst pushing a shopping cart, holding on to your purse,
>>surounded by idiots who treat the parking lot like a F1 racetrack.
>>
>>
>>David
>
> You are correct, and it goes even further, of course...I am just
> tagging on here, David.
>
> And now, I am about to climb up on a very tall soap box, AND use a
> mike.....
>
> The spaces provided by groceries and other stores for the convenience
> of pregnant women or those with young children in tow are quite
> different from handicapped spaces. The former are provided on private
> property for the convenience of customers whom the store wishes to
> encourage to shop there, the latter are provided according to laws to
> enable the handicapped to shop most anywhere.
>
> Private facilities are entitled to offer customer incentives. Period.
> Their couponing, cash or discount rewards, special sales, additional
> hours to take advantage of sales, etc, are part of their business
> plans to encourage some segment of their customers and potential
> customers with convenience and benefits.
>
> This absolutely idiotic whining about a few special parking places is
> a poorly disguised, and yet typical these days, jab at those who
> decide to have families. "It's not right" is a perfect example of what
> I mean. Of course it's right. It's a company catering to its clientele
> and unless all this moaning and raised hackles are going to be
> equally instigated for every frequent flier program, discount, free
> shipping if you spend $100+or good customer privilege any and all
> companies offer, then I say stuff a sock in it. And stay out of the
> express line, too. You don't like it? Go shop someplace that caters to
> the child free. Can't find a place? Tough shift. Really.
>
> People are so ****ing jealous that anyone else - *especially* a parent
> or pregnant woman - gets *any* benefit or courtesy, however minor,
> even one that is so "no skin off my nose" as half dozen parking
> places, that it really shows how perfectly idiotic they are.
>
> Any company worth its salt knows that it is cheaper and easier to keep
> a current customer happy than it is to go out and drum up a new one.
> That is what marketing is all about. There isn't a company out there
> that doesn't do it in some way. Why single out a few parking spaces?
> These stores know who's spending the bucks and they want to encourage
> these spenders. This isn't the Big Government leaning over your
> shoulder, it's plain old Marketing 101. Suck it up.
>
>

There's nothing abnormal about children except in your mind and others
similarly feeble minded. Unless one has a truly handicapped child in tow
they can damn well park like everyone else... for the amount of folks I see
shopping with children half the spots would need to be designated for those
with infants and todlers... with even a hundred toddler spots in front of
Walmart there'd be armed warfare over who parks where. And any parent who
can't manage their rug rats can damn well leave them in someones care while
they shop instead of thrusting them on us who don't thrust our inadaquacies
and ineptitudes on all of yoose... or get yer gonads surgically excised.
Has nothing to do with marketing (what an ignoranus rationalization), has
all to do with discrimination... will it never end? To normal folks with
normal children designated toddler parking would be viewed as extremely
offensive, shouts you're an UNFIT parent! I want "Parasite Parking" for the
non productive, in Siberia. You suck it up.

And look at your shit you left behind, learn to trim attributions, lazy
slob.

"brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Boron Elgar" wrote:

>> Any company worth its salt knows that it is cheaper and easier to keep
>> a current customer happy than it is to go out and drum up a new one.
>> That is what marketing is all about. There isn't a company out there
>> that doesn't do it in some way. Why single out a few parking spaces?
>> These stores know who's spending the bucks and they want to encourage
>> these spenders. This isn't the Big Government leaning over your
>> shoulder, it's plain old Marketing 101. Suck it up.
>>
>>
>

> And any parent who can't manage their rug rats can damn well leave them in
> someones care while they shop instead of thrusting them on us who don't
> thrust our inadaquacies and ineptitudes on all of yoose... or get yer
> gonads surgically excised. Has nothing to do with marketing (what an
> ignoranus rationalization), has all to do with discrimination... will it
> never end?

But the truth is, you DO thrust your inadequacies and ineptitude on everyone
in this newsgroup on a daily basis Shellygurl. Would it make you feel better
if we gave you a "preferred poster" space right up front? Not one of the
"Reserved for Expecting Mothers, etc" parking signs that I have seen have
ever been accompanied by a "Violators will be towed or fined" sign, so park
there if it ticks you off so badly........ nobody will stop ya.

OB rfc. Just put 13 quart and 2 half gallon bags full of Brunswick Stew in
the freezer that were left over from the 8 gallons I made for our Youth
dinner on Sunday night.

KW

"George Shirley" > wrote in message
...
> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> On Tue 31 Mar 2009 02:25:22p, Paul M. Cook told us...
>>
>>> "Bob Terwilliger" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Steve wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>>>>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>>>>> "Customers With Children".
>>>>>
>>>>> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.
>>>> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy to
>>>> the point of towing their customers' vehicles?
>>>
>>> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
>>> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is a
>>> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY." I park in them
>>> ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>
>> It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for short
>> term parking only. We have the same here. We also have some close
>> parking spaces that are specifically labeled 15 minute parking only.
>> From what I've observed, most people seem to comply. There is a
>> Starbucks inside the Safeway where I often shop, and they have "Starbuck
>> spaces". I usually buy a beverage from them while shopping, so I feel
>> perfectly in my right to park there and also do my general shopping,
>> though I know that wasn't the original intent.
>>
> I hate to one-up you folks but I can uncategorically state that I have
> never, ever been in a Starbucks nor do I ever intend to go into one. I
> only drink Louisiana's national coffee, Community, and only the dark roast
> variety with no other additives, no sugar, no milk, no froth, none of the
> frou-frou that goes with "coffee" today. So there! Hah!


I tried one cup years ago to see what it was like. It sucked. I tossed
half away as I just could not finish that dreck. It tasted like good coffee
that had been boiled. Once one is used to good coffee you just can't drink
the garbage Starschmucks sells.

Paul

Andy wrote:

> Having to drink a cappuccino out of a styrofoam cup just wreaks of low
> class.

Yes sir. It seems pointless to pay a premium price for a good cup of
coffee in paper or foam cups.


> Twice I've had Starbucks coffee and twice it sucked!!! Drunkin' Donuts,
> down the block, has better coffee at less than half the price.


I don't mind Starbucks coffee, but it is expensive. The smallest size
they sell is more than a large at Tim Hortons, and Horton's coffee is
pretty good. I can get a medium coffee and a donut at Hortons for $2.17
but it is close to $4 for coffee and anything at Starbucks. Horton's
usually has a time limit for people at tables, not that I have ever been
kicked out for loitering too long, but it does prevent them from
becoming hangouts for obnoxious teens, and there is always a place to
sit. But then, even the smaller Hortons outlets have more seating than
even the larger Starbucks stores.

brooklyn1 wrote:


> There's nothing abnormal about children except in your mind and others
> similarly feeble minded. Unless one has a truly handicapped child in tow
> they can damn well park like everyone else... for the amount of folks I see
> shopping with children half the spots would need to be designated for those
> with infants and todlers... with even a hundred toddler spots in front of
> Walmart there'd be armed warfare over who parks where. And any parent who
> can't manage their rug rats can damn well leave them in someones care while
> they shop instead of thrusting them on us who don't thrust our inadaquacies
> and ineptitudes on all of yoose... or get yer gonads surgically excised.
> Has nothing to do with marketing (what an ignoranus rationalization), has
> all to do with discrimination... will it never end? To normal folks with
> normal children designated toddler parking would be viewed as extremely
> offensive, shouts you're an UNFIT parent! I want "Parasite Parking" for the
> non productive, in Siberia. You suck it up.


A local woman was complaining that she cannot get a handicapped parking
permit. There is nothing wrong with her, but she has a kid with
behaviour problems. She is concerned about him getting loose between the
car and the stores. There was nothing in her rant about multiple kids,
just the one. I have to wonder how much more trouble she would have with
her one unruly child than other parents would have with a brood of them.
Heaven forbid that she not take the kid in public until he learns to
behave. I have to confess that there were times in my childhood that I
was not allowed to go somewhere because I had been acting up.

On Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:25:22 -0700, Paul M. Cook wrote:

> "Bob Terwilliger" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Steve wrote:
>>
>>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>>> "Customers With Children".
>>>
>>> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.
>>
>> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy to
>> the point of towing their customers' vehicles?
>
> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is a
> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY."

<snort>

fits the starbucks' entitlement bitch/yuppie scum stereotype perfectly.

your pal,
blake

"David" wrote

>> > with that at all. I *do* have a problem for preferred parking for just
>> > "people with children" etc. It's not right IMO
>
> I wonder if you have ever had to try and hold tight to three
> pre-schoolers, whilst pushing a shopping cart, holding on to your purse,
> surounded by idiots who treat the parking lot like a F1 racetrack.

Oh I see that all the time. One of the worse ones is the local SAMS club.
Dunno why there is so bad when the BJ's folks are polite, but *shrug*. I go
to BJ's which is 1/3 mile up the street from them and nicer parking habits
from the people who shop there.

Dave Smith said...

> I don't mind Starbucks coffee, but it is expensive. The smallest size
> they sell is more than a large at Tim Hortons, and Horton's coffee is
> pretty good.


Dave,

I've never experienced a Tim Hortons. I checked their store locator and
couldn't find one inside 80 kilometers.

I'm no longer the coffee connoisseur I once thought I was.

Now you reminded me of Dr. Suess' "Horton Hatches an Egg."

"Whatever I said, whatever I meant, an elephant's faithful 100 percent."
--Horton

Thanks, ya BUM!!!

Best,

Andy

Andy said...

> "Whatever I said, whatever I meant, an elephant's faithful 100 percent."
> --Horton


I think that was...

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100
percent"
--Horton

Geez... just about like getting a song stuck in your head!

Andy

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...

> A local woman was complaining that she cannot get a handicapped parking
> permit. There is nothing wrong with her, but she has a kid with behaviour
> problems. She is concerned about him getting loose between the car and the
> stores. There was nothing in her rant about multiple kids, just the one. I
> have to wonder how much more trouble she would have with her one unruly
> child than other parents would have with a brood of them. Heaven forbid
> that she not take the kid in public until he learns to behave. I have to
> confess that there were times in my childhood that I was not allowed to go
> somewhere because I had been acting up.
>

Was this a kid with typical misbehaving problems that someday will "learn to
behave", or a child whose behavior problems stem from having a developmental
disorder such as autism?

Jinx

"Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
...
>
> "George Shirley" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>> On Tue 31 Mar 2009 02:25:22p, Paul M. Cook told us...
>>>
>>>> "Bob Terwilliger" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> Steve wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Our grocery chain has not only handicap parking spots (required by
>>>>>> law, of course), but about 8 spaces near the front of the store for
>>>>>> "Customers With Children".
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Those spaces should be a free for all, IMO.
>>>>> So park there. Do you really think a store would enforce that policy
>>>>> to
>>>>> the point of towing their customers' vehicles?
>>>>
>>>> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
>>>> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is
>>>> a
>>>> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY." I park in them
>>>> ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
>>>>
>>>> Paul
>>>
>>> It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for short
>>> term parking only. We have the same here. We also have some close
>>> parking spaces that are specifically labeled 15 minute parking only.
>>> From what I've observed, most people seem to comply. There is a
>>> Starbucks inside the Safeway where I often shop, and they have "Starbuck
>>> spaces". I usually buy a beverage from them while shopping, so I feel
>>> perfectly in my right to park there and also do my general shopping,
>>> though I know that wasn't the original intent.
>>>
>> I hate to one-up you folks but I can uncategorically state that I have
>> never, ever been in a Starbucks nor do I ever intend to go into one. I
>> only drink Louisiana's national coffee, Community, and only the dark
>> roast variety with no other additives, no sugar, no milk, no froth, none
>> of the frou-frou that goes with "coffee" today. So there! Hah!
>
>
> I tried one cup years ago to see what it was like. It sucked. I tossed
> half away as I just could not finish that dreck. It tasted like good
> coffee that had been boiled. Once one is used to good coffee you just
> can't drink the garbage Starschmucks sells.
>
> Paul
>
I've never been to a Starputz. In fact it's extremely rare I've ordered
coffee out, I think the last time was when I lived in CA and met friends for
brunch at the Beverly Hills Hilton... even their coffee sucked... and at the
time ran like $10 a tiny cup (that was like 1965). During the days I
traveled a lot and stayed at H/Motels I brought my own little 'lectric
perculator and coffee grounds, etc., I wouldn't even bother with their free
in-room crapola. It's been more than 40 years since I've had coffee at any
eatery. And for what restaurants charge for coffee these days I may as well
order a 2ni.

In article >,
"Paul M. Cook" > wrote:

> "George Shirley" > wrote in message

> > never, ever been in a Starbucks nor do I ever intend to go into one. I

> I tried one cup years ago to see what it was like.

Maybe it's time to try it again. I felt the same way. I was stuck in
an airport last year with nothing to do. I got a cup of Starbucks. It
has improved 100%. I didn't throw any of it away!

> It sucked. I tossed
> half away as I just could not finish that dreck. It tasted like good coffee
> that had been boiled. Once one is used to good coffee you just can't drink
> the garbage Starschmucks sells.

Starbucks is almost my last choice.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

"KW" > wrote in message
...
>
> "brooklyn1" authors:
>> "Boron Elgar" wrote:
>
>>> Any company worth its salt knows that it is cheaper and easier to keep
>>> a current customer happy than it is to go out and drum up a new one.
>>> That is what marketing is all about. There isn't a company out there
>>> that doesn't do it in some way. Why single out a few parking spaces?
>>> These stores know who's spending the bucks and they want to encourage
>>> these spenders. This isn't the Big Government leaning over your
>>> shoulder, it's plain old Marketing 101. Suck it up.
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>> And any parent who can't manage their rug rats can damn well leave them
>> in someones care while they shop instead of thrusting them on us who
>> don't thrust our inadaquacies and ineptitudes on all of yoose... or get
>> yer gonads surgically excised. Has nothing to do with marketing (what an
>> ignoranus rationalization), has all to do with discrimination... will it
>> never end?
>
> But the truth is, you DO thrust your inadequacies and ineptitude on
> everyone in this newsgroup on a daily basis

Oh no I don't, no one forces a spineless turd such as you read my posts, but
obviously you do because you enjoy them, *COWARDLY* SOCKPUPPET IMBECILE!

And who in their right mind would pubicly post under the *lishpy* name
"Keith"... that's a frootloop name, belongs in a closet, on a hanger! <G>

Ahahahahahahahahahahaha. . . . .

In article >,
Becca > wrote:


> She refused to use a cane or a walker because it would make her look
> old.

We had quite the battle with dad. After he fell a couple of times, *he*
decided to use the cane. He's 92.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

Dan Abel wrote:

> You've totally lost me there. I don't know the medical lingo, but
> here's what I read:
>
> "I had horrible sciatica...Walking more than a few steps felt like
> having lightning run to ground through my right leg"
>
> That sounds pretty disabled to me. Why shouldn't she get a handicapped
> placard, whether she is pregnant or not? If it is related to the
> pregnancy, which is sounds like it is, then it would seem that the
> doctor would make the eligibility for a limited period, assuming that
> the disability would go away once the pregnancy did.
>
> Why on earth would a disabled person not be eligible for a handicapped
> placard just because they were also pregnant?
>

You ever try to get a temporary disability parking permit? Let's say,
for 2 weeks? It's almost impossible (at least here it is)

Bob

George Shirley wrote:

> I hate to one-up you folks but I can uncategorically state that I have
> never, ever been in a Starbucks nor do I ever intend to go into one. I
> only drink Louisiana's national coffee, Community, and only the dark
> roast variety with no other additives, no sugar, no milk, no froth, none
> of the frou-frou that goes with "coffee" today. So there! Hah!

I've been to a Starbucks exactly once; on election day to get a free cup
of coffee.

Community coffee is good (you like chicory, or no?) but have you tried
Seaport dark roast? I'm sure you can get it; it comes from the Texas
Coffee Company in Beaumont. That's some powerful coffee (but its aroma
is stronger than its bite)

I usually buy a couple of bags of Community (no chicory) and a couple of
bags of Seaport whenever I'm in Houston.

Bob

In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> >
> >> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
> >> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is a
> >> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY." I park in them
> >> ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
> >>
> >> Paul
> >
> > It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for short
> > term parking only.
>
> There has to be more than a little irony there. Starbucks patrons are
> notorious for loitering, sitting at a table fore hours at a time,
> drinking one coffee while reading or using their laptop to type the next
> great American novel. It is odd that they would expect their customers
> to have special short term parking but not object to them hogging the
> tables.

We have a Starbucks in our local grocery. There are *no* tables or
chairs in the store. I think there's one bench, rather uncomfortable
and right next to the door. I think it is intended for people waiting
for their taxi or other ride. There are a couple of benches outside and
around the corner, mostly used by employees on their smoke break. I
wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of parking spots grabbed away for
this. That's fine. I'm sure that the intended use is people getting a
cup "to go". There is a Starbucks a few blocks away for those who want
to sit for a long time. It has no drivethrough, though, and parking is
not convenient for "to go". There is, of course, another Starbucks a
mile away with a drivethough.

Just for fun, find out how many Starbucks there are within two miles of
your house:

Looks like six to me.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

In article >,
"KW" > wrote:

> "brooklyn1" > wrote in message
> ...

> > thrusting them on us who don't
> > thrust our inadaquacies and ineptitudes on all of yoose


> But the truth is, you DO thrust your inadequacies and ineptitude on everyone
> in this newsgroup on a daily basis Shellygurl.

What he said. Double.

> Would it make you feel better
> if we gave you a "preferred poster" space right up front?

Right in my killfile.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

On Wed 01 Apr 2009 07:00:27a, Dave Smith told us...

> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>
>>> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime parking
>>> spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots. There is
a
>>> sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY." I park in them
>>> ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>
>> It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for short
>> term parking only.
>
> There has to be more than a little irony there. Starbucks patrons are
> notorious for loitering, sitting at a table fore hours at a time,
> drinking one coffee while reading or using their laptop to type the next
> great American novel. It is odd that they would expect their customers
> to have special short term parking but not object to them hogging the
> tables.
>

The Starbucks kiosks inside supermarkets seem less prone to this sort of
behavior. When I pass them, the tables are usually empty. Though it's
certainly true enough in a regular standalone Starbucks store.

--
Wayne Boatwright

"One man's meat is another man's poison"
- Oswald Dykes, English writer, 1709.

On Wed 01 Apr 2009 11:09:41a, Dan Abel told us...

> In article >,
> Dave Smith > wrote:
>
>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> >
>> >> My local store has a Starbucks inside. Outside are two prime
>> >> parking spaces, wider than usual and as close as the handicap spots.
>> >> There is a sign that says "Reserved for Starbucks Customers ONLY."
>> >> I park in them ever chance I get. So far, no tow trucks.
>> >>
>> >> Paul
>> >
>> > It's doubtful they would tow you. Essentially, they are meant for
>> > short term parking only.
>>
>> There has to be more than a little irony there. Starbucks patrons are
>> notorious for loitering, sitting at a table fore hours at a time,
>> drinking one coffee while reading or using their laptop to type the
>> next great American novel. It is odd that they would expect their
>> customers to have special short term parking but not object to them
>> hogging the tables.
>
> We have a Starbucks in our local grocery. There are *no* tables or
> chairs in the store. I think there's one bench, rather uncomfortable
> and right next to the door. I think it is intended for people waiting
> for their taxi or other ride. There are a couple of benches outside and
> around the corner, mostly used by employees on their smoke break. I
> wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of parking spots grabbed away for
> this. That's fine. I'm sure that the intended use is people getting a
> cup "to go". There is a Starbucks a few blocks away for those who want
> to sit for a long time. It has no drivethrough, though, and parking is
> not convenient for "to go". There is, of course, another Starbucks a
> mile away with a drivethough.
>
> Just for fun, find out how many Starbucks there are within two miles of
> your house:
>
> Looks like six to me.
>

That would be 5 for me.

--
Wayne Boatwright

"One man's meat is another man's poison"
- Oswald Dykes, English writer, 1709.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

>
> Some of our stores have designated parking for handicapped, those with
> children, and pregnant women. What irks me is that in most cases the
> handicapped spaces are the farther away than the other two. Somehow
> that
> doesn't seem right. I will freely park in those marked for those with
> children.
>

May you be reincarnated in your next life as a pregnant Mom with three
other children (or more), who doesn't know how to drive a car (or can't
drive a car for any reason) and who therefore has to catch a bus (with
all your children in tow) to shop at your nearest supermarket. And may
other shoppers call your bunch of 'little angels' a nuisance (or
worse).
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

zxcvbob wrote:
> George Shirley wrote:
>
>> I hate to one-up you folks but I can uncategorically state that I have
>> never, ever been in a Starbucks nor do I ever intend to go into one. I
>> only drink Louisiana's national coffee, Community, and only the dark
>> roast variety with no other additives, no sugar, no milk, no froth,
>> none of the frou-frou that goes with "coffee" today. So there! Hah!
>
> I've been to a Starbucks exactly once; on election day to get a free cup
> of coffee.
>
> Community coffee is good (you like chicory, or no?) but have you tried
> Seaport dark roast? I'm sure you can get it; it comes from the Texas
> Coffee Company in Beaumont. That's some powerful coffee (but its aroma
> is stronger than its bite)

Driving by the Seaport plant makes you crave a cuppa joe, just don't
drink Seaport, it's floor sweepings. Beaumont is my home town and I
drove by the Seaport plant daily for fifteen years but never did like
their coffee. Seaport and Texjoy seasonings are Beaumont's claim to
fame. I still like Texjoy seasonings, spices, and herbs but abhor Seaport.

Another bad coffee from Beaumont was Phelan's Best, their
bottom-of-the-line was Phelan's Teaberry. Talk about floor sweepings!
Used to work with a guy who bought it because it was a dollar a pound
back in the fifties and early sixties. He would brew a pot of the coffee
then dry the grounds on a sheet of tin in his backyard. After about the
tenth drying I could barely stomach the stuff. It was like drinking
burned oil.

>
> I usually buy a couple of bags of Community (no chicory) and a couple of
> bags of Seaport whenever I'm in Houston.
>
> Bob

I ship some to a friend in Pennsylvania about twice a year. He got
hooked on it one weekend visiting us. He's the editor of a magazine I
used to write for. He wrote an editorial about coming to our house for a
weekend and attending a "crawfish party." Never could teach that Yankee
about crawfish boils. He's still a good friend though.

brooklyn1 wrote:

> And for what restaurants charge for coffee these days I may
> as well order a 2ni.

Or a steak dinner <g>
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Andy wrote:
> Dave Smith said...
>
>> I don't mind Starbucks coffee, but it is expensive. The smallest size
>> they sell is more than a large at Tim Hortons, and Horton's coffee is
>> pretty good.
>
>
> Dave,
>
> I've never experienced a Tim Hortons. I checked their store locator and
> couldn't find one inside 80 kilometers.
>
> I'm no longer the coffee connoisseur I once thought I was.


Tim Hortons is a donut chain. I would not call Tim Hortons connoisseur
coffee, but it's pretty good, and a damned sight cheaper than Starbucks.

Jinx Minx wrote:
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> A local woman was complaining that she cannot get a handicapped parking
>> permit. There is nothing wrong with her, but she has a kid with behaviour
>> problems. She is concerned about him getting loose between the car and the
>> stores. There was nothing in her rant about multiple kids, just the one. I
>> have to wonder how much more trouble she would have with her one unruly
>> child than other parents would have with a brood of them. Heaven forbid
>> that she not take the kid in public until he learns to behave. I have to
>> confess that there were times in my childhood that I was not allowed to go
>> somewhere because I had been acting up.
>>
>
> Was this a kid with typical misbehaving problems that someday will "learn to
> behave", or a child whose behavior problems stem from having a developmental
> disorder such as autism?


As I recall the article, he was attention deficit. I don't doubt that
he may have been a handful, regardless of whether he was medically ADH
or just brat displaying the symptoms. My problem is that if you have to
have handicapped parking privileges because you have one child that
cannot behave there is no reason not to extend the same to parents with
a number of children. Surely 3-4 youngsters are as much to deal with as
one really bad one. If the kid is that bad, perhaps he should be
left at home. Lots of normal kids are when they misbehave.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>
>> There's nothing abnormal about children except in your mind and others
>> similarly feeble minded. Unless one has a truly handicapped child in tow
>> they can damn well park like everyone else... for the amount of folks I
>> see shopping with children half the spots would need to be designated for
>> those with infants and todlers... with even a hundred toddler spots in
>> front of Walmart there'd be armed warfare over who parks where. And any
>> parent who can't manage their rug rats can damn well leave them in
>> someones care while they shop instead of thrusting them on us who don't
>> thrust our inadaquacies and ineptitudes on all of yoose... or get yer
>> gonads surgically excised. Has nothing to do with marketing (what an
>> ignoranus rationalization), has all to do with discrimination... will it
>> never end? To normal folks with normal children designated toddler
>> parking would be viewed as extremely offensive, shouts you're an UNFIT
>> parent! I want "Parasite Parking" for the non productive, in Siberia.
>> You suck it up.
>
>
> A local woman was complaining that she cannot get a handicapped parking
> permit. There is nothing wrong with her, but she has a kid with behaviour
> problems. She is concerned about him getting loose between the car and the
> stores. There was nothing in her rant about multiple kids, just the one. I
> have to wonder how much more trouble she would have with her one unruly
> child than other parents would have with a brood of them. Heaven forbid
> that she not take the kid in public until he learns to behave. I have to
> confess that there were times in my childhood that I was not allowed to go
> somewhere because I had been acting up.
>
>

If the kid truly has psychological behavoral issues all the parent need do
is get a psychological evaluation and if the psychiatrist's findings
indicate a handicap then a parking sticker will be issued. Problem is
parents are ascared it's them who will be discovered are psychologically
imbalanced, not the kid, and a psychiatrist can easily have the DMV pull the
drivers licence and then recommend social services place the kid in foster
care. And if the kid really does have behavoral issues normal parents are
loathe to have the authorities know unnecessarilly, like the school
district, because then the kid will be labeled for life. No sane parent
wants to be issued a handicaped sticker because of their kid's behavior
and/or their parenting skills. By the same token no sane parent would ever
choose to park in a voluntary "toddler space" (or however termed) because to
do so will definitely be interpreted that this parent has mental issues that
interfere with proper parenting skills... and proper parenting skills means
one does not bring young children into inappropriate situations... and any
parent who brings three rug rats into a public place without assistance is
indeed one with improper parenting skills.

Having a parking spot near the store entrance will in no way alter how a kid
without boundries and/or an out of control parent behaves inside the store.
So I see no purpose whatsoever for toddler parking spots except to satisfy
the ennui of certain shit stirring agitators who have no life. Someone
please explain to me how a parking spot near the exterior of an entrance has
any bearing on the behaviour of inept wackos once within the interior of an
entrance... I mean is the entrance to a business like some sort of sci fi
portal whereas folks entering are automatically tranquilized by little green
beasties with purple penises and bi-polar lasers. <G>

Ahahahahahahahaha. . . .

Dan Abel wrote:
>
> We have a Starbucks in our local grocery. There are *no* tables or
> chairs in the store. I think there's one bench, rather uncomfortable
> and right next to the door. I think it is intended for people waiting
> for their taxi or other ride. There are a couple of benches outside and
> around the corner, mostly used by employees on their smoke break. I
> wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of parking spots grabbed away for
> this. That's fine. I'm sure that the intended use is people getting a
> cup "to go". There is a Starbucks a few blocks away for those who want
> to sit for a long time. It has no drivethrough, though, and parking is
> not convenient for "to go". There is, of course, another Starbucks a
> mile away with a drivethough.
>
> Just for fun, find out how many Starbucks there are within two miles of
> your house:
>
> Looks like six to me.

Starbucks is not as well entrenched around here as it is in other
places. This is Tom Hortons country. There are three Hortons outlets in
my town of 15,000. There are three Starbucks in this area, none of
them closer than 12 miles.

brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>
> If the kid truly has psychological behavoral issues all the parent need do
> is get a psychological evaluation and if the psychiatrist's findings
> indicate a handicap then a parking sticker will be issued.

Nope. The government people who hand out the disable parking permits
uses this definition : Anyone who is unable to walk unassisted more than
200 meters (218 yards) without serious difficulty or danger to safety or
health and is certified as such by a licensed Physician, Chiropractor,
Osteopathic Physician, or Occupational Therapist, is eligible for the
permit.




> Having a parking spot near the store entrance will in no way alter how a kid
> without boundries and/or an out of control parent behaves inside the store.
> So I see no purpose whatsoever for toddler parking spots except to satisfy
> the ennui of certain shit stirring agitators who have no life.


Bingo. me me me me. She and her child are special. He doesn't get
disciplined. The world has to accomodate.

"ChattyCathy" wrote:
> brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>> And for what restaurants charge for coffee these days I may
>> as well order a 2ni.
>
> Or a steak dinner <g>
>
Both! <G>

When I eat out I never order coffee, dessert, or appetizers... those three
alone add 50% to the price of a steak dinner, which is no biggie, but
whenever I have I've never even once found them worth it or enjoyable plus
it's too much food so ruins the dinner... I'd much rather order three 2nis
instead. And if it's a date we can decide later who will be the appetizer
and who will be the dessert and I'm sure you'll agree that will be much
tastier and way more satisfying and fullfilling... and I'll always volunteer
to brew the pot of coffee in the morning... btw, I'm an early riser! LOL

"Dave Smith" wrote:
> brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> If the kid truly has psychological behavoral issues all the parent need
>> do is get a psychological evaluation and if the psychiatrist's findings
>> indicate a handicap then a parking sticker will be issued.
>
> Nope. The government people who hand out the disable parking permits uses
> this definition : Anyone who is unable to walk unassisted more than 200
> meters (218 yards) without serious difficulty or danger to safety or
> health and is certified as such by a licensed Physician, Chiropractor,
> Osteopathic Physician, or Occupational Therapist, is eligible for the
> permit.
>
>

You'll have to show me... maybe you don't live in the US. Handicapped
parking permits are issued by state, county, and town. In NY after the MD
approves the application (based solely on professional opinion, and nowhere
on the application is the nature of the disability listed - under Federal
Law that info comes under patient-doctor confidentiality... the MD's sayso
is all that's required) it's the Town Clerk of the town where the applicant
resides who issues the tag... and it must be approved by an MD (or a DO), a
Chiropractor and an Occupational Therapist are not medical doctors.

On Wed 01 Apr 2009 11:30:13a, ChattyCathy told us...

> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
>>
>> Some of our stores have designated parking for handicapped, those with
>> children, and pregnant women. What irks me is that in most cases the
>> handicapped spaces are the farther away than the other two. Somehow
>> that doesn't seem right. I will freely park in those marked for those
>> with children.
>>
>
> May you be reincarnated in your next life as a pregnant Mom with three
> other children (or more), who doesn't know how to drive a car (or can't
> drive a car for any reason) and who therefore has to catch a bus (with
> all your children in tow) to shop at your nearest supermarket. And may
> other shoppers call your bunch of 'little angels' a nuisance (or
> worse).

And may you be reincarnated in your next life as the babysitter who has to
take care of them while I go shopping.

Never had kids, never wanted kids, and I do my best to avoid them at any
opportunity.

--
Wayne Boatwright

"One man's meat is another man's poison"
- Oswald Dykes, English writer, 1709.

On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:35:59 GMT, Rhonda Anderson
> wrote:

>Boron Elgar > wrote in
:
>
>
>>
>> People are so ****ing jealous that anyone else - *especially* a parent
>> or pregnant woman - gets *any* benefit or courtesy, however minor,
>> even one that is so "no skin off my nose" as half dozen parking
>> places, that it really shows how perfectly idiotic they are.
>>
>> Any company worth its salt knows that it is cheaper and easier to keep
>> a current customer happy than it is to go out and drum up a new one.
>> That is what marketing is all about. There isn't a company out there
>> that doesn't do it in some way. Why single out a few parking spaces?
>> These stores know who's spending the bucks and they want to encourage
>> these spenders. This isn't the Big Government leaning over your
>> shoulder, it's plain old Marketing 101. Suck it up.
>>
>> Boron
>>
>>
>
>I usually don't do me too posts, but great post Boron. You've said quite a
>few things I was thinking. And FWIW I have no children, and have never been
>pregnant.

Why thank you!. A smart thinker from Down Under!

Boron

brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> You'll have to show me... maybe you don't live in the US. Handicapped

Duh. Do you read this newsgroup at all, or only write?

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
> brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> You'll have to show me... maybe you don't live in the US. Handicapped
>
> Duh. Do you read this newsgroup at all, or only write?

I don't keep track of where everyone lives, I don't look into people's
personal business, I ain't that nosy. I don't know where you live either,
nor do I give a shit... why would anyone care, you only post
non-geographical horse pucky, like ebay crapola... I 've no idea why you're
following a cooking group, you don't ever mention anything related to
whether you cook.

David wrote:
> A good idea. Even better would be to have your groceries home
> delivered, or at least use the pickup facility where they will load your
> stuff into your car for you. No sweat.

I love the drive and load service one grocery chain in my area offers.
The only disadvantage to it is that often the driver has to get back out
of the car to instruct the kids doing the loading not to put milk on top
of grapes and canned goods on top of bread, and not to THROW!

The same chain has employees who patrol the parking lot to gather up and
bring in shopping carts. They can be the most irritating people on the
planet. When I'm feeling pretty good and don't use drive and load, it
can still take me a while to get every bag from the cart and into the
car. I have to stop frequently. And it never fails that, as I move bags
from one spot to another, one of the cart-tenders approaches. Not once
has one of them offered to help. Usually they say nothing. One asked me
once, "You almost done?" But each and every one of them has never failed
to put their hands on my cart and watch me steadily, ready to make off
with it at the first opportunity. I've crabbed more than one of them out
for it and felt bad about it afterward, but damn it! I know that they
are in a hurry, but I can't go fast for them and shouldn't be made to
feel that I have to.

On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:34:11 -0400, Stan Horwitz >
fired up random neurons and synapses to opine:

>Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
>mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
>any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
>is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
>without a problem.

I saw expectant mother parking slots yesterday, right in front of the
doors to Macy's. I'd never seen them before. And they were right in
front of the doors that open into the children's/babies' sections.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd

--

"If the soup had been as hot as the claret, if the claret had been as
old as the bird, and if the bird's breasts had been as full as the
waitress's, it would have been a very good dinner."

- Duncan Hines

To reply, replace "meatloaf" with "cox"

"brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...
>
> "KW" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "brooklyn1" authors:
>>> "Boron Elgar" wrote:
>>
>>>> Any company worth its salt knows that it is cheaper and easier to keep
>>>> a current customer happy than it is to go out and drum up a new one.
>>>> That is what marketing is all about. There isn't a company out there
>>>> that doesn't do it in some way. Why single out a few parking spaces?
>>>> These stores know who's spending the bucks and they want to encourage
>>>> these spenders. This isn't the Big Government leaning over your
>>>> shoulder, it's plain old Marketing 101. Suck it up.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>> And any parent who can't manage their rug rats can damn well leave them
>>> in someones care while they shop instead of thrusting them on us who
>>> don't thrust our inadaquacies and ineptitudes on all of yoose... or get
>>> yer gonads surgically excised. Has nothing to do with marketing (what an
>>> ignoranus rationalization), has all to do with discrimination... will it
>>> never end?
>>
>> But the truth is, you DO thrust your inadequacies and ineptitude on
>> everyone in this newsgroup on a daily basis
>
> Oh no I don't, no one forces a spineless turd such as you read my posts,
> but obviously you do because you enjoy them, *COWARDLY* SOCKPUPPET
> IMBECILE!
>
> And who in their right mind would pubicly post under the *lishpy* name
> "Keith"... that's a frootloop name, belongs in a closet, on a hanger! <G>
>
> Ahahahahahahahahahahaha. . . . .
>
>

D-- and it's only graded that high due to the fact that I got a giggle over
your newly created word ...."pubicly". Sorry Old Man, your losing your touch
when all that invective comes to nothing more than 2nd grade name calling.