> Because I actually lived in the pre-breakup days, I can say it wasn't
> as bad as you're portraying it to be. Most people were able to apply
> some common sense and put the brakes on excessive long distance calls.
> We wrote real letters, sent real cards and used the post office to do
> it.
>
> --
> I love cooking with wine.
> Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Breaking up Bell was the worst thing that ever happened, in my book.

N.

James Silverton wrote:
>
> Pete wrote on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:33:21 -0500:
>
> > Michel Boucher wrote:
> >>
> >> "Pete C." > wrote in news:4a422d91$0$13939
> >> :
> >>
> > >> I shouldn't have to give a signal for them to do their job.
> >>
> >> Actually, the signal is that you have closed the menu and
> >> placed it on the table. If they come before then, they're
> >> trying to rush you.
>
> >No, the menu closed and on the table is the signal that they are
> >already
> >delinquent. They are supposed to return after a reasonable period and
> >if
> >you still have the menu open ask if you have any questions about the
> >menu in addition to asking if you are ready to order.
>
> I've always believed, with Michael, that a closed menu placed on the
> table in front of me is the standard signal for the waiter to come and
> take my order. With several people, the waiter
> should not come while anyone is still reading.

It is the signal that the party at the table is waiting on the
waitstaff, i.e. they are already delinquent, just as they are delinquent
if you glass is completely empty before they check on a refill.

James Silverton wrote:

> I've always believed, with Michael, that a closed menu placed on the
> table in front of me is the standard signal for the waiter to come and
> take my order. With several people, the waiter
> should not come while anyone is still reading.

If you don't close your menu, you can sit there for a long time.
I know this because I like to read from the menu when I order, but
if I just leave it open, good luck getting the waiter to stop.

nancy

"Pete C." > wrote in news:4a424b16$0$13914
:

> It is the signal that the party at the table is waiting on the
> waitstaff, i.e. they are already delinquent, just as they are delinquent
> if you glass is completely empty before they check on a refill.

And when is it that you expect them to develop the ability to read your
mind above all others? Considering that most people who wait on tables
have no professional training to do so, I think your expectations are
largely fanciful and the product of your own sense of self-importance.
Either that or you're just a cheap ******* who looks for any reason to deny
a decent tip to a hard-working individual.

But obviously, you have some reason to believe that your opinion has some
weight and I for one would be interested in knowing where this "special"
knowledge you have comes from.

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Stu wrote:
>
>>> That's what tips are for, if the service is shoddy then either a small
>>> tip or nothing, they have to work for the tip. I find restaurants that
>>> add the tip in to be places I won't frequent. Yes Blake I know, the
>>> servers are under paid, and the tips help them supplement their
>>> incomes, then that should be an incentive to be attentive to their
>>> clientele.
>>> btw.. I usually give 15%, or 20% if service was exceptional
>> So I would suggest that if a server comes and you are too busy talking
>> on a cell phone to give your order, the server should attend to other
>> customers and the tip should be increased to reflect the extra time
>> taken to take the order because the customer was otherwise occupied.
>
> I'm sure you didn't read the thread at all with a troll like that.
> As I stated before, I do not leave my phone on in a restaurant or
> theatre. Learn to read.

Apparently you are confusing the thread with your particular comments.
Someone else had commented earlier in the thread about dealing with
servers while they are on their cell phone.

Dave Smith wrote:
> James Silverton wrote:
>
>> You seem to have been brainwashed by newspaper restaurant critics who
>> don't pay their own tips anyway. One of the innumerate critics
>> seriouly maintained that the regular tip should go from 15% to 20%
>> because of the rise in the cost of living.
>
> Math was never my best subject, but part of that rise in the cost of
> living is the increase in the cost of food and drink in restaurants. The
> way I figure it is that if the restaurants are charging more and people
> are paying 15% on the higher prices, the servers are already getting a
> raise of sorts,


Huh? Have you been grocery shopping lately? The price of food is
through the roof. I strongly doubt that servers have gotten raises.

gloria p

Michel Boucher wrote:
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in news:4a424b16$0$13914
> :
>
> > It is the signal that the party at the table is waiting on the
> > waitstaff, i.e. they are already delinquent, just as they are delinquent
> > if you glass is completely empty before they check on a refill.
>
> And when is it that you expect them to develop the ability to read your
> mind above all others?

It has nothing to do with mind reading, it is only timing.

> Considering that most people who wait on tables
> have no professional training to do so, I think your expectations are
> largely fanciful and the product of your own sense of self-importance.
> Either that or you're just a cheap ******* who looks for any reason to deny
> a decent tip to a hard-working individual.

The funny thing is that there never seems to be an issue with these
concepts at the bulk of the restaurants I dine at. Only the occasional
stop at one of the mediocre mass chains where they only hire incompetent
kids as waitstaff and have extremely high turnover has those issues.
Quality restaurants with professional, competent, adult waitstaff
understand the job requirements.

>
> But obviously, you have some reason to believe that your opinion has some
> weight and I for one would be interested in knowing where this "special"
> knowledge you have comes from.

Decades of dining at quality restaurants provides the knowledge of what
should be expected. If your classiest dining experience is Applebee's,
then I can see why you would not comprehend the waitstaff's
responsibilities.

"Pete C." > wrote in
ster.com:

>> But obviously, you have some reason to believe that your opinion has
>> some weight and I for one would be interested in knowing where this
>> "special" knowledge you have comes from.
>
> Decades of dining at quality restaurants provides the knowledge of
> what should be expected. If your classiest dining experience is
> Applebee's, then I can see why you would not comprehend the
> waitstaff's responsibilities.

Hardly the case, but then I am not as fastidious as you appear to be with
respect to the time of others.

I can recognize bad service, but not anticipating my need is not what I
consider bad service. You obviously use a more rigid yardstick with which
to beat the waitstaff. And I'm sure you don't hesitate to lecture them as
well.

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:24:27 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:

> Pete C. wrote:
>
>> And conversely if the server doesn't come over promptly to see if you
>> are ready to order while you are having a conversation (on the cell or
>> in person), that their tip should be drastically reduced.
>
> So how high can you make a server dance?

pete c. seems to be high on punitive measures.

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:46:28 -0500, Pete C. wrote:

> sf wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:41:36 -0500, "Pete C." >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>And conversely if the server doesn't come over promptly to see if you
>>>are ready to order while you are having a conversation (on the cell or
>>>in person), that their tip should be drastically reduced.
>>
>> What signal do you give while on the phone to let the server know
>> you're ready to order?
>
> I shouldn't have to give a signal for them to do their job. Whether I'm
> talking to someone on the phone, talking to someone seated at my table
> or reviewing the dessert section of the menu has no relevance to when
> the waitstaff should be returning to ask if I am ready to order. If they
> can't comprehend that then they indeed deserve a punitive tip.

yep, all severs should be mind readers.

blake

On Jun 24, 12:23*pm, "gloria.p" > wrote:
> Dave Smith wrote:
> > James Silverton wrote:
>
> >> You seem to have been brainwashed by newspaper restaurant critics who
> >> don't pay their own tips anyway. One of the innumerate critics
> >> seriouly maintained that the regular tip should go from 15% to 20%
> >> because of the rise in the cost of living.
>
> > Math was never my best subject, but part of that rise in the cost of
> > living is the increase in the cost of food and drink in restaurants. The
> > way I figure it is that if the restaurants are charging more and people
> > are paying 15% on the higher prices, the servers are already getting a
> > raise of sorts,
>
> Huh? *Have you been grocery shopping lately? *The price of food is
> through the roof. *I strongly doubt that servers have gotten raises.

No, but suppose the price of the average restaurant meal has gone from
$20 to $30. If I tip 20%, the tip will have gone from $4 to $6. That
looks very
much like a raise.

Note: All of those numbers (except the 20%) were pulled right out of
my
left ear. I have no idea how much the average meal costs, nor how
much
they have gone up. Figures presented for illustrative purposes only.
YMMV.

Cindy Hamilton

On Jun 24, 11:39*am, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
> "Stu" wrote:
>
> > Last night we went out for a late night snack, bill came to just under
> > $60, we left our server $15 a 25% tip because she was wonderful.
>
> Oh please... she was wonderful alright... *the only reason a guy tips a
> waitress 25% is because she has wonderful tits.

I must be a *******; there's a little Vietnamese restaurant where I
usually
tip 30%. (Whatever you do, don't tell my husband.)

Cindy Hamilton

Pete wrote on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:52:25 -0500:


> James Silverton wrote:
>>
>> Pete wrote on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:33:21 -0500:
>>
> >> Michel Boucher wrote:
> >>>
> >>> "Pete C." > wrote in news:4a422d91$0$13939
> >>> :
> >>>
> > >>> I shouldn't have to give a signal for them to do their
> > >>> job.
> >>>
> >>> Actually, the signal is that you have closed the menu and
> >>> placed it on the table. If they come before then, they're
> >>> trying to rush you.
>>
> >> No, the menu closed and on the table is the signal that
> >> they are already delinquent. They are supposed to return
> >> after a reasonable period and if you still have the menu
> >> open ask if you have any questions about the menu in
> >> addition to asking if you are ready to order.
>>
>> I've always believed, with Michael, that a closed menu placed
>> on the table in front of me is the standard signal for the
>> waiter to come and take my order. With several people, the
>> waiter should not come while anyone is still reading.

I'm reminded of other conventional signals in restaurants. Do you know
that leaving the lid open on the teapot tells the waiter that you want
more tea in a Chinese restaurant?

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

blake murphy wrote:
>
>> I shouldn't have to give a signal for them to do their job. Whether I'm
>> talking to someone on the phone, talking to someone seated at my table
>> or reviewing the dessert section of the menu has no relevance to when
>> the waitstaff should be returning to ask if I am ready to order. If they
>> can't comprehend that then they indeed deserve a punitive tip.
>
> yep, all severs should be mind readers.


Some people should be aware of the difference between a server and a
servant.

"Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
...
On Jun 24, 11:39 am, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
> "Stu" wrote:
>
> > Last night we went out for a late night snack, bill came to just under
> > $60, we left our server $15 a 25% tip because she was wonderful.
>
> Oh please... she was wonderful alright... the only reason a _guy_ tips a
> waitress 25% is because she has wonderful tits.

I must be a *******; there's a little Vietnamese restaurant where I
usually
tip 30%. (Whatever you do, don't tell my husband.)

I did say a _guy_... but hey, if Bi is your thing....

gloria.p wrote:
>
>> Math was never my best subject, but part of that rise in the cost of
>> living is the increase in the cost of food and drink in restaurants.
>> The way I figure it is that if the restaurants are charging more and
>> people are paying 15% on the higher prices, the servers are already
>> getting a raise of sorts,
>
>
> Huh? Have you been grocery shopping lately? The price of food is
> through the roof. I strongly doubt that servers have gotten raises.


Yes I have been grocery shopping and I know that prices have risen.
Restaurant prices have risen to. If people tip a consistent percentage
based on the cost of their food and drink, and those bills are higher,
than the same percentage translates to a larger tip.

In article >,
says...
> In the car I have a hands free that slides on my rear view mirror,
> as the law ( no talking on handheld cell phone) is coming soon ( and
> no one is ready). This allows me to keep my eyes peeled for fools on
> their phones wandering in and out of my lane.
>
>
We've had that law for a few years now. Doesn't stop the idiots ignoring
it.

I have a borgtooth earpiece but only to answer, and say "Can't talk,
driving, call me later" then hang up.
--
Carl Robson
Get cashback on your purchases
Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm
Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:34 GMT, "James Silverton"
> wrote:
>
>I'm reminded of other conventional signals in restaurants. Do you know
>that leaving the lid open on the teapot tells the waiter that you want
>more tea in a Chinese restaurant?

If your lid is removable turn it upside down.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

"James Silverton" > wrote in news:_ot0m.922
:

> I'm reminded of other conventional signals in restaurants. Do you know
> that leaving the lid open on the teapot tells the waiter that you want
> more tea in a Chinese restaurant?

Even more of a sign is when it's on the corner closest to traffic, and also
with the large bowl of rice with either the lid turned over or the spoon in
the empty bowl.

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> gloria.p wrote:
> >
> >> Math was never my best subject, but part of that rise in the cost of
> >> living is the increase in the cost of food and drink in restaurants.
> >> The way I figure it is that if the restaurants are charging more and
> >> people are paying 15% on the higher prices, the servers are already
> >> getting a raise of sorts,
> >
> >
> > Huh? Have you been grocery shopping lately? The price of food is
> > through the roof. I strongly doubt that servers have gotten raises.
>
> Yes I have been grocery shopping and I know that prices have risen.
> Restaurant prices have risen to. If people tip a consistent percentage
> based on the cost of their food and drink, and those bills are higher,
> than the same percentage translates to a larger tip.

The official expense standards document for the very large company I
work for has a section on tips, and they also list 20% as the norm for a
full service restaurant and 10% for limited service such as a buffet.

Michel Boucher wrote:
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in
> ster.com:
>
> >> But obviously, you have some reason to believe that your opinion has
> >> some weight and I for one would be interested in knowing where this
> >> "special" knowledge you have comes from.
> >
> > Decades of dining at quality restaurants provides the knowledge of
> > what should be expected. If your classiest dining experience is
> > Applebee's, then I can see why you would not comprehend the
> > waitstaff's responsibilities.
>
> Hardly the case, but then I am not as fastidious as you appear to be with
> respect to the time of others.
>
> I can recognize bad service, but not anticipating my need is not what I
> consider bad service. You obviously use a more rigid yardstick with which
> to beat the waitstaff. And I'm sure you don't hesitate to lecture them as
> well.

Not anticipating that the customer would like to place their meal order
a reasonable time after being seated *is* bad service. Not anticipating
that the customer would like their drink or water refilled *is* bad
service. These are the norms for restaurant dining and not anticipating
them does indeed constitute a deficiency in the service.

blake murphy wrote:
>
> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:46:28 -0500, Pete C. wrote:
>
> > sf wrote:
> >>
> >> On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:41:36 -0500, "Pete C." >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>>And conversely if the server doesn't come over promptly to see if you
> >>>are ready to order while you are having a conversation (on the cell or
> >>>in person), that their tip should be drastically reduced.
> >>
> >> What signal do you give while on the phone to let the server know
> >> you're ready to order?
> >
> > I shouldn't have to give a signal for them to do their job. Whether I'm
> > talking to someone on the phone, talking to someone seated at my table
> > or reviewing the dessert section of the menu has no relevance to when
> > the waitstaff should be returning to ask if I am ready to order. If they
> > can't comprehend that then they indeed deserve a punitive tip.
>
> yep, all severs should be mind readers.

It has nothing to do with mind reading, it has everything to do with
doing their job properly, as opposed to hanging around the service
station conversing loudly with other waitstaff.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> blake murphy wrote:
> >
> >> I shouldn't have to give a signal for them to do their job. Whether I'm
> >> talking to someone on the phone, talking to someone seated at my table
> >> or reviewing the dessert section of the menu has no relevance to when
> >> the waitstaff should be returning to ask if I am ready to order. If they
> >> can't comprehend that then they indeed deserve a punitive tip.
> >
> > yep, all severs should be mind readers.
>
> Some people should be aware of the difference between a server and a
> servant.

Some people should be aware of the job responsibilities of waitstaff at
a restaurant.

"Pete C." > wrote in news:4a427702$0$13883
:

> Not anticipating that the customer would like to place their meal order
> a reasonable time after being seated *is* bad service.

And there we have it. It all hinges on the interpretation of "reasonable
time". If you agree that ten minutes is reasonable time, then we don't
have a problem.

Then again, some places we go, they know us so well, only the new staff
will bring a menu. We order as soon as we are seated and that's it. But
they know us and expect that.

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Michel Boucher wrote:
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in news:4a427702$0$13883
> :
>
> > Not anticipating that the customer would like to place their meal order
> > a reasonable time after being seated *is* bad service.
>
> And there we have it. It all hinges on the interpretation of "reasonable
> time". If you agree that ten minutes is reasonable time, then we don't
> have a problem.

10 minutes from the time you are seated is reasonable *if* they took
your drink order when you were seated and are returning with your drinks
as well as to take your meal order.

Pete C. wrote:

>
> Decades of dining at quality restaurants provides the knowledge of what
> should be expected. If your classiest dining experience is Applebee's,
> then I can see why you would not comprehend the waitstaff's
> responsibilities.


Does anyone else find it funny that "You eat at Applebees" has replaced
"Your mother wears combat boots" as a serious insult?

gloria p

"Pete C." > wrote in
ster.com:

>> And there we have it. It all hinges on the interpretation of
>> "reasonable time". If you agree that ten minutes is reasonable time,
>> then we don't have a problem.
>
> 10 minutes from the time you are seated is reasonable *if* they took
> your drink order when you were seated and are returning with your
> drinks as well as to take your meal order.

You see, that would work for us some times and other times not. So I
prefer the vague menu on the table signal to being on a timetable thought
up by a 19th century efficiency expert on the manufacture of aglets. Then
*I* decide when I want them to come. I have my reasons that I needn't go
into here.

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

"gloria.p" > wrote in -
september.org:

>> Decades of dining at quality restaurants provides the knowledge of what
>> should be expected. If your classiest dining experience is Applebee's,
>> then I can see why you would not comprehend the waitstaff's
>> responsibilities.
>
> Does anyone else find it funny that "You eat at Applebees" has replaced
> "Your mother wears combat boots" as a serious insult?

I'm surprised he didn't suggest that I "drank the kool-aid" (whatever that
means!).

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Michel Boucher wrote:
> "gloria.p" > wrote in -
> september.org:
>
>>> Decades of dining at quality restaurants provides the knowledge of what
>>> should be expected. If your classiest dining experience is Applebee's,
>>> then I can see why you would not comprehend the waitstaff's
>>> responsibilities.
>> Does anyone else find it funny that "You eat at Applebees" has replaced
>> "Your mother wears combat boots" as a serious insult?
>
> I'm surprised he didn't suggest that I "drank the kool-aid" (whatever that
> means!).
>

On the off chance that you really don't know what it means, it's a
reference to the Jonestown massacre, in which hundreds of people
committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid (though I hear it was really
Flavor-Aid) with cyanide in it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown

Serene

--
42 Magazine, celebrating life with meaning. Inaugural issue is here!
http://42magazine.com

"But here's a handy hint: if your fabulous theory for ending war and
all other human conflict will not survive an online argument with
humourless feminists who are not afraid to throw rape around as an
example, your theory needs work." -- Aqua, alt.polyamory

Serene Vannoy > wrote in
:

>> I'm surprised he didn't suggest that I "drank the kool-aid" (whatever
>> that means!).
>>
>
> On the off chance that you really don't know what it means, it's a
> reference to the Jonestown massacre, in which hundreds of people
> committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid (though I hear it was
> really Flavor-Aid) with cyanide in it.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown

That much I am aware of, and it's a expression commonly used by so-called
conservatives when referring to the freedom of thought expressed by non-
(so-called)-conservatives. However, if it is intended as a derogatory
statement, it seems to be a case of "takes one to know one" as few people
are less able to act freely (that is away from the playbook) than
conservatives, at least in Canada. And our consies took their cue heavily
from the Bush Whitehouse.

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Michel Boucher wrote:
>
> Serene Vannoy > wrote in
> :
>
> >> I'm surprised he didn't suggest that I "drank the kool-aid" (whatever
> >> that means!).
> >>
> >
> > On the off chance that you really don't know what it means, it's a
> > reference to the Jonestown massacre, in which hundreds of people
> > committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid (though I hear it was
> > really Flavor-Aid) with cyanide in it.
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown
>
> That much I am aware of, and it's a expression commonly used by so-called
> conservatives when referring to the freedom of thought expressed by non-
> (so-called)-conservatives. However, if it is intended as a derogatory
> statement, it seems to be a case of "takes one to know one" as few people
> are less able to act freely (that is away from the playbook) than
> conservatives, at least in Canada. And our consies took their cue heavily
> from the Bush Whitehouse.

I guess you use the term a bit differently in Canada. In the US at
least, the "drank the kool-aid" is typically used as a derogatory term
against those with religious superstitions, though it is sometimes
applied equally to socialist true believers as well.

"Pete C." > wrote in
ster.com:

>> That much I am aware of, and it's a expression commonly used by
>> so-called conservatives when referring to the freedom of thought
>> expressed by non- (so-called)-conservatives. However, if it is
>> intended as a derogatory statement, it seems to be a case of "takes
>> one to know one" as few people are less able to act freely (that is
>> away from the playbook) than conservatives, at least in Canada. And
>> our consies took their cue heavily from the Bush Whitehouse.
>
> I guess you use the term a bit differently in Canada. In the US at
> least, the "drank the kool-aid" is typically used as a derogatory term
> against those with religious superstitions, though it is sometimes
> applied equally to socialist true believers as well.

Well, you might ask George what he had in mind when he used it to describe
(as he put it) a comment by Blake. I don;t think he meant it as religious
superstition or "socialist true believer".

--

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest
of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest
good of everyone. - John Maynard Keynes

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Jun 24, 11:39 am, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
>> "Stu" wrote:
>>
>>> Last night we went out for a late night snack, bill came to just under
>>> $60, we left our server $15 a 25% tip because she was wonderful.
>> Oh please... she was wonderful alright... the only reason a guy tips a
>> waitress 25% is because she has wonderful tits.
>
> I must be a *******; there's a little Vietnamese restaurant where I
> usually
> tip 30%. (Whatever you do, don't tell my husband.)
>
> Cindy Hamilton

Those mom and pop places are where I also leave a bigger tip because
often they are a hard working family putting out great food at a fair price.

sf wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:09:55 -0400, George >
> wrote:
>
>> Then I am confused. I didn't say it was bad and trying to understand
>> what happened. I was only a kid but what would be the point of breaking
>> up an "evil monopoly" if service was good? My understanding was that it
>> was broken up because it was claimed competition was needed to lower
>> prices.
>
> No that wasn't the reason. For starters think about newspapers,
> television and radio. No one company/person is allowed to own every
> single broadcast station or news publication in a given area. It has
> something to do with abuse of power (a strong, healthy country also
> has a free press) and a lot to do with the US being able to increase
> revenue by taxing businesses and corporations. Increased competition
> is usually a good thing. Look at the auto industry. After Honda
> appeared with fully equipped, reliable cars things really started to
> evolve and Detroit didn't keep up. AFAIC, the jury is still out about
> the Bell breakup.
>
>
My understanding is that it was a hybrid monopoly sort of thing. They
didn't destroy or buy off their competitors but worked under regulation
that required them to provide service everywhere etc.

Michel Boucher wrote:
> Serene Vannoy > wrote in
> :
>
>>> I'm surprised he didn't suggest that I "drank the kool-aid" (whatever
>>> that means!).
>>>
>> On the off chance that you really don't know what it means, it's a
>> reference to the Jonestown massacre, in which hundreds of people
>> committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid (though I hear it was
>> really Flavor-Aid) with cyanide in it.
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown
>
> That much I am aware of, and it's a expression commonly used by so-called
> conservatives when referring to the freedom of thought expressed by non-
> (so-called)-conservatives.

I've heard all sides use "they drank the kool-aid" to mean, roughly,
"they were convinced to do something by someone (or some movement)
charismatic enough to make them do something not in their best interest."

Serene

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http://42magazine.com

"But here's a handy hint: if your fabulous theory for ending war and
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On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:08:43 -0400, George >
wrote:
>>
>>
>My understanding is that it was a hybrid monopoly sort of thing. They
>didn't destroy or buy off their competitors but worked under regulation
>that required them to provide service everywhere etc.

I think you are correct.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:45:11 -0700, Serene Vannoy
> fired up random neurons and synapses to
opine:

>But you were there, too, and could have walked out. I think that would
>have upset your sister enough to maybe rethink her strategy?

Not a chance. She'd have thought I was impatient with her dear, sweet
lad. The kid was 8 at the time.

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"

sf wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:08:43 -0400, George >
> wrote:
>>>
>> My understanding is that it was a hybrid monopoly sort of thing. They
>> didn't destroy or buy off their competitors but worked under regulation
>> that required them to provide service everywhere etc.
>
> I think you are correct.
>
I remembered reading what their Achilles' heel was. They didn't apply a
uniform markup on all of their products. They used an extraordinarily
high markup on long distance apparently to allow relatively cheap base
service. That allowed others (I think MCI was first) to come along and
demand access as a long distance provider because they could easier
offer long distance at much lower prices.

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:37:32 -0400, George >
wrote:

>sf wrote:
>> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:08:43 -0400, George >
>> wrote:
>>>>
>>> My understanding is that it was a hybrid monopoly sort of thing. They
>>> didn't destroy or buy off their competitors but worked under regulation
>>> that required them to provide service everywhere etc.
>>
>> I think you are correct.
>>
>I remembered reading what their Achilles' heel was. They didn't apply a
>uniform markup on all of their products. They used an extraordinarily
>high markup on long distance apparently to allow relatively cheap base
>service. That allowed others (I think MCI was first) to come along and
>demand access as a long distance provider because they could easier
>offer long distance at much lower prices.

Oh, you're talking about later - meaning after MaBell broke up and
regrouped. MCI didn't exist before the initial break up. After the
break up, I got cheap, single priced, unlimited long distance and
cheap, single priced,unlimited, "short" distance (30 miles for me,
which was different from a free local call but still in the same area
code).

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:21:34 -0700, Serene Vannoy
> wrote:

>On the off chance that you really don't know what it means, it's a
>reference to the Jonestown massacre, in which hundreds of people
>committed mass suicide by drinking Kool-Aid (though I hear it was really
>Flavor-Aid) with cyanide in it.

I understood what it meant, but I didn't get the connection. Can you
explain why he would say that to blake in that context?

<shrug> probably not

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.