About 20 years ago, tipping in North America was 10% of the pre-tax bill, and then sometime around 15 years ago or so, this became 15%. Now in the last 5 years or so, I have heard some people say 20% is a fair tip share.
RIP OFF!!!!
This North American obsession about tipping, tipping for everything, tipping for the hotel housekeeper, tipping for taxis, tipping for the doorman, tipping the guy who carries luggage, tipping the airport shuttle driver, tipping, tipping, tipping.....
I refuse to adhere to Tip Inflation.....BOYCOTT TIP INFLATION!!!!!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Lint....
You know when you wash a pair of jeans, and you look in the pocket and there is a ball of stuff.....lint, I guess.....
Where does the lint come from anyway?
Where does the lint come from anyway?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Prediction: Navy Midshipmen to win 2nd in a row
The Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish rivalry is one of the most sacred rivalries in NCAA Football. Too bad this great game will be overlooked by many fans, as neither team is ranked in the Top 25.
Of course Navy had lost 43 straight games until last year, when the Midshipmen squeaked out a win in 3OT against Notre Dame.......
Here's my prediction for Saturday: Navy will make it two games in a row.....Go Navy!
Of course Navy had lost 43 straight games until last year, when the Midshipmen squeaked out a win in 3OT against Notre Dame.......
Here's my prediction for Saturday: Navy will make it two games in a row.....Go Navy!
Duzen and Siezen
Well, living in Germany is sure an experience, but there's one thing as a native English speaker that I've never gotten used to: duzen and siezen.....
What do these mean?
Well, duzen means to use "du" to say you (in German), which one typically says to friends, colleagues, kids, dogs, buddies, classmates, basically anything in a social setting.
And siezen means to use "Sie" to say you (in German of course), which one typically says to clientele, service personnel, adult strangers, elders, etc. Basically much more polite, something one would use in a formal or official setting.
The problem is that there are many cases where the line is very fine between "du" and "Sie". In my group we all "duzen" each other - which is good, because it removes the awkwardness and distance that "siezening" someone creates. Except for my boss and the secretary. And also an older professor who "siezens" everyone else.....but that's really strange, especially when everyone's saying the familiar "du" until speaking to this older professor (or my boss and his secretary speak with each other).
Another weird scenario was when we visited some friends, and the mother-in-law of the guy is around 70-80 years old. Her son-in-law told us to just use "du", but when we did so, she "siezened" us back....what should we do? If we continue with "du", we are being impolite, but if we use "Sie" there's an awkward distance created, and as well, its kinda strange to take back "du" and then continue with "Sie".
Textbooks tell us to use "Sie" when in doubt...but using "Sie" when you should use "du" presents a very awkward formal situation that's also weird......maybe I'm too North American, but I really prefer the "du", and perhaps start with "duzen" a bit too quickly.......
But I also think that some Germans need to be a little less uptight about this thing, and just relax and go "duzen" someone! I would say that Germany is the most strict at the "duzen" and "siezen" separation for a European country.
Thank God I don't live in Japan! (How many people would I offend a day?)
What do these mean?
Well, duzen means to use "du" to say you (in German), which one typically says to friends, colleagues, kids, dogs, buddies, classmates, basically anything in a social setting.
And siezen means to use "Sie" to say you (in German of course), which one typically says to clientele, service personnel, adult strangers, elders, etc. Basically much more polite, something one would use in a formal or official setting.
The problem is that there are many cases where the line is very fine between "du" and "Sie". In my group we all "duzen" each other - which is good, because it removes the awkwardness and distance that "siezening" someone creates. Except for my boss and the secretary. And also an older professor who "siezens" everyone else.....but that's really strange, especially when everyone's saying the familiar "du" until speaking to this older professor (or my boss and his secretary speak with each other).
Another weird scenario was when we visited some friends, and the mother-in-law of the guy is around 70-80 years old. Her son-in-law told us to just use "du", but when we did so, she "siezened" us back....what should we do? If we continue with "du", we are being impolite, but if we use "Sie" there's an awkward distance created, and as well, its kinda strange to take back "du" and then continue with "Sie".
Textbooks tell us to use "Sie" when in doubt...but using "Sie" when you should use "du" presents a very awkward formal situation that's also weird......maybe I'm too North American, but I really prefer the "du", and perhaps start with "duzen" a bit too quickly.......
But I also think that some Germans need to be a little less uptight about this thing, and just relax and go "duzen" someone! I would say that Germany is the most strict at the "duzen" and "siezen" separation for a European country.
Thank God I don't live in Japan! (How many people would I offend a day?)
Compiling
Man does programming suck!! Who in their right minds likes it? Hours programming, and then stuck with bugs and segmentation faults......booooooo! Programming SUCKS!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOO!
Luckily, there is one advantage when it comes to programming......compiling! When your program is compiling, it gives you an excuse to:
a) surf the web
b) skype your friends
c) eat a snack
d) watch some youtube
e) catch some zzz's
Luckily, there is one advantage when it comes to programming......compiling! When your program is compiling, it gives you an excuse to:
a) surf the web
b) skype your friends
c) eat a snack
d) watch some youtube
e) catch some zzz's
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Quantum Humour
I like this comic alot......I think however, you need some Quantum Mechanics background to understand it....
Suffice it to say, after I read the last pane, the function collapsed to the funny eigenstate...
Suffice it to say, after I read the last pane, the function collapsed to the funny eigenstate...
Monday, September 08, 2008
66-3
Here we go again....Cal beats Washington St. by a score of 66-3.
Offensive brilliance early in the season and lots of promise from Tailback Jahvid Best. Let's see if the defence is able to hold up over the season....Cal, unranked at the beginning has now snuck back into the Top 25.
Circle Nov. 8 on your calendars, hopefully they can knock off the Trojans!
Offensive brilliance early in the season and lots of promise from Tailback Jahvid Best. Let's see if the defence is able to hold up over the season....Cal, unranked at the beginning has now snuck back into the Top 25.
Circle Nov. 8 on your calendars, hopefully they can knock off the Trojans!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Best brand names
What is the best brand name in the world?
I think that 黑人牙膏 is near the top, if not the #1 brand name I've ever heard!
黑人牙膏 kicks ass!
I think that 黑人牙膏 is near the top, if not the #1 brand name I've ever heard!
黑人牙膏 kicks ass!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
NOOOOOOOO!
How can it be Hockey Night in Canada without the famous theme song?
Toronto Star Article
You're telling me that CBC cannot shell out $500 per broadcast to play this song?
They make so much off the TV advertising that $500 is chump change!
Toronto Star Article
You're telling me that CBC cannot shell out $500 per broadcast to play this song?
They make so much off the TV advertising that $500 is chump change!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Mom and Dad. So silly!
Mom and Dad arrived in California last night.
Dad came into my room, surfed the internet (stocks), read a few reference papers on my research topic and went to bed ~ 11pm.
Mom came into my room, made Dad eat healthy food, unpacked, almost fellasleep in my bed, gave me money to give to Hsiao-Ah-Yi and Stephanie, put food in the fridge and freezer, talked, showered and finally went to bed ~ 1am.
It's as if I never left Toronto.
And then Dad came into my room at 7am to surf the internet again. Sigh.
Graduation
Since someone is going through a graduation ceremony this weekend, this cartoon seems quite appropriate...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Elvis Rocks!
Elvis Stojko is the best figure skater EVER, and this just confirms it:
Athletes should think twice about heading to Beijing: Elvis Stojko
Athletes should think twice about heading to Beijing: Elvis Stojko
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Flying Horror Stories
What's this about? They don't even give a seats to airline passengers now?
Article on CBC Website
Man, that is really messed up!
Article on CBC Website
Man, that is really messed up!
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