"Tough to Swallow" ~ Alberta Seniors

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Just curious... how old are you? I'm not trying to be a dick... just want to see where you're coming from. People's thoughts and ideas and convictions change over time as they get older.

I'm in my mid twenties. I definitely believe in gov't social programs, I just think we need to be reasonable about what we can provide. You have to draw the line somewhere, and I think it's at "healthy" not "delicious."

My opposition to additional gov't spending also includes opposition to increasing tuition subsidies (which I benefited from recently) and opposition to increasing the child tax benefit (which I will likely benefit from soon, unless it's means-tested, in which case I'm probably over the cutoff).

Also, I think my question about the time period of your experience with rez food is fair, since my gut feel is it wasn't that recently based on your description.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Rerun

You are being ridiculous. I lived in university res (Carleton and SAIT) and the food was just fine. Lots of variety, tasty, nutritional. We even got steak once a week.

There is absolutely no comparison between what you say you experienced and what is being served to seniors in some of these long term care facilities.

Perfect post from the entitled "ME" generation. You just want whats good for yourself.

I went to UofA not SAIT, IIRC potatos were served from a bag and chicken was boiled and served. So you got steak in univ? My dad got steak once a week when he went to UofA as well a generation ago. They don't do that buffet style anymore. We got exactly the same as what they said in the 13 min documentary. Quality is the same as airline food. Maybe you got steak cause you were part of the entitlement generation?

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Also, I think my question about the time period of your experience with rez food is fair, since my gut feel is it wasn't that recently based on your description.

I think from a pic he posted of himself a year ago, he is in his 50's. Not sure why he is comparing himself to us (mid-20's).

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Just curious... how old are you? I'm not trying to be a dick... just want to see where you're coming from. People's thoughts and ideas and convictions change over time as they get older.

Also... nobody is asking for filet mignon and a pony. They just want a decent variety of freshly made tasty and nutritional food. Not some pre-packaged frozen crap that nobody but college students who are too lazy to cook are willing to eat.

Perhaps you aren't aware, but its not only lazy people who choose "pre-packaged frozen crap". It's mostly people who cannot afford to purchase fresh food (perhaps even because they are saving for retirement?). You really think people who are eating KD and Chef Boyardee for dinner are doing so only because they're easy to make?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Perfect post from the entitled "ME" generation. You just want whats good for yourself.

I went to UofA not SAIT, IIRC potatos were served from a bag and chicken was boiled and served. My dad got steak once a week when he went to UofA as well a generation ago. They don't do that buffet style anymore. We got exactly the same as what they said in the 13 min documentary. Quality is the same as airline food. Maybe you got steak cause you were part of the entitlement generation?


I think from a pic he posted of himself a year ago, he is in his 50's. Not sure why he is comparing himself to us (mid-20's).

We were probably at U of A at the same time, and had similar experiences with the food. "Meets basic needs but is not tasty" is a fair description, imo.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

We were probably at U of A at the same time, and had similar experiences with the food. "Meets basic needs but is not tasty" is a fair description, imo.

Did you have spegetti served on Thurs night, only to see taco's the next day and have them re-use the ground beef all the way through monday?

And have turkey served for 4 days after Thanksgiving?

Thank you Aramark for that. ha

(BTW : I'm not complaining, I just found it funny. Like you... it gave me the basic need, I wasn't expecting tasty. I think thats for the entitled generation.)

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Perfect post from the entitled "ME" generation. You just want whats good for yourself.

I went to UofA not SAIT, IIRC potatos were served from a bag and chicken was boiled and served. So you got steak in univ? My dad got steak once a week when he went to UofA as well a generation ago. They don't do that buffet style anymore. We got exactly the same as what they said in the 13 min documentary. Quality is the same as airline food. Maybe you got steak cause you were part of the entitlement generation?


I think from a pic he posted of himself a year ago, he is in his 50's. Not sure why he is comparing himself to us (mid-20's).

My mistake then. I went to Carleton University in the mid to late 70's and SAIT in the early 80's.
Obviously res food has changed a lot since I attended university/college.

One question though... if the food is so bad, why live there? Many students live off-campus and do their own shopping and food prep... an option, might I add, that LTC residents generally don't have.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Rerun

My mistake then. I went to Carleton University in the mid to late 70's and SAIT in the early 80's.
Obviously res food has changed a lot since I attended university/college.

One question though... if the food is so bad, why live there? Many students live off-campus and do their own shopping and food prep... an option, might I add, that LTC residents generally don't have.

Because its the cheapest option by far? Food isn't most kids primary concern when they are at university (that would be alcohol). Again being a college student is burdensome with expenses, especially when most can't work a full time job too.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Perhaps you aren't aware, but its not only lazy people who choose "pre-packaged frozen crap". It's mostly people who cannot afford to purchase fresh food (perhaps even because they are saving for retirement?). You really think people who are eating KD and Chef Boyardee for dinner are doing so only because they're easy to make?

No of course not. Students though? Yes. I was once a student. I remember. Quick and easy was the key to eating. When it came to cooking for myself I was as lazy as hell and I don't think I was too different than the average college student.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Rerun

My mistake then. I went to Carleton University in the mid to late 70's and SAIT in the early 80's.
Obviously res food has changed a lot since I attended university/college.

One question though... if the food is so bad, why live there? Many students live off-campus and do their own shopping and food prep... an option, might I add, that LTC residents generally don't have.

Most people living in gov't run institutions of any kind do it because it's cheaper than the better private options. That includes students who could live off campus and seniors who could live in private care homes.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Rerun

My mistake then. I went to Carleton University in the mid to late 70's and SAIT in the early 80's.
Obviously res food has changed a lot since I attended university/college.

One question though... if the food is so bad, why live there? Many students live off-campus and do their own shopping and food prep... an option, might I add, that LTC residents generally don't have.

I can't speak for the others, but I wanted to live in residence for the full "campus life" experience and to easily meet people and make new friends since none of my friends from high school went to the same university as me. I did move into an apartment off campus as an upper classman, though.

If given the choice, I would have opted out of the meal plan and prepared my own food in the residence kitchen, but this was not an option. The cafeteria company negotiated a contract with the university that stated all students living in residence had to purchase a full meal plan whether they wanted it or not.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well I was/am a student, and the only thing I cared/care about was/is keeping the grocery bill down. I would love actual meals 7 days a week, but then I'd be spending $40-50 more a week on food on an extremely limited budget.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Because its the cheapest option by far? Food isn't most kids primary concern when they are at university (that would be alcohol). Again being a college student is burdensome with expenses, especially when most can't work a full time job too.

Its not the cheapest option... its the easiest option. You can share a house and share food expenses with others and its just as cheap, if not cheaper, than living in res.... and if students are so concerned about the high cost of post secondary education and living expenses, perhaps they should cut down on their alcohol and drug expenses?

[Phanuthier]

Somehow, this thread once again turns into what is wrong with kids these days. Predictable. Thank you Rerun.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Its not the cheapest option... its the easiest option. You can share a house and share food expenses with others and its just as cheap, if not cheaper, than living in res.... and if students are so concerned about the high cost of post secondary education and living expenses, perhaps they should cut down on their alcohol and drug expenses?

The U of C charges $6140 for the cheapest plan for 8 months. I think finding room and board for $767.50 per month would be nearly impossible in Calgary anywhere in proximity to the University, especially if you only wanted an 8 month lease.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Rerun

.... and if students are so concerned about the high cost of post secondary education and living expenses, perhaps they should cut down on their alcohol and drug expenses?

I literally lol'd

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Most people living in gov't run institutions of any kind do it because it's cheaper than the better private options. That includes students who could live off campus and seniors who could live in private care homes.

Of course they do... there aren't many seniors out there that can afford to live in a private ltc facility where the average monthly cost to them is $4000 to $7000 per month.
Hell... I work for a living in a decent paying job and I can't afford to live somewhere that would cost me that kind of coin.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Its not the cheapest option... its the easiest option. You can share a house and share food expenses with others and its just as cheap, if not cheaper, than living in res.... and if students are so concerned about the high cost of post secondary education and living expenses, perhaps they should cut down on their alcohol and drug expenses?

Comparably speaking, a two bedroom in res is much cheaper than a two bedroom apartment. You also forget the additional costs of living off campus (heat, electrical, food, internet/TV, commuting costs to and from school) which are all included in the res price (expect TV I asusme). If you're talking about off-campus living near campus it will be even more expensive than elsewhere in the city.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Of course they do... there aren't many seniors out there that can afford to live in a private ltc facility where the average monthly cost to them is $4000 to $7000 per month.
Hell... I work for a living in a decent paying job and I can't afford to live somewhere that would cost me that kind of coin.

My point was only that students in res are a great comparable to seniors in LTC. They can't afford the market rate for services they need, so they take what the gov't offers, which is basic level food.

If the private cost is so much more than the public cost, wouldn't that imply that the subsidy is already extremely significant?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Somehow, this thread once again turns into what is wrong with kids these days. Predictable. Thank you Rerun.

My mistake... I thought I read somewhere in this post that a students primary concern was alcohol and somewhere else that they smoked weed on a daily basis. My bad.


I just thing that today's youth should have a little more compassion for the elderly.
And by the way, my generation is known as the baby boomer generation. The ME generation are those that were born from 1970 to the 1990's, that mostly had everything given to them without having to work for it while growing up.

[MarchHare]

And by the way, my generation is known as the baby boomer generation. The ME generation are those that were born from 1970 to the 1990's, that mostly had everything given to them without having to work for it while growing up.

Now that's funny, a baby boomer not even realizing that he belongs to the Me Generation.

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