The Airing of Grievances

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by fotze

If the guy crossing just gave a wave as to say "ya ya I'm a bit of a self-centered person I'm not saving the environment, we both know that" I would give a big thumbs up and say "good on ya, at least you aren't a liar, that's more than most can say."

Is there a wave that can convey the message of "I'm just acting like everyone else on the road and it's either you waiting or me waiting, and right now it's you, and that's a tough break for you but we both know that if the shoes were on your feet you'd do the same thing"?

I'd do that every time.

[rubecube]

Those timers on 6th and 1st downtown are awesome. That way the only real jerks are the ones who cross the street after it's counted down already. I also know when I cross if I can go leisurely or if I have to sprint.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I don't think you get it FireFly. Let me give you a specific example.

9th ave and 5th street SW. Walking south on 5th street on the east side of the street (passing by Cowboy's) the walk sign goes to flashing, and then to solid "don't walk" for a good 10 seconds prior to the main light going amber. Why is this? So that southbound traffic has a chance to turn east on 9th ave. Otherwise with all the pedestrian traffic the cars have no chance to turn.

That would cause traffic to back up on 5th street, then back up on 6th ave, then back up on 4th street, then back up on 9th ave, then you have gridlock.

What the city is trying to do is prevent gridlock, without having to specifically put a green turn arrow from a one way street one another one way.

Thanks Ken, I'm not an idiot. I know why they do it. I realize it's to prevent gridlock, and for sure, the person who starts walking about 5 seconds after the hand starts flashing is an idiot. I always jog across when I know that the hand is flashing. Another option would be to only have a crosswalk at the other side of the street, but then that would make too much sense in a city full of one ways. My point is, get over it. I'm in just as much a rush as you are. If you can speed through a yellow, so can I, and the flashing hand is the pedestrian equivilant of the yellow light. The city knows pedestrians do it, and that's why they give you the extra 10 seconds at the end with a steady hand to get through. Not that it stops some drivers from going 2 or 3 seconds into the red and slowing up the traffic going the other way. Why are you not upset at them? They're slowing you down too?

It's all just pedestrian discrimination.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by FireFly

It's all just pedestrian discrimination.

Okay let's not make a mountain out of a mole hill.

[Looger]

mr. walker and mr. wheeler, anyone else see that one?

[rubecube]

I'm going to air a new one. People who will not stop talking to you when you make it perfectly clear you have no interest in talking to them. I have a guy who sits in the cubicle in front of me who's terrible for this. I've even gone so far as to open a book an start reading it while he's talking to me but that doesn't even work. If I look busy or grumpy, I probably am so shut the **** up!

[Yellefan]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

- People who use credit or debit cards for small purchases. I mean come on, you don't have enough change in your pocket to cover that Calgary Sun and chocolate milk? What about a fiver? You don't have one of those? Carry a little bit of cash man!

What's it to you? I NEVER pay with cash-- if I take out a 20, and spend it on a Sun (more like a penthouse) or a chocolate milk (toilet paper)... I'll blow the remaining $10 on useless crap, if I pay debit for everything I don't have the change to waste. Oh and another happy PC Financial customer here-- why do you people still pay transaction fees?

[Slava]

I also want to air a new one: That freakin' intersection at Lake Fraser and Macleod Trail drives me crazy!! Its the most ridiculous place for a stoplight; "Why don't we have all of the traffic headed downtown stop so that once in a while a car can turn here to access the Tim Hortons?". Wonderful planning.

[Yellefan]

Originally Posted by Slava

I also want to air a new one: That freakin' intersection at Lake Fraser and Macleod Trail drives me crazy!! Its the most ridiculous place for a stoplight; "Why don't we have all of the traffic headed downtown stop so that once in a while a car can turn here to access the Tim Hortons?". Wonderful planning.

From what I understand this is an agreement the developer had with the city when Avenida was first built, that that access remain there-- I agree, wonderful planning, just another example of how short-sighted this city has been in the past. I wrote my alderperson a few years ago about this one and that's basically the response I got.

[JiriHrdina]

I never thought that my little grievance would cause so much polarizing debate in this thread.

Perhaps in the way there are "Dog people" and "Cat people" the entire world can be divided into "those that walk on the flashing hand" and "those that don't walk on the flashing hand".

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Yellefan

From what I understand this is an agreement the developer had with the city when Avenida was first built, that that access remain there-- I agree, wonderful planning, just another example of how short-sighted this city has been in the past. I wrote my alderperson a few years ago about this one and that's basically the response I got.

I'm glad that you wrote your alderperson. I think that I will do the same...I also know that there is that guy in the herald that reviews issues like this.

[SpitFire40]

I hate it

when people

while talking on MSN

Type like this

Between messages!!!

Ferchrissakes, get it all out at once!

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Yellefan

What's it to you? I NEVER pay with cash-- if I take out a 20, and spend it on a Sun (more like a penthouse) or a chocolate milk (toilet paper)... I'll blow the remaining $10 on useless crap, if I pay debit for everything I don't have the change to waste. Oh and another happy PC Financial customer here-- why do you people still pay transaction fees?

If you buy your smut (Penthouse) and wankrag (toilet paper) with a debit card it takes a lot longer. That's what it is to me. Usually it doesn't bother me much, but in the festive season it's kind of annoying being stuck in a line of 20 people and every one of them has to swipe a card and sign a receipt in the 15-items-or-less-line at Safeway.

And what is with this PC Financial thing? Are you telling me you never pay transaction fees? Your bank covers everything no matter what bank owns the debit machine? Sounds a little far-fetched to me, but if that's the case I'm switching.

In other news, if you have an internet connection and are still buying Penthouse, you should explore the internet a little further and save yourself the money.

[Looger]

grievance?

safeway took out their cash only express lanes!

shame shame.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

If you buy your smut (Penthouse) and wankrag (toilet paper) with a debit card it takes a lot longer.

Hmmm, do you really think so? Passing bills back and forth, counting, making change etc. takes time, too.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Looger

grievance?

safeway took out their cash only express lanes!

shame shame.

Speaking of grocery stores, what's with having to buy your bags at Superstore.

And what's with people that call Safeway "Safeways".

Why are they making it plural?

[Looger]

the superstore thing irks me a bit but when i bring a bin, eh.

bags are crazy cheap outside of superstore. when i remember i bring them. just part of the 'cheap' image i think, marketing over reality.

safeways? not sure, haven't heard that.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Speaking of grocery stores, what's with having to buy your bags at Superstore.

And what's with people that call Safeway "Safeways".

Why are they making it plural?

Actually, I don't mind the Superstore bag thing. My wife is the breadwinner and I'm the designated parent, so I do an awful lot of shopping, so I'm used to stashing a few bags in my pocket (I'm a dogwalker, too). I'm even used to bagging my grocs, too. The money you save at Superstore compared to Safeway can be substantial.

My mother calls Safeway "Safeways." I notice a lot of older people do. Irritates me a bit, too.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by pope04

Hmmm, do you really think so? Passing bills back and forth, counting, making change etc. takes time, too.

It's not instantaneous but it's a lot faster than waiting for the whole swipe card-pushbuttons-waitforapproval-getreceipt (maybe sign it) rigmarole.

I bought something at Safeways today for $4.23 and paid with a 5. It took about 10 seconds. My change came out of the little thingy at the end and I was on my way.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by pope04

Actually, I don't mind the Superstore bag thing.

It's not bad when you have a few things, but when you've got a cart full, it can be a bit of a challenge to play the "guess how many bags" game- as you have to tell the machine how many before you start ringing stuff in.