WAMT....what annoyed me today!

[woof woof]

The problem is knowing when the voice at the other end belongs to someone who's a bully or someone who has a real problem and hasn't been getting what they've paid for.

It gets really fraught when dealing with big contracts that other peoples' jobs depend on. Luckily, I've never been in that sort of situation but I've known people who were.

At one point I was responsible for national contracts and jobs but I think the issues are just the same for any scale of operation really. For me the biggest issue was staff as just when you think things are going well someone will swear at a customer, or declare they're not working with "him" anymore or superglue a nasty note to a customers windscreen. That happened. I do remember as calmly as I could telling someone that if they put as much effort into getting the job done as they seemed to put into ****ing it up life would be a lot easier. I always found staff issues the most difficult to deal with as there's usually a way round technical issues (we fixed / made stuff) and we can deal with problems somehow but personnel issues can cost someone their job, PDQ. To this day I'm still proud of the fact that in my time in those positions no one got sacked or even officially disciplined.

 

[Jelster]

At one point I was responsible for national contracts and jobs but I think the issues are just the same for any scale of operation really. For me the biggest issue was staff as just when you think things are going well someone will swear at a customer, or declare they're not working with "him" anymore or superglue a nasty note to a customers windscreen. That happened. I do remember as calmly as I could telling someone that if they put as much effort into getting the job done as they seemed to put into ****ing it up life would be a lot easier. I always found staff issues the most difficult to deal with as there's usually a way round technical issues (we fixed / made stuff) and we can deal with problems somehow but personnel issues can cost someone their job, PDQ. To this day I'm still proud of the fact that in my time in those positions no one got sacked or even officially disciplined.

Oh I've sacked a few, mostly due to their own incompetence. I had one guy, a great salesman, but he was a p***head, and an avid Spurs supporter. If Spurs were at home on Sunday, you knew he wouldn't be in on Monday. Likewise for a weekday game. It got to the point where his job was on the line, so to try and keep him, I said "Why don't you do a 4 day week?" My reasoning behind this was that he wasn't getting paid for the day he didn't turn up, so it didn't make much difference, in fact, his target would come down by 20% as he was losing a day a week.

The stubborn fool rejected the idea and lost his job within a couple of weeks. I bumped into him about a year later, he had sorted himself out, and he thanked me for what he now realised was a generous offer.

 

[woof woof]

Mrs WW was once in her office when she heard shouting and the sound of breaking glass coming from the car park so she went to see what we going on and found two female members of staff fighting, one had a knife and the other had a broken bottle. Unarmed she still waded in to separate them. Don't mess with Thai ladies

 

[Gav.]

Available from all good retail outlets

View attachment 361411

I asked for these today .. that went well

 

[andya700]

A car alarm has been going off constantly since around midday yesterday. The car is a Mondeo and is parked out side my house, the owner lives around 20 houses down the road. It was going off every hour during the night. This morning I have found out the possible reason why, they have left the front passenger window open.
They definitely get first prize in my tw*t of the year award - selfish twonks.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

A car alarm has been going off constantly since around midday yesterday. The car is a Mondeo and is parked out side my house, the owner lives around 20 houses down the road. It was going off every hour during the night. This morning I have found out the possible reason why, they have left the front passenger window open.
They definitely get first prize in my tw*t of the year award - selfish twonks.

Pint of milk on the carpet ...

 

[Cobra]

Pint of milk on the carpet ...

Or a hose through the window ..
I could have sworn it rained over night

 

[Nod]

Tall dogs?

 

[JohnC6]

I don't usually post re poor driving as it's so common but this manoeuvre is very prevalent and annoying.This morning, I was on the main road and approaching a side road on my offside. A van pulled up on the give-way markings. I was doing 30mph...the limit..and the driver waited until I was about 20m from him and he pulled out in front of me. I didn't have to brake but did have to take my foot off the accelerator. Was there a line of traffic behind me ? No. Not a vehicle in sight for as far back as I could see and nothing coming towards me. 50m on I stopped behind the van a T junction.

It's the same with pedestrians. They don't seem to look beyond an approaching vehicle on their side to see if there's any traffic behind it. Often there's nothing but it doesn't stop them launching themselves into the road metres away from an approaching vehicle. You'll often see people going across a road at an angle in the direction they want to go on the far side thus remaining in the road for longer than necessarry. They're often putting a foot on the far side pavement as a car passes them. I always cross a road straight across..the shortest distance.

This morning I saw a young man,I assume going to work, riding his electric bike.He wasn't going fast so problem there but no cycle helmet. The government should have introduced legislation that E-bike riders must wear a helmet. I think the same should go for cyclists too. Even on a financial level it's advised. If a car or a motor cycle knocks a cyclist off his bike and the cyclist sustains brain injury he/she would be inline to receive hefty damages to pay for varying levels of care but they would be reduced if the cyclist hadn't taken the precaution of wearing a safety helmet and may not be enough to pay for the required level of care. I know nothing about the quality of helmets..the standard is BSEN 1078.. but I'd have thought they'd be robust enough to withstand a hard hit on the road surface.It's not just road vehicles causing accidents. I've heard of dogs off a leash running at a cyclist and causing him/her to fall. My bafflement is why the government doesn't legislate for helmets rather than have it as an advisory.

As an aside,whilst checking re the standard for a safety helmet I read this.

BSEN 1078 was first introduced in 1997 and adopted as the European Standard in 2012. Prior to BSEN 1078 many cycle helmets were made to Snell B95 standard which is more stringent and provides protection against higher impact velocities. It can be said BSEN 1078 was a step backwards for safety.
wer.

I know there are keen cyclists on here so for them I'll include this:

BSEN 1078 is 24 years old. Helmet technology and our understanding of how impacts cause brain injury has advanced since then. In April 2021, researchers at Imperial College published a fascinating study on how effective new helmet technologies are at reducing brain injury. This study compared conventional helmets to four new helmet technologies: MIPS (multi directional impact protection system); WaveCel (has a liner which mitigates head rotation); SPIN (has shear pads to mitigate head rotation); and the airbag helmet Hovding 3.0. This study tested impacts at different angles at 14mph to simulate a fall on asphalt at a common cycling speed. It also measured rotational forces, which we now know is a key determinant of brain injury. The study found new helmet technology provided better protection than conventional helmets


I was at a loss as to why the level of protection was ,basically, watered-down. A quick Google gives the answer.

SNELL B-95 — DOME

Snell B-95 subjects helmets to harder hits from greater heights than the CPSC and EN-1078 standards. Snell B-95 also features a slightly lower test line than the CPSC standard, requiring protection over a greater area of the helmet.

www.helmetfacts.com

 

[JohnC6]

Pint of milk on the carpet ...

Tell me about it ? Ie milk.

Two years ago we went to Scotland for a holiday. Mull first. We went into a supermarket at Oban (from where we took the ferry) because we were self-catering. We got back home two weeks later and shortly afterwards I could smell something 'not nice' inside the car. The car was new so had that lovely 'new car' smell. Dog poo maybe ?. I checked my shoes, trainers and my wife's. Nothing. I took out the rubber mats and cleaned them. Smell still there. I left it a day or so and had another go at finding out the source. I got down on my knees and checked under the front seats. Voila ! Eureka ! Stuck,out of sight from a quick glance, was a full bottle of milk and it had expanded enough to bust the top. It must have rolled there after we put it in the back after the shop at Oban. It took me several carpet cleans, both the rubber mats and the material, to get rid of it. Next time milk will be securely placed in a shopping bag.

 

[Jelster]

I can never get my head around why people have to pull out, or jump in front, when there's nothing behind you. Like on a motorway when somebody wants to change lanes, just look in the mirror... If you let me through, you have space to pull out, but no, it's all about "me"....

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Tell me about it ? Ie milk.

Two years ago we went to Scotland for a holiday. Mull first. We went into a supermarket at Oban (from where we took the ferry) because we were self-catering. We got back home two weeks later and shortly afterwards I could smell something 'not nice' inside the car. The car was new so had that lovely 'new car' smell. Dog poo maybe ?. I checked my shoes, trainers and my wife's. Nothing. I took out the rubber mats and cleaned them. Smell still there. I left it a day or so and had another go at finding out the source. I got down on my knees and checked under the front seats. Voila ! Eureka ! Stuck,out of sight from a quick glance, was a full bottle of milk and it had expanded enough to bust the top. It must have rolled there after we put it in the back after the shop at Oban. It took me several carpet cleans, both the rubber mats and the material, to get rid of it. Next time milk will be securely placed in a shopping bag.

I feel your pain John!

Many years ago my Mum had a glass pint of milk fall over in her car and instantly decant the entire contents onto the passenger footwell carpet. We tried everything to get rid of the disgusting smell but it came back time and time again. In the end she part exed it to a dealer ...

 

[broc]

Tell me about it ? Ie milk.

Two years ago we went to Scotland for a holiday. Mull first. We went into a supermarket at Oban (from where we took the ferry) because we were self-catering. We got back home two weeks later and shortly afterwards I could smell something 'not nice' inside the car. The car was new so had that lovely 'new car' smell. Dog poo maybe ?. I checked my shoes, trainers and my wife's. Nothing. I took out the rubber mats and cleaned them. Smell still there. I left it a day or so and had another go at finding out the source. I got down on my knees and checked under the front seats. Voila ! Eureka ! Stuck,out of sight from a quick glance, was a full bottle of milk and it had expanded enough to bust the top. It must have rolled there after we put it in the back after the shop at Oban. It took me several carpet cleans, both the rubber mats and the material, to get rid of it. Next time milk will be securely placed in a shopping bag.

About 6 years ago I bought a used car in the winter & sold it the following spring after trying several months to get rid of the sour milk smell that permeated the interior whenever it was warm. I suspect someone had spilt a cup of milky coffee on the carpet/front passenger seat. I tried all sorts of cleaning solutions, & eventually gave up on the car.......as my next step involved stripping out the carpets, seat, foam and insulation........

 

[JohnC6]

I feel your pain John!

Many years ago my Mum had a glass pint of milk fall over in her car and instantly decant the entire contents onto the passenger footwell carpet. We tried everything to get rid of the disgusting smell but it came back time and time again. In the end she part exed it to a dealer ...

About 6 years ago I bought a used car in the winter & sold it the following spring after trying several months to get rid of the sour milk smell that permeated the interior whenever it was warm. I suspect someone had spilt a cup of milky coffee on the carpet/front passenger seat. I tried all sorts of cleaning solutions, & eventually gave up on the car.......as my next step involved stripping out the carpets, seat, foam and insulation........

Wow. Sounds like we were lucky to get rid of, then.

 

[woof woof]

WAM-Yesterday.

Just a little annoyance. I was on an A road doing 70mph overtaking a large and long articulated thing. I could see something coming up behind very fast, you can sort of estimate speed and it must have been doing way in excess of 100mph and when it slowed and stuck itself just feet off my boot I could see it was a Porsche. The driver then flashed his lights. WTF did he expect me to do? Exceed the limit or pull into the lorry? Gosh knows.

When I had fast cars I admit I did sometimes.... whisper it.... push on a bit... but always with respect to other road users and that meant no tail gating, no flashing headlights at people doing the limit and no flashing past people at ridiculous speeds. Maybe I'm getting old but I just see nothing clever in tailgating and flashing headlights at people (especially me ) while they're clearly doing the limit overtaking a truck. Much better IMO to wait while the truck is passed and traffic pulls in, pass at a reasonable speed (80mph?) and only then if you absolutely must engage warp speed.

 

[woof woof]

Apparently there have been 38 edits to change the definition of recession on the "recession" wiki page in the last 3 days.

What's that quote from 1984?

"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street and building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped."

In recent years I've thought 1984 was the destination but very recently I've thought the future is a hellish mix of 1984 and Soylent Green.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

WAM-Yesterday.
Maybe I'm getting old but I just see nothing clever in tailgating and flashing headlights at people (especially me ) while they're clearly doing the limit overtaking a truck.

According to one of mine, who has been known to take out an unmarked car on patrol, that's a common way of getting yourself pulled over and advised. In the absence of a sudden call, the giving of advice can, I believe, take some time...

 

[sphexx]

Apparently there have been 38 edits to change the definition of recession on the "recession" wiki page in the last 3 days.

What's that quote from 1984?

"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street and building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped."

In recent years I've thought 1984 was the destination but very recently I've thought the future is a hellish mix of 1984 and Soylent Green.

I guess you know someone in California (?) sells a ‘complete diet’ drink called Soylent (can’t remember if it has “green” added).

 

[JohnC6]

This quite often annoys me depending on what I'm doing.

I want to HP hose a part of the patio..while my wife's out..she said it didn't need doing but I think it does. It will be dry by the time she gets back. I just need to take the washing in for 30 minutes. So, being a busy chap, I tend to come on here at the end of the day,into the evening..and overlook posts and end up duplicating so I thought I'd try an earlier visit I've poped on now. I'd just started a reply in the Politics thread when the washing machine started its annoying beeping re the second lot of washing. I try to ignore it but it's like an itch.. Most times it's handy but when it does it at times like this it's darned annoying. I don't think it can be disabled either but it is,normnally,useful.

It's still beeping.Better go..

 

[Cobra]

It's still beeping.Better go..

Mine just clicks twice, once as it finishes and once as the door unlocks.
Easy to ignore ....
As I found out the other night when I should have unloaded it hours ago

 

[kennethwfd]

According to one of mine, who has been known to take out an unmarked car on patrol, that's a common way of getting yourself pulled over and advised. In the absence of a sudden call, the giving of advice can, I believe, take some time...

I also have an issue with Daytime Running lights - as I come from sunshine to shade the lights affect my vision of the road ahead. Here in the New forest. people flash to warn others of animals on the road, likewise, I have been dazzled by "flashers". and people using foglights in broad daylight
There is an official meaning for flashing lights in the Highway Code, and another rule that states you are committing an offence if you use any light or lamp so as to cause discomfort or dazzle another road user.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I also have an issue with Daytime Running lights

DRLs have been a statutory requirement on all new cars since 2011 in the UK. Misuse of headlights is both naughty and stupid - which doesn't, unfortunately, deter the offenders.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

DRLs have been a statutory requirement on all new cars since 2011 in the UK. Misuse of headlights is both naughty and stupid - which doesn't, unfortunately, deter the offenders.

View attachment 362027

I also wonder how many people realise that with DLRs they have no rear lights ... in poor visibility it is particularly annoying to suddenly find a car with no lights on in front of you!

 

[Jelster]

I also wonder how many people realise that with DLRs they have no rear lights ... in poor visibility it is particularly annoying to suddenly find a car with no lights on in front of you!

THIS!

My headlights are set to dipped beam permanently, must be from my biking days, but the mantra "See & Be Seen" is as valid today as it was back in the 70's....

 

[Sky]

There are times that DRLs can be very useful, I can't argue with that. However, in most cases they're a bloody nuisance and cause more problems than they solve.

As for the tossers that drive with fog lights on; there is a special place in hell reserved for them. Just wait 'til I get there 'cos I'll be their taskmaster.

 

[AgentOrange76]

I have yet to have ever experianced an issue caused by DRL.

Now rear indicators the size of a fag paper when operated by those that apply the brakes first before indicating I have a real hatred for. The Jag F pace I followed home had such lights that when the brake is on you cant see the indicator unless specifically looking for it.

 

[kennethwfd]

I also wonder how many people realise that with DLRs they have no rear lights ... in poor visibility, it is particularly annoying to suddenly find a car with no lights on in front of you!

Exactly, I've seen more than one car in twilight with DRLs and no rear lights. One can only be thankful for rear reflectors being mandatory on all vehicles.
Another offence is to park facing oncoming traffic at night unless in a recognised parking bay due to the danger of a collision due to the other road user not realising there is a stationary vehicle there.

 

[Sky]

I have yet to have ever experianced an issue caused by DRL.

1. As so many cars now have them, people expect to see them. Then a grey car with none comes along and they pull out in front of it because they 'didn't see it'.
2. They can't be switched off and accumulatively can be dazzling in low light because they're designed to spread light for visibility instead of aiming/focussing light as a visual aid.
3. Some manufacturer's make them far too bright so they are as bad as fog lights.
4. As has been said; some drivers rely on them as lights thus leaving no rear lights.
5. Drivers using them assume others can see them in difficult situations whereas previously drivers would flash the headlights to make sure they were seen.
6. A stream of traffic with lights on desensitises your eyes so you cannot see anything other than lights makes it harder for you to see things that don't have lights; pedestrians, animals, cyclists etc.

I could go on . . .

 

[sphexx]

1. As so many cars now have them, people expect to see them. Then a grey car with none comes along and they pull out in front of it because they 'didn't see it'.
2. They can't be switched off and accumulatively can be dazzling in low light because they're designed to spread light for visibility instead of aiming/focussing light as a visual aid.
3. Some manufacturer's make them far too bright so they are as bad as fog lights.
4. As has been said; some drivers rely on them as lights thus leaving no rear lights.
5. Drivers using them assume others can see them in difficult situations whereas previously drivers would flash the headlights to make sure they were seen.
6. A stream of traffic with lights on desensitises your eyes so you cannot see anything other than lights makes it harder for you to see things that don't have lights; pedestrians, animals, cyclists etc.

I could go on . . .

Yes, my ancient Kia doesn’t have them but I drive with “parking lights” on all the time, partly for that reason — also helps to see the rather dim dash.

I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of people, well some, drive on headlights full beam in the dark. Hard to be sure since many lights are very bright and 4x4 tend to dazzling due to their height .

 

[Sky]

Yes, my ancient Kia doesn’t have them but I drive with “parking lights” on all the time, partly for that reason — also helps to see the rather dim dash.

I do too - when necessary, but it's not necessary ALL the time is it? With DRLs, you have no choice.

Many years ago, I worked around the Italy/Slovenia border are and would cross almost daily. It was a PITA because driving with lights on during the day in Slovenia was mandatory, but illegal in Italy. Most border crossings involved much flashing of lights as people from either side would flash the other because they were getting it wrong.

 

[Jelster]

I do too - when necessary, but it's not necessary ALL the time is it? With DRLs, you have no choice.

Many years ago, I worked around the Italy/Slovenia border are and would cross almost daily. It was a PITA because driving with lights on during the day in Slovenia was mandatory, but illegal in Italy. Most border crossings involved much flashing of lights as people from either side would flash the other because they were getting it wrong.

My headlights remain on dipped beam, whenever the car is in use, they go off with the ignition, so I leave them on. Why? I have LED headlamps which are noticeable during the day, so if you run into me, you can't say you didn't see me, but you sure as hell didn't look! I can't help people see if they don't look, but if they do look, I can make sure they see me.

 

[sphexx]

I do too - when necessary, but it's not necessary ALL the time is it? With DRLs, you have no choice.

Many years ago, I worked around the Italy/Slovenia border are and would cross almost daily. It was a PITA because driving with lights on during the day in Slovenia was mandatory, but illegal in Italy. Most border crossings involved much flashing of lights as people from either side would flash the other because they were getting it wrong.

I’ve had quite a few people say to me they don’t use lights in fog/rain because they “can see perfectly well”, completely missing the point especially since if most have lights on the “grey” car becomes effectively invisible.

Motorcyclists used to moan about lights too though I haven’t heard it recently. Particularly since bikes are now so rare they are often “invisible”, maybe “un-noticeable” is a better word. Our eyesight isn’t machine-like.

 

[srichards]

WAMT: me and my arse gear interface failure. Had ticket for a car show and didn't really feel like going as the weather was manky and it was 2 hours away. Forced myself out and after being stuck in traffic and rain for an hour I decided I was right all along and should have stayed home. Now I can't decide whether I'm more annoyed I didn't just stick it out and get there or stayed at home completely rather than the 50/50 went out but achieved nothing

 

[woof woof]

I've just received a rice cooker from Amazon.

This is the second thing I've received in a row which has come just in the product box with no external packaging but this time the box was completely open, no seal at all. As I can't tell if it's a return or new or even if everything which should be in the box is it's going straight back.

Is it just my imagination or are Amazon's standards slipping rapidly?

 

[Fuji Dave]

Christ almighty FFS when is my pain going to clear off as just found out that Mum had a bad fall and the hospital are going to transfer her to another one as Mum might of broken her hip.
When am I going to be able to live in piece without any grief and stress at all.

 

[Nod]

Small annoyance for me today is that I've just had my annual diabetic eye check. 20 minutes drive each way (and you can't drive for at least 4 hours after the dilation drops so Mrs Nod had to come along to get me home), 15 minutes from car seat to car seat and a written off rest of the day as well as a headache.
All to be repeated in a week or 2 (with even bigger annoyance since Mrs Nod can't take me to the appointment and it's at least 2 busses away plus 1/4 mile walk [less annoying for me than for any disabled patients - NO on site parking AT ALL...]) for the ocular hypertension check.

 

[JohnC6]

On July 2nd I ordered a new strimmer spool and line spool for my B&D strimmer. B&D state it has to be a particular type Something like .016mm.It has a code. The strimmer ..a cordless one cost £160. I've had it about 6 months.It's costing £15 plus £3.99 p;stage from eSpares. My order was acknowledged stating "Allow 14 days for delivery" I then got another Email stating I'd get it on the 15th July. I Emailed them 3 days ago to say it hadn't arrived . They offerd a refund and told me to contact them. I was very busy and was going to do it today but got an Email which read.

Hi,John We've got some exciting news for you"

Really ? " What is it.? I read on..Your order has been despatched from our warehouse and it's making its way to you right now. Your order details are below.


They must lead extraordinarily dull lives if this is an exciting event for them..

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

On July 2nd I ordered a new strimmer spool and line spool for my B&D strimmer. B&D state it has to be a particular type Something like .016mm.It has a code. The strimmer ..a cordless one cost £160. I've had it about 6 months.It's costing £15 plus £3.99 p;stage from eSpares. My order was acknowledged stating "Allow 14 days for delivery" I then got another Email stating I'd get it on the 15th July. I Emailed them 3 days ago to say it hadn't arrived . They offerd a refund and told me to contact them. I was very busy and was going to do it today but got an Email which read.

Hi,John We've got some exciting news for you"

Really ? " What is it.? I read on..Your order has been despatched from our warehouse and it's making its way to you right now. Your order details are below.


They must lead extraordinarily dull lives if this is an exciting event for them..

Mine's came next day from Amazon.
£8.78 it's a Bosch one though.
Original part too.....

 

[JohnC6]

Mine's came next day from Amazon.
£8.78 it's a Bosch one though.
Original part too.....

They said they couldn't get it from the manufacturer. I could get the line on its own but it's real faff winding it onto the spool. The spool does have to be the right one.

I was about to get the refund and go directly to B&D.

 

[Fuji Dave]

Bullies I hate.