The Off Topic Topic

[Sheilbh]

I loathe the British retail scheme on not selling alcohol or cigarettes to under eighteens which is to not check the IDs of people who are "visibly over 25". I just feel they could reframe the "visibly over 25" in a less hurtful way. Maybe change it to the "over 25 but looking good on it" or something

[garbon]

I loathe the British retail scheme on not selling alcohol or cigarettes to under eighteens which is to not check the IDs of people who are "visibly over 25". I just feel they could reframe the "visibly over 25" in a less hurtful way. Maybe change it to the "over 25 but looking good on it" or something

I had a woman card me the other day at the self-checkout tills. Her colleague was like did you think he is under 18 to which she said no, but it can't hurt to check.

Better though than the woman who started to ask me for my ID, then looked at me and stopped talking...

[grumbler]

I like how the boomers are somehow panicking about young people not being able to read and being able to read at the same time.

I have no idea what this means.  And who are these "boomers?"

The Left uses "boomers" in the same way the Right uses "woke."

[crazy canuck]

Meanwhile, in Idaho.

I like the bottom lines.
So if a 28 year old comes with his mother, maybe a senile old lady in a wheel chair, that's fine.

Presumably a 28 year old will have ID

[mongers]

Can't link to the Nature magazine article as it's behind a paywall, but this is available:

According to the Nature Index database of research articles in a selected group of scientific journals, China has increased its chemistry research output by almost 350% since 2015. Its contribution as of 2025 is higher than the top 50 other countries combined.

[Valmy]

I like how the boomers are somehow panicking about young people not being able to read and being able to read at the same time.

I have no idea what this means.  And who are these "boomers?"

The Left uses "boomers" in the same way the Right uses "woke."

Elderly busybodies today are both freaking out that kids can no longer read, plus we are going through a rash of book bannings to protect the children. So the children can't read but they also need to be protected from books. That's the joke. That is what I am talking about.

I thought Baby Boomers had been a term used for over 60 years and not one that provoked confusion as to what was being referred to. Obviously not all Boomers are elderly busybodies. I am sure a few grumpy Xers and Silent Generation types are in there.

In any case it was a joke and not meant to be taken seriously. I could have said elderly busybodies who talk shit about the younger generation I guess. But that is a little cumbersome for just a little joke.

[The Brain]

I like how the boomers are somehow panicking about young people not being able to read and being able to read at the same time.

I have no idea what this means.  And who are these "boomers?"

The Left uses "boomers" in the same way the Right uses "woke."

Elderly busybodies today are both freaking out that kids can no longer read, plus we are going through a rash of book bannings to protect the children. So the children can't read but they also need to be protected from books. That's the joke. That is what I am talking about.

I thought Baby Boomers had been a term used for over 60 years and not one that provoked confusion as to what was being referred to. Obviously not all Boomers are elderly busybodies. I am sure a few grumpy Xers and Silent Generation types are in there.

In any case it was a joke and not meant to be taken seriously. I could have said elderly busybodies who talk shit about the younger generation I guess. But that is a little cumbersome for just a little joke.

Relax. The old guy is just fishing for an SSBN joke.

[Sheilbh]

Yaaaaaay!
https://mailchi.mp/faa0f204407f/from-first-routes-to-a-resilient-european-network-15576873?e=901bc6ad88

[Jacob]

That's awesome

[grumbler]

Yaaaaaay!
https://mailchi.mp/faa0f204407f/from-first-routes-to-a-resilient-european-network-15576873?e=901bc6ad88

[Valmy]

Yaaaaaay!
https://mailchi.mp/faa0f204407f/from-first-routes-to-a-resilient-european-network-15576873?e=901bc6ad88

I always liked sleeper trains because you both got to the next stop on your trip AND got a place to sleep for the night. Talk about a bargain.

[Sheilbh]

I always liked sleeper trains because you both got to the next stop on your trip AND got a place to sleep for the night. Talk about a bargain.

Yes - agreed. It's also a fabulously romantic way to travel.

I love a sleeper train. Done several in Ukraine, Paris-Berlin when that still existed (which was thrillingly Kraftwerk coded in my head) and the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland many times (UNTIL Serco took over the greatest train route in the country and RUINED it - now safey back in public ownership but possibly not restored to its glory days).

Done many overnight buses in Latin America and nowhere near the romance/delight

[Syt]

The Volksoper Vienna has a World Cup rebate - Book four showings during the month of June, get 50% off. I booked Der Zarewitsch and Die Csardasfürsting by Franz Lehar, plus Die Zauberflöte and Les contes d'Hoffmann. The Volksoper is not as special as the Staatsoper, perhaps, but getting four tickets for €150 was a steal in these times.

Plus, the opera was good enough for James Bond (standing in for the Bratislava Opera in The Living Daylights)

[Jacob]

Enjoy

[Josquius]

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:dutch: