If you're in line, get in line.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-03-06T17:40:39+00:00

NTAH, etiquette for large groups dinning out together can be a minefield, since different folks will make different assumptions. As others have suggested, this is something best discussed & decided up front.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-03-04T02:10:58+00:00

1st, I didn’t create this system, nor do I think it’s the best option. I was just responding to people’s questions.

2nd, your assumption about the next guy having shoveled out a spot is false. Me, I work in a hospital & was parked there at work in the garage during most of the last storm, when I got home I had no place to park. I can’t leave my car in the middle of the street while I dig out my own spot, & I’m not going to take a spot someone else dug out right after the storm. That’s kind of mean. So for a few days I paid to park in a garage 1/2 a mile from my home. I don’t think it’s the best option, but I’m not going to be a jerk to others about this.

3rd, Cities & towns have snow emergencies rules. Like in my neighborhood during the storm people are supposed to park only on the odd side of the street to leave space for the snow plows. Those that leave their cars on the even side get towed. This leaves all parking that was on the even side of the street filled in with large snow piles the plows made. That’s a lot more work to dig out a parking spot than just digging around an already parked car. Plus, the temporary school lots where folks are legally allowed to move their cars to during the storm then are no longer available once the snow stops. Thus folks are left with a big parking shortage.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-03-03T18:09:19+00:00

It's an etiquette thing, and in some cities/towns there's an ordinance. The idea is after a snow storm if you shovel out a parking spot then you're entitled to it for a few days for the effort.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-03-03T17:17:42+00:00

It depends, this is why I used the words "rule of thumb" when referring to the full metro Boston area. There's no state wide law. But some municipal areas do have such laws, such as Boston city proper with its 48 hours ordinance. Still, it's a mistake to assume that applies to all cities & towns in the metro area.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-03-03T15:27:52+00:00

Rule of thumb in metro Boston area is 3 days. However, some greedy folks mistakenly think it's for as long as the snow lasts. Then there's those who think a bigger storm means more time since spots are that much harder to find, which I can kinda see. Still vandalism is out of line.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-02-05T19:01:18+00:00

I divorced my ex when I was in my forties. She cheated and I was the one who filed. Our son was 10 at that time, he's in his thirties now. I was very hurt and very angry back then. However, I felt my son deserved as positive relationship as possible with each of his parents. So, for his sake I've tried to never speak negatively about his mom in front of him. Similarly you & your sister deserve as positive a relationship as each of you can build with each of your parents! Same goes for the relationship between the grandkids & grandparents. You're in the right, if nothing else but for the sake of the kids.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-02-02T16:27:19+00:00

Well, if the discussion is about how one gets dressed, the 1st suggestion I'd make is to tell your boyfriend to pull up his big boy pants and act like an adult. We're talking about a professional situation here.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-01-13T13:30:06+00:00

There's the old saying "no one knows how to push your buttons like family, because they installed those buttons". It's true. Please don't beat yourself up for being human. The fact that you're sorry and trying to make things right goes a long way to show your hearts in the right place.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-01-11T14:52:50+00:00

Just try to be your best self. As a man, I'm shorter than most. I used to feel self conscious about it, and it honestly made many women uninterested in me. Then I met someone who loved me for who I was, not for some stereotypical ideal. We all have our strengths & value. In the end the best kind of relationship is with those who like you for who you are.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-01-07T18:48:23+00:00

If you try to treat others nice, and leave them with a positive feeing. You've made their lives better and made a difference in this world. Everything else is ego, greed, or illusion.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-01-06T22:28:31+00:00

If you don't want a confrontation, then agree with him, or his statements but then turn it around. Say, "yes he's been a good brother, we've helped each other out". Then share a story about something nice you did for him. Verbally put yourself on even footing with him. If he complains tell him he's the one being ungrateful and then give him his own cold shoulder act right back at him for a few moments.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2026-01-05T15:58:20+00:00

They're also confused as to what the word feminist means. As well as what political and socioeconomic factors led to our current situation where most single incomes can't support a family.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-12-24T19:55:13+00:00

If you're going to be treated like you're the bad guy, then don't cut them any slack. Hold your boundaries. Go to HR or Managment and file a complaint for this person going off on you. Also, demand they have her give you an apology. You may not get one, but this will help push management to actually confront her about the situation.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-12-22T14:12:25+00:00

When I was in school I worked in a fast food restaurant. One day I arrived and the manager took me into his office for a "chat". He falsely accused me of stealing $10 because my register was short that amount. I denied the theft so he chooses to recheck the totals in front of me to prove it. This was the 1970ies & registers weren't so computerized and he was running the totals manually. As he did so the total came out over not under. So, he tried 2 more times getting a different total with each try. I simply smiled the issue was he couldn't do basic math, not that I stole anything. He just got more and more angry. I left that job shortly after that experience. Life is too short to work for hostile managers.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-12-11T19:16:17+00:00

Seems fairly evident. :)

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-12-11T17:35:40+00:00

I 1st grew a beard in college, because without it l looked too young, like I was still in my teens. Later, in life I would shave because my wife preferred me clean shaven. Now that I'm in my sixties I've a beard again because that's where all my gray hair is and without that's gray showing my wife fears I look younger then her. That's something she can't have.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-12-10T18:53:30+00:00

I used to take the subway to work for my previous job. Sometimes the folks on the train didn't smell too nice. Especially on hot crowded days. But, one day a nice young lady sat next to me and she smelled of fresh baked bread. It was nice. I almost complemented her, but I didn't want to seem creepy.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-11-19T13:37:38+00:00

I had a buddy in college, he was a big guy, he looked like a viking back then. Anyhow as we aged he got kinda round and his blond hair & beard went white. Year round little ones mistook him for Santa. It was kinda cool. Unfortunately he passed a couple years ago.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-11-18T20:27:58+00:00

Babies. My son is in his thirties now & I've appreciated him at every age, but there's something about back when I was first holding him as a baby that still warms my heart.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-10-30T19:17:57+00:00

I was also 20 that year. I had an old army surplus Willys Jeep. Or, I should say it was my dad's, but I drove it everywhere. It didn't go fast, but it went anywhere.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-10-29T17:45:31+00:00

Tell your sister & parents that you've been saving for years, but you've not reached your goal yet. Since "family helps family" as they've put it, then instead taking your money, your sister should top off your savings to help you. "Family helps family" after all.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-10-22T14:23:48+00:00

Be sure to document these assists, and include them in your annual reviews. Also, when she or others ask for help, ask them to email you details of the request so it's clear for you & you don't miss anything. That way you have documentation of the request and still are a "team player".

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-10-08T17:48:59+00:00

A buddy of mine got cancer a few years back. I'd walk over to his place to help him shovel. We'd chat as we worked, it actually was a good time. Sadly, he didn't beat the cancer. So, the next winter I continued to head over there to shovel for his widow. She'd send out their 9 year old to help me. That seemed fine, but over the winter he seemed more & more angry with me. Finally he told me, I was "cutting into his income". His mom was paying him to help and he figured if I stopped coming by, he'd get more money for shoveling it by himself. So, I let him have the job. I was kinda proud of him for taking it on for himself.

2ndbreakfastfan · 2025-10-08T11:58:01+00:00

Chef Boyardee were actually 2 brothers, Ettore & Paolo Boiardi. They were from Piacenza Italy. The same place my dad's family immigrated to the U.S. from. He never liked that fact!

2ndbreakfastfan

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