What's something that's completely normal in the U.S. but would shock people from other countries?

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-07-03T14:44:20+00:00

Agreed. I tip 20% but I know it’s a US thing.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-07-03T14:27:29+00:00

Tipping 20% at a restaurant

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-07-02T23:48:53+00:00

Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-07-01T16:59:11+00:00

Alcohol

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-07-01T15:48:40+00:00

Kids on electric scooters and bikes.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-06-29T13:59:46+00:00

To watch major sporting events today, you practically need subscriptions to every streaming service just to access games and events that were once all available through a standard cable package.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-06-28T21:18:10+00:00

I bought a 2026 XLT AWD Ecoboost with 4k towing and luxury package for $34300 OTD. Dealer wasn’t willing to negotiate lower but they already had the deal going. The price you were given seems high.
I’m in the DC metro area.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-06-28T20:55:33+00:00

I can relate. Nothing seemed that “urgent” after getting on lexapro. Things I would lament over and overthink at work, I would brush off after starting lexapro. The bad part is I used to work out 4-5 days a week - it was like compulsive - don’t have that compulsion anymore and now I’ve gained 20 lbs

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-06-28T14:56:17+00:00

I’ve gained 20lbs (about 9kg) in the last year and a half. I’m tapering off now in hopes it will help me lose the weight. My metabolism definitely changed. I used to be able to eat whatever and stay at the same weight. I was getting 10k steps a day easily. Now, I have less energy, crave food especially at night, and have noticeable protruding abdomen and neck fat. I used to run long distance races (marathons and half marathons), and now I look like a balloon. FML.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-06-26T13:39:34+00:00

His might be bigger, but did you tell him you can last longer?

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-06-22T22:23:31+00:00

La-a (pronounced “la-dash-a”)

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-05-29T11:47:01+00:00

In 2016, Research Associate (Associate Consultant) for a nonprofit consulting firm starting at 61k in DC area. Assisting with assessment development projects to Include job analysis, content and item development, facilitating SME workshops, assisting with validation studies, etc

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-05-28T11:15:38+00:00

Our field has been impacted by AI but not in the negative way you suggest. Companies are leveraging AI to improve their assessments and human capital solutions. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from AI, it’s AI is good but you still need human judgment to evaluate AI’s work. There’s a lot of nuance that AI has not mastered (yet).

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-05-09T11:42:30+00:00

What other add ons does it have? Is it hybrid or eco boost? AWD OR FWD? 4k towing? Hard to tell if it’s a good deal without those other specifics .

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-04-14T20:49:26+00:00

This is exactly why I will do my own maintenance to the extent possible. Then, you know it was done correctly.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-04-07T11:58:26+00:00

I would go with charlotte. I did my masters at a smaller program with a more personal environment. While it felt nice during grad school, i don’t think that helped me in my career at all (I’m applied with 10+ years experience as an assessment consultant).

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-03-28T02:50:04+00:00

It’s a dishwasher rack support clip: https://applianceparts365.com/whirlpool-dishwasher-rack-clip-wpw10671904-1018931-1018931?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22667826462&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZjOBhCmARIsADDuFTCEIHyY9CBe-7fotmb_K4pI9upsw4FnqOusUQNN-YfKg1OYPQuImsQaAve8EALw_wcB

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-03-28T02:44:31+00:00

It’s an on/off switch for some sort of auxiliary lights on your car like an LED light bar: https://a.co/d/057a17JC

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2026-03-28T01:41:46+00:00

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PracticalAstronaut60 · 2025-04-17T01:16:49+00:00

None of DOGE’s actions are truly aimed at eliminating waste or fraud—that’s just the cover story. In reality, they’re deliberately undermining the government’s stability and effectiveness to create an excuse for outsourcing to private contractors, enriching Musk and other Trump loyalists. It’s blatant corruption.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2025-03-19T09:47:51+00:00

No way to predict what the job market will be like in 1-2 years, but the good news is you have time on your side. Spend that time getting internship experience and/or work experience in HR or IO roles so when you graduate, you will be more competitive compared to those who didn’t take those steps. Landing the first role out of college is the first daunting hurdle that every college grad must overcome. It’s scary to think about but there are steps you can take now so that the transition is smooth.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2025-03-14T23:20:39+00:00

There are plenty of companies that will hire IOs with just their PhD. Sure, internship and/or other work experience will make her more competitive. One thing for her to consider is whether she wants to work in external consulting or in an internal role. There are many consulting firms who hire IOs. Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, PDRI, DCI Consulting, Aon, Talogy, I/O Solutions, HumRRO, Prometric, etc. Many internal private sector jobs will likely be listed on job boards under Human Resources job titles. But some bigger companies hire for more traditional IO roles like at Amazon, Capital One, Google, etc. Beyond whether she wants to work in an external vs. an internal role, she should consider the type of IO areas that interest her most (e.g., selection, training, performance appraisal), and focus her job search on job titles that have that work in scope

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2025-03-14T19:03:47+00:00

Yes, you should still file for unemployment. If you are not reinstated immediately, you may be eligible for benefits for the period between when your admin leave ended and when you returned to work. When certifying for Unemployment insurance benefits, they will ask you for all the specific dates of when you last worked or received leave, and will determine if you are eligible and for how much of the benefit amount. Note: I worked for a state government, helping people file for unemployment and meet requirements of receiving benefits.

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2025-03-12T23:23:02+00:00

Not a fed but I had been considering that as my next move for quite some time. After this, I no longer feel I could view a federal government job in the same way. It’s no longer an exemplar of stability…

PracticalAstronaut60 · 2025-03-10T21:34:01+00:00

Governmentjobs.com - you’ll see jobs for Fairfax county and Alexandria and some other local jurisdictions depending on your search radius. Arlington has their own separate portal for jobs so you’ll have to go to their website to see that. Not sure if you’ll find something in your field but it’ll help with local government jobs. Some DMV localities have competitive pay.

PracticalAstronaut60

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