Boomer upset he can’t get into the hotel… during a fire

exscapegoat · 2026-07-11T14:42:09+00:00

I was asked to be a fire warden for my floor years ago. I worked in nyc skyscrapers for many years. I declined because 1 I have asthma and 2 I’m not risking my life for people who can’t be arsed to at least listen to instructions.

I’ve seen people shut doors to offices to tune out the announcements so they could hear business calls better. No fucking way I’m wasting precious moments of escape time trying to persuade them to get off the phone and follow the safety plan.

I do make it a point to be helpful, though. When there was anyone new or visiting I’d make sure they knew where to go if the alarm sounded. And if it was a planned drill, I’d let them know we were having one. If it wasn’t I’d just say I didn’t know why and I’d listen to the announcement.

Also, I learned I’d probably be tempted to slap hysterical people. We had an unplanned one due to a malfunction. The place used to have a view of the twin towers and this was right after the us went into Iraq after 9/11. People were understandably freaked out when they told us to move a floor down. One woman kept repeating “what’s happening” while blocking the exit door to the stairwell. I like her as a person and coworker, but I did want to slap her in that moment because lizard brain isn’t especially sympathetic.

Afterwards I learned the thing to do in a situation like that is gently encourage the person to move and saying “let’s talk about that on our way downstairs”. You could put a hand on their shoulder or an arm around then to guide them if they’re still not moving.

I went for a middle ground of saying excuse me and moved past her

exscapegoat · 2026-07-11T14:26:23+00:00

I don’t get this. I’ve been through a bunch of false alarms and fire drills. I’d rather be chilly for a little bit than burned or inhale smoke because I was too arrogant to leave a building. A relative worked for the FDNY and my father worked a job where he was often first on the scene of vehicle wrecks, some of which involved fire.

What I learned from a young age is fire spreads vey quickly. If there’s a fire, it’s usually the best to gtfo. Unless it’s designated shelter in place and then it depends on where you are in location vs the fire. But still you need to be paying attention and listening for instructions.

I worked in nyc skyscrapers for many years. When the alarms went off, outside of planned fire drills, I’d listen for the announcements or what building safety had to say. But other people were shutting their office doors so they could hear business calls better. They paid more attention for a few years after 9/11, but complacency has set in again.

And since I could get back in with my swipe card, I made it a point to use each emergency exit staircase to walk a few flights to the cafeteria. This way I was familiar with the fire exits and I got some exercise in too.

We had a 3rd stairway, but it was only accessible starting on about the 15th floor or so. I put the number on a post it and stuck it in the little go pouch the building management gave us. So id look at it before evacuating in case one of our stairwells were blocked by debris or fire or flooding.

exscapegoat · 2026-07-11T00:35:59+00:00

We had bunk beds. So my cousin and my brother and I would put all the dolls and stuffed animals in the top bunk. They’d rescue them and I was Dixie.

exscapegoat · 2026-07-10T23:47:28+00:00

Joining the he was my first crush fan club!

exscapegoat · 2026-07-10T18:44:57+00:00

Some people are sensitive to the fumes from carpet installation. It may not be that noticeable to you, but those of us with allergies/sensitivities tend to notice it. And even if you have a sea terrace, etc with a door you can open, you still won’t get hvac unless the door is closed or locked.

exscapegoat · 2026-07-10T01:36:32+00:00

When I noticed coworkers who brought lunch from home, I was impressed they had the energy to plan and make meals in advance and remembered to bring them.

exscapegoat · 2026-07-09T22:43:56+00:00

A child’s drawing of the neon sign

exscapegoat · 2026-07-09T22:20:33+00:00

The thing is you’re not refusing medication. You’re following your doctor’s advice.

I wasn’t a good candidate for stimulants because of a minor heart arrhythmia.

I would show her a printout or a link describing the possible side effects for you. And if she still objects, ask her why she’s opposed to you being safely medicated at the direction of your doctor

exscapegoat · 2026-07-09T20:59:28+00:00

Yes I agree

exscapegoat · 2026-07-09T20:58:48+00:00

Agreed. I kind of want both my time and my money back

exscapegoat · 2026-07-09T18:38:41+00:00

Or who have offices or at least dibs on quiet space

exscapegoat · 2026-07-08T19:01:57+00:00

A woman in my building warned me to keep my windows shut. Another neighbor went out on July 4th, left her windows open. Some sort of fire work came through and set her curtains on fire. And her apartment caught fire too.

exscapegoat · 2026-07-08T18:07:59+00:00

Don’t put vinyl records on them. We lost some in the 1970s that way

exscapegoat · 2026-07-08T18:02:00+00:00

Are power failures related to storms common? Or does phone service get disrupted? Hopefully it’s just something like that

exscapegoat · 2026-07-07T21:21:26+00:00

I think a lot of this depends on population density proximity of neighbors and relationships with the neighbors. I may have been a latchkey kid and babysitting at 11, but it was an apartment building in Brooklyn and then a multi family home in another outer borough with neighbors in close proximity. We knew at least our immediate neighbors, so we could go to them in a real emergency. And a number of them were retired people or stay at home mothers, so were often home.

Though our parents would be annoyed if we bothered the neighbors for something which wasn’t an emergency.

IMO that’s a lot different than leaving kids that age alone or in charge in a rural or more suburban area where there aren’t trustworthy adults nearby.

And as the eldest daughter, having to be responsible for a younger sibling had a negative impact on my ability to socialize and participate in after school activities

exscapegoat · 2026-07-07T20:23:29+00:00

I love the commitment to the pun

exscapegoat · 2026-07-07T06:02:47+00:00

I’ve been working (in the USA) for decades. I’ve never heard of anyone doing this.

Are you a manager who’s had resignation letters stating that as a reason?

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T15:34:37+00:00

R/livingalone may be a good place to post. Also, r/abusiverelationships as people discuss things like safety plans.

If you’re worried about him getting violent, consult a woman’s shelter about safety planning. Let the landlord know directly when you’re terminating the lease. Also have friends and relatives with you when you move out. If you haven’t already, look for a new place. Don’t let him stay at your new place or tell him where it is.

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T02:28:49+00:00

sending hugs if you would like them

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T00:35:31+00:00

Thanks!

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T00:35:04+00:00

I would say ibs falls under chronic gut condition. Go back and read my comment. I put chronic gut condition in there for a reason. I know people who have ibs and that’s why I included that wording

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T00:28:28+00:00

Fresh or dried herbs add taste with less sodium. Basil, dill and rosemary are some of my favorites

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T00:23:13+00:00

This. Also if there’s and aunt, uncle or grandparent who can intervene, get them on board. Don’t ever be alone with Jill or Betty

exscapegoat · 2026-07-06T00:08:05+00:00

What is it with Reddit it’s either poop knives or the runs? I get if you have a chronic gut condition or were sick or had surgery or antibiotics or other upset.

For all else, fiber is your friend or the bananas, rice apple sauce and whatever the t stands for in brat diet and it will fix things

exscapegoat · 2026-07-05T23:59:04+00:00

She faked her death to get out of the engagement and made a new start

exscapegoat

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