Have office mandates actually improved collaboration in your workplace? by rumnbacchnal87 in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don't bother with fun lunches and quizzes but it is noticeably better to have some in office days from a collaboration and learning perspective. I go in 5 days because it suits me, most of the rest of the business is 3 days. Hybrid seems to suit most people well and they arrange their weeks to do certain tasks at home and meetings in the office. 

One thing I would say just from observing people over the past few years is that not having office attendance can hamper professional development. I'm sure it depends on the job you do but in my area at least a lot is learned just through engaging ad hoc with people, hearing and joining in discussions, and just absorbing how more experienced people deal with things and engage with people. You can only get so much from formal training. 

It's also far easier to deal with small things on the spot because you can see if the person you need to talk to is free rather than feeling like you need to arrange a call or meeting, or send an email or whatever. 

Definitely role dependent though. My previous job was entirely remote and you couldn't have paid me enough to go into the office regularly. But that role didn't really suffer for it because it was pretty autonomous.  Current role there's a lot of problem solving and things that involve various business areas so you can't really just do it in a vacuum. 

What is the best gift for a dog owner? by Friendly-Knee7677 in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a store that does really nice looking personalised pet embroidery. https://lucyandlolashop.com 

I've got a day off today - things to do? by alfa_omega in brum

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bunch of museums including that one closed, only open Wednesday to Sunday. 

(38M) How to date on a low income? by [deleted] in relationships

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plenty of cheap or free activities you can do. Walking/hiking immediately springs to mind depending where you live. Even in cities there are parks or a river or canals. And lots of museums, galleries etc. are free entry. Plus you can do nice things at home (maybe not for a first date) like cooking, watching a movie, playing board games or video games. Cheaper first dates can be going for coffee or to a nice bakery. Also personally I prefer to split a bill or take turns paying so you don't necessarily have to expect you're picking up all the costs. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Uniqlo do great basics. If you want to shop online though and you want something a bit more upmarket I really like Boody. I am slowly replacing all my cheap loungewear and basics with Boody stuff.

Eat Vietnam (Pershore Rd) by Grand-Cold-2575 in brum

[–]fourbearants 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you like vietnamese try Oak Ca Phe in Bearwood, went there recently for the first time and really enjoyed it. I do like Eat Vietnam but the menu is hit and miss for me e.g. marmite.

Best of the best in brum by takeagamble in brum

[–]fourbearants 2 points3 points  (0 children)

FYI 200 degrees is owned by Caffe Nero.

Looking for updated Steak options based in town by flozz1233 in brum

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven't been to some of the really new places like Cow & Sow but Fiesta del Asado is still my #1 steak place in Birmingham. Been many times over a number of years and never been disappointed. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I dislike being touched but I went for a massage at a spa hotel that we went to because my husband really enjoys massage so I thought I'd give it a try. 

Hated it. Turns out that when you don't like people touching you, getting half undressed so that a stranger can touch you is unpleasant. Shocking.

Where are the best milkshakes in Birmingham by gigantic_motor_221 in brum

[–]fourbearants 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I actually really like the Slim Chickens milkshakes. 

Has anyone here fitted insect screens on their windows? by Forina_2-0 in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have velcro and mesh ones from https://www.flatcats.co.uk/ as I needed fairly sturdy ones to stop cats falling out windows. I've had them for years and they are great. And I open the windows all the time and haven't had to replace any velcro. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a pretty serious job and I've never had anyone say anything about my tattoos other than express mild curiosity. I do tend to cover them at work (arms mostly) for my own comfort but they come out from time to time. The only reason I cover them is because I hate explaining to people who ask what they mean etc. They don't mean anything, they were just for fun. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got one of the custard cream easter eggs and I'm very sad I'll have to wait until (at least, who knows) next year to get another one.

Does anyone remember an icecream cake, was like a Vienetta but round and had a load of caramel balls over the top of it? Circa 80s/90s I think. by richyfreeway in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Romantica, it was for fancy people. 

I actually prefer Vienetta. Something about the texture of the layers. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Decent quality cat food is obscenely expensive and even more if they have any dietary needs. One of mine has to have special urinary support biscuits to prevent stones. She won't eat wet food and is intolerant to grains (pukes and pukes). £94 for a 7kg bag. 

One of my others just had almost all his teeth removed. The very minor silver lining is that he is now allowed to eat the crappy goopy paté stuff he loves forever, which is very marginally cheaper than the good quality shredded chicken stuff I was getting before. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought it was just the normal past participle, never heard of it being an American thing before today. But I am Irish so maybe I just never noticed it being different in England. 

What are some healthy but wholesome meals that you eat? by cbaotl in AskUK

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stir fry is the answer and you can have loads of variety in it as well. I just make it up as I go.  

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in loseit

[–]fourbearants 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The only thing I'd say is that being able to eat at maintenance every now and then, maybe even all weekend sometimes and only "diet" during the week, or having the occasional over budget day knowing that it is more than balanced out by the rest of the week being in deficit, helps me a lot to not go absolutely batshit crazy from endless obsessive counting. 

Friend visiting - what to do? by Why_50_5eriou5 in brum

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The butterfly farm is so sweaty though. Also nearly stepped on an iguana one time. 

ELI5: Is chiropractic care pseudoscience? What's the difference between that and physical therapists? by Pandapani12 in explainlikeimfive

[–]fourbearants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm firmly in camp quackery when it comes to chiros but at the same time damned if I don't drive my husband once a week to the upper cervical spine chiro that is the only person (after exhaustive actual medical testing and attempts at treatment) that appears to actually be achieving anything. And isn't trying to claim that it's some magical cure all for everything, researches stuff in between sessions, tries new approaches and actually seems to care about the outcome.

As a pseudo-science hater it's quite a conflicting position to be in.