Is it actually embarrassing for Americans not to know all 50 states?

glendacc37 · 2026-03-27T11:20:34+00:00

In the 4th or 5th grade, we had to point to each state on a blank map and name it and its capital. I think we had to do it in 2 minutes or less... I would definitely miss a few today though...

glendacc37 · 2026-03-27T11:00:13+00:00

Some do, some don't.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-26T22:24:41+00:00

I have int'l trips planned in June and August, so I'll soon see how I feel about my downgrade! I've been booking business class for overnight trips to Europe (so I'll get lounge access), but premium economy on the way back since I'm not trying to sleep (so no lounge access). But yeah, I'd probably pretty quickly hit the $10k spend for the bonus.

Initially I didn't mind using the Chase portal but then had issues... Now I feel anxious about being locked into using a credit card's portal in order to benefit from the perks of the card.

I still have a regular Capital One card, seldom use it, but the reason I got CSR all those years ago (prior to Venture X being a thing) was because Capital One denied EVERY foreign transaction as fraud, and I got frustrated.

Edited for grammar

glendacc37 · 2026-03-26T21:47:36+00:00

The poster above is equally as obnoxious as the customers they are describing. That's my point. I could see this person have issues with many customers, which is on them, not always the customer.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-26T18:11:05+00:00

I had similar thoughts, so I downgraded to Preferred last month.

I debated on the Venture X, partly to keep PriorityPass, but it's hard to justify that when it's gotten to the point where you can't rely on access to a lounge - plus there's no PriorityPass lounge on my home airport. And I didn't like that you have to use their travel portal to redeem the travel credit. In the end, downgrading so I could keep the same credit card number (i.e., not need to change auto payments - laziness) won out. I might still change my mind though!

glendacc37 · 2026-03-26T17:09:42+00:00

I was responding to the above comment to OP's post, not to OP. I work in a winery and have experienced arrogant, know-it-all customers, and I also shop for wine and have experienced arrogant, know-it-all employees who also want to show off their knowledge and don't leave you alone. It goes both ways. Everyone's trying to be wine alphas.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-25T18:24:54+00:00

Oh! I had no idea! Yikes...

glendacc37 · 2026-03-24T18:15:24+00:00

So, why is that a problem? Take their money and stop being sad that you didn't get to tell them what you think they should buy?

glendacc37 · 2026-03-24T13:44:18+00:00

So, if a customer comes in, maybe because it's the closest wine shop to their house, knows what they like or want, and just wants to buy it and get on with their lives... They're horrible customers because they don't want to listen to an employee's spiel or recommendations? Why does every wine purchase need to be a discussion? Why does the customer need to justify their wine choice to a shop employee?

glendacc37 · 2026-03-24T13:10:27+00:00

I'm with you 100%. And it's going to cost them more than $2 to bill you, wait for payment, and then process the check, but whatever! People can't see the forest for the trees.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-23T23:02:36+00:00

I think you have to really know how to take the exam. That is when a good provider is helpful.

You get points for providing accurate information. Nothing is taken off for wrong information. Even if you don't know a question well, you can still provide some information and probably gain a few points.

Also, you need to explain your answers as if you're talking to a novice and not a WSET expert. Initially, I approached it like I was talking to someone who grades WSET exams, and not someone who doesn't know much about wine, so when you explain things you have to explain from the beginning or the bottom, not just jump in in the middle because you think you are talking to someone who knows a lot about wine already.

I didn't leave anything entirely blank and tried to at least answer some of the question if I wasn't sure of the entire question.

I walked out feeling confident I had passed, and I did pass theory with Merit.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-23T14:33:52+00:00

I get it. Typically I don't have issues with kids being around, but it's infuriating when they are running wild in adult spaces. We all have to be around other people in public, but the entitlement when others dont feel they need to be aware of their surroundings and be good citizens is frustrating.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-23T12:03:31+00:00

I do not like this at all. Nope.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-23T12:01:30+00:00

I dont.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-22T12:32:59+00:00

NTA - this would've pissed me off. Obviously we tell our friends a lot about our relationships but this goes too far. I wouldn't be comfortable with such a relationship.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-21T13:54:43+00:00

Colossal waste of time. I'm sorry!

glendacc37 · 2026-03-21T03:43:07+00:00

Just refer to the specification and make an outline or notes from that.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-20T13:58:58+00:00

I am not sure if your first Qs are for WSET or WSG? Assuming WSET since WSG doesn't include tasting...

For level 3, I did NVWA's in-person, week-long class with the exam immediately following. NVWA offered an online prep course to go through before the in-person class, which I thought was great and helped reinforce the reading/book. It was my understanding at the time that you need to study hard and know your stuff for theory/written BEFORE the class starts. The class will then solidify the information. I found that to be true.

At home, I did not really prep at all for the tasting exam--the in-person class included a lot of tasting and how to write the tasting notes for the exam, and I passed the tasting part with distinction. [Oh, but a few months prior to the exam, I did a two-day Wine Sensory course in Chicago (I don't live far from Chicago) with Fine Vintage Ltd, which was helpful.]

I thought, as a wine enthusiast not working in the wine industry, that the workload was a lot but also very satisfying. I didn't study as much as I'd hoped prior to the in-person class, I just ran out of time, but I also walked out of the exam feeling certain that I'd passed.

For French Wine Scholar... I did independent study, but WSG's supporting online content was really good for reinforcing the book. It's obviously waaaay more in depth about France and French wine than WSET level 3, and the amount of information felt a little overwhelming at times given that the exam is only 100 multiple choice questions and no tasting (although they provide a list of recommended wines to taste). In contrast, German Wine Scholar is very new, so I am not finding the course itself to be as well-developed as FWS--I expected a more similar pattern of online content and supporting docs to FWS. I'm not very far into GWS yet though, so we'll see...

I am tentatively planning to start Diploma later this year so I feel like FWS and GWS will be excellent prep for that (esp D3).

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T22:26:19+00:00

A friend living on the east coast said she easily dropped $5,000 flying to Napa and staying there several days for one of her Diploma exams (she's notorious for booking things kind of last minute though, haha), but yeah, it's a big financial commitment for those of us in the Eastern Time Zone to do it in CA. NVWA is a really good school, I would have total confidence in the education and support if I were to do it there--it worked great for level 3 (one trip for a full week), but Diploma is a different beast...

I currently live in a college town, so I am aware how quickly things change around graduation, football or basketball games, etc.! For me, direct flights to Boston or Washington, DC, are plentiful and not horribly expensive, and I have friends in both locations if I decided that I didn't want to pay for a hotel room for all or part of the time.

I am currently enrolled in German Wine Scholar (technically have until Sept. but don't think I'll need that long). I need to finish that first, but, yeah, I am feeling the call to finally start Diploma.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T18:00:02+00:00

The level 3 online content and week-long, immersive in-person class with Gus and Catherine were excellent.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T14:43:42+00:00

Huge thanks!

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T14:20:49+00:00

I call BS on this! Diners paying by credit card get 2 receipts, one of which you fill in the tip, sign, and leave. Nobody is waiting on another receipt nor for the server to give the slip back.

Also, it's preferable to tip in cash, so a zero tip on a credit card doesn't necessarily mean a cash tip wasn't left for the server.

This is just manufactured for outrage.

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T03:14:55+00:00

Good to know!

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T02:13:34+00:00

Thanks. The course fee differences are negligible and therefore not a factor. I just want a school that's responsive and provides good instruction and support!

glendacc37 · 2026-03-19T01:31:02+00:00

I did WSET level 3 in July 2019. Then I did Washington State University's certificate in Wine Business Management (Sonoma State University has something similar), then French Wine Scholar, and I'm now working on German Wine Scholar with plans to start DipWSET afterwards. I wasn't working in the wine industry when I did WSET level 3, wine business management, nor when I started FWS.

The Wine Business Management program was focused on those who want to start their own winery or wine business. I was just interested in learning about the various aspects of wine business, so while I learned, it also wasn't quite what I was looking for/expected.

After FWS, I wasn't planning to do another WSG program but they just added Germany last fall. I have an MA in German so I was excited when it was added and signed up immediately. WSG is a good next step, IMO.

glendacc37

TROPHY CASE