Snopes says it's not true that cell phones have caused fires/explosions when people were gassing their cars:

I saw a Mythbusters episode about that one. They tried awfully hard to get a cell phone to trigger one but couldn't do it. They had an enclosed area with an optimal fuel air mixture but the phone still didn't do anything.

I buy almost all my gas on the Army base here which means a lot of wiating in line. I always talk on my phone until I get out to pump gas. I only stop talking when I get out to avoid dirty looks. I certainly have never shut my phone off.

I've been trying to see if Miss Manners has had anything to say (online) about the subject of giving bosses gifts. This:

[link]

doesn't address the matter exactly but she does say:

By the way, giving Christmas or birthday presents within the office is highly inappropriate. If you wish to reward your employees, give them bonuses at the end of the year. Money is the proper exchange in the business world, and presents are the proper exchange in the social world.

Really, I'd much rather have a bonus from my employers than some random or even thoughtful gift!

Oh, tiggy. I've totally been in the "this is stupid and unjust on the face of it, and yet somehow it's become the norm and I have to do it or make an unwanted stink" place, so I'm certainly not going to tell you to Stand Up For Justice, but wow. That sucks. I hate crap like that. Seriously, when's your gift? Do they all chip in $40 for birthdays?

Tiggy, my boss would have a serious sitdown with anyone trying to force even five bucks out of my pocket for a gift for him.

I've always very quiety tucked a bag on his office with a plant for the house or something small like that in it, because he has a weird ethical issue about the underlings buying things for him.

You want I should have my boss call your bosses and explain class?

I'd rather have the bonus, although I did get some thoughtful gifts from my contract company years ago, a nice umbrella one year and a nylon cooler lunch bag the other.

Really, I'd much rather have a bonus from my employers than some random or even thoughtful gift!

I have no idea if we get bonuses. We are getting iPod shuffles with teh company logo on them.

Really, I'd much rather have a bonus from my employers than some random or even thoughtful gift!

Well, yeah, but $20 cash would feel pathetic in a way a $20 gift doesn't.

I've never worked for a place that does bonuses. (Not a big surprise, given my field.) Hell, even the parties are quasi-potluck.

I'm sending Big Boss one of my handmade ornaments this year because she has really gone out of her way to help me through some stuff this year. I've worked here over 16 years and it will be the first time I've sent her anything. She is currently off on disability due to some surgery, but she has still be keeping up with office stuff.

But I'm doing this is cause *I* want to do it. Not cause my intermediate manager suggested it or anyone else has prodded me.

There are times in the office where we will chip in for gifts (birthdays, get well, babies, marriages, new jobs...), but it is always optional and no one keeps track of who puts in how much. Usually we have an envelope circle with a card. Everyone signs and if you want to contribute, you put what you want in the envelope.