They're handy, it's true, but The Girl and I have more than once considered calling off the civil partnership while there. Stressful place.

I frequently get stuck in the Metro behind a group of tourists trying to figure out the fare card machines. It's maddening. But I am one of those people who chronically has problems with the self-checkout at the grocery (the ones in my local Safeway won't let you put a bag - an empty bag - on the "bagging platform" so you can scan groceries and put them right in the bag. I always have to scan everything, pay, and then put everything in the bag).

I am still looking askance at the self-checkout at Ralph's because they don't play nicely with bringing your own bags. You have to lie to the scales to get them to take them. And then there are the issues with coupons and fruit you have to weigh...and I just skip 'em. Pfft.

Good thing DHS doesn't track tealight sales. Or do they?

oh Cass, there was a news report last night. From Kiev. About the FIRE FESTIVAL. I thought of you. And Jilli. And wondered why you weren't there.

I was explicitly taught as a child (like, we had actual discussions about this in school) that, if you're buying something or conducting some other business that requires waiting on a line, and there are people on line behind you, then it's rude to take any more time than just the amount you need to get done whatever you need to do. Standing around chatting with the cashier while there are people behind me waiting to buy things just feels so wrong.

What smonster said. I've never seen a line of people wait while a southern cashier was chit chatting with another customer. While ringing things up, sure. A genuinely friendly, "Have a nice day!" as the customer is gathering their things, yep, but never just having a conversation while people are waiting, as that would be rude.

What DJ said.

But these days I often see a line come to a standstill because someone's more interested in their cellphone conversation than their transaction.

There is a FIRE FESTIVAL!??!!???

I thought of you. And Jilli. And wondered why you weren't there.

I want to know the same thing. No one tell Pete about this and maybe we can go next year. We'll say it's ... a cultural trip?

Fire pretty.

Well, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax. Some places now have signs that they won't serve you unless you have ended your cell phone conversation, which I support.