Brazilian blowouts use high amounts of formaldehyde. I'm stunned by the high amount of emotion in the comments. I'm pretty used to the good hair/bad hair issue among black women, but to see white women crying over their hair to this extent and saying that they'd rather have regular treatments with exposure to 8% formaldehyde than find another way to handle their curls and/or frizz, or to live with them, I'm taken aback. Uh, buzz cuts for everyone.

Hee. Paul Newman used to do that. But, you know, he could.

I heartily endorse Mr. Bento. I bought one for my mom and she loves it. It's an updated version of what we've been using for generations; she has my grandfather's bento box.

Anyway, yes, bento. And you can make musubi! Which is just a ball of sticky rice with something tasty in the middle, like ume. Wrap it in cellophane and it'll keep well. You can do that with rectangular ones for spam, too, but it requires a small amount more of prep equipment.

Anyone got creative ideas besides salad and sandwiches?

Spanish Tortilla! It's made to be eaten both hot or cold. It's potatoes and eggs and whatever else you like. Cut a wedge out, wrap it in foil. Bring along a little container of salsa, or curried mayo. Life's good.

I just wonder how much spittle she's ingested as a result.

yep. or kitchen floor yuck.

I am loathe to ask for special stuff and/or send stuff back.

I heartily endorse Mr. Bento. I bought one for my mom and she loves it.

I got one for Bob the first xmas we were together and it rules. It's sad , though, now that he's working at home it hardly gets used. I always end up using tupperware.

I'll send a steak back to be cooked more, but I'm polite about it.

The only thing I've sent back in twenty years was a [ita font] poached egg dish where the egg was cooked through. That negates the point of the runny yolk!

Anyone else having a hard time picturing Paul Newman with a Brazilian blowout?

I'll send a steak back to be cooked more, but I'm polite about it.

I asked my friend who was a sous chef in a high end restaurant about sending meat back if it's not cooked to order and he said, in his experience, chefs have no problem with this. It's expected.

I'll send a steak back to be cooked more, but I'm polite about it.

I'll do the opposite. But yes, polite.