tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post7926640771851549062..comments2024-01-12T11:26:35.176-05:00Comments on Working Stiffs: Be Thankful!Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-27281660556623195642016-12-03T05:51:31.785-05:002016-12-03T05:51:31.785-05:00By using RentalCars you can get the cheapest car r...By using <b><a href="http://car-rental.syntaxlinks.com/r/RentalCars" rel="nofollow">RentalCars</a></b> you can get the cheapest car rental from over <b>49,000 international locations</b>.Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-1030139714534006862010-11-22T14:41:43.097-05:002010-11-22T14:41:43.097-05:00Will,
Glad to hear it. I sometime wonder if some p...Will,<br />Glad to hear it. I sometime wonder if some people do any and everything just to complain about it. But that's what business can do to you.<br />Making the best of every incident you can't do anything about--especially when traveling--is the best moto. Just keep several books on hand. I guess that's a good plug of eReaders.<br />PatgPatghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046665022709722606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-38937234116503176032010-11-22T13:58:03.396-05:002010-11-22T13:58:03.396-05:00Pat,
Just because I wrote about it doesn't me...Pat,<br /><br />Just because I wrote about it doesn't mean I was complaining. Not in the least. Most of the people that worked internationally were picked to be the face of the company. We were the flexible ones that never wanted to be seen as ugly Americans.<br /><br />One of the first things I learned in Chinese was "Making friends is our business." That was the motto of A-B back in the day. You make friends and impress people when you show poise in the face of adversity.<br /><br />I probably got a little anxious when I sat in the plane in Indanapolis for 5 hours, but you learn that some things are out of your control and you either get all riled up or go with the flow.<br /><br />I just chalk it up to another experience and smile when I look back at it.Wilfred Bereswillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019217952304685255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-59878898632736738112010-11-22T12:48:24.318-05:002010-11-22T12:48:24.318-05:00Sorry, Will, been there done that and even worse h...Sorry, Will, been there done that and even worse had to listen to what felt like a billion such reports from business guys during my career. Never felt more thrilled than when I was told my company was separating business travel from leisure and I had no more corporate travelers.<br />And as far as the sexy smile and getting those d... a.... female agents to do things they wouldn't do for other travelers, well I heard at least two a week on that score too. <br />I sorry everything if travel problems don't move me. As far as the pat downs are concerned Ramona, I agree. For the many many I've had, no one was rude, and always from another female. Don't see the problem and I feel safe.<br />Annette, I get a severe case of terror thinking I might never take off for foreign parts ever again.<br />PatgPatghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046665022709722606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-5499813131047119742010-11-22T12:24:30.974-05:002010-11-22T12:24:30.974-05:00Jennie,
We used to call it Northworst.
Yeah, tho...Jennie,<br /><br />We used to call it Northworst.<br /><br />Yeah, those "Acts of nature" are a bite to travelers.Wilfred Bereswillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019217952304685255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-16463470580165612212010-11-22T12:21:52.436-05:002010-11-22T12:21:52.436-05:00Thank you, Paula. And the amazing thing is, it...Thank you, Paula. And the amazing thing is, it's not fiction.<br /><br />As I said, I love China but used to be constantly amazed at the diferences in cultures. The group I used to travel with didn't want our hosts thinking that we were rude by pointing oddities out, so we used a phrase that was used by a Chinese National that lived in the US and worked for the company, "This Is China". Then we abbreviated it to T.I.C.<br /><br />When we would see something like a person transporting their entire household on one bicycle, rather than gawk we would non-chalantly say "T.I.C."Wilfred Bereswillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019217952304685255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-26592636549938287322010-11-22T11:22:25.562-05:002010-11-22T11:22:25.562-05:00Will, this was such an awesome post, you're fo...Will, this was such an awesome post, you're forgiven for not uploading a Clooney photo!Paula Matternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-76546827703578467192010-11-22T10:57:45.153-05:002010-11-22T10:57:45.153-05:00Ramona,
Interesting and I'm glad you brought ...Ramona,<br /><br />Interesting and I'm glad you brought it up. I have been discussing the uproar over TSA pat-downs this morning with co-workers. As a person who flys a lot, I want my planes to be safe. <br /><br />Unfortunately, we live in a time where evil is exploiting the cracks in our security and they will take advantage of everything. <br /><br />Last I checked, we don't have a constitutional right to fly. If anybody wants to invoke their constitutional right to privacy and elects to opt out of security protocol designed to keep us safe, then, as far as I am concerned, they should waive their PRIVILEGE to fly somewhere. They are more than welcome to take the next Greyhound bus. <br /><br />OK, I have stepped off my soapbox.Wilfred Bereswillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019217952304685255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-83332849988785722462010-11-22T10:15:43.699-05:002010-11-22T10:15:43.699-05:00Wow, Will, what an adventure! That is a lifetime o...Wow, Will, what an adventure! That is a lifetime of air travel nightmare rolled into one trip. Love the ice and polar photos, though that train station one is making me hyperventilate. That's a LOT of humanity.<br /><br />BTW, when I flew from Philly to New Orleans last month, I was pulled aside and subjected to a pat down. The whole horrible experience went something like this:<br /><br />TSA worker: Ma'am, step over here, please. We need to do a pat-down.<br />Me: Um, okay.<br />[I step onto rubber mat area]<br />TSA: Hold out your arms. <br />Me: Um, okay. <br />[pat pat pat]<br />TSA: Feet apart.<br />Me: Um, okay.<br />[pat pat pat]<br />TSA: That's it, ma'am, you're good to go.<br />Me: Um, okay.<br />[I walk away.]<br /><br />The End. Lasted maybe 30 seconds--maybe.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-13203208903914267312010-11-22T08:57:02.449-05:002010-11-22T08:57:02.449-05:00Will -
I have used the "squat toilets" a...Will -<br />I have used the "squat toilets" and agree that they can be quite an adventure. <br /> - GinaGinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-57416243813796217572010-11-22T08:20:32.212-05:002010-11-22T08:20:32.212-05:00Thanks all. Actually I was smiling most of the ti...Thanks all. Actually I was smiling most of the time reminiscing with myself about the trip. I went through hundreds of photos I took on the trip.<br /><br />Gina, bathrooms are another story. For the record, some of the public toilets (lets be truthful here, there is no resting on these toilets) have footprints on either side to show you which way to point. They also require balance and a free hand in case you don't have any (balance that is.)<br /><br />Pat, just stay away from those over friendly airport screeners.<br /><br />Joyce, you need some adventure every once in a while. I wouldn't trade a minute of my time in China. Someday I'll revive my Best Foods - China edition.<br /><br />Annette and Laurie Happy Thanksgiving right back at you. Interesting verification word this morning "EFING"Wilfred Bereswillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03019217952304685255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-52862767714244016682010-11-22T08:18:00.639-05:002010-11-22T08:18:00.639-05:00Oh, I AM grateful it isn't my story. Glad you ...Oh, I AM grateful it isn't my story. Glad you got back home OK, Freddy. But although it wasn't anywhere near as bad as your story, I did have a troublesome flight myself a few years back. I had been in Norway for a few weeks, visiting family, with a 3-yr-old in tow, and I was six months pregnant at the time. It was around this time of year: the day before Thanksgiving. We were trying to get home to DH for the holiday. There was fog all over Europe. We waited for five hours in Norway. We missed our connection in Amsterdam. We spent the night there. We ended up going to Detroit instead of Nashville, and eventually ended up in Memphis and had to drive the four hours home. My favorite part? "I'm sorry, you're on your own for tonight. But there are some couches in the upstairs lounge..." Yeah, at six months pregnant and with a 3-yr-old. I complained, of course, and you know what they did? Sent me vouchers for free travel. I never used them. Unless it's a matter of life and death, I'll never fly Northwest again. We did get there for turkey, though, so something to be thankful for right there!Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01442754671445893599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-40170147161788550482010-11-22T08:04:40.155-05:002010-11-22T08:04:40.155-05:00Will, what a story! I agree with Pat in that I fee...Will, what a story! I agree with Pat in that I feel a little exhausted after reading it and I'm grateful that it's not my travel story. <br />Happy Thanksgiving!Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-72229614955712458322010-11-22T07:54:35.204-05:002010-11-22T07:54:35.204-05:00Will, about all I can say is "Wow." And ...Will, about all I can say is "Wow." And Happy Thanksgiving!Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755947919433555176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-42770929075202335732010-11-22T07:27:25.846-05:002010-11-22T07:27:25.846-05:00This is why I will never travel out of the USA. I ...This is why I will never travel out of the USA. I have NO sense of adventure. I like to keep my feet and/or wheels on the ground. Even if it's covered with ice.<br /><br />Pat, take a tour of the Capitol on Friday and look for my Son #1. He'll be working.Joyce Tremelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00498392016497131719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-17644308414140424462010-11-22T06:31:03.215-05:002010-11-22T06:31:03.215-05:00This story exhausted me AND I am thankful it's...This story exhausted me AND I am thankful it's not my travel story. Hoping I will not encounter anything remotely similar tomorrow when I get on the road to head 500 miles south to spend Thanksgiving with our sons, who both live in DC now. No planes involved --and hopefully no ice either!Pat Remickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12478872586059541151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-21571183211682821042010-11-22T05:53:25.938-05:002010-11-22T05:53:25.938-05:00But Will, now that it's over and you're no...But Will, now that it's over and you're not living through it anymore, it does make a great tale to tell.<br /><br />One of your photos reminded me that the greatest questions on any trip to foreign lands often involves the rest room facilities. If you're lucky, you wonder, "How do I flush this thing?" Your photo suggests the even more basis question: "How do I use this thing?" Uh, how do you use that facility? Inquiring minds want to know.Ginanoreply@blogger.com