McDuck

I'm trying to get my head on straight about something that tends to grate on my nerves, so I thought I'd hit the audience here with it, as this place tends to be fairly divided on most sides of issues presented here, as is to be expected of a random slice of humanity. No hypothetical scenarios here. I have a co-worker who is consistently rude or curt to serving staff at the places we frequent for lunches, as well as being the type of person who finds it impossible to keep more food in his mouth than on the table, chair and floor. We used to kid him about it, in a friendly attempt to hone some of his rougher edges. He's admitted to knowing he has those tendencies, but actively refuses to alter his behavior. Last week, I jokingly commented at lunch that manners don't cost a thing, and that the word "please" is an easy and kind gesture when dealing with serving staff. He felt attacked and proceeded to tell me that the word "please" doesn't even fit in normal conversations and that I am a jackass. He made quite a scene. I've since refrained from attending lunches that include him, in an attempt to reduce the discomfort of the rest of my co-workers. My questions are, 1) is it wrong to want people to be polite and kind, especially to serving staff, who catch enough crap in their daily work lives; 2) are you more inclined to be polite in those circumstances, or do you take your restaurant staff for granted; and 3) do you know people who are like this guy and how do you handle it? I've simply decided not to attend lunch if I know he's going to be included in the group, to reduce the strain and stress on the rest of my co-workers. Answers on all sides of this issue are not only expected, but welcome. It never hurts to see all sides of something like this. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday, cutie!

Ninja, you crazy! You making it out the DZ this weekend, Arvel? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I wonder if the impending ban will encompass those who think you're one funny monkey, too. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Seconded...with equal respect. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I'll vote yes if you promise to frost your eyebrows again. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Ok, I don't even want to know what kind of gutter your mind is in! Let's see, what avenue out of this is most readily believed and available...AHA! Guilt! So, what? You calling strip clubs "gutters" now? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

You've got my vote...which one, I'm holding for further testing of character. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I read that wrong. I read it as "Madame Pole." I've got to stop skimming! Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Hey you! I've been saving all my mucus and phlegm in a jar for you for when I come back for a visit! Umm, yeah...so, how do you plan on finding me? My mucus radar is pretty strong, as we both know. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Missed you, gooberneck. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Are you Normiss's roommate ? No, I'm horrible with fashion and decorating. I still put stickers on the walls to cover paint chips and scratches. I just like animals...a lot. I mean, this place is pretty much like a zoo, so can you blame me? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Those are ADORABLE! Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I read that "jizcuzzi"...that's what I get for skimming. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

ever tried to race a hippo underwater ? I'm not typically floundering around in hippo-infested waters, unless there's a new saltwater breed of hippos that can remain submerged for days on end that we're not aware of. My guess is, they'd wind up being a new food source for the shark population...you know, those torpedo-shaped, wicked fast garbage men of the world's oceans? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Amen, brother. Fishy, while a hippo may be vicious and nasty, and possibly fast too, I'll bet I could keep myself out of hippo-harm's way easier than a shark's...like never being anywhere where hippos are known to roam wild and steal purses and such. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I'm thinking they would have been doing the animal kingdom a bit more justice in calling it Hungry, Hungry Sharkos. I mean, in a pie(or person)-eating contest, could a hippo really pull the kinds of numbers that a great white shark can? My money's on the shark. On a different note, if the game DID have sharks gobbling marbles, instead of hippos, I can imagine it wouldn't be widely marketable as "Hungry, Hungry Whiteys." Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

You may be right. Out of all of us, I'm the only one who moved away and didn't really maintain contact of any kind until now. From what I can gather, they stayed (relatively) put while I moved frequently. Being nomadic at heart equals merc in their eyes, I guess. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Yes, but I'm currently in talks with Cora to make a trip your way, sucka-fish. Might want to wear your best kilt, lad. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Can you have those SUVs bring a sammich and some sodas? It's getting close to lunchtime, and I always deal better with extra-terrestrials on a full stomach. Oh, and Dublin's about as covert as a sledgehammer to the satchel...but I'll give it a shot. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Yeah, but we already knew you were full of shit.... Watch it, hoss. Don't give me a reason to be EMPTY of shit. Wait, that didn't sound right. Uh, carry on. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I prefer stories that are far more outlandish. Perhaps I was hired to work a "trawler" that combs the ocean floors for downed UFO's, and from there got recruited to be a part of an elite first-response force for dry-land "encounters". Maybe I was taught mind-shielding and control techniques by EBEs, and have the ability to go a week without the need to eliminate bodily waste. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I got in touch with some old friends of mine from high school back in CA, and they told me that the running rumor about me is that I pulled a John Cusack in "Gross Pointe Blank" and have been traveling the world as a mercenary. Cora and I had a gut-busting laugh over that one. Anyone else encounter the out-of-contact-crazy-rumor phenomenon? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Beautiful shots, Jason! Can't wait until I've got my camera and skills dialed in enough to get great shots like those. Arvel, is that Katie's Trevor in those shots? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I'm at a loss for words. Your story is so inspiring, Kim. Wishing you all the best...always. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.