Front-Page News

Folks, I've already expressed my love for the Warsaw area, but reading the Times-Union this week has given me the feeling that I live in Hicksville. Take yesterday's front-page...

This picture was shown only because it supposedly (or supposably, whichever you prefer) looks like a dog. This was deemed worthy of the front-page. And right next to it was the account of a guy who got into an altercation with his son-in-law and began to shoot at the tires on his son-in-law's vehicle. This was also found on the front-page of the paper.

And if you go back a few more days, you'll find the news that a man was found sitting naked in some pine trees. I think this was included on a later page, though.

So what have we learned this week? If you want to get on the front-page of the newspaper, find oddly shaped produce or shoot at a car. But if you expose yourself indecently while hanging around some foliage, you won't make the cut.

Sweet Talk

Have you seen the commercial where a guy is ordering inside of a fast food restaurant while talking on his cell phone to his significant other? He says something into the phone, but the lady taking his order thinks he's talking to her. I was reminded of this commercial today.

A guy called the office asking to set up an appointment. No problem. I can do that. When I start questioning him as to what day and time would work best for him, he pauses and says, "Sweetie, are you going to be working then?" When he said this, he sounded muffled. However, every other word he had said previously was also muffled. I pause, thinking him strange, but not wanting to make a big deal out of it, I say, "Yes." He then says, "Oh, I was talking to my girlfriend."

I felt silly finding this out. But this being the case, he should have put his hand over the phone, preceded his change of direction with, "Let me ask my girlfriend," or some other distinction. Then again, I should have known better. Ah, well. At least he wasn't some creep who called me "Sweetie."

Etiquette Question #1

Is it okay to ask an acquaintance or a friend at a restaurant for a taste of something they ordered?

Earlier this month I was with a group of friends at a restaurant. One ordered a drink I had never tried. Throughout the meal I kept eying the drink, toying with the idea of asking him if I could take a sip. I ended up deciding against it. But could I have asked? Does the fact that something is a beverage make a difference?