Tales from the Lock-Down

[ian]

I am actually shit at maths (which is why I work in big data analytics) but I can do percentages.

Americans don't do it anyway, they're like tipping savants. Someone smiles at them and offers bottomless fries and they turn everything into a ticker-tape parade of dollar bills.

[robgul]

Just as well the conversation didn't turn to VAT. That fries most Murikans' brains.

Can't think why; most USAnian states have Sales Tax which isn’t included in the price displayed on the shelf.

I have had the discussion – mostly because, like most people, I'm bemused why the fuck they add on the sales tax at the end (and vary it by street) so you never know how much something will cost – a proportion of Americans think it's a secret socialist tax. How do you know how much if it's embedded in the price? they'll argue. Because it's a simple percentage, say I, and I can do elementary maths because I come from a country with schools.

Someone once argued with the fact that we have to pay it then. I don't think it's negotiatable in the US. Ah, but we can drive to a different state, he opined. Yeah, well, I could fly to a different country, but it's a bit much to save a few pence on a can of fizzy pop.

I understand, from a former colleague in the US, that part of the reason for adding it on is that there are sometimes variables for specific local reasons - e.g. last time I was in NYC there was some sort of temporary reduction on the rate for clothing, and another temporary variation on resturant meals.

The variation by state is weird - was in Washington DC and the rate was X on clothing, drove 2 spits into Virginia to a massive shopping mall (Tysons Corner) and tax was about 25% lower - ditto variables in the New England states.    But then in the corners between France/Switzerland and France/Germany there is a massive influx of Swiss & Germans to French hypermarkets as prices and taxes are lower.

[giropaul]

I like a decent lager, but it has to taste of something. Corona, as far as I recall, is tasteless (as are domestic US beers). Stella was outright nasty, I presume they brew it in the UK from concentrated gunk (basically add water and yeast). I don't remember Stella in Belgium tasting that bad. Possibly it's location, drinking piss-water local brews sitting with your legs dangling off the back of a catamaran in the Caribbean doesn't really translate to sitting by a radiator on a damp December evening in Surrey.

Stella in Belgium is brewed in Leuven, and is a totally different experience to the UK, brewed in Wales, Product.

[citoyen]

Stella in Belgium is brewed in Leuven, and is a totally different experience to the UK, brewed in Wales, Product.

I wonder how much of that is down to genuine differences and how much is down to perception. A Swedish journalist conducted blind taste tests on the streets of Leuven and found that even supposed fans of Stella couldn't tell the difference between Stella and Jupiler and a crappy Swedish lager. There's really nothing special about Stella brewed in Leuven - it's still industrial lagerpop.

People persist in claiming that Guinness consumed in Dublin tastes different to Guinness drunk in London, even though they closed the Park Royal brewery some years ago and it all comes from Dublin now. There may be an argument for freshness, but since it is pasteurised keg beer, I'm not buying that.

[ian]

Stella in Belgium is brewed in Leuven, and is a totally different experience to the UK, brewed in Wales, Product.

I wonder how much of that is down to genuine differences and how much is down to perception. Blind taste tests conducted on the streets of Leuven found that even supposed fans of Stella couldn't tell the difference between Stella and Jupiler. There's really nothing special about Stella brewed in Leuven - it's still industrial lagerpop.

People persist in claiming that Guinness consumed in Dublin tastes different to Guinness drunk in London, even though they closed the Park Royal brewery some years ago and it all comes from Dublin now. There may be an argument for freshness, but since it is pasteurised keg beer, I'm not buying that.

Guinness is just terrible everywhere, but I've been dragged to many, many places that 'serve the best Guinness' in other to convince me otherwise. It's been ineffective and it isn't improved by the American habit of stamping a shamrock into the head (one of the perils of living near Boston).

I'm willing to accept there's a difference between local and actual brewed stuff and the stuff that made remotely out of concentrate (more assembled than brewed), but like everything, there's perception. I did find some of the beer I drink in St Lucia but, by buying it, the holiday I didn't recreate. Not even with my feet in the bath in the heating turned up.

[citoyen]

Guinness is just terrible everywhere

True that.

Although I obviously drank it and enjoyed it when I went to Dublin. Because that's what you do. Also because I didn't manage to find a pub serving anything else.

I did find some of the beer I drink in St Lucia but, by buying it, the holiday I didn't recreate. Not even with my feet in the bath in the heating turned up.

Ah, the classic trope of the local tipple that tastes great supped poolside on holiday but turns to lighter fuel when exposed to the UK climate...

[ian]

Just as well the conversation didn't turn to VAT. That fries most Murikans' brains.

Can't think why; most USAnian states have Sales Tax which isn’t included in the price displayed on the shelf.

I have had the discussion – mostly because, like most people, I'm bemused why the fuck they add on the sales tax at the end (and vary it by street) so you never know how much something will cost – a proportion of Americans think it's a secret socialist tax. How do you know how much if it's embedded in the price? they'll argue. Because it's a simple percentage, say I, and I can do elementary maths because I come from a country with schools.

Someone once argued with the fact that we have to pay it then. I don't think it's negotiatable in the US. Ah, but we can drive to a different state, he opined. Yeah, well, I could fly to a different country, but it's a bit much to save a few pence on a can of fizzy pop.

I understand, from a former colleague in the US, that part of the reason for adding it on is that there are sometimes variables for specific local reasons - e.g. last time I was in NYC there was some sort of temporary reduction on the rate for clothing, and another temporary variation on resturant meals.

The variation by state is weird - was in Washington DC and the rate was X on clothing, drove 2 spits into Virginia to a massive shopping mall (Tysons Corner) and tax was about 25% lower - ditto variables in the New England states.    But then in the corners between France/Switzerland and France/Germany there is a massive influx of Swiss & Germans to French hypermarkets as prices and taxes are lower.

Every state has it's own rules (some states, like Delaware and New Hampshire, have no sales tax – in others it varies over different categories) and cities and municipalities (in some states, not all) can also have taxes added. Sometimes it's a local sales tax, other times you get odd stuff, like police levies. Then there's special taxes for alcohol and food. On top of that, many states have an annual sales tax holiday.

I lived near two state borders, and for anything with a tax differential, you'll notice the huge retail outlets that gather on either side. Plus more liberal opening hours, when I lived in CT, there was no booze on Sundays, but the good people of Massachussetts had found it was better to be drunk every day. Plus the tax was less.

[Mr Larrington]

The variation by state is weird - was in Washington DC and the rate was X on clothing, drove 2 spits into Virginia to a massive shopping mall (Tysons Corner) and tax was about 25% lower - ditto variables in the New England states.    But then in the corners between France/Switzerland and France/Germany there is a massive influx of Swiss & Germans to French hypermarkets as prices and taxes are lower.

When I was last in the area the bridges across the Mighty Colorado south of the Hoover Dam saw a good deal of use from Nevadan residents taking advantage of the much lower price of motor-spirit in Arizona.  Plus in those parts the casinos are in NV but the hotels in AZ.

[Jasmine]

Every state has it's own rules (some states, like Delaware and New Hampshire, have no sales tax – in others it varies over different categories) and cities and municipalities (in some states, not all) can also have taxes added. Sometimes it's a local sales tax, other times you get odd stuff, like police levies. Then there's special taxes for alcohol and food. On top of that, many states have an annual sales tax holiday.

I think Americans do this shit just to be contrary. It makes them feel like they have more control locally than they really do.

Oregon also has no sales tax, so it is possible to go to the shop with $10 and buy $10 worth of stuff, rather than desperately trying to add up items to $8.42 (and putting the loaf of bread back, because you've just realised it (a) costs $4 and (b) appears to be 150 calories a slice). Of course, Oregon's great foible is that you can't pump your own gas. Despite being told several times by my brother about this, habit forced me out of the car the on the first occasion of needing fuel, resulting in nearly being tackled to the floor by the gas station attendant. Once you get used to it, it's actually quite nice, you just sit there like a spare part. Of course, the first time you drive out of the state does require you to remember not to just sit there like a lemon.

[FifeingEejit]

The variation by state is weird - was in Washington DC and the rate was X on clothing, drove 2 spits into Virginia to a massive shopping mall (Tysons Corner) and tax was about 25% lower - ditto variables in the New England states.    But then in the corners between France/Switzerland and France/Germany there is a massive influx of Swiss & Germans to French hypermarkets as prices and taxes are lower.

It's a fair comparison, the level of Federating up to the Federation in the US is reasonably low, in some areas the theoretically Confederal EU has been granted more powers by its members than the US states have their federal government.

The major shopping market (https://goo.gl/maps/dnDwnMG5wHu8dNH17) for Basel however is in Germany not France, due to the differing political situation in relation to customs between France&Germany and Switzerland, there's a dedicated exit for Switzerland that leads consumers directly into Swiss customs car boot checks, and they check every boot.
The plaza was being rebuild when I was there, but you can get a decent look at it with a bit of clicking in streetview (Where many angles are also of it being rebuilt), the set up is such that vehicles entering Germany are slowed down, but those entering Switzerland have to stop.
They had no interest in pedestrians, so I guess if you want to smuggle toothpaste into Switzerland, then loading the lining of your jacket up spiv like is the way to do it.

[robgul]

Every state has it's own rules (some states, like Delaware and New Hampshire, have no sales tax – in others it varies over different categories) and cities and municipalities (in some states, not all) can also have taxes added. Sometimes it's a local sales tax, other times you get odd stuff, like police levies. Then there's special taxes for alcohol and food. On top of that, many states have an annual sales tax holiday.

I think Americans do this shit just to be contrary. It makes them feel like they have more control locally than they really do.

Oregon also has no sales tax, so it is possible to go to the shop with $10 and buy $10 worth of stuff, rather than desperately trying to add up items to $8.42 (and putting the loaf of bread back, because you've just realised it (a) costs $4 and (b) appears to be 150 calories a slice). Of course, Oregon's great foible is that you can't pump your own gas. Despite being told several times by my brother about this, habit forced me out of the car the on the first occasion of needing fuel, resulting in nearly being tackled to the floor by the gas station attendant. Once you get used to it, it's actually quite nice, you just sit there like a spare part. Of course, the first time you drive out of the state does require you to remember not to just sit there like a lemon.

Isn't this just what the US is - 48, 49, 50 or however many* states there are now each vying to be a "small, separate country"

* when I was at school it was 48 until Alaska joined - and I know that Hawaii is 50 (Book him Danno!) - I believe there are now more, or some "associated states"?

[ian]

Every state has it's own rules (some states, like Delaware and New Hampshire, have no sales tax – in others it varies over different categories) and cities and municipalities (in some states, not all) can also have taxes added. Sometimes it's a local sales tax, other times you get odd stuff, like police levies. Then there's special taxes for alcohol and food. On top of that, many states have an annual sales tax holiday.

I think Americans do this shit just to be contrary. It makes them feel like they have more control locally than they really do.

Oregon also has no sales tax, so it is possible to go to the shop with $10 and buy $10 worth of stuff, rather than desperately trying to add up items to $8.42 (and putting the loaf of bread back, because you've just realised it (a) costs $4 and (b) appears to be 150 calories a slice). Of course, Oregon's great foible is that you can't pump your own gas. Despite being told several times by my brother about this, habit forced me out of the car the on the first occasion of needing fuel, resulting in nearly being tackled to the floor by the gas station attendant. Once you get used to it, it's actually quite nice, you just sit there like a spare part. Of course, the first time you drive out of the state does require you to remember not to just sit there like a lemon.

Isn't this just what the US is - 48, 49, 50 or however many* states there are now each vying to be a "small, separate country"

* when I was at school it was 48 until Alaska joined - and I know that Hawaii is 50 (Book him Danno!) - I believe there are now more, or some "associated states"?

There are territories – Puerto Rico and Guam – where everyone is a US citizen but they don't have congressional voting rights (and other perks of statehood). Other likes American Samoa accord the residents have an American Nationals status (like we do with British Nationals) – I have no idea on their actual Constitutional status. Then there's Washington DC ('taxation without representation'). Puerto Rico is moderately likely to become the 51st state.

Oregon doesn't have a state sales tax, but cities and towns can set their own (though they generally don't). But they have a meals and booze tax (the last time we were there, they were having a holiday on this though, and cheap beer is something of a boon if you're visiting Oregon, though they make it back on the hotel room tax).

But yes, Americans love tax. Completing the infamous Federal and state 1040 forms (their income declarations) is an annual ceremony. Americans lock themselves in their houses and probably in nothing more than their underwear and a sheen of sweat, sort through shoe boxes of diligently retained receipts. I remember being berated because I hadn't kept every receipt ever. Or any of them since I'd been criminally unaware of tax declarations until that point.

NJ also doesn't let you fill up your own car with gas. For good reason, if you'd seen them drive you'd consider it likely they'd probably try drinking the gasoline (probably better than Olde English 800 admittedly). I've never filled my own car as I always used to fill up there rather than the more expensive NY or CT.

[citoyen]

I know that Hawaii is 50 (Book him Danno!)

I can't believe I never twigged this before but that's where "five-o" as slang for the police (as used in The Wire) comes from, isn't it?

[ian]

Yes, such was the impact of the TV show. Book him Danno! indeed.

[Jurek]

Off-topic slightly, but US territories such a Guam and Saipan have (or used to) allow US firms such as Levis to produce clothing using cheap (imported) Chinese labour, and have it tagged as 'Made in the USA'.

[Mr Larrington]

Oregon also has no sales tax, so it is possible to go to the shop with $10 and buy $10 worth of stuff, rather than desperately trying to add up items to $8.42 (and putting the loaf of bread back, because you've just realised it (a) costs $4 and (b) appears to be 150 calories a slice). Of course, Oregon's great foible is that you can't pump your own gas. Despite being told several times by my brother about this, habit forced me out of the car the on the first occasion of needing fuel, resulting in nearly being tackled to the floor by the gas station attendant. Once you get used to it, it's actually quite nice, you just sit there like a spare part. Of course, the first time you drive out of the state does require you to remember not to just sit there like a lemon.

Rural counties of Oregon have allowed self-service motor-spirit pumps since 2018, but C19 has moved the goalposts.  https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=fe6b92d4da52481483898a871928588c refers, and mightily confusing it is too.

Noo Joisey is still 100% attended service but I've only driven about ten miles there so didn’t need to fill up.

[Basil]

For the first time in five months, the church bells rang.  All six for a lovely half hour. Really missed them and I'm so glad they're back.

[Cudzoziemiec]

Olga Tokarczuk in the New Yorker has pointed out that wearing a facemask is the first time people have got to smell their own breath. She describes it as a very intimate moment, maybe even shocking.

[quixoticgeek]

Olga Tokarczuk in the New Yorker has pointed out that wearing a facemask is the first time people have got to smell their own breath. She describes it as a very intimate moment, maybe even shocking.

Must admit that it has made me question what I eat before I get on a train...

J

[FifeingEejit]

Olga Tokarczuk in the New Yorker has pointed out that wearing a facemask is the first time people have got to smell their own breath. She describes it as a very intimate moment, maybe even shocking.

Not had this, it seems to just enhance my nasal congestion and pnd resulting in a coughing and snoting fit.

Not ideal in these times!
Does seem to get me all the space I could want though, hm...

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[Greenbank]

Rumours of bog roll, coffee, flour and pasta/rice stockpiling again, for fear of another national lockdown. Idiots.

What's odd though is that I haven't been able to find any Ground Cumin in any of my 3 local Sainsbury's (local, big, huge) for the last month or so.

Poor harvests and bad weather in supplying countries I guess.

(I realise that my first world problem might be related to major problems in those supplying countries.)

[SteveC]

What's odd though is that I haven't been able to find any Ground Cumin in any of my 3 local Sainsbury's (local, big, huge) for the last month or so.

We've had the same problem while away on holiday. A medium sized Co-op had some though.

[Mr Larrington]

Bought a 16-pack of bog roll last week, which should last at least until Easter

[PaulF]

Rumours of bog roll, coffee, flour and pasta/rice stockpiling again, for fear of another national lockdown. Idiots.

What's odd though is that I haven't been able to find any Ground Cumin in any of my 3 local Sainsbury's (local, big, huge) for the last month or so.

Poor harvests and bad weather in supplying countries I guess.

(I realise that my first world problem might be related to major problems in those supplying countries.)

We had the same “problem” and were wondering how widespread it was. Had to resort to grinding cumin seeds. Truly a FWP.

[Jakob W]

Rumours of bog roll, coffee, flour and pasta/rice stockpiling again, for fear of another national lockdown. Idiots.

Is this just another moral panic, with people adding another pack of loo roll and bag of pasta to their regular shops? Thought that was the major contributor to the shortages last time.