The "This Might Be A Stupid Question, But...." Thread

[Dindrane]

I am always skirting close to the weight limit on checked baggage, in part because I tend to bring lots of books with me when I travel. Even paperbacks can be heavier than you think. Then again, my husband also ends up tossing in a few hardbound books (for work) on any given trip, so that probably doesn't help.

And that is why after one particular trip I finally caved and got a Kindle.   I pretty much just use it for trips, but it's totally worth it!

Even with my iPod with its Kindle app, and a library that checks out eBooks, I still end up with multiple physical books on any given trip. What can I say, I like to read.

Also, it's really my husband that weighs us down with books these days. I think on our most recent trip, he brought 3 hardbacks with him, purchased/was given a few super dense academic-type books while we were there, and bought up about 20 small books that he can only get in his home country. My 4 paperbacks were so not the problem. A tablet of some variety is in his future before we do any more long-haul flights like this last one.

[Perfect Circle]

Just a word to say that some lowcost airlines only let you have one carry-on, no purse/backpack if you already have something else. It's always a good idea to check the airline site for this kind of info.

And some airports have the same restrictions, regardless of the airline. Heathrow was still one item only, with no exceptions, at Christmas time. So you need to check both ends.

[artk2002]

Just a word to say that some lowcost airlines only let you have one carry-on, no purse/backpack if you already have something else. It's always a good idea to check the airline site for this kind of info.

And some airports have the same restrictions, regardless of the airline. Heathrow was still one item only, with no exceptions, at Christmas time. So you need to check both ends.

I got caught right when Heathrow changed the rules. Left LAX with a laptop case and a carry-on bag (small backpack.) Changing planes at Heathrow (I was bound for Vienna, IIRC) in a very long line full of people trying to consolidate their bags into a single carry-on. I managed to do it, with stuff hanging out of the bag. The security were being at least a little lenient about it at the time. That was when I switched from to bags to a backpack that can also carry my laptop. That was also the year that my checked baggage got delayed three or four times, so I got very good at keeping a change of clothes in my backpack.

[Piratelvr1121]

Sort of an etiquette question along the lines of all you can eat for certain items.

My family just LOVES steamed crabs but it's a rare treat for us since they're rather pricey and there's 4 of us who can open them (5 when my friend was along with us).  Often these places have rules against sharing with those who have not ordered the AYCE crab feast. Which is understandable.   Last time we did this we went to Waterman's in Ocean City, MD and they have a kid's crab feast that's less expensive with about two crabs and a lot of sides so if they don't eat it all, no big deal.  Plus at the time I was pregnant with the babe so this didn't come up. 

But if we were to take the babe out for AYCE crabs, would a restaurant count us feeding him bits of crab meat as sharing? By the time we're able to do the AYCE at a restaurant, he'll probably be about 2 1/2 but won't have the dexterity to open a steamed crab himself.   So it's not like even ordering the children's crab meal would make sense.  And even if we could open it for him, I doubt he'd even eat a whole crab's worth of the meat, let alone the two that come with the children's meal. 

[Slartibartfast]

Sort of an etiquette question along the lines of all you can eat for certain items.

My family just LOVES steamed crabs but it's a rare treat for us since they're rather pricey and there's 4 of us who can open them (5 when my friend was along with us).  Often these places have rules against sharing with those who have not ordered the AYCE crab feast. Which is understandable.   Last time we did this we went to Waterman's in Ocean City, MD and they have a kid's crab feast that's less expensive with about two crabs and a lot of sides so if they don't eat it all, no big deal.  Plus at the time I was pregnant with the babe so this didn't come up. 

But if we were to take the babe out for AYCE crabs, would a restaurant count us feeding him bits of crab meat as sharing? By the time we're able to do the AYCE at a restaurant, he'll probably be about 2 1/2 but won't have the dexterity to open a steamed crab himself.   So it's not like even ordering the children's crab meal would make sense.  And even if we could open it for him, I doubt he'd even eat a whole crab's worth of the meat, let alone the two that come with the children's meal.

I've never had a problem with this at other all-you-can-eat type places, so I'm assuming they wouldn't mind.  Of course, that also assumes he eats like a normal toddler (i.e. "nothing, almost nothing, almost nothing, EAT ALL THE THINGS, nothing, nothing, almost nothing . . .") and it's not one of the "I can eat more than my weight in food today" days.

[Onyx_TKD]

Sort of an etiquette question along the lines of all you can eat for certain items.

My family just LOVES steamed crabs but it's a rare treat for us since they're rather pricey and there's 4 of us who can open them (5 when my friend was along with us).  Often these places have rules against sharing with those who have not ordered the AYCE crab feast. Which is understandable.   Last time we did this we went to Waterman's in Ocean City, MD and they have a kid's crab feast that's less expensive with about two crabs and a lot of sides so if they don't eat it all, no big deal.  Plus at the time I was pregnant with the babe so this didn't come up. 

But if we were to take the babe out for AYCE crabs, would a restaurant count us feeding him bits of crab meat as sharing? By the time we're able to do the AYCE at a restaurant, he'll probably be about 2 1/2 but won't have the dexterity to open a steamed crab himself.   So it's not like even ordering the children's crab meal would make sense.  And even if we could open it for him, I doubt he'd even eat a whole crab's worth of the meat, let alone the two that come with the children's meal.

I think it would be better to just ask each restaurant as it comes up. You could call ahead if you're really concerned or just ask before you order. It seems like something that would really depend on the restaurant and how strictly they interpret the policy. Technically you'd be sharing, which is against the rules, but I suspect most restaurants would consider getting several adult orders of a pricey seafood worth letting you share a very small amount with your toddler. Also, asking and being willing to accept "no" as an answer makes it clear that you're not just trying to cheat the restaurant on the all-you-can-eat deal, so they might be more willing to let you do it than if they caught you sharing with the kid without asking.

I'm puzzled, though: If the toddler is eating crab, why does it matter in terms of the meal purchasing whether or not he can open it himself? Don't parents have to assist their toddlers in eating a lot of foods? Or are you saying that having someone else open the kid's crabs would make it look like there was unapproved sharing going on?

[Slartibartfast]

Just answering for my own experience here, but crab and pistachios are two nightmare foods to have around Babybartfast because she can chow down faster than I can crack    If I didn't have DH to help crack some when we do steamed crab at home, I'd never actually get to eat my own!

[Piratelvr1121]

Sort of an etiquette question along the lines of all you can eat for certain items.

My family just LOVES steamed crabs but it's a rare treat for us since they're rather pricey and there's 4 of us who can open them (5 when my friend was along with us).  Often these places have rules against sharing with those who have not ordered the AYCE crab feast. Which is understandable.   Last time we did this we went to Waterman's in Ocean City, MD and they have a kid's crab feast that's less expensive with about two crabs and a lot of sides so if they don't eat it all, no big deal.  Plus at the time I was pregnant with the babe so this didn't come up. 

But if we were to take the babe out for AYCE crabs, would a restaurant count us feeding him bits of crab meat as sharing? By the time we're able to do the AYCE at a restaurant, he'll probably be about 2 1/2 but won't have the dexterity to open a steamed crab himself.   So it's not like even ordering the children's crab meal would make sense.  And even if we could open it for him, I doubt he'd even eat a whole crab's worth of the meat, let alone the two that come with the children's meal.

I think it would be better to just ask each restaurant as it comes up. You could call ahead if you're really concerned or just ask before you order. It seems like something that would really depend on the restaurant and how strictly they interpret the policy. Technically you'd be sharing, which is against the rules, but I suspect most restaurants would consider getting several adult orders of a pricey seafood worth letting you share a very small amount with your toddler. Also, asking and being willing to accept "no" as an answer makes it clear that you're not just trying to cheat the restaurant on the all-you-can-eat deal, so they might be more willing to let you do it than if they caught you sharing with the kid without asking.

I'm puzzled, though: If the toddler is eating crab, why does it matter in terms of the meal purchasing whether or not he can open it himself? Don't parents have to assist their toddlers in eating a lot of foods? Or are you saying that having someone else open the kid's crabs would make it look like there was unapproved sharing going on?

Well by two most children can manage most kids menu foods such as chicken nuggets and sides.  But steamed crabs are not really an easy thing for a toddler to open themselves.  There's breaking off the legs, pulling the shell off, scooping out the nasties and breaking through the inner shell to get to the meat.  It's quite the process. And some parts, like the lungs, shouldn't be eaten. 

Steamed crab is really one of those foods where it takes more time to get to the meat than it does to actually eat it.  But for those who love it, it is so very worth it.  I tend to spend at least 5 minutes per crab.  And he is a very good eater on most days and always wants to try some of what we're having.  He's just 15 months now so it could change but if he's anything like his brothers, it won't. 

[Carotte]

Googling it hasn't turned up anything yet so I'm trying here:

I have windows 8 and use Chrome, since yesterday everytime I open chrome the windows is full size and I can't see the desktop bar (with everything that is open, the time..). It's not in F11 mode since I can put it in F11 (that makes the chrome's open tabs disappear).
I don't know how I did it, I just want to be able to see everything 
The minimise/close buttons on the top right hand have also disappeared, I'm lost, any one can help me?

/ while using the 'spell check' turns out it opens in a new tab, not a pop-up window like it should..

OK, never mind, found it. It was in windows 8 mode, you just have to click on 'relance chrome in desktop mode' or something.
I'll leave the Q&A in case it can be usefull for anyone.

[jpcher]

Sort of an etiquette question along the lines of all you can eat for certain items.

My family just LOVES steamed crabs but it's a rare treat for us since they're rather pricey and there's 4 of us who can open them (5 when my friend was along with us).  Often these places have rules against sharing with those who have not ordered the AYCE crab feast. Which is understandable.   Last time we did this we went to Waterman's in Ocean City, MD and they have a kid's crab feast that's less expensive with about two crabs and a lot of sides so if they don't eat it all, no big deal.  Plus at the time I was pregnant with the babe so this didn't come up. 

But if we were to take the babe out for AYCE crabs, would a restaurant count us feeding him bits of crab meat as sharing? By the time we're able to do the AYCE at a restaurant, he'll probably be about 2 1/2 but won't have the dexterity to open a steamed crab himself.   So it's not like even ordering the children's crab meal would make sense.  And even if we could open it for him, I doubt he'd even eat a whole crab's worth of the meat, let alone the two that come with the children's meal.

I think it would be better to just ask each restaurant as it comes up. You could call ahead if you're really concerned or just ask before you order. It seems like something that would really depend on the restaurant and how strictly they interpret the policy. Technically you'd be sharing, which is against the rules, but I suspect most restaurants would consider getting several adult orders of a pricey seafood worth letting you share a very small amount with your toddler. Also, asking and being willing to accept "no" as an answer makes it clear that you're not just trying to cheat the restaurant on the all-you-can-eat deal, so they might be more willing to let you do it than if they caught you sharing with the kid without asking.

I'm puzzled, though: If the toddler is eating crab, why does it matter in terms of the meal purchasing whether or not he can open it himself? Don't parents have to assist their toddlers in eating a lot of foods? Or are you saying that having someone else open the kid's crabs would make it look like there was unapproved sharing going on?

Yes. Please ask the restaurants.

When the DDs were little we would frequent a certain restaurant quite often. I usually got the salad bar (AYCE -- no sharing allowed.) I did ask them if I could give the DDs a couple slices of cucumber or carrot sticks or even a spoonful of cottage cheese. They had no problem with this at all.

At another place, the waiter looked at me like I was trying to get away with something awful. The response was a stern "No sharing means no sharing."

Yet another place told me that there would be a slight charge ($2.00?) and brought me small saucer-type plates so that I could make the DDs their own mini-salad.

Different establishments handle things differently. It is best to ask.

[Diane AKA Traska]

I want crabs so bad now.

[Piratelvr1121]

You and me both, Traska.  I haven't had them in oh, about 17 months?  Yep, that's right, as we had them on Labor Day of 2011 and the babe was born in early November of that year.   

I will ask though when we go again, to be on the safe side.  Since we're going from Mother's Day to the following Thursday it will be in early May and I think that's when the season starts so I don't know how the crabs will be at that time of the year.  Plus DH won't be with us so he'll miss out.  Course Evil pirate figures it would be just rewards for the times he's had steamed crabs without me when his former job would treat them during conferences.

[Diane AKA Traska]

Because of finances (and broken pinky), I had to postpone my birthday dinner for a month or so... I think I'll make crabs.

Yes, I make my own birthday dinner.  But it's more of a "have something I never get to have" thing, because M can't cook. 

Of course, there's always seafood houses...

[jpcher]

New stupid question . . . RE: Internet signals.

I have a lap-top and my favorite place to use the internet is on my enclosed porch. The router/modem/whatever is in my basement.

I would say that 95% of the time my lap-top internet usage is zooomin. Works like a charm.

Then there are the times when I'm in my usual place, and internet access is so very slow, even though it still shows 3-4 bars on the internet icon. (It can take up to 5 minutes to call up an internet site.)

If I bring my laptop inside (maybe a difference of 7 feet) I can sign onto whatever site, then bring my laptop back outside and internet is, again, zooming. I can browse different sites with great speed.


Stupid question . . . why does this happen?

[Dindrane]

jpcher, I'm not sure why that happens (although I notice that sometimes my internet will just randomly struggle to open specific sites and then be fine if I refresh the page). One thing I do know, though, is that the little bars symbol generally refers to your connection with the wireless router. If your connection to the router is good, your internet will be faster than if your connection to the router is weak, but the speed of the internet itself would not be affected by that.