celll phone etiquite

I was in a doctors office yesterday. As I checked in, I noticed a prominent sign saying, among other things, "Please refrain from talking on your cell phone in the waiting area".

Of course, on this day, the sign went unnoticed, as two seats down from me was a man talking, not loudly, but certainly not quietly, on his cell phone.

Since there was no way not to hear it became apparent after only a few minutes that he was a doctor and the call was not an emergency or even patient related.

He was discussing finances regarding refinancing his house.

Here's a news flash to the world - we are not interested in hearing your conversations.

Please have some respect for your fellow humans and show a little courtesy when using your cell phone. Take it outside or someplace out of range of the rest of us.

handicapped parking

Greetings all. Today's rant is about handicapped parking.

As most of you have figured out by now, I live in South Florida. To say that we have a high population of elderly people would be like saying that there are a lot of Italians in Italy.

Anyhow...this is my issue...there are way to many people with handicap stickers/tags/miiror tags, that just don't need them. I pulled into my office parking lot and watched an elderly man park in a handicapped space, hang the mirror tag, and just about sprint to the door of the building. Now I may be missing something, but this did not strike me as someone who needs to be parked in a handicap space.

I think that doctors are way too lenient with giving those placards to people and that there should be better management of them. I can't tell you how many times I see people who *clearly* do not need it, park in handicapped spots. I wonder how many who really need it, are subjected to parking with the rest of us *healthy* people.

The sense of entitlement that so many people exhibit is disgraceful. If you have a real need, than by all means, you should have the advantage. But you doctors that give a tag that's valid for a year because Aunt Mable has a bunion removed, is just wrong.

Can I tell you how many times I see some kid getting out of what must be grandpa's lexus just so they can park closer to the movie theater entrance? That should be a ticketable offense. But that's another issue, the cops are already over-worked, so we have to have another solution to that one.

So what would I change? Glad you asked...

Temporary handicap tags should be valid for the shortest amount of time - say a month. after that, it has to be renewed *IN PERSON* If you can't renew in person, than you should not be out driving, in the first place.

No more handicap license plates. Only use mirror tags.

Now that everyone has a mirror hanger, we make all handicap tags with photos on them. If the person for whom the tag was issued is not in the car, than you can't use it.

So that's my issue for today. Thanks for reading.

Office Literacy

I need some help. Are solicitors stupid, stubborn or illiterate?

It's not that I don't have respect for the sales industry - I do - I used to do it. But seriously, when there is a sign on the door that says "No Soliciting" why can't people get it. We don't want to be bothered. I know what you're going to say - if they did, than no one would ever get ahead.

It's just a pet peeve of mine, if you see a sign that says "No Soliciting", please respect it.

It's not that there is no value in the services being provided, but if I spend 10 minutes with each new salesperson that walks in, than I get nothing done. It's not that I am trying to be rude, but I just don't have the time to entertain each new offer that come in the door.

So please tell me the secret - How do I get their attention to respect my business? And please don't say buy a bigger sign.

2 years is long enough

OK, so I have not been the most prolific blogger. whatever. I think it's about time to start posting again. Since my last post was bout a hurricane, I think that it's only appropriate that I pick up where I left off.

Hurricane season is about to end, and in a remarkable twist, the predictions were mostly wrong. OOOOO, say it isn't so.

OK, so sue me for being a bit jaded, but I am so tired of all the FUD that surrounds the weather in South Florida that I just can't help myself.

So now the weather changes for the better and we enjoy 6 months of some of the most incredible climate anywhere. Now if we could just do something about the economy...