What is the newest installment of 'Random Thoughts' on Physics Forums?

[WWGD]

WWGD hasn't said whether his friend even got past the HR interview, or what kind of job he was applying for.
Chances are he'd do better to call whoever interviewed him last and ask how he could improve his resume to make it more attractive .

I always asked applicants, who by the time they got to me had already survived the HR screening, "Do you change your own oil and sparkplugs?"
Maintenance and Marketing managers are not looking for the same personality traits.
He needs to go to the source to get a meaningful answer.

old jim

But there is also the obvious issue I told this guy about:
0) He could be using his time in many other ways. He may have to wait to see someone. How long will he be willing to wait for?
1) Will acquaintance know who it was (may be more than one person) who made the decision.
2) If he finds out who it was who made the decision, he/they may not be around and/or available that day. o
3) If they are available (free time to meet him): Will he/they be willing to tell him why ? If so, will they be able to give him "actionable " advice?Many don't give advice because of fear of either reprisals or
lawsuits.
4) Like Fresh_Meister said: Will the advice they gave him apply to other companies/job searches?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Not the greatest idea IMO.

 

[StoneTemplePython]

3) If they are available (free time to meet him): Will he/they be willing to tell him why ? If so, will they be able to give him "actionable " advice?Many don't give advice because of fear of either reprisals or lawsuits.

Yes. Even five to ten years ago there were significant concerns about being sued. In many cases, it's all downside for people at the company to give this feedback, unfortunately.

4) Like Fresh_Meister said: Will the advice they gave him apply to other companies/job searches?

and of course over-fitting concerns. There isn't an analytical bound on this, I'm afraid.

- - - -
Rapid (semi) objective feedback is needed, but probably better found from mock interviews with professional acquaintances, alumni network helpers, etc.

 

[jim hardy]

But there is also the obvious issue I told this guy about:
0) He could be using his time in many other ways. He may have to wait to see someone. How long will he be willing to wait for?
1) Will acquaintance know who it was (may be more than one person) who made the decision.
2) If he finds out who it was who made the decision, he/they may not be around and/or available that day. o
3) If they are available (free time to meet him): Will he/they be willing to tell him why ? If so, will they be able to give him "actionable " advice?Many don't give advice because of fear of either reprisals or
lawsuits.
4) Like Fresh_Meister said: Will the advice they gave him apply to other companies/job searches?

Well, it's defeatism to think up reasons for not investing a phone call.
Most folks will respond to a sincere request for help.

The barriers we put up out of ' fear of rejection' are our own worst enemy.

old jim

 

[WWGD]

Well, it's defeatism to think up reasons for not investing a phone call.
Most folks will respond to a sincere request for help.

The barriers we put up out of ' fear of rejection' are our own worst enemy.

old jim

Well, no, a phone call seems reasonable, I agree, but a personal visit does not, for the reasons above. You need to figure out who made the decision, make sure they are available to speak in person, that they are willing to say something on the record ( difficult for most to be critical of others they don't know personally) without fearing reprisals or hostility.

 

[Ibix]

I'd try by email, to be honest, unless he's got a direct number for one of the people who interviewed him. I certainly wouldn't show up at the door, largely because it can be read as confrontational (or potentially confrontational), and I don't think it increases his chances of getting an honest answer.

 

[WWGD]

I'd try by email, to be honest, unless he's got a direct number for one of the people who interviewed him. I certainly wouldn't show up at the door, largely because it can be read as confrontational (or potentially confrontational), and I don't think it increases his chances of getting an honest answer.

Exactly. Plus, that person must be available: not busy in a meeting or otherwise, willing to say something that may incriminate them/ their company, and willing to tell someone they are not good-enough. And then forget about applying there again, I think. EDIT: Think of the mass shootings in the U.S , and someone who may be angry just dropping by, something not usually done, AFAIK.

 

[WWGD]

I'd try by email, to be honest, unless he's got a direct number for one of the people who interviewed him. I certainly wouldn't show up at the door, largely because it can be read as confrontational (or potentially confrontational), and I don't think it increases his chances of getting an honest answer.

I'd say phone, since company may not want to put reasons in writing.

 

[WWGD]

Kind of strange: I found today at Starbucks the newspaper sections I left there last night. Don't they throw them out?

 

[WWGD]

Newspaper article on psychic gaining weight: " The medium is a large"?

 

[Borg]

 

[WWGD]

View attachment 217542

They " Mind-Read" my joke ;).

 

[Psinter]

Earth's orbital speed: 30000 m/s
Speed of sound in air: 343 m/s
Speed of sound in diamond: 12000 m/s

We are moving fast, aren't we? Stuff that makes you think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_orbit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_sound

 

[WWGD]

Earth's orbital speed: 30000 m/s
Speed of sound in air: 343 m/s
Speed of sound in diamond: 12000 m/s

We are moving fast, aren't we? Stuff that makes you think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_orbit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_sound

Wow, Psinter, where have you been? Haven't heard of you for a while now. Maybe just not posting in Random Thoughts?

 

[OmCheeto]

Just figured out, after 10 years, how to get into my Christmas light string fuse boxes.

Reminds of Egyptian crypt, Raiders of the Lost Ark type puzzles.

It vas zee "sliding door", Herr Om. Sorry for all zoze years of tvisting und turning und pulling und hammering.

​

 

[Ibix]

Just figured out, after 10 years, how to get into my Christmas light string fuse boxes.

View attachment 217588

Reminds of Egyptian crypt, Raiders of the Lost Ark type puzzles.

It vas zee "sliding door", Herr Om. Sorry for all zoze years of tvisting und turning und pulling und hammering.

​

I rented a van the last time we DIY'd a house move. Got home, went to open the cargo door, and found that the handle didn't open the door (with the usual not-connected-to-anything feel you get from a locked car door handle). And there was no keyhole. Nor an obvious keyhole cover. No door-release markings on any of the dashboard controls.

Hm.

I rang the rental company and explained rather sheepishly that I couldn't figure out how to open the back door. They apologised for forgetting to tell me, and explained that you had to use the key to unlock the driver's side door, then let the key turn back and then unlock it again. And the second time you unlock the driver's door you actually unlock the rear door.

Obviously.

I'd never have guessed that in a million years.

 

[OmCheeto]

I rented a van the last time we DIY'd a house move. Got home, went to open the cargo door, and found that the handle didn't open the door (with the usual not-connected-to-anything feel you get from a locked car door handle). And there was no keyhole. Nor an obvious keyhole cover. No door-release markings on any of the dashboard controls.

Hm.

I rang the rental company and explained rather sheepishly that I couldn't figure out how to open the back door. They apologised for forgetting to tell me, and explained that you had to use the key to unlock the driver's side door, then let the key turn back and then unlock it again. And the second time you unlock the driver's door you actually unlock the rear door.

Obviously.

I'd never have guessed that in a million years.

Ehr mehr gerd.

Your story, and the story of me riding around in the back seat of my friend's minivan, once a year, for the last 3 years:

Omfriendia; "Sorry you're locked in guys! I have to open the side doors from up here."
Om; "Really? Is this some child safety thing? We're in our 60's."
Omfriendia; "The owners manual section on how to fix that is 3000 pages long, and was written by a lawyer."
Om; "Understood!"

 

[fresh_42]

Ehr mehr gerd.

Your story, and the story of me riding around in the back seat of my friend's minivan, once a year, for the last 3 years:

Omfriendia; "Sorry you're locked in guys! I have to open the side doors from up here."
Om; "Really? Is this some child safety thing? We're in our 60's."
Omfriendia; "The owners manual section on how to fix that is 3000 pages long, and was written by a lawyer."
Om; "Understood!"

I once left a bar and found two teenage girls outside who tried to stop a car for a ride home. They probably thought nothing could happen because they were two. I thought: Better me than someone dangerous, so I offered to drive them home. At the first traffic light I had to stop, and the shy one of the two decided to test the door. What an embarrassing moment to learn about the safety lock! I didn't even know I had one. Nobody ever had sat there.

 

[OmCheeto]

I once left a bar and found two teenage girls outside who tried to stop a car for a ride home. They probably thought nothing could happen because they were two. I thought: Better me than someone dangerous, so I offered to drive them home. At the first traffic light I had to stop, and the shy one of the two decided to test the door. What an embarrassing moment to learn about the safety lock! I didn't even know I had one. Nobody ever had sat there.

OMG!

ps. Good story. I can think of only once that I gave a stranger a ride. It was 34+ years ago. Some kid from Germany asked me for a lift at a rest stop. 200 km from Seattle to Portland. Can't remember his name. Nice though. Didn't kill me, nor me him.

 

[Ibix]

At the first traffic light I had to stop, and the shy one of the two decided to test the door. What an embarrassing moment to learn about the safety lock! I didn't even know I had one. Nobody ever had sat there.

Awkward! What did you say? I guess you'd want to disengage the child lock, but if you didn't know you had one I guess you didn't know how to do that.

 

[fresh_42]

Awkward! What did you say? I guess you'd want to disengage the child lock, but if you didn't know you had one I guess you didn't know how to do that.

I don't remember whether I figured it out. I certainly tried at least. But the other girl gave me the rose she's gotten that night as I dropped them at home

 

[Psinter]

Wow, Psinter, where have you been? Haven't heard of you for a while now. Maybe just not posting in Random Thoughts?

Hihi. I was away for a good while on work and other stuff.

I don't remember whether I figured it out. I certainly tried at least. But the other girl gave me the rose she's gotten that night as I dropped them at home

Hmmmmm. Talking about presents/tokens of appreciation in the given subject, you reminded me how slow I am. If other girls at PF read the following they are probably going to say: "You are a jerk!". But what can say, I was a kid. So it goes like this... A girl always gave me the biggest valentine's card every year in elementary school and during the whole year, she would give me drawings she made. All of them had hearts on them. One of them was an Ice Cream Cone, but instead of being filled with Ice Cream, it was filled with hearts . Another one was a Christmas Tree, but instead of having normal decorations it was decorated with hearts . Other was a river, but instead of having water, it had hearts flowing through it. One had a tree, but instead of having leaves, it had hearts . In another one, the Sun was a heart . I always said thank you, but never even remotely crossed my mind anything else other than: she likes to draw. It wasn't until I was 18 years old that I was like: "Ooooooohhhhhhh. Now I understand." It was elementary school and I was concentrated on playing and having fun. Never did I think about love or liking another person in those times.

Bottom line is it makes you think what kids are thinking about... and it makes me think how slow I am .

 

[WWGD]

Extremely smart Indian guy: Kapeesh. One who will not share is Selfeesh.

 

[OmCheeto]

Just made my first Facebook friend from Puerto Rico today.
Only 55% of the people there have electrical power.

My new friend and I have been coordinating over the last hour on how to fix this, in our own little ways.

 

[WWGD]

Wow, single-digit-temperature winters and people still wear sweats and ripped jeans. We have overcome the basic need to survive and can prioritize comfort and fashion ahead of homeostasis/survival. OTOH, many more men wearing tights than in previous years, which makes sense in terms of retaining heat.

 

[Psinter]

Wow, single-digit-temperature winters and people still wear sweats and ripped jeans.

Speaking of cold, I must tell you. I recently saw snow for the first time in my life and it was amazing ! This is my first time in the US and I have one word for you:

Super-Awesome!

All experiences have been positive and I shall tell you. There's so much to say. Have any of you guys visited the US? It's so big! You can drive for 3 hours straight and there's still more road to cover! How awesome is that . Another surprise was the amount of buildings and the amount of houses. I cannot fathom the amount of work it must have taken to build all that. My mind is still trying to process the information. And the amount of stores... legendary.

Regarding the snow, I was not expecting to see snow as I was told it was extremely rare, but it snowed! The snow was beautiful to say the least. I had no jacket (because I was told it wasn't cold so I traveled without one) and my movements were pretty much restricted from the cold I was feeling. But still, I enjoyed the snow . Never had I experience temperatures below 57F. The temperature was 30 something F. I told my friend joking: "It's official. My left butt has been completely frozen and my right butt is on the process." I had to get into a store and buy myself a thick jacket. My friend took me to a store I had never seen before to get me a jacket. I told her like repeating what she had told me, but in like a joking sense: "No, it's not cold. It's only 30 something F. Meanwhile I'm here, with my nails getting blue and shivering like a phone in vibration mode" and we laughed . A funny event was that I saw a kid that was apparently as excited as me to see snow, but he didn't calculate his movements properly while jumping from joy so he tripped over and smashed his face against the snow .

I'm sleeping with a shirt on top a heat core, jeans on top of heat core, socks, gloves, and 3 blankets . One of the blankets is thick and the other two are normal. I tell you, it's cold.

Oh and I saw a bambi! It was so cute. It was in the road at night. I saw a squirrel too! The squirrel moved and its tail waved in the air. I found the squirrel with its flamboyant tail glamorous. I also saw a racoon. Man, I tell you, the racoon animal ran really fast.

I say, the amount of cars was unreal. Have I ever seen so many cars in the road in my life.

The people were friendly and kind to me. I had a little trouble communicating, but some told me they understood my english pretty well. My mistake was (and still is) that because I don't want to come out as dumb I try to reply very quickly to the person I am talking with and in the end I still come out as dumb. For instance, people ask me: "How are you doing?" and I reply really quickly: "Yes! I mean thank you! " and then it's really awkward.

All in all, the experience has been wonderful. You guys have to visit the US.

 

[WWGD]

All in all, the experience has been wonderful. You guys have to visit the US.

Sure, I will walk out of my apartment, that will do it -- now that temperature is up to around 23, FINALLY above single-digits..

 

[WWGD]

Speaking of cold, I must tell you. I recently saw snowThe people were friendly and kind to me. I had a little trouble communicating, but some told me they understood my english pretty well. My mistake was (and still is) that because I don't want to come out as dumb I try to reply very quickly to the person I am talking with and in the end I still come out as dumb. For instance, people ask me: "How are you doing?" and I reply really quickly: "Yes! I mean thank you! " and then it's really awkward.

All in all, the experience has been wonderful. You guys have to visit the US.

I feel bad for you. I have had foreigners that saw my CV , specifically the section where/when I was Statistician ( and this from a while back) call me to help them with their taxes. Must be pretty lost; many have not just a different language but a different alphabet, likely a whole different way of viewing the world, if I may use that cliche. It would take me a while to figure out how to navigate many of these countries.

EDIT: I experience something like this small-scale when people ask me to do errands and I see too many assumptions and alternative interpretations. I wonder if I have a bit of Aspergers or Autism of some sort.

 

[Psinter]

Sure, I will walk out of my apartment, that will do it -- now that temperature is up to around 23, FINALLY above single-digits..

lel. It took me a while to understand the joke. You live in the US then? Pretty neat. I have yet to experience 23F. It hasn't gone below 30F where I am visiting.

I feel bad for you. Must be pretty lost;

Nah, I'm okay. I am accompanied. I was told I was being too polite in my speech... The one that comes out correctly, that is. The rest is probably nonsense like in my example above .

Psinter - a mix of spoken politeness and nonsense .

 

[WWGD]

I still think "You too" is more direct and to the point. " Likewise" seems clunkier, when returning compliments. Wonder if the " Likewise" is a direct translation from some language. Still, it would be nice to hear something along the lines of :" I reciprocate your sentiment" because of its weirdness.

 

[fresh_42]

I still think "You too" is more direct and to the point. " Likewise" seems clunkier, when returning compliments. Wonder if the " Likewise" is a direct translation from some language.

I've learned (UK) "and you".

 

[WWGD]

I've learned (UK) "and you".

Ok, nice in-between. I still want to hear: " I willfully reciprocate your sentiment"

 

[fresh_42]

Ok, nice in-between. I still want to hear: " I willfully reciprocate your sentiment"

Probably, because U2 has a different meaning on the islands.

 

[WWGD]

Ok, nice in-between. I still want to hear: " I willfully reciprocate your sentiment"

And me ;).
.

 

[WWGD]

Probably, because U2 has a different meaning on the islands.

Specially on some types of Sundays...

 

[fresh_42]

Specially on some types of Sundays...

I didn't get this one.

 

[WWGD]

Wonder what the constraints are, to producing a cup that will keep a liquid at

I didn't get this one.

You know, the red...BLOODY ones...

 

[fresh_42]

Wonder what the constraints are, to producing a cup that will keep a liquid at

You know, the red...BLOODY ones...

I only associated

but this was a different combo.

Edit: ... and I'm afraid I could have a non mainstream opinion on the bloody Sunday event.

 

[WWGD]

I was thinking, since you mentioned the islands ( which to me suggest more the Caribbean than the UK) :

 

[WWGD]

Wonder why they cannot design a cup ( not a thermos) that keeps liquids at constant temperature, so the hot coffee/chocolate remains hot for more than 1 minute or so.

 

[fresh_42]

Wonder why they cannot design a cup ( not a thermos) that keeps liquids at constant temperature, so the hot coffee/chocolate remains hot for more than 1 minute or so.

I have one those, which is build in a way thermos are. But it's plastic.

I was thinking, since you mentioned the islands ( which to me suggest more the Caribbean than the UK).

I decided to mirror their in my eyes devalued term of "continentals", which they have for the rest of Europe, and will call them islanders. Still better than what a colleague of mine once used: teabags.

 

[WWGD]

I have one those, which is build in a way thermos are. But it's plastic.

I decided to mirror their in my eyes devalued term of "continentals", which they have for the rest of Europe, and will call them islanders. Still better than what a colleague of mine once used: teabags.

Ouch! Still sore over Brexit? It seems at least 50% of " Islanders" are too.

EDIT: What is the name of the cup? Will consider buying one.

 

[fresh_42]

Ouch! Still sore over Brexit? It seems at least 50% of " Islanders" are too.

This is independent of the Brexit. I like the Brexit, because UK had always been merely more than an obstacle. They had special payment conditions, didn't participate in the Schengen agreement and favor an Adam Smith capitalism I don't appreciate. To say it with Monty Python: "What have you lost?"

EDIT: What is the name of the cup? Will consider buying one.

I have no idea. It's one of these things you pick up during a lifetime and which you don't have any idea about where, when and why. Yet, my list of unintended losses is longer ... You don't need a formal divorce to get ripped

 

[WWGD]

This is independent of the Brexit. I like the Brexit, because UK had always been merely more than an obstacle. They had special payment conditions, didn't participate in the Schengen agreement and favor an Adam Smith capitalism I don't appreciate. To say it with Monty Python: "What have you lost?"

I have no idea. It's one of these things you pick up during a lifetime and which you don't have any idea about where, when and why. Yet, my list of unintended losses is longer ... You don't need a formal divorce to get ripped

Embarrassingly, after 10 years in PF I still don't know how to use multi-quotes :(
i) Rule of thumb I know is losses from 3 house moves equal losses from one housefire. But I don't know that much about getting ripped.

I almost used by mistake the emoticon ;( . Wonder if it means anything.

 

[fresh_42]

Embarrassingly, after 10 years in PF I still don't know how to use multi-quotes :(

You simply only click the "quote" button (multiple times, yet finitely often) and then "insert quotes" in the reply area. You can also change the order by left-click-movement.

i) Rule of thumb I know is losses from 3 house moves equal losses from one housefire. But I don't know that much about getting ripped.

We have the same saying here. And this adds up to the others.

I almost used by mistake the emoticon ;( . Wonder if it means anything.

I have found a translation page on Wiki, here and here, which I'm of course too lazy to look up or learn. Guess it means something sad.

 

[WWGD]

This is independent of the Brexit. I like the Brexit, because UK had always been merely more than an obstacle. They had special payment conditions, didn't participate in the Schengen agreement and favor an Adam Smith capitalism I don't appreciate. To say it with Monty Python: "What have you lost?"

The Scots may be an exception to this. They are pretty far Left of the rest of Britain , AFAIK.

 

[fresh_42]

The Scots may be an exception to this. They are pretty far Left of the rest of Britain , AFAIK.

Here's how I like to describe the difference between Scotts and the non-Celtic tribes:
If you meet ten drunken football (Am.: soccer) fans on the street, which are Scotts, chances are good you'll have a great party. Whereas with the others, non-Celtic tribes you can only have a brawl or run away. That's experience, no prejudice.

 

[WWGD]

Gutt Nacht and Gutten Jahr, Fresh, Starbuch Macht jetzt . Nein Haben Internet Bei Mir Hause. Gutte Jahr.

 

[fresh_42]

Gutt Nacht and Gutten Jahr, Fresh, Starbuch Macht jetzt . Nein Haben Internet Bei Mir Hause. Gutte Jahr.

Thanks, I guess. You'll have still 3:25 to go. Times square?

 

[OCR]

Hah !

-22 °F right now, too... .

 

[Orodruin]

Wonder if the " Likewise" is a direct translation from some language.

I would say the direct translation in both my other languages (Swedish and Spanish).

Speaking of cold, I must tell you. I recently saw snow for the first time in my life and it was amazing !

Try having your entire city covered in a non-negligible layer of snow for two or three months a year and report back ...