Kinder, Gentler Store Security Once upon a time, a shoplifter (at least one who was detected) was met with a hail of “Stop! Thief!” With the advent of electronic tags, that changed to alarm bells, flashing lights, or other gaudy displays. Today? At least at Knollwood the other day, I heard this polite-but-loud announcement over the public...Read More
Standard Amenities: “Baggage Claim,” “Courtesy Phone” . . . “Bike Assembly Area” (?!?) Test your knowledge of regional quirks, and guess which major U.S. airport provides a “Bike Assembly Area” for arriving passengers (last line of sign, above): A. Chicago O’Hare B. Dallas-Fort Worth C. Portland, OR D. Atlanta (Hartsfield) Correct answer: “C.” Not that...Read More
“Inventory Alert Notification” Once upon a time, a shoplifter (at least one who was detected) was met with a hail of “Stop! Thief!” With the advent of electronic tags, that changed to alarm bells, flashing lights, or other gaudy displays. Today? At least at Ridgedale the other day, I heard this polite-but-loud announcement over the public...Read More
Yankee Ball Park?!? Wrigley Stadium?!? Once upon a time, people who went to baseball games were “fans,” and when they got out-of-line, it was called being “loud” or being “loud and obnoxious.” Today, fans apparently are now “guests,” and when they get out-of-hand, it’s “inappropriate guest behavior” — as in, “please alert an attendant if you are aware...Read More
What is Your City Telling YOU? I had to chuckle reading a piece titled “”Chicago: The Cost of Clout,” in which the author laments that the reason Chicago’s economy is apparently now lagging is because it exalts the acquisition and wielding of clout above all else. By contrast, other cities focus more on . . . well,...Read More
Real Estate PC If you haven’t noticed, you seldom see a home advertised with a “Master Suite” anymore; these days, it’s an “Owner’s Suite.” And it’s not just Realtors. A couple years ago, the repairman working on our furnace referred to our main floor thermostat as the “master,” and the satellite thermostats on the upper...Read More
