Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2009 June 28

Welcome to the Wikipedia Miscellaneous Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

June 28

How long are school transcripts in the U.S. normally kept?

A recent news story about someone who altered high school grades got me to thinking. How long are transcripts kept for high school (10-12th or 9-12th grade) in the U.S.? What about lower? Would this person, if she just wanted to enhance her daughter's self esteem, have been able to change them 10 years later? Would it matter? Would grades from 25 years atgo (before computerization) still be kept for high school? For lower grades?

For high school, part of me says work history quickly surpasses those in improtance after 5-10 years, if a person is looking for work, but what about college? Would they want to know more than just that a person graduated if they go back to school after, say, 20 years? Would a school have a reason to even keep a person's transcripts from 10 years ago more more, for lower grades?

Thanks.209.244.30.221 (talk) 00:46, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

This doesn't answer your question, but as an aside, I'd opine that work history surpasses high school grade importance after < 1 year. Tempshill (talk) 02:19, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Permanent record (the article isn't very helpful either.) 75.41.110.200 (talk) 02:37, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

At my high school in Pennsylvania, USA, the guidance office had a closet full of boxes labeled with the year of graduation. Each box has one set of class records and there easily could have been 20 boxes, so 20 years of back records. Of course, they also could have kept older records archived elsewhere, but after 20 years, chances are that you either: 1.) Went to college, making your high school performance moot, 2.) Already have a job and no longer need to prove your academic record, or 3.) will never be asked about high school again, or just prove graduation or a GED. While computerized grades are kept at my school, they are purged after graduation and the paper documents are the only record. Freedomlinux (talk) 14:54, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I think they're kept for several decades, sometimes for 30 or 40 years. I think I was able to transmit a transcript from my New England prep school to a college 25 or 30 years after graduation, and the State of Rhode Island takes over and maintains the records of disbanded schools for 30 or 40 years. —— Shakescene (talk) 19:39, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I used to work for a company that computerized such information. In physical form I was told that they're kept, at least in Quebec, for 50 years. Rachmaninov Khan (talk) 02:32, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

I saw one which was over 100 years old, but it was in someone's basement and no longer stored by the school. I expect that they are often kept for decades, since someone might have a late decision to start college and need a high school transcript. Edison (talk) 03:32, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Interesting, thanks. I wonder if grade school ones are seen as that important. they wouldn't be used for the same purposes, but they would still be part of the same person's. OTOH, that would be a *lot* more paperwork.209.244.187.155 (talk) 12:04, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Nudism South Asia

Is there an organization where it promotes nudism in India and Sri Lanka? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.64.54.119 (talk) 02:28, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Probably not what you're looking for, but you may be interested in Digambar. Matt Deres (talk) 03:26, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I live in India, and I've heard of no such thing. The culture here is such that even if anyone thinks about bringing such a club he would probably be beaten up by a mob... In Bangalore people have attacked women in discos and clubs saying it degrades Indian culture. There is still a lot of hot debate over Gay marriage. So judging by the current state of affairs, i am quite sure none will exist. Not for the near future. Sri Lanka is also pretty much the same, I expect, considering the large population of Tamils (from India) living there, and the small impact of the West in the island nation, though I've never been there.Rkr1991 (talk) 13:41, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

This site has some tips and links. The International Naturist Federation has a couple of contacts for Asia. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:38, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

masturbating

I heard on the internet, mainly message boards and forums, that if a guys holds off from masturbating for a week his orgasm will be greater when he finally does it. It the same true for females? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.91.128 (talk) 09:12, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I suggest our page on the subject might have the answers you seek.

It does not. That's like pointing someone at the Television article when they ask what actor played a robot in the 33 episode of doctor who

Of course that would be silly. If someone asked that question we would be obligated to tell them that "33" is a Battlestar Galactica episode, not a Doctor Who episode. APL (talk) 13:24, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Note to others, I'd be inclined to suggest this isn't asking for medical advice, thoughts? Prokhorovka (talk) 09:20, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Er, What's the medical condition being referred to??!! 86.4.190.83 (talk) 12:42, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

There's no media question, it's a simple query for factual information. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.90.6 (talk) 13:10, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

The article linked to does contain the information at the top of 'Techniques'. Prokhorovka (talk) 16:13, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Could you please quote for me, because I've looked and can't find it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.90.6 (talk) 18:01, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

It is true that females can have heard the same as the OP heard on the Internet. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:02, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

huh? Could someone please just tell me? I've looked through the masturbation article but I can't find this information. I don't want to wait a whole week just to find waiting makes no difference, I want to know there's gonna be good at the end of waiting, otherwise I won't bother. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.90.6 (talk) 23:20, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

It would, of course depend on the meaning of greater. If you're talking about volume of ejaculate, it's probably going to be more than if you've been masturbating multiple times in the last few days. The male turn-around for reproducing ejaculate varies, but is generally short. If you're talking about the feeling of orgasm, then it's kind of subjective. It's likely that you will feel more release, because you're getting the thing that you've been waiting a week for, but it isn't necessarily guaranteed to be better. Other factors need to be taken into account, such as appropriately good stimulation, your health, and your psychological health, among other things. There is something to be said for lessened sensitivity if you overdo masturbation over a long period - you might be let down by the actuality of sex itself. I can't comment on women - it's not my area. Steewi (talk) 01:30, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

See The Contest for one version of the possible result of the project, on Seinfeld. Can you be "Master of Your Own Domain?" Edison (talk) 03:30, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

ugh none of this is helpful. Directions to articles that don't contain the info, accusations of media advice, a joke thrown in and User:Steewis "can't comment on women - it's not my area." Did any of you even READ the question, dear god. I'm guessing this is summer time shit. The Ref Desk used to be good, used to give really well written helpful answers from people who knew what they were talking about. Now every question I ask the Desks seem only a shadow of their former selves.

To phrase the question as simply as possible; if I wait a week will my orgasm be better y/n. I am a girl. I'm not interested in why a guy might have a bigger orgasm if he waits for a week, I just want to know if waiting will have the same effect on me, ie a better, more powerful orgasm. Currently I don't even know if I'm having orgasms and I want to try everything, but I'm also don't want to / can't stop masturbating for a whole week if there's no point.

I'm sorry for the rant, I'm just a little frustrated right now. But thank you to everyone whos replied so far. I just want an answer ;_;

I'm sorry that I have no concrete answer for you. I do have a suggestion for you though. Why not try it? Things like orgasms and stimulation can vary from person to person. So, why not find out how your body/mind reacts? Afterall, this isn't something that you need for a deadline, so why not experiment on yourself? If you can't stop the activity for a week, then it might be time to look at your priorities. Dismas|^(talk) 05:29, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Remind me, how much did you pay for your subscription to the Wikipedia Reference Desk? --Tango (talk) 05:55, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Just cause it's free it shouldn't strive to provide the best quality possible? Well, better tell those admins to kick back and relax, let the page blankers and vandals take over, because hey, it's free no one has the right to complain. Damn, this is not what I wanted. Look, I'm sorry for being rude, and I apologize for that. I'm just used to getting brilliant answers from the Ref Desk, and lately I've noticed a slight drop in that quality. And I'm tired, lack of sleep etc etc and having to almost fight to get a good answer made me a little bad mood. You guys provide a fantastic service, and it's wrong of me to be angry. I am very sorry —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.91.128 (talk) 06:10, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

We do strive to be the best we can. I just get very annoyed at people making demands on us when we're trying to do them a favour. I appreciate and accept your apology. --Tango (talk) 00:17, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Orgasm control, Human sexual response cycle, Expanded orgasm and Orgasm#Female Orgasm may interest you. The longest period discussed is ard. 20 hrs. AFAIK.71.236.26.74 (talk) 08:47, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

I don't know about other people, but it doesn't work for me. All of my orgasms have the same intensity, whether I do it after a week, a month, or 6 hours. 117.194.227.18 (talk) 08:02, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Ok you might want to not try the wait a whole week thing way to long; however being a little bit older and wiser the best method i have found for a greater sensation during Male orgasm is to take your self to the limit and stop repeat this as nessacary until in the end there will be no holding back as you will be like a raging lunatic; by the way my wife concurs with this methodChromagnum (talk) 08:22, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

Ducks in Scotland

A neighbour has two male ducks in her garden, they are very decorative, apparently no trouble beyond having to be put into their 'house' each night. I too would like to keep ducks, has anyone experience of the beasts and what are the upsides and downsides of duck keeping please?--Artjo (talk) 10:18, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

A number of sources for you: [1][2][3] Rockpocket 19:30, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Technically, ducks are birds, not beasts (except for the ugly ones). OK, the original poster mentions a garden. Is there a pond in that garden also? Ducks are known to like water. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 05:56, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Thanks Rockpoket, great stuff.--Artjo (talk) 06:25, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

I took a look at the articles Rockpocket linked to, and they were all quite good. They all mention that ducks can be messy. From personal experience, I would suggest that the potential for messiness cannot be overstated. My family rescued a clutch of mallard ducklings whose mother had been hit by a car one summer. They seem in capable of eating without tipping food trays into their drinking water, mixing it all up, and then tipping over the water bowl, too. If they can't tip it over, they just walk through it. Every day we had to clean up after the trails of trampled food and duck poop they'd tracked all over the yard. In the heat of the summer, the smell was, if you'll pardon the pun, foul.

That was a dozen and not a pair, though, so ymmv, and except for the mess, they were wonderful animals. Docile, friendly -- not quite affectionate or loyal, but close. As they got old enough to where they were starting to fly, we would pick them up and toss them a few feet in the air, and they'd circle around the yard and come right back to where we were standing, and they would wait wait at the end of the driveway for the school bus to come in the afternoons, once they figured out the pattern. No experience with domesticated ducks, but as long as you're prepared for the mess, there are a lot of animals you could do worse to keep Some jerk on the Internet (talk) 19:50, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

I know where you can get some great accommodation for them, provided you're not on expenses ... Karenjc 20:35, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Some jerk, you got a raw deal, since the ducklings didn't have mummy around to train them up, but it sounds like a great experience anyway. If your family was keeping dry food and water in separate dishes, you were wrong though: ducks get their food from the water and there's nothing they like better than to dabble around where they float. We made the same mistakes on the farm, until we figured it out.

Did you ever have the experience when you know the ducks recognized you, when they "greeted" (another article we're missing!) as in stop and squat, puff out the wings a bit, lower the head and say "quaa-quaa-quaa"? They are quite nice creatures... Franamax (talk) 06:44, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Like any animal/fowl it depends on the breed. Khaki cambells have a much different temperment than Indian Runners, French Rouens or Peking Whites or Muscovy. Now Wood Duck or Mandarin Duck or even Smew and Hooded Merganser, are all unique in thier own right. As to thier need for water, again it depends on the breed. Thier messiness? Well, i don't find them nearly as messy as a goose but thier "manure" is very strong and can harm plants. 67.193.179.241 (talk) 10:28, 1 July 2009 (UTC)Rana sylvatica

Cutting your own hair with electric clippers

I'd prefer a style like what is called a High and tight, where the hair is longer on top than at the sides. Is it easy to do this on your own head, and still have it look neat? Or is just having it the same length all over the only feasible style for self-cutting? 78.147.242.96 (talk) 11:59, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I've sees some pretty silly looking clipper work on guys who cut their own hair. Where their visibility is poor, in the back, they may have angled the clipper such that there are streaks where they have unintentionally removed the hair down to the skin. Edison (talk) 12:55, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

If you don't want to pay for the cut, suggest you find someone else who also has a hairstyle that needs clippers and come to a mutually beneficial arrangement - you do their cut, they do yours. Exxolon (talk) 13:14, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I think it was Forrest Gump (in the book, not the movie) who advised never to cut your own hair. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 19:53, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

The old saw was that if there are two barbers in a barbershop, you should pick the one with the worse haircut (who did a better job on the other barber). —— Shakescene (talk) 19:58, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I like that. It reminds me of the old Talmudic joke, which begins "two men fall down a chimney, one comes out clean, one comes out dirty, who washes his face?" The logic in the rest of the joke is fun to follow. --Dweller (talk) 13:22, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

the joke in its entirety... --Dweller (talk) 14:54, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Not a bad story - but what a pathetic ending!

Two Talmud philosophers fall down a chimney - one is dirty, the other clean - which one washes? The clean-faced philosopher looks at the dirty one and says to himself..."If he saw that I had a dirty face - wouldn't he assume that his face was also dirty and head off to the bathroom to wash? But he does not - so he must see that my face is clean and therefore assume that his is too - ergo, my face must be clean...I'm going nowhere." However, the dirty-faced one is a little smarter and says: "That's odd - his face is clean. If he saw that my face was dirty then he'd probably assume his was too and run off to wash it. But he does not - so either my face is also clean - or my face is dirty and he's smart enough to realise that I assume my face is clean because his is too. But he should realise this and understand that I truly don't know whether my face is clean or whether he's making a logical error. In that case, he cannot know whether his face is clean or dirty and neither can I."...meanwhile a Wikipedia ref-desk respondant falls down the same chimney - killing both philosphers stone dead because (ironically) they were too busy searching for a paradox that would reveal the meaning of life to consider moving out of the way. The ref desk respondant looks at his hands and decides whether he needs to wash or not. SteveBaker (talk) 17:58, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

This thread probably demands some kind of award for spiralling off-topic faster than any other! SteveBaker (talk) 17:59, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

I concurr. 67.193.179.241 (talk) 10:35, 1 July 2009 (UTC) Rana sylvatica

How about: Two Ref Deskers fall down a chimney. They look at the ground and see soot everywhere and realise they must be dirty and go and wash up. But not before refreshing their watchlist. --Tango (talk) 03:08, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Sadly, it's not that simple: They do indeed see the soot - but one of them demands a cite for soot making you dirty and the other demands a reference proving that washing removes soot. The first one then points out an article claiming that soot is a carcinogen and explains that talking about washing off soot therefore constitutes medical advice. Fortunately, this is all just "homework" so they both leave {{dyoh}} tags and head off without washing only to die shortly after from soot-induced carcinoma. SteveBaker (talk) 13:12, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

How can this possibly help the café?

A café in Helsinki, near the Hietaniemi beach, sells coffee for 2 € per cup, and additional cups for -0.05 € per cup. Yes, that's right, less than zero. If the same customer wants to have more coffee, the café pays him/her 5 cents per cup. How can this possibly help the café? They're giving the customer their own time, and their own coffee, and paying him/her for it. If the customer drinks more than 41 cups then he/she will actually start to earn money by drinking coffee. What could be the reason for this, because surely the café wants to avoid loss? JIP | Talk 18:06, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

They are probably hoping that people will buy a slice of cake or something to go with their extra coffees. It's called a loss leader. --Tango (talk) 18:15, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

I suspect that Tango is correct but what is the cost of coffee in other places. If the cost in another cafe is 1 € and no charge or .05 € for refills the the first cafe is hoping you won't figure out that there is a need to drink 20 cups before you have reduced your cost to equal the second cafe. Enter CambridgeBayWeather, waits for audience applause, not a sausage 18:35, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Good advertising as well - and they'll still make money per person, and get more persons. Good idea actually, because people think they'll benefit from it more than they will actually. - Jarry1250 ^{[ humourous – discuss ]} 19:14, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Starbucks likes having customers inside, for as long as they want to stay, even though 80% of their business is take-out. Their founder told Fortune magazine that they've found it's better for attracting that take-out business to have a place that looks full and lively, so they encourage their customers to stay, even if they spend half a day their using their laptop computers for schoolwork or job-seeking [despite the extra overhead for labour, cleaning, heat, floorspace, furniture, etc.] —— Shakescene (talk) 19:50, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

The motivation for the negative pricing may be the same as at 24-hour filling stations here where for a small fixed subscription customers are encouraged to have unlimited cupfuls of coffee. The marketing aim is to encourage professional driver groups such as taxis, truckers, etc. to meet regularly at the station. I speculate that the Helsinki coffee shop is willing to pay for the advantage it sees in brewing a continual flow of coffee. At Coffee it says "Purists do not feel that ... repeated boiling is conducive to achieving the best-flavoured coffee.". Their way ensures that new customers will receive coffee that is freshly brewed. Disclaimer: I don't drink coffee, don't like the stuff, and therefore don't know what I am talking about. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:16, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Pay toilets? Clarityfiend (talk) 20:39, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Illegal in California for many years now, due to good work by March Fong Eu. PhGustaf (talk) 20:46, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Eh? What is illegal in California, loss leading or pay toilets? And how is that relevant anyway, since the cafe in question is in Finland? Rockpocket 21:02, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Since we're discussing irrelevancies, why don't Americans refer to "pay bathrooms" or "public bathrooms"? -- JackofOz (talk) 21:10, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

• In Europe if you have to pay, you often pay an attendant when you enter the room; perhaps Jack has that model in mind. But in North America when pay toilets were common, the usual system was a coin-operated lock on the stall door leading to the individual toilet. Hence "pay toilet" was correct, "toilet" having its usual North American meaning referring to the fixture. One public men's room (or men's "bathroom") might contain several pay toilets (and, typically, a similar number of free urinals: one of the little advantages of being male). --Anonymous, 04:34 UTC, June 29, 2009.

In North American homes (with the odd exception), they're bathrooms; everywhere else, they're toilets. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:10, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

• Disagree. "Toilet" in North American English never means the room. --Anon, 04:35 UTC, June 29.

Merriam-Webster and our own article beg to differ. Clarityfiend (talk) 06:47, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Oops, never say never. Practically never, then. --Anon, 09:19 UTC, June 29 (minor edit later).

Jack seems to have a real problem with the NA term "bathroom" as a ridiculous euphemism. Jack, FYI, to an American ear, the word loo sounds like unbearable baby-talk, trying to be extremely precious and effeminate. Take that, Aussie! Tempshill (talk) 22:42, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

The terms are pretty much all euphemisms. Technically, the bathroom is the room that has a bathtub in it. That's usually now referred to as a "three-piece bathroom", and a two-piece has just a sink and toilet. Personally, my goal is to produce a one-piece, but that's beside the point. :) Shithouse is a proper term to describe the use of the facility. Another good one is water closet (which inexplicably redirects to flush toilet without explaining about the footpads and the hole). In many parts of Europe, when you enter the "loo", you are confronted with two raised footpads, a hole in the floor, and a chain you pull to release water into the closet. It can be a bit of a culture shock, that's for sure. Lord knows how Japanese people used to talking toilets cope... Franamax (talk) 23:27, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

"Toilet" is also a euphemism, of course. Japanese people probably cope fine since squat toilets used to be the standard in Japan and I think there are a lot of them still around. -- BenRG (talk) 16:28, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

I promise I'll never mention it again. -- JackofOz (talk) 08:04, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Then something has been lost, today. Tempshill (talk) 21:36, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Yeah Jack, laugh it off. :) We need all hands on board when it comes to discussing the subject of POOP! :) Franamax (talk) 06:27, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

I'm with Tango on this one, it's a loss-leader, or at least a breakeven deal to get butts in the seats. There are many places to go in Helsinki (man I love that city!) and one of the decision points is where the other people are going. Doing a deal like this will tend to ensure that your cafe is full all the time, and sooner or later people will want a slice of pie. (And I never saw a pay-toilet in Finland) Franamax (talk) 22:17, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Minus 5 eurocents is definitely a loss, there is no way the cost of a cup is negative! They probably make a profit overall unless you drink an enormous amount of coffee, but they obviously make a loss on any but the first cup. I guess it isn't really a way to get butts in seats but to keep butts there. As long as people are in the café, there is a chance of them buying something else. --Tango (talk) 01:29, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Tango, just riffing on the subject now, but you're not necessarily correct. It depends on the commercial agreement with my bean supplier. If I hit my volume target, I might get a rebate that would render those repaid cups profitable. Admittedly, a 5-euro-cent target is a pretty stiff hurdle, but change the parameters a bit... You're making assumptions that won't hold for every business case. Franamax (talk) 06:27, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

There are always obscure corner cases. Perhaps the cost of taking all those 5 cent coins to the bank isn't worth it (I don't know if they actually give the refund in cash like that, I expect you pay when you leave so there is no need, but you get the idea). However, your example doesn't seem to work - if the rebate system works like that, just throw the coffee down the sink and you are 5 cents a cup better off. --Tango (talk) 17:02, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Hmm, good point. Maybe I should start a business in Helsinki to haul away unwanted coffee beans and charge only 2 cents a cup. ;) Franamax (talk) 20:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

In addition to the observations above that customers who stick around for a long time are more likely to buy a scone or biscuit, I'd assert this scheme is so unheard-of that lots of their customers must repeat the story to their friends, making this a brilliant marketing ploy. For example, all of us Reference Desk visitors are now going to look for this place next time we're in Helsinki. Tempshill (talk) 02:53, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Just my 5c - if someone drinks 41 cups of coffee, they will probably die from caffeine poisoning. I think it's a brilliant idea, given that a cup of coffee costs the restaurant a few cents anyway. Sandman30s (talk) 13:34, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

If it is a franchise, they might get some kind of bonus for the store that sells the most coffee too. 65.121.141.34 (talk) 14:48, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Paying people to take your coffee doesn't fit my definition of "selling". --Tango (talk) 17:02, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

It's a clever ploy to get worldwide attention and therby draw in lots of customers, by causing someone to ask a question on the Wikipedia reference desk. But nobody would do that, so it won't work. -Arch dude (talk) 02:22, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Despite what Clarityfiend claims, bathrooms are refered as "salle de bain" (lit. room of baths) in Quebec. Rachmaninov Khan (talk) 03:22, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Zut! I did mention the odd exception, didn't I? Clarityfiend (talk) 05:08, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Yes, you did indeed note the exception quite specifically. However, I'd still say that the salle de bain will have une bain (sorry, I forget whether a bathtub is a man or a woman ;) In a restaurant though, where you're almost certainly not wanting to have a bath, isn't it generally referred to as "le toilette"? (Or "la", but I think the shitter is a man) Franamax (talk) 06:27, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

For those who don't know, in French, every onject is either mausculine or feminine. Thanks, gENIUS101 19:28, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Injecting mescaline? Not today, thanks.  :) JackofOz (talk) 20:48, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

Does no one use the term "washroom" anymore? Or is it just us riverrats? 67.193.179.241 (talk) 10:57, 1 July 2009 (UTC) Rana sylvatica

I don't know what "riverrats" means, but... I use the term "washroom" (I'm Canadian), but whenever I ask an American where the "washroom" is, I get a blank look for a second before they realize I mean "bathroom." This has happened serveral times. I can't say about other countries, but (most) Canadians do say washroom, and (most) Americans don't. Cherry Red Toenails (talk) 23:02, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

Keeping cool

Working in a big metal box with no openable windows, are there any ways to keep cool? Vimescarrot (talk) 19:04, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Can you get any fans? Leave the doors open? Wear baggy clothes. Drink plenty of water (get a fridge or cool box full or ice to keep the water cold). If you can't open the doors, you could get an air conditioner or a dehumidifier (if it is a humid heat and you can't find an aircon). --Tango (talk) 19:14, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Paint the roof white. Drill a hole in the wall and install an air conditioner. Put lots of earth around and on top of the box. Use software that allows you to operate your computer or whatever remotely. Work for someone who doesn't expect you to work in an old container. Dmcq (talk) 19:23, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Thanks for the advice. Be aware that it's not my warehouse, so I can't do anything to the warehouse itself (like installing air con). Vimescarrot (talk) 19:38, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Then get whoever's warehouse it is to install it. --Tango (talk) 20:47, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Make a Fan (implement) or buy a Fan (mechanical), but not if you are a superstitious South Korean. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:26, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Wow, that is awesome, thanks for the link. Tempshill (talk) 22:44, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Some companies do the math on worker productivity and decide that installing A/C is the cheaper way to go. Motorised vents in the roof to let the hottest air out can also pay off. In the meantime, opening whatever doors there are to catch even a little bit of breeze will have to do, and put at least a small fan near the area where you fill out your paperwork. Also, check your local labour laws, there are usually temperature thresholds where the company is required to supply water, install fans, or in some cases send you home with pay. As a radical idea, you could consider contacting someone at an appropriate trade union to investigate the problem. Franamax (talk) 22:28, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Gives sweatshop a whole new meaning. DJ Clayworth (talk) 03:05, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

The problem with "doing the math on worker productivity" is that in countries where it is regularly hot the answer is pretty unambiguous. In a country like the UK where usually we have two or three very hot weeks a year (and last year didn't have any) then the maths can show that it is not cost-effective. I am now fortunate enough to work in an air-conditioned office, but I did have student jobs in a hot warehouse. I found that cold drinks and loose cotton clothes worked best. If I got really hot I would go to the toilets, fill a sink with cold water and submerge my forearms and hands until I couldn't bear the cold (ground temperatures mean that the cold water is really cold year round in the UK). A minute later my arms would wrm up and I would feel much cooler. -- Q Chris (talk) 08:26, 30 June 2009 (UTC)

I used to work in a hot shed and by putting sprinklers on the roof I managed to cool the place down. Aprajona (talk) 07:07, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Is it in Calcutta? They reportedly had quite a hot black hole there. Edison (talk) 03:22, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Well, Calcutta is in the state of West Bengal, whose Communist Party of India (Marxist) government is noted for its willingness to oppose trade-unionisation. —— Shakescene (talk) 03:52, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

This may not do you any good in a warehouse, but might work in a sectioned off office. [4] If you don't live in a humid climate, evaporative cooling might work: dip your T-shirt in water, wring out, put back on. (OR: in a desert it can work so well that it will make your teeth chatter in searing heat)71.236.26.74 (talk) 06:25, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

If you purchase a surplus NASA space suit undergarment, you can take advantage of the cooling hose built in by connecting it to the cold water tap. You could also cool your torso by constructing a jacket which holds blue ice packs which you freeze while off duty. Edison (talk) 06:06, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Buy or build one of those cervical cold collar things. They work well. --Sean 14:44, 1 July 2009 (UTC)

Gender roles

How might gender specific messages impact on gender roles? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.169.65.64 (talk) 22:50, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Seems like a homework (or summer essay since schools out) question. If your question is homework, show that you have attempted an answer first, and we will try to help you past the stuck point. If you don't show an effort, you probably won't get help. The reference desk will not do your homework for you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.90.6 (talk) 23:17, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Why do you think "school's out"? The world is, last I heard, spherical; it is winter in half of it. Gwinva (talk) 04:55, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

It does sound like homework, but here are a couple of suggestions in the form of questions. If you hear the same messages all the time about girls doing one thing and boys doing another, what effect might it have on the way you think about what boys and girls do? What would you feel if you are a boy who likes doing the things they say girls do all the time? How might gender-specific messages be used in advertising? Why would you use them? try reading gender role, the introduction to feminism and transsexual for some more ideas. Steewi (talk) 01:38, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

If you are looking for a specific example, take a look at some of the criticisms of Barbie (particularly the winning of the TOADY award earlier this year). Astronaut (talk) 02:16, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

The irony is that it's the liberals who criticize Barbie now. Originally it was the conservatives. Curiously, their arguments were somewhat the same but not exactly. Meanwhile, the public keeps buying them, because adults argue about what kids should like, but kids just know what they do like. Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots 03:15, 29 June 2009 (UTC)