Tell us a secret you know because of your work that others might not know

[Valiss]

I worked at a retail store for a couple of years. You know all those hanging black globes that looks like they have cameras in them?  Well most of them don't. Our cameras only pointed at the front door and cash registers. When the manager came on and said "security to section 6", it was just part of our security routine; there were never any under cover security.

Also, furniture stores scratch, dink, chip and dent furniture all the time when they deliver stuff.  They fix all the staff when they delvier with a permanent black marker. You can fix almost any small scratch and no one will ever notice.

Any insights from jobs you've worked?

[Auryn]

Ohh awesome thread, great idea Valiss

I worked at a super posh Country Club for about 8 months a few years ago.
The clubhouse had a really nice restaurant where the residents would come to eat lunch and dinner.
What they didn't know is that the restaurant staff put the food out 30 minutes before they were "open" for lunch and the people in the management office (which I was a part of) was allowed to go in and grab a plate.
So basically we generally picked out all the really great pieces of fruit and cold platters.

[gypsylakat]

Petsmart Secrets (well they're not really secrets, if you ask an employee a recommendation they'll tell you the same thing, we're honest like that)
1. Furminator- the offbrand works just as well, a comb will work just as well, half the products in the grooming section work just as well, why did you just spend $80 on a brush!
2. PediPaws. Don't buy it. turn around, get back in the car, pick up a dremel tool from the hardware store or walmart about $20 that's what the professional groomers use. You could also save yourself the hassle and just get your pets nails ground at the petsmart groomer for around the same.

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

Mine is pretty boring, BUT

1- The ONLY way you're guaranteed that your doctor will be in-network with an insurance company is to have a PFFS (private-fee-for-service) or indemnity plan. Sure, it "sounds" like every body known to man takes that PPO, but did you know that insurance companies "fire" doctors all the time for being un-profitable business partners? I've had to tell almost 100 people this month that their cardiologist is no longer in-network with their medicare ppo plan, because we're GOOD doctors and do too much high-tech radiology testing... wheeee.....

(told you it was boring, but useful to know, maybe, if you find yourself retiring sometime soon)

[Noble Dreg]

The dielectric constant of non-reinforced polyimide film is 3.5.  Teflon is much better at around 2.0 (air is 1.0).  I love my job but it ain't rocket science, well sometimes it is but most would call it "boring".

Does that "out bore" Gwen?   

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

I use to work for a group of eye drs.,I was the one who would tint the plastic lenses.Well if we ran out of the dye for the lenses I would go to the drugstore and buy RITZ clothes dye,mix it up,heat it and it would dye the lenses.If it was to dark, heat up some soapy water swish them around in the hot soapy water and it would take most of the color out.And thats how its done!

[Tipsy Gypsy]

Most homes are built with somewhat undersized AC units, which make the units have to work harder to cool and dehumidify interior air, causing them to cycle on/off more frequently and wearing out the units faster, and makes your electic bill higher. BUT- you can oversize a unit too. An AC that's too big will cool the air and cycle off before the humidity has been removed, causing damp musty air and potential mold problems.

Are you asleep, yet?

[Ferret]

I worked at a retail store for a couple of years. You know all those hanging black globes that looks like they have cameras in them?  Well most of them don't. Our cameras only pointed at the front door and cash registers. When the manager came on and said "security to section 6", it was just part of our security routine; there were never any under cover security.

Also, furniture stores scratch, dink, chip and dent furniture all the time when they deliver stuff.  They fix all the staff when they delvier with a permanent black marker. You can fix almost any small scratch and no one will ever notice.

Any insights from jobs you've worked?

I hope that store never has an incident, where someone thinks they are being taped or watched and doesn't resist in a robbery or rape. The worst thing you can have is dummy cameras. That is asking to be sued.

[Taffy Saltwater]

The dielectric constant of non-reinforced polyimide film is 3.5.  Teflon is much better at around 2.0 (air is 1.0).  I love my job but it ain't rocket science, well sometimes it is but most would call it "boring".

Does that "out bore" Gwen?   

No, that's what I call smoking HAWT - 'cuz I luuuuurves the brainy types.

[Grov]

Nuclear fuel used in power plants is virtually inert until it gets installed into the reactor.

"Spent" fuel glows purple since it's been activated.  Looks wicked cool.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I may swoon.

[Charlotte Rowan]

If you're ever attempting to get a French student visa, DO NOT use the New York consulate, as they are notorious a-holes. LA is bad too.

Also, malaria prophylaxis causes anxiety and strange dreams.

[Rani Zemirah]

The "fresh" shrimp or fish you get from the fish counter has been packed in ice at least 4-5 different times.
First, when first caught, and is kept iced in the hold for at least 10-15 days before they even start back in...
Second, when it's washed (first pack melted) and weighed at the intake plant, so they can give an accurate weight to the seller...
Third, when it's shipped from the intake to the processing plant, occasionally close by, but sometimes several miles inland...
Fourth, from processing to shipping out to individual distribution centers...
Fifth, when the grocer puts it in the case for display...

Makes you wonder just how "fresh" it can really be, eh?  I wouldn't eat shellfish any more than 50 miles from the nearest shrimping port, and I'd prefer to buy it off the boat at the docks, myself...

[Lady Rebecca]

^So I take it, since you're a day's drive from the nearest ocean, you don't eat much seafood?

[DonaCatalina]

The real reconaissance plane as featured in the movie ID4 was built in Greenville, Texas.