Ricki Yasha Tarr

I used to work at a restaurant that served these really good fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. They were made pretty regularly, so you'd never get a cookie that was more than an hour or two old. Despite this someone would inevitably ask for some fresh out of the oven. The problem with this was twofold:

1. They took nearly 15 minutes to bake, way longer than anyone was willing to wait.

2. If you know anything about baking soft chewy cookies, when they come out of the oven they are basically just molten goo, we had to wait 10 minutes before we were even allowed to take them off the pan.

So, we'd always tell people these things, and at least a couple times a week, someone would demand we do it anyway, and call the manager when we handed them a hot bag of cookie goo 15 minutes later. The restaurant eventually got rid of those cookies for something that was pre-made that tasted like Dollar Store cookies.

I thought about this a lot during the height of the Covid Pandemic, and every time a politician disagrees with a scientist about climate change. Anyway, welcome to Dollar Store Planet.

Aug 8, 2023 at 12:46pmWeb
Show threadCoachMarkAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr we humans ruin everything.
Show threadKevin Karhan Aug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr Yeah...
Show threadquadrivial, tall and grayingAug 8, 2023

@RickiTarr Now I am thinking about how the problem might be that people don't trust experts EVEN WHEN THEY SHOULD. I mean, I don't trust economic "experts" because it's a bullshit field. But a plumber? A chef? A teacher? A doctor? A mechanic? Hell to the yes.

I love the Dollar Store Planet metaphor. Says it all really.

Show threadRose Ⓐ 🏳️‍⚧️ (it/its)Aug 14, 2023

@quadrivial @RickiTarr

idk I very rarely trust teachers in the same way I don't trust economic experts

"education" as it exists is simply about enforcing hierarchy, it ain't good

Show threadcuan_knaggsAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr you say "a hot bag of cookie goo" like that would be a bad thing to have
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrAug 8, 2023
@mensrea Mixed with ice cream it was pretty delicious lol, but it's not cookies per say
Show threadcuan_knaggsAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr it says cookie on the label so it's a cookie. end of. also, now I want some of that cookies n (ice)cream
Show threadSeanAug 8, 2023
@mensrea @RickiTarr well those Karens who were adamant and then willfully ignored the warnings had a problem with bags of hot cookie goo. If you are told you won't like it, and demand it anyway, they should sign a waiver to commit themselves as not to complain for being given the thing that they asked for.
Show threadWilliam PietriAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr One of my wild, unprovable theories is that the corporate "customer is always right" culture has helped created millions of narcissistic petty tyrants, and that those people love Trump, a crybully just like them. So that the dynamic you're describing could be at the root of the death of American democracy.
Show threadDB SchweinJun 1, 2024

@williampietri @RickiTarr

"A customer is always right in matters of taste", and yet just like "one bad apple spoils the barrel", both have been cut in half in order to *completely* change the meaning! Grumble.

Show threadTVNRedAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr Another variation of Dunning-Kruger?
Show threadAviva GaryAug 8, 2023

@RickiTarr People don't understand how things are truly made in addition to wanting what they want and NOW! They have been trained since birth they are the most important thing ever but sometimes that's not so and you can't hurry things along. Not that they care or understand...

This is also a great way to break things...

Show threadRicki Yasha TarrAug 8, 2023
@Aviva_Gary Most people were okay if I explained and I'd just say Stick them in the microwave for 10 secs and they'll be melty and good, but you'd always get those people who would double down lol
Show threadAviva GaryAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr but of course...
Show threadWolleysegapAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr this same type of person will act in much the same way if they are shopping for a car or a house. It's ridiculous but it's real
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrAug 8, 2023
@Wolleysegap One of my favorite things about those real estate shows is when they are showing this perfectly kept absolutely beautiful home for sale and one of the people says, Well I don't really like this wall color. LOL IT'S THE ONE THING YOU CAN EASILY CHANGE.
Show threadWolleysegapAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr Right. I used to be hooked on the Bob Vila show, This Old House. Some episodes of it were really nuts. Let's spend thousands of dollars to move this one entry door over about 3 and a half feet
Show threadRealGene ☣️Aug 8, 2023

@RickiTarr @Wolleysegap
A boss I had many years ago was able to affordably purchase an absolutely gorgeous farmhouse colonial in a good neighborhood because one room was painted orange and another deep purple.

Yes, it took three coats of paint to unpurple it, but the tens of thousands he saved on the purchase covered the extra gallon.

Show threadMark DownAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr @Wolleysegap I think of that as a failure of imagination, which is probably the worst way to fail.
Show threadSemi Sentient AI Cooling WaterAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr @Wolleysegap What they're really saying is "I completely lack any imagination & that ain't ever gonna change". A great hot & gooey analogy for a hot & gooey planet.
Show threadTransitBikerAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr @Wolleysegap well, they’re all scripted.
Show threadeyrea 🇨🇦Aug 8, 2023

@RickiTarr When I was 5, my mum baked a pie when I wasn't around, and I found out when it was already 80% baked. I started crying, because I liked to "help" bake, and she said I'd still get to eat some pie, and it wasn't like she could unbake it.

I tried to argue she could by adding water, but of course that's not how baking works.

But, you know, I was 5. That's about the upper age limit for that shit.

Show threadPirateRoAug 8, 2023
@eyrea @RickiTarr mine would have sai, “oh. You wanna bake a pie? ‘Mere bitch. We goons bake TODAY.”
Show threadBrian MacDonaldAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr This wasn't Max & Erma's, was it? If I recall, they used to come by the table early and ask if you wanted the cookies, so they could bake them while you were finishing your meal. And then they'd come on a small baking sheet, still plenty hot.
Show threadTarren (They/Them)Aug 8, 2023
@vanellopemint @RickiTarr I think at that point I'd just put a sign on the wall that basically said "We do not offer cookies more than 25 minutes out of the oven. Requests for molten cookies will be denied."
Show threadJeff AtwoodAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr oh god, Dollar Store Planet is such an apt metaphor 🥺
Show threadJay MillerAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr instant substandard gratification has become the hallmark of western civilization
Show threadlisa cAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr I appreciate this analogy and also I would like a bag of hot cookie goo and a spoon.
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrAug 8, 2023
@lmc I know I've been craving warm cookies and ice cream all-day
Show threadrandomd0OdAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr (in my worse Drew Carey imitation) ...where the facts are made up and the proof doesn't matter.
Show threadDeusAug 8, 2023
Reminded me of a Mom & Dad restaurant I would frequent when in Jaipur. They would cook the food as and when ordered. Naturally, the wait time was long. The fellow (Dad) would also go and ask each guest how the food was or anything they can improve upon and so on. They didn’t last long and I was quite sad when I heard they closed shop.
Show threadMagnus AhltorpAug 9, 2023
@Deus For almost any good restaurant, you need food that is fully prepared, half prepared, and from-the-ground-up cooked to order. The customers need to respect that the first kind is non-customizable and that the last kind takes a lot of time.
Show threadMaggie MaybeAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr I used to work for orthopedic surgeons, and the hand guy would tell every patient that they don’t want carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists at once because they won’t be able to wipe their ass, and they would complain to everyone about it. 😂 I think he did it once because the lady just wouldn’t shut up so he was like OK if this is what you want. When she came in for her follow up she was very apologetic lol.
Show threadUnai HerranAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr and no one though about ordering the fresh cookies at the same time they order their main dishes?
Show threadBlueNJZoeAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr
Show threadOne World One PeopleAug 8, 2023

@RickiTarr TWW: Commerce and Exchange

When you engage in a purchase or barter it is a relationship between three entities: the receiver, the provider and the commodity and each of these entities must benefit from the relationship.
*Your story tells the tale of turning a win win win into a lose lose lose exchange. Noting the obvious result I could not have said it better. Thanks and Peace. OWOP

Show threadblack__elvisAug 8, 2023
@RickiTarr This is nothing but free advertising for Dollar General cookies. I hope you can sleep at night.
Show threadChristopherAug 9, 2023

@RickiTarr
Hmm, a still hot chocolate chip cookie can actually be one of the most fantastic things ever - that doesn't mean it needs to be served at 350 degrees though.

Also, like you kinda said: a cookie that's not more than a few hours old is still just about optimum.

They probably thought you were trying to sell them some two day old cookie, and just didn't trust you enough when you explained that they're fresh. Many businesses lie, cheat, lie more and want to rip you off.

Show threadBeTheCookieAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr a truly magnificent cookie takes time.
.
.
.
.
.
Now give me 5 minutes.
Show threadAztec4LifeAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr
I worked at a plant nursery that gave out apples to the customers. I was always amazed at the complaints about the free apples. That and the ones that wanted an additional one for the kid that stayed home.
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrAug 9, 2023
@afl Why do people complain about free things?!
Show threadAztec4LifeAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr
This apple isn't as crisp as the last one I got. Could I get a different one? Why can't I pick the fruit off the trees? How am I supposed to know how it tastes? Can I get a colder apple? My 3 kids are at home. Can I get one for them?
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrAug 9, 2023
@afl Wow
Show threadAztec4LifeAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr
I learned a lot about working with the general public there. Probably where my sarcasm streak really kicked into high gear.
Show threadAliceAug 9, 2023
@afl @RickiTarr I just can’t imagine how people can be so rude! Shocking ungratefulness.
Show threadFlorida TedAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr @afl
Your story reminds me of the phrase "No good deed goes unpunished." :-(
Show threadAztec4LifeAug 9, 2023
@florida_ted @RickiTarr
My favorite was a customer that asked how much we charged for a flat of red apple ice plant. I said $6 a flat. They said another nursery was selling them for $4 a flat. I said you should go there an get them. They said they are out right now. I replied we sell them for $2 a flat when we are out.
Show threadFlorida TedAug 9, 2023
@RickiTarr @afl Haha! Perfect response. :-)
Show threadBlack Chic with the Red TruckAug 10, 2023
@RickiTarr
Aw… this story makes me very sad. And it also feels like somehow a perfect analogy for the entire problem with everything. 😓
Show threadEfi (nap pet) 🦊💤Aug 14, 2023
@RickiTarr yeah, when people started protesting the restrictions because they "have the right to have meetings" I lost hope...
Show threadKevanAug 14, 2023
@RickiTarr If that were my place I'd give a flat-out “no” but still let them have some of the latest batch. But that might start fights.