I’m an immigrant in the U.S. When my accent gives me away, I’m often asked where I’m from, which somehow leads to the discovery that the other person is also Irish. Or Scottish. Usually Irish.

I’m not offended so much as confused. “I am Irish” carries an expectation of shared culture and experience. When that’s clearly not what’s being offered, it lands less as connection and more hollow. Offense arises when clichés or affected accents appear. That’s no longer about identity; it’s just being an eejit.

One long hold — aggressive A gentle “beep beep”, seems more friendly. At least, to me, and I hope that’s how it’s perceived.

I do the beep beep at red-turn green lights, but try to wait a little. It’s midly annoying if a driver doesn’t react quick enough but driving is a frustrating enough experience as it is. No need to add fuel to the fire, so to speak. I’ve been beeped at the moment the lights turned green, and at the time, my foot was already pressing the gas. I felt embarrassed… my car does not react that quickly!

Many years ago my station of choice when driving to work started running an advert for car safety. The sound effect was a loud blaring car horn and the sounds of screaming tires and a crash. The first, second, third time I heard it was instant jolt of panic and left me jittery. I switched stations after the third time.

Agreed; Tony has a problem. Tony gets angry. Tony solves problem by killing/having killed said person responsible for the problem was very much the dominant and highly repetitive story line. There was some nuance, sure, but not enough for my liking.

Payment online fee: $2.50 Paper bill/pay be check fee: $5.00.

I made the numbers up as I don’t recall them offhand but my energy company effectively has this policy now. :/

At a guess, the number being needed to pass the validation? Though the strong tag does give it a better dad-joke vibe.

“I was being sarcastic” surely could be the defensible response… right… right?!~/s~

Don’t want to assume where you live, I found several available as a poster/print by searching “Milky Way Galaxy Map Poster”

~“google it” is often a scornful response, please know that is not my intention here.~

Reminds me of “The Cube Rule”, which argues that a hot dog is a taco!

(Sincere) are you implying that these pictures are the elite/upper class and the counter narrative is more the norm of the time?