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    • In this series

      • Articles
        • Opinions are like…

        • Introduction: The critical condition

        • Probing question: What's in store for criticism?

        • Probing question: What makes a critic a critic?

        • Probing question: What's the impact of citizen reviews?

        • Petty criticisms

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        • Who has the best criticism?

        • Best of TONY reviews, 2007

        • Win our swag!

        • Master raters

        • Five-course squeal

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        • Bias beware

        • Post Its

        • Probing question: Will critics matter in 2020?

        • Probing question: Should young writers aspire to be critics?

        • Probing question: How do you make your voice heard?


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  • Features

    Time Out New York / Issue 636 : Dec 6–12, 2007
    Bloggers vs critics

    Petty criticisms

    Doesn’t it bug you when…

    By Alison Rosen and Dustin Goot

    …people use the term "actionable" to mean "can be put into action" when really it means "subject to or affording ground for an action or suit at law." Assholes.

    …so many people use a term incorrectly that the incorrect meaning becomes adopted. For instance, according to one online dictionary, a secondary meaning of "actionable" is now listed as "capable of being acted on." This is a new development.

    …a waiter says, winkingly, "You hated that, didn't you?" just because your plate is empty. Some of us were brought up to believe that wasting food is a bad thing. It's not a license to go sending compliments to the chef.

    …people complain about the Julia Allison phenomenon. To speak about it at all is to encourage it.

    …wearing a hat and scarf in a cab somehow makes you carsick. Why is this?

    …your Starbucks doesn't write the name on the cup. Drink theft is a reality, and it can ruin a morning.

    …restaurants and coffeeshops have only sugar and Sweet n Low. Do you know anyone who uses Sweet n Low? Seriously, how long have they carried those pink packets?

    …educated people, who clearly know better, still use "literally" the wrong way. It literally happens all the time.

    …passive-aggressive people bitch about others' passive aggression.

    …creatives at ad agencies correct you by saying they're actually in "branding" or "strategic reinvention" or somesuch. You are corporate whores; get over it.

    Are you with us on this? Does it bug you when magazines publish lists of trifling complaints? Does it bug you went you want to vent about something but you don't have a forum for it? Now you do! Unburden yourself in the Comments box below.




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    • 2233 Rock Tue, Dec 11, 07, at 8:38pm
      Well, being a former drug addict, I have every right to be able to speak about this. The remark was not meant to be funny. It was to show that people who have been in an AA setting for over a decade no longer have a problem. It's just a cult to them, and they are usually spotted trying to hit on newcomers that are women. So, I've been clean for a few years now, and I don't set foot in those things because I have recovered. I don't consider myself a drug addict anymore. So remember the context of this comment section. It's about things that irritate you. Your name calling is very juvenile.

      Flag as inappropriate


    • 2331 doughen Mon, Dec 10, 07, at 9:32pm
      Hey Rock, What the hell is creepy about someone recovering from alcoholism and going to AA meetings? Your comment makes absolutely no sense and pokes fun at people who have a horrible disease that cannot be controlled. I have a few family members that are recovering alcoholics and I don't think your comment is funny at all. What's next, are you going to put down handicapped people. Get a brain and grow up you jerkoff!

      Flag as inappropriate


    • 2328 doughen Mon, Dec 10, 07, at 5:33pm
      What drives me nuts is when I am sitting down on the subway and some Einstein thinks that they can squeeze their body into a 8 inch space between myself and another passenger. Let me give you a hint, if your ass cheek is resting on my thigh in any manner, then you don't fit in the seat.. If I wanted a lap dance I would go to a strip joint. Here is a simple rule about sitting on the subway... if the seat space is 8 inches and your ass is 19 inches, don't try and squeeze it in and sit on my lap. If you need the seat that bad, let me know and I will get up. Otherwise you will not die standing up for 15 or 20 minutes, believe me. Thanks

      Flag as inappropriate


    • 2327 doughen Mon, Dec 10, 07, at 4:18pm
      What really annoys me and I am sure many other subway riders, is when I am trying to exit the train and some A-hole is standing in the doorway and doesn't even turn to let me by, or when some douche bag is running in the train as soon as the door opens and blocks your entry because he/she is racing for the seat. My solution; a big-ass shoulder check. If you don't use some courtesy and move out of the way for people leaving the train, your gonna get bumped by me real fucking hard! Learn the rules or move to a different fucking city!

      Flag as inappropriate


    • 2247 Chris Thu, Dec 06, 07, at 11:51pm
      Here's one. It ticks me off whenever I'm in a line for ANYTHING, the people in front of me are holding up the line with stupid crap! Like this morning at the grocery store. This lady wanted to argue about an expired coupon! WTF!?

      Flag as inappropriate


    • 2231 Rock Thu, Dec 06, 07, at 1:49pm
      I got one. It's kinda wordy. It bugs me when you go to an A.A. meeting, and you have those that introduce themselves saying, "I'm an alchy, and I've been clean for 12 yrs." Coooome on! Dude, you're no longer an alchy. You're just creepy!

      Flag as inappropriate


    • 2232 Rock Thu, Dec 06, 07, at 1:28pm
      know your damn role!!!!! Okay, I just always wanted to say that. I no longer watch wrestling, but those of you that do, will know what I'm talking about. This joke is not for everybody. Michael. La.

      Flag as inappropriate




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