Big decisions in the executive suite

[LIPIPE]

The good ol' days. Remember the days when you could walk into a colleague's office and see him sitting in a high back executive chair, leaning back in his shirtsleeves, feet crossed on the desk and a pipe in his mouth? Those were the days that you could ponder a problem discuss a strategy and plan a course to solve a problem. Clear heads always prevailed in a manly environment and a good scotch could always be shared frrom the bar behind cabinet doors in the conference room. When further discussion of the plan of action ensued, the board would convene around the conference table, men all shared their favorite cigars and the bar was open. Early in my career as a hospital administrator in the '70's a day and an evening in the workplace was sheer delight. There was a congeniality that doctors and executives enjoyed in partnership. We enjoyed each other's friendship, and we made serious and long reaching decisions. We built empires and we solved any and all problems that faced us. We spent meaningful time together and we went home knowing a job was well done.

After a tough case in the OR (operating room) or a successful code 99 (cardiopulmonary resuscitation event) in the ICU (intensive care unit) or triplets delivered in the DR (delivery room) celebrations took place in the smoke filled doctor's lounge. A celebratory cigar was lit, a pipe was enjoyed and drinks were poured. Those were the good times. What happened, I wonder? Are we better off now, are we healthier and are we happier, I wonder? Do we still share the fellowship, are we as civil? Something seems to be missing now. Sad, so very sad isn't it?

 

[MartinH]

I can't speak to smoking in the work place, because I grew up in the era off tobacco as the great evil. However, there is so little cordiality and civility. How often does someone hold a door open for you? I know that 90% of the time I hold doors for people with their hands full, more often that not, people do not do the same for me.

Let's not even talk about how people drive. People are rude, mean, vicious and completely unaware of how dangerous their bad and aggressive driving is not only to us, but them.

There is a horrible rap song my wife played for me once, it's called "Move Bitch, get out the way!" I think those words, albeit written by someone trying to show how big their johnson is, are more or less to the point. It seems to be a testosterone contest with so many people, unnecessarily so. And this isn't just limited to men, I see more angry women driving than men, to be honest with you.

Ah, people.

 

[Dutch]

Because the socialist mentality, knows what's best for you, me, and everyone else..... :roll:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I'm even farther removed from simpler, more polite, civil times, but I think that makes me yearn for them just as much. I constantly watch older films and television shows, and when they aren't cheesy sci-fi or westerns, I enjoy real-life fiction of the era, the clothing, the attitudes, the cars, and yes--the business model. On every desk there'd be a decanter of some obvious alcoholic beverage and a couple of glasses. There'd be a big ashtray with a cigar or cigarette curling smoke awaiting the hasty return of the owner. Once in a while I've seen pipe ashtrays with cork knockers in them and a meerschaum case on the side!

Currently, Rod Sterling is introducing me to the back-to-back entirety of "The Twilight Zone," and yes, him being a brilliant writer helps quite a bit.

It isn't as if entertainment has ever been a good example as to what is or was happening in the world, directly on the screen, but it can show you attitude, give you the kind of vibe and jist of how they got to the creative conclusion they did. The kind of mindset it took to use the lighting rather than a set, not worrying so much about color but ambiance, and the props and costuming--all wonderful to behold, regardless if the entertainment product is good or bad.

Talking to older folks (and I mean older, as in, 75+, not you wannabes at 50 or 60 :lol: ) is what gives me the greatest insight to "how it was," because believe me, they'll tell ya. They'll tell you in a tone long forgotten, with words hardly used and stories hardly heard. Modern Hollywood can eat its heart out.

Back then, I believe people still were rude, had problems, frustration and stress, but they dealt with it. They didn't fixate on it. They buried it. They worked on it. They kept it from the public eye. Now, we smear our every emotion and thought on tiny, light-up screens, think of ourselves as stars and important, because after all, it's all about us--we're shameless. Smart is considered stupid, stupid is considered cool, work is considered slavery, cars all look the same to match the doldrums of our Utopia, distracted by the latest "iWhatever," (which now has a camera pointed at the user...THE USER...so it's easier to take pictures...of yourself).

Simple courtesy went out the door when we ushered in a new era of "me, me, me." As did class, relaxation, simplicity, and even the pride of a nice, high-back chair with a scotch and a pipe with your co-worker at 3:30pm sharp each day.

I hope what we've gained is just as good. Doubtful, but then again, for now, I can still reach for my pipe before someone decides I can't do that (either socially or legally) anymore. 8)

(PS--women are the most common aggressive drivers on the road in my experience, hands down, all the while texting and yaking and coddling their monster kids in the rear seat--it was nicer when they just wouldn't do the speed limit... :lol: I also hold the door open for everyone--and I don't care who returns the favor... I help those with car trouble [that I can tell aren't jerks], I pick up dropped items for ladies, I tip my hat to say hello, remove it in people's homes and at dinner, smile and walk with my chin up--it's the least I can do) 8)

 

[Airborne]

=

 

[Airborne]

(PS--women are the most common aggressive drivers on the road in my experience, hands down, all the while texting and yaking and coddling their monster kids in the rear seat--it was nicer when they just wouldn't do the speed limit... :lol: I also hold the door open for everyone--and I don't care who returns the favor... I help those with car trouble [that I can tell aren't jerks], I pick up dropped items for ladies, I tip my hat to say hello, remove it in people's homes and at dinner, smile and walk with my chin up--it's the least I can do) 8)

I absolutely agree with you about women being aggressive drivers!

As for the other part - good on you! I applaud your gentlemanliness !

 

[Kyle Weiss]

As far as civility is concerned, I see no evidence that it’s better now. If anything, the evidence more than suggests that we are more of an in-your-face society because, I believe, the public standards of behavior that most held to in the past have greatly eroded. I’m not romanticizing the past. There were mean and brutish people in all time periods, but most of those people were somewhat kept in check by public standards. Without those public standards, it becomes easier for them to surface. Don’t get me wrong; I’m no prude. Far from it. But when people casually use the word f*ck (and the like) in public and with mixed company, it really does indicate that public norms are absent, and that is a bad thing.

Aye. When you can curse so eloquently with your buddies and a spot of liquor (or working on something and it goes awry), why waste it on everyday conversation? These damn kids have no idea how to even use profanity correctly. :lol:

 

[Airborne]

Aye. When you can curse so eloquently with your buddies and a spot of liquor (or working on something and it goes awry), why waste it on everyday conversation? These damn kids have no idea how to even use profanity correctly. :lol:

Well put !!

 

[plumbernater]

The world has gotten like FORD. Got a better idea. ITS NOT ALWAYS SO. The old die off and the young prevail. Nobody can leave well enough alone. I think this sums it up.

 

[LIPIPE]

Absolutely precious. That is a keeper. That needs to go down to South Carolina this week for the primaries. I'd vote that Indian Chief into the White House on the Tuff Tooshie Ticket.

 

[dougc905]

For the sake of clarity and an alternate viewpoint...

The Doctor who does my aviation medicals is a fellow in his 80's. When I have my evaluation, he always takes a bit of time to chat. This chat may be part of the medical - I haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, last time I visited, he mentioned that he had never smoked and attributed this to his longevity. He went on to say that when he began to practice, I guess in the early 60's, all of his colleagues smoked. Then he said that they are all dead.

This all leads me to reflect upon LAPIPE's reminiscences of old times and his questioning why they went away.

Maybe because everyone was dying and folks eventually smartened up.

I make no excuses about my pipe smoking but at the same time, I'm not kidding myself that it is a safe activity. The Surgeon General's report that everyone likes to quote was written in the 60's. Medically, the 60's were the dark ages. The 'west' was still learning statistics and had yet to see the value in them until the Japanese began producing superior automobiles in the late 70's. Even if they were developed by an American mathematician. Up until then, statistics were a curiosity.

My father smoked cigarettes for most of his young life, right up until a massive coronary at the age of 38. This was 1968. He lived, but with massive damage to his heart that basically destroyed his quality of life up until he passed at the age of 61. I keep this in mind constantly. Even when I decide to load a pipe and smoke it.

While the idea of an oak panelled boardroom - essentially a man cave at work - may sound fascinating to us from a 2012 perspective, keep in mind that there were a lot of negatives from that era as well. Sexism and racism spring immediately to mind. As does primitive health care. About the only things that I can think of in the positive sense are better food with less preservatives and more space due to lower population.

I'd like to go back to the 60's to visit. Jump back in time, check out a number of scenes. Everything from smoke shops to clubs to cities prior to population booms. At the end of it all, I'd happily return to 2012 and resume smoking in my car and yard.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[LIPIPE]

My references are limited to moderation/social cigar and pipe smoking only. The dangers are primarily second hand smoke and long term exposure malignancies of the oral chamber. Guys who smoke nails don't live long lives. Most pipe smokers live to be old men. I never smoked a nail and cannot stand the odor of them. The environment that I referenced is a man cave in the workplace. As a hospital administrator I spent many hours in the company of co-workers who were women. Hospitals and doctor's offices are definitely not sexist organizations. As a clinical practice administrator, the majority of my professional experience was in Obstetrics and Gynecology. I served as the Administrator of the Penny Wise Budoff M.D. Woman's Medical Center on Long Island for over five years. This practice was staffed primarily with highly competent women physicians and only a handful of men. During this time and for fifteen years I served as an Auxiliary Police Officer with my county police department. Between radio calls we passed around a cigar or two and we enjoyed our pipes when we cut a break now and then. That all said, without being sexist, I am a man who enjoys the fellowship of other men as colleagues, mentors, and as good buddies for one on one "salty" conversation and I make no bones about it.

 

[Airborne]

I agree with you, Marty. I too enjoy the fellowship of other men and there should always be a sanctuary where we are able enjoy a pipe or cigar and a drink with each other in good conversation.

I also agree with smoking in moderation. The image of the old man smoking a pipe is an image for good reason.

The dangers of second hand smoke, however, are unfounded. There’s no medical evidence that shows second hand smoke kills (the only thing I‘ll concede to on this point is any kind of smoke is bad for someone who has asthma. In this case, smoke is an irritant rather than a killer). The propaganda came about as the result of the anti-smoking fascists and the medical community followed suit because it was the politically correct thing for them to do. Here common sense must prevail. Baby boomers like you and me grew up around cigarette smoke. Everywhere we went, people smoked, at home, in the office and in cars. Remember as kids being in a car, windows up with a cigarette smoker? If second hand smoke where so detrimental, all of us baby boomers would have been dead long before now or at the very least, physically incapacitated. You’re healthy, I’m healthy. You work out; I work out . . . and so do millions of other baby boomers! And we’re here enjoying our pipes with a lot of discretionary income !!

 

[plumbernater]

I agree with the second hand smoke thing, Its like global warming. STRESS kills more than any thing. Causes more addictions than any thing. Folks arent happy less they got some one to point at and complain about. In the days of old when men were bold, where has it gone. Hell the government is in our homes now. SHHHHHHH. They are listening

 

[williamcharles]

I think it can be put down to anger. Every time we turn around the government is finding a new way to cheat us.
Businessmen raise prices while reducing the quality and size of their products.
Utility companies raise their rates on a regular basis while providing less service.
TV portrays society as a shoot em up, shoot it up, snort it, steal it, I'm the only one that matters and you don't have the right to civility norm. People are making that a reality.
It used to be if the shoe fits wear it. Now it's if the shoe fits steal it. A lot of people are believing it and acting on it and the rest of the people are tired of it happening and angry about it and respond to it the only way they know how. Anger. Rudeness. Do it to them before they do it to you.
These days I'm shocked when a young person calls me sir, holds a door or does anything else nice or exhibits any form of manners. More the pity is the fact that it's not just the young at fault.
I like to stay at home and mind my own business but I still carry my Glock 19 on my hip even in my home. Home invasions are on the upswing and I admit I'm totally pissed at that. Anyone, I mean anyone who attempts to enter my home without my permission is in for a nasty surprise. Mr. Mossberg is ready for action as well. You see...I'm angry too but I know enough to realize that it normally isn't the civil man that causes the problem so I try to always remain civil because once I get started I'm hard to stop. I don't like that about me but I am what I am and I try to keep myself on a leash. Oh well.....I appreciate civility when I encounter it and the rudeness, selfishness and inconsideration I ignore if I'm allowed to.

 

[LIPIPE]

William Charles: There was a terrible tragedy in Brooklyn New York this week that involved a police shooting of a home owner/resident who was protecting himself from a home invasion. If you dial 911 don't forget to tell the dispatcher who the good guy in the house with the gun is. I'm with you buddy, as I too have all the cop equipment. I don't however keep it as shall we say, "accessible" as you do. I hope you've gone the route of dead bolt locks, an alarm system or at the very least some cheap door stickers indicating such along with a statement (true or false) of 24 hour video monitoring. Of course also if you have the ability, a loving German Shepherd is just the charm. Just name him Killer and call him when you have a problem. It's easier to keep a milkbone in your pocket than a Glock 19. Unless there is always a round chambered, Killer is your best bet. I hope your postman makes an appointment before he delivers a new pipe. You may just scare the livin' crap out of him.

 

[williamcharles]

Always one in the chute and a spare mag available. The missus has her own and can use them in case anyone gets past me. We have no kids at home and usually none visiting since they all live a couple of states away so we don't have to be as careful as most people do, especially those with kids at home.
Cops are just to damned trigger happy these days. There have been several cases of things like that here in Indiana over the past two years. One cop shot a guy who was changing the nozzle of his water hose. He claimed the guy had a gun in his hand at the time he shot him. It turned out to be the nozzle the guy had just taken off the hose. The man was sitting on his front porch in his swing resting when the cop shot him. A six year old girl walked out the front door of her home and a nervous cop shot her 5 times. He claimed he saw a flash and fired in self defense.
I take your point about telling the dispatcher who the good guy is but with the quality dispatcher they hire here....I doubt that would do any good.
I can see why the cops are getting nervous since they have become targets as of late, but you'd think if they didn't have the balls to do the job without shooting innocent, unarmed citizens, especially little kids, they'd at least have the decency to get into another line of work. Looks to me like we're on our own.
Yeah, deadbolts on double doors front and back. Movement activated security lights. No German Shepard but I've four of the meanest cats you ever saw :lol:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

The world has gotten like FORD. Got a better idea. ITS NOT ALWAYS SO. The old die off and the young prevail. Nobody can leave well enough alone. I think this sums it up.

Nice. 8) Funny, even my family back east on a reservation might disagree these days... they like that free gov'ment money. Squander it on a single-wide and booze, beating the wife...who needs to hunt? :lol: Idiots.

 

[jlong]

I agree with a lot of this. The american work enviroment really needs to chill out...or lighten up so to speak.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

...or just... work. :lol: This expanded system of "paper or plastic" service-ran industry just makes people not want to other work... who can blame them... what's the point? I'd rather do something (or make something) to deserve a drink and a smoke in my office rather than spend my entire paycheck just to drink and smoke at home to further dull the doldrums.

If hamsters could drink, they would, but they can't get past that darned wheel. 8)