[$tinkle]

from almost 2 mos ago: A virulent monster is dangerously out of control. Let us slay it together

PRICE inflation remains relatively subdued in the rich world, even though central banks are busily printing money. But other types of inflation are rampant. This “panflation” needs to be recognised for the plague it has become.

Take the grossly underreported problem of “size inflation”, where clothes of any particular labelled size have steadily expanded over time. Estimates by The Economist suggest that the average British size 14 pair of women’s trousers is now more than four inches wider at the waist than it was in the 1970s. In other words, today’s size 14 is really what used to be labelled a size 18; a size 10 is really a size 14. (American sizing is different, but the trend is largely the same.) Fashion firms seem to think that women are more likely to spend if they can happily squeeze into a smaller label size. But when three out of four American adults and three out of five Britons are overweight, the danger is that size inflation reduces women’s incentive to eat less. Meanwhile, food-portion inflation has also made it harder to fight the flab. Pizzas now come in regular, large and very large. Starbucks coffees are Tall, Grande, Venti or (soon) Trenta. “Small” seems to be a forbidden word.

Inflation is also distorting the travel business. A five-star hotel used to mean the ultimate in luxury, but now six- and seven-star resorts are popping up as new hotels award themselves inflated ratings as a marketing tool. “Deluxe” rooms have been devalued, too: many hotels no longer have “standard” rooms, but instead offer a choice of “deluxe" (the new standard), “luxury”, “superior luxury” or “grand superior luxury”. Likewise, most airlines no longer talk about “economy” class. British Airways instead offers World Traveller; Air France has Voyageur. Sardine class would be more honest. The value of frequent-flyer miles is also being eroded by inflation: it is increasingly hard to book “free” flights; they cost more miles, and redemption fees have increased. This was inevitable: airlines have been issuing so many miles (for spending on the ground as well as in the air) that the total stock is worth more than all the dollar notes and coins in circulation. Central bankers would shudder at such reckless inflationary policies—were they not themselves earning triple miles up in first class.

this is the biggest reason why i get almost no joy out of going out to eat. even when the 3 of us split 2 meals, we sometimes have leftovers

usa...usa...usa...

 

[jimmydean]

There was an article about a shop in Beverly Hills that mislabels women's cloths because they proved sales go up if a 14 is sold as a 12.

Men's pant's come in inches, waist, length. If your pants are much wider than they are tall, you could have an issue.

 

[dante]

There was an article about a shop in Beverly Hills that mislabels women's cloths because they proved sales go up if a 14 is sold as a 12.

Men's pant's come in inches, waist, length. If your pants are much wider than they are tall, you could have an issue.

Lol, you'd like to think so, wouldn't you?

Are you shrinking?

 

[$tinkle]

but 2x4s are still 1.5x3.5s

 

[jimmydean]

Lol, you'd like to think so, wouldn't you?

Are you shrinking?

Damn you, Dante. Now I will have to go home and measure. I know my "fat pants" were a 46", I measured out to 46" and they were about 2 sizes too big. I haven't measured my waist since I lost the weight, but I wear a slightly loose 36 now.

 

[TheMontashu]

but 2x4s are still 1.5x3.5s

That's because those measurements are taken before the board is run through the mill.

 

[dante]

That's because lumber companies made the official change years ago to save wood/screw the customer. My house was built with 2x4s that measure 2" by 4", and it's the same with the 1x10 floorboards running underneath the floor. It's one of the reasons we didn't buy a new construction in one of the "house farms" outside of town.

 

[Westy]

Lol, you'd like to think so, wouldn't you?

Are you shrinking?

That would explain why I need smaller waisted pants than I did in High School.

 

[jimmydean]

That's because those measurements are taken before the board is run through the mill.

I blame Obama and his socialist metric system.

 

[AngryMetalsmith]

According to Old Navy, I'm a 32...



If you want stock that is exactly 1" thick, then ask for five quarter board.

 

[manimal]

If your pants are much wider than they are tall, you could have an issue.

Hey now...I resemble that remark I have to get huge-waisted pants to get around my cheerleader thighs, it sucks. I also have a bone to pick with life insurance companies that use BMI as their only basis for determining rates....