We Now Start Without You

Everyone knows arriving slightly late for a meeting is supposed to be a power move.

But do the people who still do this realize that they are almost universally regarded as laughably self-important posers?

* Re: a state mammal for Washington: The South Hill’s Robb Hendry nominated his dog, Scooter.

* Laurie Martin wonders: “Does anybody else in Spokane ever notice how many redheads live here? I’ve lived in several cities in Washington, and out of the country, and I have NEVER seen so many redheads in my life as I have in Spokane. Of course, being one myself, I think it’s great, just weird.”

And just think. For some, it’s actually their natural hair color.

* How to start an argument:

1. “Thai food is overrated.”

2. “I know you think it’s common for women to keep their own last name after getting married because you travel in such limited circles. But the truth is, less than 10 percent of American women choose not to take their husband’s last name.”

3. “So let me get this straight. You think of yourself as the greatest parent who ever lived. And your daughter in high school has a tongue ring that prevents anyone from understanding what she is saying?”

4. “I don’t like holding hands in public because it makes me look like a political candidate trying to send some phony family values message.”

5. “In Spokane, women look ridiculous in high heels.”

6. “Bad Irish accents — now that’s comedy.”

7. “You can’t play golf regularly and still insist that you have a lot of demands on your time.”

8. “That whole opera thing in `The Basket’ just didn’t work for me.”

9. “In higher education, people become administrators because they want to get away from students.”

10. “`For Sale By Owner’ is another way of saying `Overpriced.”’

11. “If you haven’t negotiated a rotary in New England, you don’t know what competitive driving is.”

12. “Proms are for kids who dream of working in Accounts Receivable.”

13. “Bob Roberts. Bob Edwards. Whatever.”

14. “Listening to talk about the inalienable right to cheap gasoline sure makes you understand why some people overseas hate Americans.”

15. “Randy and Penny have issues.”

* Doug Burr wonders: “What is the proper etiquette for a man reading (in mixed company) a newspaper article on a page full of women’s underwear advertisements?”

* Today’s Slice question: Ever heard people talking on cell phones obviously lie about where they were and what they were doing?