Lunchtime and Alcoholic Beverages

I had some errands to run yesterday morning after work. No big deal but then I didn't want to go home and cook before having to go to bed. So I went down to Swiss Chalet. I couldn't order a Pepsi because I don't like Pepsi... and didn't want any more caffeine in my system. So I ordered a strawberry daquiri instead. The waitress looks at me and says, "That's a virgin daquiri, right?" Did I ask for a virgin drink? I don't think so. So then she says that she asks everyone that when they order a drink at noon.

It still irks me. For one, there are a lot of people that work midnights. I had been up for 14 hours and to me it was a late dinner. If I had come in there at 6 pm nothing would be said... even though I would actually be on my way to work at the time.

Secondly, it's about judgment. You order a drink with lunch and society seems to think that it's a problem. Now with business men it's acceptable. It's like there is this automatic assumption that you are an alcoholic if you have a drink at noon... even though they can legally serve you alcohol after 11:00 a.m. The last drink I think I had was Christmas time when I went out with the family. Haven't been to a bar since November. So it's not like I drink all that often. But I don't want someone to critisize me (or feel like they are) for having a drink with lunch.... After all... It's not even my lunch.

I think that for places that serve alcohol it would be good to go with the thought that if they didn't order a virgin drink then it means they wanted the alcohol. After all it's the patron's responsibility to order the drink the way that they want it. And if I order a daquiri I want the rum. Now that I have Pirates of the Caribbean going through my head and the line, "Why is the rum gone?"

What's for Lunch?

Have I mentioned just how helpful Azrael is? Not only does he help me with laundry but he also helps me choose what to eat for lunch. His choice was the bacon. He lost since I need the bacon for lunch tomorrow but any ways... It was a nice try. Fortunately I had just gone shopping so my fridge also doesn't look completely bare in the picture. *lol*

The Price of Lunch

When you think about the price of lunch you think of McDonald's... or Subway. I mentioned before that I have been working through my lunch and yesterday I finally started to think about the price. There is the health... But there is also the finances. I don't get paid for that time even though I am working. Time for some math:

$14.15/hour
30 minutes a day allotted for lunch
5 work days in a week
2.5 hours a week x 4 weeks in a month
10 hours a month x 9 months
= 90 hours
= $1273.50 in lost wages

I am kind of wondering how legal that is. I know that they have to give you the 30 minutes unpaid to take your lunch. But can they actually withhold your pay for working through your lunch? I know they can choose not to pay you if you don't take the 15 minute paid break... but can they really dock you the 30 minutes? I've tried looking on the web site for the Ministry of Labour but haven't found an answer. That's an expensive lunch.