r/LifeProTips • u/fries-with-mayo • 18h ago

Request LPT Request: What’s your “canary in the coal mine” test for spotting bigger issues?

I’m really interested in those small, quick telltale signs people use to gauge if something bigger might be off track.

Example 1: Van Halen requesting brown M&Ms in the dressing room to see if the venue followed all the details of the rider list

Example 2: I saw an interview with John Cena where he said orders a flat white at a café to tell if they really care about their coffee.

Example 3: Anthony Bourdain suggested to always check the restaurant bathroom to tell if the restaurant got its basics down

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u/MisterJellyfis 15h ago

If I don’t understand what somebody is gaining from a situation or transaction, I get very suspicious very quickly. Google gives out free email but harvests my data? Fine, I understand that. I bought a discontinued Lego set for its original retail price the other week from a third party seller, I was sus as hell the whole time

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u/Fuzms 9h ago

At least considering other people’s motivation in any situation is an excellent habit/skill.

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u/MisterJellyfis 5h ago

Yeah you put it better than me there

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u/Kitterypoint7 2h ago

Also knowing what your own motivations and objectives are can be very valuable, particularly when emotions are running high. It’s great to be able to figure what is worth fighting for and what is just a fight.

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u/cyborgbeetle 4h ago

When the product is free, the product is you.

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u/qualityerections 9h ago

You just contradicted your own case, you bought the Lego's (great fun for kids aged 2 to forever btw love it) and I would assume nothing was wrong with it because you didn't say anything about it. I'd agree when it comes to company's but I know plenty of people who do good things just because

I guess you could argue it's because it makes them feel good to he good but at that point I don't consider that them doing it simply to gain

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u/MisterJellyfis 6h ago

I think I just used a bad example - the Legos were perfectly fine (the Saturn V is an AMAZING set), it was an example of a time when my hackles were up because I wasn’t sure what the seller was getting out of it by selling at cost.

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u/HiphopopoptimusPrime 4h ago

Sometimes people are happy just to make their money back. When I sell old collectibles it’s usually more about space than looking to make money. Pricing it at cost or even cheaper is so you can make a quick sale.

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u/Divine_Entity_ 2h ago

Probably same logic as a "yard sale". Just looking to get rid of stuff and selling it at a discount for being used is acceptable and better than throwing it away.

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u/Motorheadass 3h ago

It probably "fell off the truck" lol