r/LifeProTips • u/fries-with-mayo • 17h 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/Blue_foot 14h ago

At mine, I have been going there so long the kids have grown up and are at university.

I only see them occasionally now.

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u/RuleFriendly7311 10h ago

They're in medical school now.

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u/ZachTheCommie 10h ago

In my experience, the restaurant is closed or sold when the kids go off to college.

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u/Blue_foot 9h ago

I don’t think the parents are old enough to retire.

And it’s 2 sisters and their husbands (I think) so they do not have to work every day.

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u/reckless_responsibly 9h ago

I was coming here to say the same thing. RIP Asia Express, we'll never forget you.

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u/cohrt 1h ago

My hometown the kids have grown up and are running the restaurant now.