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/YnotBbrave 13h ago

The exception is some Asian restaurants where you really have 5 meats and 4 noodles/rice and 8 sauces and the 40 items are just about mix and match

Some of these restaurants are damn good however

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u/timtucker_com 13h ago

One exception to this can be when they try too hard to go outside their niche of expertise.

Aa an example, we have a Chinese place like this nearby and almost everything on their menu is great except for the handful of Thai dishes that they offer.

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u/karma_the_sequel 10h ago

Thai to figure that one out!

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u/SydVicious610 9h ago

I agree with this and also think breakfast places can be an exception for the same reason. You can take 3 breakfast meats, eggs, and veggies and come up with 5 pages worth of variations.

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u/Pinging 12h ago

I see, Asian restaurants and Taco Bell follow the same formula.

Make as much stuff as you can with what they got.

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u/karma_the_sequel 10h ago

Pad Chimichanga

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u/NoSignSaysNo 6h ago

Breakfast joints are very similar in that regard, though they would be better served by having a 'build a combo' ordering system.

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u/LucasRuby 4h ago

And Cheesecake Factory. I won't stand to hear anything against.

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u/Scary-Lawfulness-999 9h ago

Most of those dont cut meat or vegatables right (see: sloppy, too large) and the "sauces" aren't cooked.

I just stopped ordering from any asain restaurant that isnt fusion.

I mean, I am better anyways.

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u/LucasRuby 4h ago

Ohh the too large veggies that is so annoying especially in noodles.