Sequencing Cream and Jam on Scones, Glancing at Smartwatches, Scowling at Strangers, and More

Nick: Do you eat scones the wrong way? Do you blast music at picnics? Do you comment on other people's food? Were you raised by wolves? Let's find out!

[Theme Song]

Here are things that can make it better

When we have to live together

We can all use a little help

So people don't ask themselves

Were you raised by wolves?

Nick: Hey, everybody. It's Nick Leighton.

Leah: And it's Leah Bonnema.

Nick: And let's just get right down to it with our amuse bouche.

Leah: I love how I always get, like, slightly anxious.

Nick: [laughs]

Leah: Like, I know I'm gonna do it wrong.

Nick: By design. So in a previous episode, I asked you if you were a miffy or a tiffy. Do you remember this?

Leah: Oh, I do. Yes.

Nick: And are you a miffy or a tiffy?

Leah: I'm a miffy.

Nick: So you like your milk in first when you are having your tea?

Leah: I actually used this phrase the other day.

Nick: Oh, really? In what context?

Leah: Well, I wanted to say I get a little anxious, but I always get excited I'm gonna learn something, and then I work it into regular conversations.

Nick: I appreciate that. So for today, are you a coffee or a joffee?

Leah: I'm just gonna pick 'coffee' because I love coffee. And joffee reminds me of Joffrey from Game of Thrones, and he was really mean. So that's how I'm making that choice.

Nick: So nobody actually calls it that. I did just make that up.

Leah: [laughs]

Nick: But what I did not make up is that this is one of the biggest debates in the United Kingdom. This is bigger than the milk thing. This is bigger than if you should put milk or tea first in the cup. Like, this is big. And so the debate is: do you put cream on a scone first or do you put jam on first? What is the correct order? But before we even get there, what is the correct pronunciation of this thing? We're saying 'scone.' In the United States. We say 'scone,' but, like, is that correct?

Leah: I mean, we're Americans.

Nick: Yes, that's correct.

Leah: So we get to do it our way because that is the basis of how we live our lives.

Nick: Yeah, that was the whole disagreement we had with them back in the 1700s. Yeah.

Leah: That was our whole disagreement with them. So we could take any of their words and change them any way we want to.

Nick: That's fair. Yeah. So I feel very comfortable saying 'scone.' Now in the UK, you have many people saying 'scon,' and you have many people insisting that that is correct. Now there are a lot of people that actually do say it this way, and that is true. Queen Elizabeth II, she did say 'scon,' but there are a lot of British people that do say 'scone.' That is also a pronunciation you do here. So that is also correct.

Leah: I have seen 'scon' in a lot of my television shows that I watch.

Nick: Yes. I mean, it is a common British pronunciation. And actually, there's a little rhyme that pops up on the internet. "I asked the maid in dulcet tone, to order me a buttered scone. This silly girl had been and gone and ordered me a buttered scone."

Leah: So it has both pronunciations in it.

Nick: I mean, I don't know what this rhyme is actually supposed to tell us other than there's two pronunciations. So scone, scon, you know, whatever it is. But the question is: do you do cream or jam first? And so joffee is the Cornwall method. In Cornwall, the method is to put jam first and then a dollop of cream on top. And the Cornwall method is what Queen Elizabeth preferred. That was her style. But coffee is the Devon method, and they put the cream on first and then a spoonful of jam on top of that. And so these cities are, like, 80 miles apart. So it's sort of like the New York City method or the Philly method. And both feel that they are very correct and that their way is the only true and correct way to do it.

Leah: I mean, both sound very delicious.

Nick: Yes. I think one thing we do not hear enough about these methods is about practicality. And for me, I do both ways, but I make a game time viscosity decision. Like, which is easier to spread? Like, is the cream here easier to spread, or is the jam? Because I want the thing that's harder to spread to be the thing that goes down first.

Leah: Yes.

Nick: That's my base layer, because that's more aggressive, that requires more elbow. And then the things that's, like, you know, lighter in texture, that would go on top of that. And so that would be my question.

Leah: I think that makes the most sense to me.

Nick: Right? Because, like, if you were gonna, like, have a piece of bread, and then you're gonna put whipped cream and Nutella on it, you would do Nutella first.

Leah: Yes.

Nick: And then the whipped cream on top. You're not gonna go whipped cream, Nutella. Like, what an insane thing.

Leah: What an insane thing!

Nick: Like, how bonkers! So that's what I would do. But I think if I had to pick a default, yeah, I think I'm a Devon method. I'm a coffee. Cream on first.

Leah: You know, I've never put anything on a scone.

Nick: What? What are you doing? Just eating it? What?

Leah: Yes. Plain.

Nick: Because you don't have access to cream and jam? Where are you going? Where are these scones happening? Or is this just like a bad bakery? Like, "Oh, I'm grabbing a latte and a scone in a little bag on the way out the door" kind of scone?

Leah: Yes.

Nick: This is not "I'm having a cream tea scone."

Leah: I haven't had a cream tea scone.

Nick: Oh. Well, you haven't lived.

Leah: I wonder if we can find some gluten-free cream tea scones.

Nick: I imagine these days that can be done. Actually originally, the original scone, you know, like the Scotland, 1500 scone, apparently they started out with oats, so there's definitely gluten-free oat available.

Leah: I wanna do some cream and jam!

Nick: Okay. I think we will achieve this, and I'm gonna just make a note of this for birthday this year. So hopefully you'll forget that we had this conversation as I make this note.

Leah: Well, I'm hoping you forget every conversation that we've had that I've written down.

Nick: [laughs] Oh no, I remember everything, Leah. I remember everything. So remember coffee, joffee. And I think you can pick whatever method you'd like. Just know that you are picking a side.

Leah: Whoo! I'm so hungry.

Nick: Well, we're gonna get you some scones.

Nick: And we're back. And now it's time to go deep.

Leah: Deep and outside.

Nick: [laughs] That's true. So for today's question of etiquette, I want talk about picnics.

Leah: So perfect for summer.

Nick: It's the perfect thing. So how do we feel about picnics in general?

Leah: I'm not a picnic person.

Nick: I was feeling like this is kind of like my brunch feeling, which is kind of like, I appreciate that it exists. I understand that people out there really love it. It's not a go to for me.

Leah: I was thinking about what it is. I also get the same brunch feeling. And I think it's that I see the beautiful green lawn, people sitting out on their blankets. Maybe they're watching a concert. Maybe they're with friends. They have this basket. I get—I get it.

Nick: Visually wonderful.

Leah: Visually wonderful. I think that I don't want to have to pack and carry something.

Nick: Oh, it's the schlepping.

Leah: It's just not what I think of as relaxing.

Nick: I mean, as a guest in a picnic, though, I guess—I guess as a guest, you're still bringing stuff to contribute. Yeah

Leah: I'm still bringing stuff. And then we're all gonna sit on a blanket.

Nick: [laughs] I mean, is that so horrible? But no, I get it. Yeah, I get it. It definitely falls into the, like, it's not a go to for me. Yeah. But I think if you are gonna host a picnic or go to a picnic, here are some things that you should think about.

Leah: I love how we just don't enjoy so many things that we talk about.

Nick: Yeah. And also so many things that everyone else seems to enjoy. [laughs]

Leah: Everybody else loves, and we're like, "That seems like a lot."

Nick: We're like, "Soft serve ice cream? Boo!" No actually, I love soft serve ice cream. But picnics, I think preparation is key. I think that's, like, my number one note, which is just like, let's be good hosts. Let's make sure our guests have everything they need to be comfortable.

Leah: Okay. In this scenario, are we hosting a picnic in our backyard?

Nick: In this scenario, we're doing everything.

Leah: No, but I mean, I think sometimes people are just picnicking on their own at group events.

Nick: Oh, I'm doing a self picnic at Tanglewood.

Leah: Yes. As an example.

Nick: Oh, okay. Well, then if we're just solo, then I think the rules about being considerate about other people? This applies to you.

Leah: Yes, it applies.

Nick: So I think we wanna be mindful of, like, don't sit up right next to somebody if there's other room to be. You know, it's like, at a beach.

Leah: Yes.

Nick: When those people, like, set up their chair right next to you and you're like, "There's a mile of beach available. Why are you right here?" So I think picnic, same idea.

Leah: I think picnic and beach has a lot of the same rules.

Nick: Right? Yeah. Music. Let's not be blasting our music. Let's make sure our dog is behaved.

Leah: And some dogs can't picnic. Let's make that clear.

Nick: Yeah. And know if your dog is that dog, right? And you know.

Leah: You know. I love Lacey. Love Lacey.

Nick: Lacey's not a picnic dog.

Leah: Am I bringing her to a picnic? No, I am not. I saw—this family was picnicking at Runyon, which is not a place to picnic because it's an off leash dog park.

Nick: Oh, yeah.

Leah: And this dog, big dog, puppy, but not in control of itself yet. I just—I didn't see the dog at first. I just heard a man yell, "Look out!"

Nick: [laughs]

Leah: And then this dog came barreling past me and ran right into this family's picnic and just started eating their food. And I—they just jumped. I mean, it was—it was such a—you know in those cartoons where, like, everything's flying in a circle in the air and there's dust every—it was literally that. And I mean, I could now by—giggled.

Nick: I think choosing the right picnic spot, I mean, I don't think an off leash dog run is probably the best place for this.

Leah: It's not the best place for a picnic.

Nick: No.

Leah: And also, don't bring your dog to a picnic spot if they're ...

Nick: Yeah. No, I think it works both ways, for sure. And I think if you're a picnic guest, I think we have to contribute. I think it's nice to bring something. So, you know, ask your host what might be useful. I think you can always bring ice. Bring your own blanket to sit on.

Leah: Your own blanket. I think deviled eggs are such a perfect picnic ...

Nick: Oh actually, on my list, I said, "Bring something that's appropriate and is okay in the hot sun. Not eggs."

Leah: That's so funny. I love a deviled egg at a picnic. Although I was—that's, I think, maybe what stresses me about picnics, because you're like, "I gotta eat this before it heats up."

Nick: Yeah. I mean, for me, like, I always have a food safety thing in the back of my mind at all times. And so for me, I just look at everything at a picnic and I'm just sort of like, "How many more minutes do I have left?"

Leah: Maybe put our eggs under the shade.

Nick: Okay. If you need to have your egg salad, then I guess some shady spot is good.

Leah: I mean, I see what you're saying about the eggs. I just think they're just—it's imperative to have them at every event.

Nick: If you want eggs at your picnic, who am I to crush this drream?

Leah: No, but you're right. They do get hot. That's why I was thinking you gotta eat those first. This is why picnics are stressful!

Nick: Although, in terms of food safety, it's sort of like, I feel like there are other things that people bring that actually are probably bigger problems.

Leah: Shrimp salad.

Nick: Yeah. Ceviche. Sushi.

Leah: Wow! Yes.

Nick: Steak tartare. I don't know. But, yes. I think we just want to be mindful of food safety. And appropriate items. I mean, like, I don't think we're bringing ice cream unless you've got, like, a cooler, right? Like, there's just some items that just is not conducive to picnicking. Also, things that are very messy.

Leah: Messy is one of the hard things about picnics.

Nick: Yeah. Because also, a lot of picnic foods actually are messy: barbecue, watermelon, a lot of finger foods. I mean, a lot of finger foods are happening. Hamburgers. I mean, a lot of things require, like, oh, maybe some handwashing afterwards. And you can't always do that at a picnic.

Leah: I think bring a stack of napkins. And I think make sure we pick up—so much that's left on the ground. Let's pick it up.

Nick: Well, yes. I think that's the good note to end on, which is as you're leaving, leave it how you found it. Or leave it better than you found it.

Leah: And, I mean, you know, I get it. You have a cute blanket, maybe a little bonnet that matches it.

Nick: Bonnet? [laughs]

Leah: Yeah. I just—I don't know. I'm enjoying ...

Nick: I'm picturing you on the prairie. Wow!

Leah: [laughs] Well, that's how I think of as picnics. Otherwise, why are we not sitting at a table? Are we pilgrims?

Nick: I think for me, I love a good beach bonfire at night, which is picnicking. But I think it's the sun. I feel like it's the being out in the sun while I'm eating. I think that's the thing for me that doesn't do it for me.

Leah: Hmm. For me, it's the schlepping.

Nick: Okay. Well, we all have our things. But you out there, if you enjoy picnics, I think you should definitely have a picnic. And just be mindful that other people exist.

Leah: We are so negative.

Nick: [laughs]

Leah: "If you like picnics out there."

Nick: "If you like it."

Leah: A lot of people really love it. And I love that you love it.

Nick: Most people do.

Leah: I would say everybody but Nick and I love picnicking.

Nick: I like picnics more than I like brunch.

Leah: I don't know. Brunch has an accessible bathroom where I can go wash my hands anytime I want to.

Nick: Oh, that's fair. Okay. Yeah. Well ..

Leah: Listen to us. Who are we?

Nick: [laughs] We're the old Muppets in the theater.

Leah: We are literally two old, old Muppets.

Nick: Yeah. So, picnics? Enjoy that.

Leah: Enjoy it!

Nick: And we're back. And now it's time to take some questions from you all in the wilderness.

Leah: [howls]

Nick: So our first question is quote, "What is the protocol for smartwatches these days? My wife has specifically asked me not to wear my watch when we visit a certain friend. Because if it buzzes and I look at it, our friend thinks it's rude. It does not ring or ding, as I almost always have my phone on silent. I just get a little vibration. Does it mean that I'm bored or disinterested? No. I don't address the message at that time. Now that would be rude, unless of course it's an emergency. What is the etiquette regarding even just looking at your watch for the time? Thoughts?"

Leah: I feel like when you look at something that's not the person you're talking to, you don't have to be reading the message. You're still checking your watch.

Nick: Yeah. You're not giving them your full attention. And it does have the flavor of, "I'm not interested. I'm bored. When will this be over? I'm impatient. I don't care about what you're saying. I don't want to be here." It can have this flavor, and I don't think we want to send that signal.

Leah: I understand that for you, it doesn't mean that you're bored or disinterested. You're just checking what's coming in. But it does give that vibe.

Nick: Yeah. Because also, the equivalent is if you had your phone on the table and a notification came up on your phone and you tapped your phone to look at the phone and see what the notification was, that would also feel rude.

Leah: I feel like our letter-writer wants us to be like, "It's not rude because you're not responding." But I do think it just gives that vibe of not—exactly what Nick said, not being locked in.

Nick: Now even if we did agree with you, your wife has specifically asked you to do something. So unless you have a very compelling reason to decline this request, it would just be better just to go with it. And that's not an etiquette thing. That's just a we want to help your marriage thing. [laughs]

Leah: I feel like you could be like, "Hey, I'll do this with your friends. With my friends, I'm looking at my watch."

Nick: Okay, that's a fair compromise. Like, my friends don't mind. We all do it. We're all checking our watches all the time. That's what we do. That's the etiquette in my circle. In fact, it's rude if you don't check your watch. So yes.

Leah: "But in your circle, I'll go with your rules."

Nick: But I think regular, traditional wristwatch, smartwatch, anytime you look at it, you are signaling something to those around you, which is like, "I need to know what the time is right now."

Leah: You're breaking the connection.

Nick: You're breaking the connection, but you're also saying, "I need to know what time it is."

Leah: Yes.

Nick: And, like, why do you need to know what time it is? And then I'm now speculating as the observer of this gesture.

Leah: And we understand that that's not what you mean. It's just how it reads.

Nick: Yes. And, you know, sometimes that's enough.

Leah: It is what it is.

Nick: So our next question is quote, "One of my pet peeves is when I'm eating out at a restaurant and someone comments on the amount of food that I order. Specifically and most recently, I was eating out with four friends at a pizza place. This place is known for its unique flavors, and we couldn't decide on just one kind, so we decided to order two pizzas because leftover pizza is always good. When the waiter delivered the two generous-sized pizzas to our table of four, a man a few tables away across the restaurant shouted, 'Whoa, are there 19 other people over there that I don't see?' We were all uncomfortable, offended and annoyed, but we just ignored the comment and laughed it off. I've had other times when the waiter or waitress will come clear my plate and explain in shock something along the lines of, 'Wow, somebody was hungry!' upon seeing my empty plate. Not like this is happening every day, but it has and it does, and I never know how to reply. How would you handle a similar situation?"

Leah: A) I agree. So annoying. I just don't like commenting on other people's food.

Nick: Yeah. Yeah. No, I think that is a etiquette rule. We do not comment on other people's food. We pretend we don't notice what they're eating, what they're not eating. Like, that's a great etiquette baseline. Very important.

Leah: I particularly do not like this person who yelled across the room.

Nick: [laughs] I mean, yeah. I mean, what's it to you, guy? What's it to you?

Leah: Why are you involved?

Nick: For that, I mean, I think ignoring it? Totally fine. I think you could say, "Yes, you can't see them."

Leah: Who is this person? They deserve to be—they're making you uncomfortable. This falls into the if somebody else is making you uncomfortable.

Nick: Yeah, I think we can make them uncomfortable. And I think ignoring it is good. I like a cold look, though. So, like, I would shoot them a glance, and I would have direct eye contact with them, and I would hold that gaze with kind of a blank expression for slightly longer than would be comfortable and normal. Just that extra just little couple seconds where you're like, "Oh, that's uncomfortable." And then I would just turn my gaze back to my table, say nothing. Nothing. And I think that sends the signal. Sometimes when I do this, I also, under my breath to myself, kind of do a head shake. Kind of a, "Oh, isn't that a shame? They don't know better."

Leah: [laughs]

Nick: And it's just a very imperceptible little head—like, "Oh, that's disappointing that people like that exist." And that subtleness does come across. And that actually can be devastating, which is always what I'm going for.

Leah: I could hear Nick going, "The rabble."

Nick: Ugh! Animals. Yeah. You don't want to say that out loud. And you want it to be very imperceptible. Just a little head shake, like, "Oh, isn't that a shame? And that's it. That's all you gotta do.

Leah: I like that one a lot. I think this person thinks they're funny.

Nick: Yes. Oh no, they think they're making funny jokes. Yeah.

Leah: [laughs]

Nick: [laughs] And they are not. Yes. Otherwise, if you wanted to say something, I think you could say the classic, "Thank you for your concern."

Leah: I want to add for the—where you said the look that's slightly longer than comfortable?

Nick: Mm-hmm?

Leah: I used to teach self defense to young people.

Nick: Oh, okay.

Leah: And we were talking about making people aware that you're aware of them. Like, how long you look at somebody. And so it was always like, you make direct eye contact with them, and in your head you say, "I see you." And that's the amount of time.

Nick: Ah! Oh, isn't that interesting? So I would say you say, "I see you." That's not long enough for me. I want it ever so slightly longer, just to make it even more, "Ooh, why is this person looking at me?" But not too long. Can't be too long. There's a balance. You'll find it. But yeah, oh, I like the idea of counting.

Leah: You know, sometimes people just need to follow up what's the template, so ...

Nick: Right. I think that's a great template. Yes. I think you could also say, like, "Thank you for your interest, but we prefer to enjoy our meals without commentary."

Leah: Oh, I like that one.

Nick: [laughs] I mean, you have to say that. I mean, the tone for that, is really hard to nail. You have to be very advanced to be able to pull that off. But I think, you know, I think we don't want to indulge this. You know, I don't love responding to something like this with humor.

Leah: Unless you can do, like, a layup and a spike with your humor.

Nick: Yeah. Oh yeah, I guess if you're a professional, sure. But yeah, I think just, like, the cold look?

Leah: I like that very much.

Nick: Yeah, I like the cold look.

Leah: I do think when waitstaff do it—I'm sure I've done it—it's just like they're trying to fill space and, like, have comments. So I don't think that's coming from the same place as a man shouting across the room.

Nick: I'm significantly less bothered by a server saying, like, "Oh, looks like you were hungry." It's cutesy but, like, I can let that go. A stranger from across the restaurant shout? Like, that's—no. Mm-mm. I—no. Thank you. Bye bye.

Leah: You almost wish you could bring back spitballs. Did you ever do that as a kid where you chewed up paper and put it in a straw and shot it across the room at somebody?

Nick: You know honestly, I don't think I ever did that.

Leah: I'm not shocked.

Nick: I'm aware of it. I know it can be done.

Leah: I did enough for both of us.

Nick: Okay.

Leah: It's a good time.

Nick: Is the idea that you wad up, like, the paper sleeve on a straw?

Leah: Yes.

Nick: And then we put that up the straw?

Leah: Yes.

Nick: And it's sort of like a dart sort of a situation?

Leah: Yes, and then you ...

Nick: I can't believe I'm asking you for the specifics on a spitball.

Leah: And then you blow it at your friend when they're not looking. And then you pretend you didn't do it. You look away.

Nick: I guess that's really the key. Right. Although you're holding a straw. So I mean, what do we do? But ...

Leah: Then you just put it in the drink. What? I'm busy. I was just drinking.

Nick: That's gross!

Leah: Yeah.

Nick: That's so gross. Okay.

Leah: [laughs]

Nick: [laughs] So do you have questions for us about gross things or anything else? Let us know! You can let us know through our website WereYouRaisedByWolves.com. Or you can leave us a voicemail or send us a text message at (267) CALL-RBW.

Nick: And we're back. And now it's time to play a game we like to call Vent or Repent.

Leah: Vent or repent!

Nick: Which is our opportunity to vent about some bad etiquette experience we've had recently. Or we can repent for some etiquette faux pas we've committed. So Leah, would you like to vent or repent?

Leah: I'm gonna repent again.

Nick: Again. Wow! On a roll. Okay Leah, what have you done this time?

Leah: So I have been—I listened to last week's episode, and I have been—if I think about something multiple times, I just want to discuss it with our Wolves family to know that I don't feel great about what I said.

Nick: What did you say?

Leah: Okay, so last week we had a letter-writer write in about how they write thank-you notes to everybody.

Nick: Right.

Leah: They book performers.

Nick: Right?

Leah: And they had a comic bomb. And they didn't just say bomb, they said "Burned the room." Like, they insulted people.

Nick: Right.

Leah: And they wanted to write a thank-you note, but they were unsure what to say.

Nick: Right.

Leah: I used the word 'inauthentic.'

Nick: Okay?

Leah: And it just bothers me because I want to make clear that I don't think our letter-writer was inauthentic in that she wanted to be a gracious host. I just meant that if somebody on purpose burned the room, like, insulted people, then that was their job, and it would be—you don't need to do that, because you both know that that's not what happened.

Nick: Oh, yeah. No, I get it. No, I think what the letter-writer was asking is, like, "How do I write a thank-you note if I am not actually very thankful for the thing that this person did, but I still wanna write a note?" And I think your point was like, oh, well, you know, no need to send something that is not sincere.

Leah: And I mean, because I was thinking—I've been thinking about this. I lay awake at night and think about this, you know, because I'll send thank yous for things that I didn't particularly enjoy, but I appreciate that the person reached out.

Nick: Right. Right.

Leah: So for me, what the difference was here is that this is not a person, in my reading of it, that just bombed and made a mistake. This was a person who, like, went up in flames and was like, maybe—so in that case, I was like—you know, but I just disliked that I used the word 'inauthentic,' because I feel like our letter-writer was authentic in her graciousness.

Nick: Oh, for sure. Oh no, I think our letter-writer was 100 percent sincere nice person. Yes. Okay.

Leah: And I just want to make sure that was clear because it's keeping me up at night.

Nick: I love that something like this keeps you up.

Leah: These are the things that keep me up, Nick.

Nick: Amazing. Well, for me, I would like to vent. So very long story short, I was looking for, like, this thing to add to our website, a new thing I've been thinking about, like, oh, wouldn't this be, like, a fun feature? And I'll be vague because I think it's kind of cool, and so maybe we'll do it at some point. So I was looking for, like, a plugin that would work. And there's a bunch of different companies out there that make this thing, and most of them actually have their pricing, like, on their website. Like, oh, how much does this cost? Oh, the free version is this. There's a pro version that's this. And, like, it just shows on the website.

Nick: One of these companies has something that, like, looks pretty good, but they refuse to say what it costs on their website. Okay. Okay. This is surprisingly common, and I get it. If there is something that was so custom we just have to understand your business before we could possibly give you a quote, then okay. I mean, all right. I get that. This is not that, though. But I was like, "Let's give this a whirl." So I go through the whole thing. I click the box to find a time, schedule it. You know, like, they have, like, the automated scheduler thing, and it says, like, "Purpose of the meeting?" So I was like, "Pricing of your basic tier." And so then we, like, schedule it, and then it comes through with a Zoom invite. Now I have to, like, Zoom with you? This is not a phone call? Okay. So I was like, "Oh, it's getting—just getting worse."

Nick: And so now we have the Zoom. Okay. And so we jump on, and, you know, "Hi, I'm such and such. In our brief time today, I just wanted to get the pricing of your basic version." And he was like, "Oh, it is this price." And I was like, "Okay, I think that might be more than I want to spend, but I'll reach out if I have more questions, and I'll be in touch." And it was kind of like, that's all that the conversation needed to be. And he was so annoyed. He could not have been more annoyed that I wasted his time. And he said, "Yeah. Okay."

Leah: [gasps]

Nick: [laughs] And that tone. Oh, the tone! Oh, what a tone. And it's like, I didn't want to be here. This was not my idea. You made me.

Leah: He made you do this.

Nick: Because I guess you have some idea that, like, if you can get your little sales talons into me, then you'll be able to, like, land the deal. And you want to be able to work your magic in a Zoom setting. And so maybe that's what it is for you? I don't know. But he was so—it was so rude. And it was like, oh!

Leah: That is so rude! Make you jump through hoops.

Nick: Yeah. So I was like, "What is happening here? What is happening here?" And so I get that there is a need to actually have, like, sales calls. I understand that this exists in the world, and okay, that's great. This was not that. And I get if you did not want public pricing on your website, okay, sure. At least let me email you, "Hey, what is it? What's the pricing?" And then you email me back. Like, can we do that? But to make me go through all of this and then be mad about it? I don't want to live in that world.

Leah: Rude!

Nick: Rude!

Leah: Eww! I'm so angry at him right now, I want to slam the computer shut.

Nick: [laughs] Right. Yeah. Okay.

Leah: That gets a "Wow!"

Nick: Wow. I know. Yeah. So that's my vent.

Nick: So Leah, what have we learned?

Leah: Well, I learned that in this scon-scone fight club, this underground fight club, there is a cream-jam and a jam-cream going on.

Nick: I mean, first rule about Scone Fight Club, we don't talk about Scone Fight Club.

Leah: Well, Nick—Nick's gonna break it open for everybody.

Nick: [laughs] And I learned that you have never had a scone with something on top.

Leah: That is true!

Nick: I mean, we gotta change this.

Leah: We do. I mean, this seems important.

Nick: I mean, of the things that are high priority this week, I think that's on that list.

Leah: Oh, this sounds like a delicious list.

Nick: Well, thank you, Leah.

Leah: Thank you, Nick.

Nick: And thanks to you out there for listening. I'd send a handwritten note to my custom stationery if I could.

Leah: He would!

Nick: So for your homework this week, we want to make sure you're getting our newsletter, because we announce a lot of stuff in there and you might miss it if you don't get our newsletter. So go to our website, click on "Newsletter" and please sign up.

Leah: Get in there!

Nick: Get in there! And we'll see you next time!

Leah: Bye!

Nick: Bye!

Nick: All right, Leah. It's time for Cordials of Kindness, the part of the show that you make us do, but I only give you 30 seconds to do it. Ready, set, go!

Leah: I would like to send a cordials of kindness out to my friend Helen, who has been so—talk about etiquette, who's been so helpful to me in sort of the etiquette of entertainment, which I wouldn't know unless I did it wrong. I feel like a lot of these things are like trial and error. You show up at these places, you don't know what you're supposed to do.

Nick: Uh-huh.

Leah: And she has just really been so helpful and wonderful in sharing her knowledge and experiences. And I can't even say how much I appreciate it.

Nick: I mean, first we have the luggage rack, now we have this. I mean, it's just a lot of knowledge happening.

Leah: I really have a lot of wonderful friends who are just changing my life every moment.

Nick: And what am I doing over here?

Leah: I don't know. But I do want to say that when you said, "All right, Leah," that felt like years of backed up "All right, Leah."

Nick: As I was saying it, it did sound particularly labored today.

Leah: It felt really, really like you meant it so deeply. Like you're the Al Pacino of "All right, Leahs."

Nick: And for me, though, I do have a nice review we just got from Australia, which is quote, "Once a week is just not enough. I'm back at the beginning listening to the whole lot again. Nick and Leah are such fun and have a wonderful dynamic together. It's such a treat to have found this podcast."

Leah: That is so nice!

Nick: Isn't that nice? I mean, this really does make my day when I get nice reviews coming through my email. So if you would like to make our day, please leave us a nice review wherever you listen to this podcast. We would love it.

Leah: And thank you so much for leaving that lovely review.

Nick: Yes, thanks to Australia. We really appreciate it.