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Originally Posted by Leto
I have a question: How do folks around TFP make use of public libraries? I recently got an e-reader and am looking into 'borrowing' electronic versions of books. Looks like this is possible if I have a library card, which I do. There is a time limit on the borrow of about 21 days. The Toronto Public Library is quite expansive and our family makes extensive use of the p-books both for supplementing school work research - as teachers (rightly) insist on resources beyond the internet and wikipedia, and for novel reading. I know that as y ou progress on towards post secondary education, the use of public libraries dwindles in favour of the resources provided by one's university or college, but post graduation I have found that there is an uptake on the use of the public library's facilities.
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I use my public library on a regular basis. I see it as free entertainment. Ours has a load of books, movies, magazines, video games, graphic novels, etc. I can also access language learning software via the library's website, as well as a bunch of other things (I haven't even fully explored the possibilities, to be honest!). I like that if I come across a book that appeals to me somewhere, I can log in to the library's website and put a hold on that book, and if it's in the library, it will be on the hold shelf for me within a couple of days.
The library in my community is very, very popular, even though we do have a top-notch university library in the community as well (and it is open to community members). The stacks of both contain very different things, although the university library does have a section of children's books.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Halx
I am wondering about nudity in other countries. Could one get away with being nude? Here in NY, there are a couple nude beaches, but they are primarily gay hangouts. Women are allowed to be topless in the city, but NOBODY exercises this right (much to my dismay).
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You don't have to go to other countries to be nude. The laws covering nudity vary widely from state to state. Here in Oregon, municipalities are allowed to set their own laws regarding nudity; until recently it was fair game for people to walk down the street in Ashland, OR nude. Now you must have your genitals covered downtown. The public indecency law states that you cannot be nude with the intent to "arouse the sexual desire of the person or another person".
We even have some official clothing-optional beaches:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collins...(Sauvie_Island)
Rooster Rock State Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As for the tipping: tipping in the United States would not be necessary if servers were paid a fair wage. I think many people who come from countries where servers are paid a fair wage underestimate the importance of tipping in certain states in the United States.