Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2011 February 9

= February 9 =

Inflation investment
This is a U.S. specific question. Take it as a premise that you know with 100% certainty that a fairly large inflationary period is coming soon. Can you tell me a range of investments that are likely to be fruitful given this knowledge?--108.27.103.77 (talk) 20:30, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Buy German government bonds? Or any bond denominated in non-US currency. Assuming that the inflationary period is only in the US, and you are American, you only care about your return measured in dollars. As there is huge inflation in dollars, stashing all your money elsewhere is a good idea. You could take up dollar-denominated loans to finance your purchases of foreign-denominated bonds. If your assumed inflation boom is global, maybe you could short sell some US bonds? (I'm not sure if people actually do that.) Jørgen (talk) 20:36, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Or a shotgun and shells and enough tinned food for a year if you think the inflation is going to be really, really, really bad. Googlemeister (talk) 21:05, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I slighly over-thought it. Just take out a large fixed-interest-rate loan. Buy a house, or a factory, or foreign currency, or really anything, and then watch your loan disappear as the value of the dollar plummets. Jørgen (talk) 21:08, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * The basic idea is to pick things whose prices can be expected to rise in parallel with inflation. Most experts give commodities and real estate as examples.  The classic inflation hedge is gold, but in my opinion it is currently overpriced so I wouldn't recommend it at this point. Looie496 (talk) 21:11, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I agree with all of the above advice, though I disagree that an individual can expect to hold out alone in a time of widespread violence. (If you expect such violence, then you need to expect to be outgunned by gangs, unless you have organized a neighborhood group patrol that can deter them.)  Incidentally, I do not have 100% certainty about anything in the future (nor does anyone else really), but I foresee a likelihood of disruptive inflation.  I have taken some of the actions recommended above.  I would recommend in addition that you consider investing in foreign stocks, since growth would be more likely to occur outside the U.S., and your investment will be protected overseas from U.S. inflation.  Marco polo (talk) 22:05, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Regarding German bonds, I am leery of investing in bonds in Europe at this time given the Euro's problems. Things in Europe are financially unstable in my opinion—anyone read that story in The New York Times Magazine two or three weeks ago? (here's a link). Anyway, I was also thinking about gold, but it's at a huge high. Any other specific commodities that might be good? Platinum? Cobalt? Copper? Should I short trade frozen orange juice futures? (just kidding). I am lucky enough to have a tidy sum in the bank (earning a truly paltry interest rate) and it's stupid to not take some risk with a portion but I still want to do something that's at least smart on paper.--108.27.103.77 (talk) 22:58, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Here in the UK, land is the only investment I can think of that has not fallen in real value at some time during my lifetime. (I've tried all the other investments and lost! I wish I'd invested in land many years ago! I'm not sure whether the same is true of land in America - there's a lot more of it!  D b f i r s   23:07, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * In the UK land fell in value in the 1970s and 2000s. Kittybrewster  &#9742;  15:31, 12 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Yes, you may be right, (and again in late 2008 to early 2009) but it recovered so quickly that the drop was hardly noticeable.   D b f i r s   22:48, 12 February 2011 (UTC)

Besides the above-mentioned precious metals, another strategy is to invest in inflation-protected government bonds, known in the U.S. as "Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities." The thing about bonds is you don't have to sit there collecting the interest rate (or Coupon) but can sell the bond to someone else before it matures. If you are in a period of low inflation, and it becomes clear that inflation will increase, that TIPS you bought will now sell for a premium. Another thing you can do is to short-sell investments that don't do well in inflationary environments, such as stocks that get much of their return from their dividend. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:49, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Does nobody else find it odd that whilst not being allowed to give legal or medical advice on the reference desk, it's fair game to give financial advice willy nilly? --220.237.161.238 (talk) 12:03, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Yep, that is weird!--Lgriot (talk) 12:43, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Well, I had the same thought before I gave my reply (which contained advice). The difference, it seems to me, is that people are less likely to take broadly stated financial advice as authoritative than specific legal or medical advice.  Even in this realm, I wouldn't recommend that somebody buy a specific stock or try to use a specific tax deduction or anything like that. Looie496 (talk) 17:17, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Aside from our policy of not doing your homework for you, inflation is a rise the value of products (or services, but leave that aside) vis-à-vis the money used to purchase them. So, on the principle of “buy low, sell high,” your best bet would be to buy something that is going up in value (price). Commodities or precious metals, for example. DOR (HK) (talk) 09:41, 11 February 2011 (UTC)

What Career should i take
Hi,I'm going to study University this June, i have to leave by summer, and i still haven't decide what should i study, i don't know the careers,i would like you guys to help me, this is a list of the things i wish i could do with my career

•Develop in Adobe Flex 3.0 or 4.0,Java j2EE,XML,Action Script •specialize in textile engineering •oversee all aspects of product development from the design phase through production, with the guidance of the product managers •work directly with the product managers to take projects from the design phase to being production ready with complete technical packages created within projects timelines •understand the pattern making, textiles, construction techniques and other elements that comprise apparel and brace construction •Be Responsible of the commercialization of products from the initial creation of the specifications to final production •Design, prototype and test products according to their design specifications and provide guidance on all fabrication both in the prototype and production phase •Develop commercially viable product in partnership with design,development and manufacturing while adhering to quality, product margin and calendar requirements •Develop fabric specifications based on performance requirements and appearance, source, acquire and conduct sample verification testing •Establish and maintain materials’ specifications libraries for textiles, trim and associated hardware •Create standards and procedures for the textile platform, including sourcing qualification •Set up prototype fabrication capability, assisting in the hiring of personnel, setting up of facilities and the identification of sewing equipment, fixtures and supplies, and the maintenance of inventories •Provide training to production personnel •Prepare the appropriate documentation to verify the design by producing technical packages, drawings, work instructions, patterns and test plans •Work with textile mills, convertors and suppliers to establish a physical materials samples library •Gain experience with pattern making, seam types, threads and sewing techniques •Gain experience with test equipment and fabrics’ test standards both for materials & finished products •Travel to tradeshows, material shows, and partner with vendors to track market trends and innovative materials and constructions •Gain experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and SolidWorks •Interpreting and working from engineering drawings •Know about ASTM, ISO, AATCC standards •Learn MS office such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and MS Project •Able to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels of organization and internationally with vendors •Travel domestically and internationally.Travel for on site development and associate training for new product implementation •I would like to work in an Important Transnational Financial company •Work in the field of sales financing, mortgage, real estate, small and medium-sized business sales, Automotive and investment funds

So based in all of the above information, which career should i take in University? thank you for your help —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.79.129.82 (talk) 21:55, 9 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Before trying to answer, you have to tell us from where you copied and pasted all of those bullet points, because nobody on Earth says that in their career they want to be sure to be "interpreting and working from engineering drawings". Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:34, 9 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Most of those bullet points (probably all except the last two) seem to be from a detailed job description for something like a senior product manager in a textile company. A single university qualification is unlikely to furnish you with all the necessary skills for that job; in fact you would probably need substantial experience in the textile industry before even being seriously considered for the position.  However, an engineering dergree could be a step in the right direction.
 * As for the last two bullet points, they seem to be a generic wish list which could be satisfied with some accountancy qualification Whether or not a degree will be required will depend on the position applied for.  Astronaut (talk) 00:22, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

I am in University right now. Two years ago, before my matriculation into College, I had a solid plan laid out for my future. I even used online resources like this Reference Desk to hammer out the details. I got to school and found out that I didn't enjoy the classes I was taking that applied to my career. Turns out, as several adults told me before I went to college, and two advisors told me afterwards, the degree doesn't matter. Unless you plan on taking up research as a doctoral candidate and as a professor, the path is totally unimportant. My dad always said "Get the Sheepskin." I didn't understand until recently when an anonymous hiker I met on a trail told me "Take what is fun, then start your career." While it is important to plan for the future (like buying low and selling high in the stock market and opening up IRA and traditional savings accounts), University is for learning who you are and what you like, and for having fun doing it! schyler (talk) 00:35, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Note that schyler's advice is true for some people. I was a chemistry major in college.  Loved it.  I got a master's degree in Education.  Loved that too.  Now I am a chemistry teacher.  It is entirely possible to go to college with a course of study and a planned job in mind, take the classes you need for that career, thoroughly enjoy yourself, and also get lots of relevent, useful, and applicable job training all at the same time.  The best advice is to make the best out of your university experience, whatever that means for you.  Some people have experiences like mine, others find that their university experience was fun, but never get to "use" their degree, finding jobs in other fields, and other people have completely different experiences.  -- Jayron  32  00:48, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * nota bene: it was Jayron's graduate degree which applied to the career choice, IMHO. schyler (talk) 01:59, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * But he would probably not be allowed to be a chemistry teacher without a chemistry degree. I disagree that the degree doesn't matter, and sort of don't think that somebody in university can really tell yet how much it does or doesn't matter — you find that out when you try to get a job afterwards! It's not that what you major in locks you into a career, but it does change how you look on paper, and can very much affect what you know. There are some careers that you will basically never be able to get in without the right degrees. If you want to be in one of those careers, you have to plan ahead. If you don't, it doesn't matter so much. (I say this as someone with a History degree, which qualifies you for no particular career at all.) --Mr.98 (talk) 02:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * The only reason I brought up my father's advice is that he has been an employer for 25 years. He was saying, essentially, "Any degree at all looks better than no degree." Is that more agreeable, 98? schyler (talk) 03:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Any degree is better than no degree, certainly. But some degrees look better than other degrees. --Mr.98 (talk) 16:10, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Surely the degree matters in some cases. In many jurisdictions you cannot practise law without a Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent), you cannot practise medicine without an MBBS (or equivalent), etc. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 10:47, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * (To the original poster). Is it already decided which university you're going to? If it is, you need to look through the course offer and see what matches your requirements - and you can contact staff and ask more if you need to. If there is more than one university you could go to, then your choice seems to be between textile engineering and general engineering. What country are you in? Itsmejudith (talk) 12:09, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * It certainly used to be the case that the degree subject didn't matter, but since the 80's the degree subject and particularly the grade achieved (and even the university attended) has become more important to many employers - In the UK I increasingly see job adverts specifying something like "...a first or upper second achieved in computer science or mathematics, from a top university". Astronaut (talk) 12:31, 10 February 2011 (UTC)


 * schyler: good grief, are your degree certificates printed on vellum? It took me a few minutes to figure out what "the sheepskin" might be. Marnanel (talk) 14:36, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Yes, a number of U.S. colleges still give sheepskin diplomas (or at least the option to purchase one instead of a paper one). The extra expense of the material and the difficulty of framing it are noted on many google hits. But the metaphor "sheepskin" brings up a large number of hits on its own. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 15:24, 10 February 2011 (UTC)

Sales persons
When I visited the US on holiday a while ago, I was asked at the till point in a clothing shop what assistant helped me, to which is was completely dumbfounded! In a episode of Will & Grace, it is mentioned when Grace says "When they ask me at the register who helped me, I always say 'No one'." Asking who helped you on the salesfloor is completely unheard of in the UK (at least to my knowledge), so what is the purpose of asking this? Does it go to some sort of employee benefit? Regards, 86.185.188.239 (talk) 22:40, 9 February 2011 (UTC)


 * At some stores the sales staff are paid commissions or are otherwise awarded benefits, yes. However, these days in the US, I find it very rare to be asked this question.  Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:32, 9 February 2011 (UTC)
 * In addition to the commission system, some stores have workers assigned to specific areas, they might be doing spot checks to make sure they're working their area. 65.29.47.55 (talk) 01:22, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * At Cabelas stores there is a system of "Fish Cards." That is, when a customer mentions an employee by name, they receive a fish card. In turn, the employee hands that in to HR to get $5 bonus to his or her paycheck. schyler (talk) 01:58, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * They did this at Gap in the UK, for quite a few years; it was the only shop I ever encountered which did this. However, I was in three different branches recently, and this practice thankfully seems to have stopped now. (I'm having a bit of trouble tracking down any sources about this, unfortunately) -- Kateshortforbob talk  12:58, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I live in the United States, and for me, this question comes up mainly when shopping for clothes at more upscale shops. It is certainly because salespeople at those shops earn commissions for helping customers.  I don't keep track of salespeople's names, but I don't want them to miss out on a commission if they have in fact helped me, so I will just point to or describe the salesperson so that he or she gets credit.  Marco polo (talk) 14:37, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I scanned the question quickly and saw Grace, UK and clothing and thought it would be about the competing salesclerks of Are You Being Served?. But I know commission sales work did exist in Britain; old reruns on PBS can't lead me wrong, can they? 75.41.110.200 (talk) 15:12, 10 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Note that in the traditional department store of Are You Being Served?, the salesperson who helped you with the sale was the one that rung you up, or if not, they were explicitly handed off. There was never any confusion about who's sale it was (except for comedic purposes), and it never was necessary to ask the customer in order to assign commission. I would assume that that sort of model is still common in the up-scale stores in both the US and UK where they have commissions. The original questioner seems to be confused about a department store/supermarket hybrid system, where there's individual sales agents, but you're rung up by a cash register attendant (or some other salesperson who isn't busy) - without the "personal touch" you need to resort to asking the customer in order to assign commissions. -- 174.24.195.38 (talk) 17:50, 10 February 2011 (UTC)


 * I've bought shoes at a store where the salesperson hands you a card or slip of paper with their name on it, which you give to the cashier when they ring up your purchase. Nothing unusual about it. It helps the store keep track of their staff (e.g. the salesmen may have minimum targets to meet) and ensures they reward the best performing ones. Zunaid 10:03, 11 February 2011 (UTC)