u/MissElle85

Hi all, I could really use some advice.

I've been at my current job for 8 years and, for the most part, I've really enjoyed it. I'm good at what I do, get along with everyone, and it's been a great place to work. Lately though, I've started feeling like I need a change of scenery and a fresh start. A couple of my closest work friends have left, and it just doesn't feel the same anymore.

I applied for a job that matches my skills and pays about $10k more. I got an interview and was really excited.

Here's the part that's worrying me.

The job I had before my current one ended badly. It was a horribly toxic workplace. I was thrown in the deep end from day one with virtually no training or support, despite repeatedly asking for help. I genuinely tried my best, but I inevitably made mistakes because no one had shown me the correct way to do things.

Management became increasingly hostile. I was even sworn at. Eventually I was called into a meeting, told I was "unsuitable for the work," and fired on the spot. I was already under a huge amount of stress, burst into tears, and walked out, slamming the boardroom door behind me. Not my proudest moment, but it was one of the worst periods of my life.

A few weeks later I started my current job, where I was actually trained and supported. Since then I've thrived. Eight years later, I'm still there with a great track record.

Fast forward to this interview. Everything is going really well. I'm answering the questions confidently, the role sounds like a fantastic opportunity, and I'm thinking I actually have a good shot.

Then he asks about that previous job.

At first I thought it was just a standard interview question, but he kept digging into it. Then he casually mentioned he's good friends with the owner.

The owner who fired me.

The second he said that, I felt my stomach drop. I just said that it wasn't quite the right fit but I learned alot from the experience. Now I'm convinced he's going to call his friend and ask about me, and the fact I was fired all those years ago is going to come up. I'm worried it'll completely overshadow the last 8 years, during which I've proven I can do the job well.

If you were the interviewer, would something that happened over 8 years ago outweigh eight years of solid employment since? Should I get ahead of it and explain what happened if I'm asked again, or just leave it unless it comes up?

I really want this job, but I'm worried my chances have already been ruined.

So I went to a hairdresser the other week and when paying, I was prompted to give a tip. I paused. I didn't think that was the done thing here, but ultimately selected no tip. Later I was emailed with a request to leave them an online review, along with another prompt to give a tip. Is this now normal? I paid the going rate for the service and it was by no means cheap so I find it a bit baffling. I did have a junior stylist if that makes any difference, hopefully I didn't come across as rude by not tipping if this is now the done thing??

Hi everyone, 41F here. I had my first colonoscopy yesterday, so I thought I'd share my experience in case it helps someone who's as anxious as I was.

THE PREP

I used Plenvu, which is taken as a split dose. The first dose was at 6pm the day before the procedure. I'd mixed it up that morning and kept it in the fridge after reading that it tastes better cold. I also had a straw ready, another tip I'd seen recommended.

I'd prepared myself for the worst after reading so many horror stories online. I hesitantly took the first sip and was genuinely confused... it wasn't that bad at all! It just tasted like a slightly salty mango drink. Definitely not delicious, but very tolerable. I didn't gag once.

It took me about 45 minutes to drink it, and it started kicking in towards the end. I was on and off the toilet for the next three hours, then went to bed. No pain, no cramping, and no terrifying feeling that I was about to poop myself in my sleep.

The second dose was supposed to be at 4am. I was worried about still needing the toilet when my ride arrived, so I started an hour early at 3am. Yes, ridiculously early... but I'd rather lose an hour of sleep than spend the car ride clenching for dear life.

Dose two is a different story. It's much more concentrated, both in flavour and performance. It's like someone thought, "You know what this needs? Every flavour we can fit into one tiny sachet." It definitely wasn't pleasant, but I got through it.

By 7am, everything was the "ideal" clear yellow colour, and my hospital arrival time was 8:30am. My ride picked me up at 8am, and thankfully I wasn't even remotely worried about having an accident on the way.

THE PROCEDURE

Once I arrived, a nurse took me into a room and went through all the usual health questions. Then I got changed into the ever-so-glamorous backless hospital gown, with a robe to preserve what little dignity I had left.

After that, I was taken to a bed where a couple more nurses explained everything, inserted the IV, and got me ready for sedation. The surgeon came by, asked a few standard questions, and told me I was next.

Before I knew it, I was being wheeled into the procedure room. They asked me to lie on my side with my knees up, put an oxygen mask on me, started the sedative...

...and then I was waking up back in my bed being told everything had gone well and that food and juice were on the way.

Seriously. That's it.

I don't remember a single thing about the procedure itself.

The doctor came to speak to me afterwards and told me they found a large 30mm polyp and quite a lot of diverticulitis. They removed the polyp, and I'll need another colonoscopy in six months.

One thing that surprised me was that I never passed any gas afterwards. I'd read so many stories about people farting their way out of the recovery room because they pump air into your colon. Apparently my hospital uses water instead of air, which I didn't even know was an option. Huge fan of that method—I was quite happy not to be walking out of the hospital sounding like a whoopee cushion.

So, long story short... the whole experience was so much easier than I'd built it up to be in my head.

If I'd let my embarrassment and anxiety win, I probably would have cancelled my appointment. Instead, they found and removed a large precancerous polyp before it had the chance to become something much worse.

If you're putting off your colonoscopy because you're scared or embarrassed, please don't. It could genuinely save your life.