The Washington DC Pizza Meter and Bar meter (1 Viewer)

[jmotivator]

I'm not sure how far spread this little metric is, but it's been around in DC for a while.

Essentially, and the story goes, when there are big things getting ready to happen there is forewarning because pizza orders in the Pentagon increases and bar business in DC declines.

Interestingly both were triggered last night.



Could be nothing, but I just find these metrics pretty funny, like some General in the Pentagon, walking into the conference room and saying "Gentlemen and Ladies... we are in crisis. Get Domino's on the phone."

 

[Hari Seldon]

I'm not sure how far spread this little metric is, but it's been around in DC for a while.

Essentially, and the story goes, when there are big things getting ready to happen there is forewarning because pizza orders in the Pentagon increases and bar business in DC declines.

Interestingly both were triggered last night.



Could be nothing, but I just find these metrics pretty funny, like some General in the Pentagon, walking into the conference room and saying "Gentlemen and Ladies... we are in crisis. Get Domino's on the phone."

Hopefully they have better than Domino's.

 

[Callen]

I can see that as being a metric.....

 

[jmotivator]

Hopefully they have better than Domino's.

Having worked in and around government in the Washington DC metro area for the last 35 years, it's almost always Domino's.

 

[Hari Seldon]

Having worked in and around government in the Washington DC metro area for the last 35 years, it's almost always Domino's.

That's too bad. I have about 8 pizza joints within 2 or 3 miles from my house including Domino's. I would take any of them over Domino's.

 

[Callen]

Seriously lousy pizza!

 

[jmotivator]

That's too bad. I have about 8 pizza joints within 2 or 3 miles from my house including Domino's. I would take any of them over Domino's.

The problem I think is that the budget folks approach Pizza much the same way they approach hardware purchases and if it isn't name brand they don't approve it.

I've often joked that some mom and pop pizza places in Arlington could do a booming business if they listed their pizza on CDW-G.

 

[Hari Seldon]

The problem I think is that the budget folks approach Pizza much the same way they approach hardware purchases and if it isn't name brand they don't approve it.

I've often joked that some mom and pop pizza places in Arlington could do a booming business if they listed their pizza on CDW-G.

Local pizza shops almost always beat anything from a chain.

 

[Isidore]

Aren't DC Establishment types supposed to prefer Comet Ping Pong pizza?

 

[jmotivator]

Local pizza shops almost always beat anything from a chain.

This is true, but that's not how government thinks. Whether or not the pizza is delicious is way down the list of priorities... I think it must be spite since the people ultimately approving the purchases aren't the people eating the pizza.

Gina in accounting got invited to cold leftover pizza one too many times.

 

[Callen]

This is true, but that's not how government thinks. Whether or not the pizza is delicious is way down the list of priorities... I think it must be spite since the people ultimately approving the purchases aren't the people eating the pizza.

Gina in accounting got invited to cold leftover pizza one too many times.

I'm willing to bet that there is zero need to have pizza/lunch expenses approved except maybe by a boss for low level employees or contractors. Every department, etc has local budgets with well defined approval parameters.

 

[Hari Seldon]

This is true, but that's not how government thinks. Whether or not the pizza is delicious is way down the list of priorities... I think it must be spite since the people ultimately approving the purchases aren't the people eating the pizza.

Gina in accounting got invited to cold leftover pizza one too many times.

Maybe at the federal level. I assure you the small village I work for supports local business. Doesn't mean we don't use Lowes when needed but we are more likely to use the local hardware store or lumber yard. Same with lunches.

 

[jmotivator]

I'm willing to bet that there is zero need to have pizza/lunch expenses approved except maybe by a boss for low level employees or contractors. Every department, etc has local budgets with well defined approval parameters.

I'd wager my 35 years experience that you are wrong. If a government employee is buying the pizza and wants to be reimbursed, they are getting whatever is easiest to get through accounting.

Contractors generally can't buy the food because we are capped as $25 annually in goods and services purchased for government employee use.

 

[jmotivator]

Maybe at the federal level. I assure you the small village I work for supports local business. Doesn't mean we don't use Lowes when needed but we are more likely to use the local hardware store or lumber yard. Same with lunches.

Maybe so. There are a lot of differences in how offices are run at the federal level versus a small village.

 

[Callen]

I'd wager my 35 years experience that you are wrong. If a government employee is buying the pizza and wants to be reimbursed, they are getting whatever is easiest to get through accounting.

Contractors generally can't buy the food because we are capped as $25 annually in goods and services purchased for government employee use.

We're you a full time employee? What level? You use the term "we" when referring to contractors. I will agree that contractors need to seek out approvals beforehand. Are you really trying to say that they have to go to accounting for every pizza regardlessof level? I guarantee you that every department head has a pre determined miscellaneous budget they can approve without seeking other approvals. The rule usually is that if you are part of the meal then you must have it approved by your immediate boss.

 

[Binary_Digit]

I'm not sure how far spread this little metric is, but it's been around in DC for a while.

Essentially, and the story goes, when there are big things getting ready to happen there is forewarning because pizza orders in the Pentagon increases and bar business in DC declines.

Interestingly both were triggered last night.



Could be nothing, but I just find these metrics pretty funny, like some General in the Pentagon, walking into the conference room and saying "Gentlemen and Ladies... we are in crisis. Get Domino's on the phone."

That's interesting if true, considering the Pentagon already has several restaurants inside:

https://www.whs.mil/Services-and-Information/DoDCC/