The JTrain Podcast: Ticked Off Tuesday — Condo Management, Thanksgiving Food, Cheap Cat Toys, and More

Host: Jared Freid
Episode Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this "Ticked Off Tuesday" installment, comedian Jared Freid fields listener complaints focusing on everyday annoyances—ranging from the frustration of post-Thanksgiving blues and uninspired menus, to the infuriating bureaucracy of condo management, bizarre friend requests, Uber Eats gripes, and the politics of cat toy gifting. Jared shares his own recent condo move-in woes and responds with wit, honesty, and characteristic irritation to each listener’s “ticked off” submission.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Condo Move-In Management Nightmare

[01:40 – 32:00]

• Jared’s Experience:

  • Jared recently moved into a new condo and describes his challenging experience dealing with his management company.
  • He was not present for the closing and thus missed key move-in instructions.
  • His expectations for the management company included clear answers regarding:
    • Trash rules
    • Internet setup
    • General building logistics
  • Actual experience was chaotic and unhelpful, with unclear roles and lack of handholding.

• Internet Setup Fiasco:

  • Tried to set up Comcast internet. Was told vaguely, “just do Comcast.”
  • Comcast technician needed access to a locked electrical room. No management rep was present as promised, despite repeated confirmation attempts.
  • Jared ended up using a lockbox code (provided by a building board member, not management) to access the room himself.
  • Management’s response was unhelpful, referenced technical “techs” in a confusing way, and eventually sent him a “79-page lawyer-written document” rather than a simple move-in guide.

• Frustrations with Communication:

  • Jared felt alone and unsupported, highlighting management’s tendency to deflect responsibility or offer feigned helpfulness.
  • When he asked for clear expectations, they would send exhaustive documents instead of actionable answers.
  • Management finally sent a massive document rather than a summary, which Jared found laughably unhelpful.

• Jared’s Summary Quote:

  “I’m just asking, when does the trash get picked up? Where do I put boxes? Where do I do recycling? Amazon code? … I don’t appreciate when someone’s working to not work. Don’t include me on this bullshit extravaganza.” (31:30)

Memorable Rant

• Comparing what a move-in should be:

  “There should be one page with a cartoon box with eyes waving, ‘Welcome to the building! Here are the five rules in Delray Beach to make sure you have a Delray day.’ It shouldn’t be, ‘Oh, here’s a 79-page document, fucking loser, good luck!’” (31:45)

2. Listener Complaint: Thanksgiving Food Is Uncreative

[36:30 – 43:20]

• Listener’s Gripe:

  • Loves hosting and cooking but finds the traditional Thanksgiving menu uninspiring and restrictive.
  • Wishes Thanksgiving dinner could be a platform for creative cuisine.

• Jared’s Response & Advice:

  • Encourages the listener to lead the way—to “be the change.”
  • Suggests a gradual move away from traditional dishes, creating new family traditions, and “training” the audience (e.g., themed Thanksgiving dinners).
  • Warns about facing resistance from less adventurous family members, humorously imagining the “Uncle Thomas stuffing crisis.”
  • Quote:

    “To be a true artist, you have to be okay with disappointing people—someone saying, ‘Where’s the Thanksgiving stuff?’” (41:10)

Memorable Advice

• “If I were you, I’d go hard immediately—Aloha Thanksgiving Feast! Full Hawaiian, full Poi… Bring your favorite flowered shirt. We’re waving goodbye to all those flavorless foods.” (42:30)

3. Listener Complaint: Air Purifier Remote Drama

[43:30 – 48:40]

• Story:

  • Listener sold an air purifier to a friend’s mom, forgot to give the remote, her friend (acting unstable) later sells the item, now wants the original seller to mail the remote to the new buyer.
  • Listener is annoyed and feels caught in a bizarre loop of responsibility.

• Jared’s Counsel:

  • Asserts that responsibility for the remote ended when the friend resold the item—“you are not wrong to be resentful.”
  • Advises to simply drop the remote in the mailbox and be done:

    “Ta ta, bitch! We need more of just ending the loop. I did what I needed, that’s it!” (48:25)

4. Listener Complaint: Uber Eats, Tipping, and the “Double Order” Dilemma

[48:40 – 53:55]

• Gripe:

  • Listener uses Uber Eats’ 9-min “double order” deal (dinner + ice cream), tips generously.
  • Problem: tips are split between drivers, so an expensive dinner and a simple ice cream get the same tip, leading to frustration and slower deliveries.

• Jared’s Opinion:

  • Frustrated that the system forces customers to navigate tip calculation logistics, and pre-tip visibility creates its own issues.
  • Calls out corporations for offloading responsibility onto customers rather than just paying workers properly.
  • Great analogy:

    “If your kids knew what gift they were getting from grandma before going to grandma’s and had the choice to go or not based on the gift… it ruins the gesture.” (51:50)

5. Listener Complaint: People Give My Cat Cheap Toys

[53:55 – End]

• Gripe:

  • Listener pampers their cat but friends gift low-quality cat toys, which are thrown out for safety/standards reasons.
  • Awkwardness ensues when friends ask about the gifts or give toys in person.

• Jared’s Take:

  • Validates the irritation—“You’re allowed to be a complainy, whiny little bitch. That’s okay here.”
  • Pushes back gently when the listener frames it as a safety issue—distinguishes between genuine hazards and just “snobby cat owner” standards.
  • Advises honesty with friends:

    “Yeah, some cat toys, if they’re not really, you know, if they’re low quality, they rip up. Had to get rid of it.” (56:25)

• Broader Point:

  • Encourages the listener to own their standards and not make up extra excuses.
  • Great line:

    “Don’t come to my cat with toys for a rat.” (57:33)

QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On Management Companies:

  “They’re doing this fun tightwire walk of ‘I’m helpful but I can help with nothing.’” (30:40)

• On Thanksgiving Innovation:

  “You have to be the change. And the complaint will be realizing who in your life can’t handle it.” (41:15)

• On Closing Lingering Requests:

  “Tata, bitch! We need more ending the loop.” (48:27)

• On Tipping Culture:

  "We end up fighting with each other instead of fighting the corporation... How about they pay the people better and add it into your meal?" (51:30)

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• [01:40] — Jared’s Condo Move-In & Management Complaint
• [31:45] — Jared reads the unhelpful management response (the “79-page document”)
• [36:30] — Thanksgiving Food Is “Uninspiring” (Listener Complaint #1)
• [43:30] — Air Purifier Remote Responsibility Circle (Listener Complaint #2)
• [48:40] — Uber Eats Double-Order Tipping Woes (Listener Complaint #3)
• [53:55] — “Cat Toys” Etiquette and Gift Politics (Listener Complaint #4)

Overall Tone & Style

Jared’s classic tone:

• Complainy but self-aware
• Observational – finding humor in logistical hell and little absurdities of adult life
• Inviting – validates listener frustrations and always offers personal spin
• A bit irreverent and sarcastic, but always returning to practical and emotionally honest advice

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard The Episode

• This episode showcases Jared’s skill at turning mundane aggravations into lively, relatable comedy.
• If you’re dealing with lazy management companies, have opinions about holiday tradition, get caught in the crossfire of friend drama, or agonize over tipping and gift etiquette—this episode is for you.
• Expect rants, concrete advice, sharply observed analogies, and “ticked off” solidarity with a laugh.