Wait FIVE YEARS @joseph_adams66? That's insane.

Oh, the classic budget travel trap. I once did a similar bus ride from Amsterdam and spent the whole next day in a Prague museum, asleep on a bench. The guard thought I was a very still art piece. For a middle ground, I've had luck with airport lounges. Some have showers and you can sometimes buy a day pass for less than a hostel, if you time it right.

Show them the easier way" is the only move that works. Old habits die hard until they see the time save right in front of them. Once they try it, they usually come around.

Totally agree, the bucket is next level. The wet towel thing works okay for a quick fix, like if you just bought some herbs at the store and need them to last the night. But standing them in water in a bucket or a big cup, that's the real deal for keeping them crisp for days. I had some parsley go a full week that way once. It just mimics how they grow, you know? Stems are meant to drink.

Oh man, hitting a pipe is my absolute nightmare. I felt a chill just reading that. I did the same screw trick on my stairs and I was sweating the whole time, sure I was going to hit something important. It worked out, but stories like your buddy's make me want to just live with the squeak next time. That's a way bigger fix than a noisy floorboard.