>>>>>>Yes these are several years old. Generally the hall light is switched on when it gets too dark and is switched off at bedtime. The current oldish bulbs take a second or two to come on, and tens of seconds to brighten up, I wouldn't say minutes, but one never notices when they reach their optimum.
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>>>>>>We just received some new ones free in the mail, and they come on and brighten up almost immediately.
>>>>>
>>>>>A pal of mine has installed some of the early models in his downstairs bathroom about fifteen years ago. The tiles in that room are dark brown, and the window isn't too big either. There's little to no light coming from outside at night, because there's a tree outside. The wall-mounted piece of ceramics is also coffee color. So when it takes two or three long seconds to show up, when time rushes at relativistic speeds... he regretted the decision to go into CFL tech so early, at least for this one room.
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>>>>Yuck! He thinks the bulbs are his problem! He installed them 15 years ago, and the decor, what, 30? he should regret his execrable taste, not the bulbs. And, after all, it's not rocket science to replace them if he's dissatisfied.
>>>
>>>The colors were actually cute - well fit shades of coffee, chocolate and what have you - it's the suspense while standing there for those three seconds with a bladder about to burst, and you have no clue where to aim.
>>
>>Did you mean "...well fit shades of coffee..." or something that rhymes with "fit"?
>>
>>>
>>>He probably solved the problem soon, or just trained himself and his sons that it's never too far if you get going earlier.
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>>Tell him to get a paintbrush and buy a new white suite, and get with the 21st century.
>
>Could be a cultural difference. Try house hunting in an ethnically diverse area some time. I have and some of the decoration makes you want to go and have a lie down in a dark room for a while.

I just realised that D's talking about a Serb, back in '91 - not an American nowadays, so it's understandable.

>On the lights my partner is Jewish and she and all her family plus Jewish friends all seem to like vast amounts of really bright lights. I'll be sitting there with a couple of low sidelights on and bang in they come and suddenly all the lights are full on and you could take pictures without a flash.

I think that may be a gender thing, for I'm forever turning lights off after her, and hearing complaints that I like it too "subdued".