Mike
Singapore
This puzzle was worth it, if only for GREATSQUALLOFCHINA.
A clever theme, but with some iffy clues (e.g., CAPE, BEAR, RAVE), and too heavy on slang and pop culture for my taste.
@Bill I thought [Impressively respectful types] was a poor clue, simply because this is not what "class act" means.
Half the time I spent on this was waiting for it to dawn on me that I needed to put just one letter in each rebus square, instead of the whole IF-, AND-, or BUT-including string.
49:07, but felt much longer. Some pretty iffy clues here. "Inane" for "vacuous" is a stretch; ditto "lei" for "what goes around in the Pacific?" "Lambsteak" for "alternative to chop or shank?" is also rather poor. And what's with "usembassy" for "home in the country?"?
@Ruby I understood the answer was U.S. Embassy, I just struggled to see the connection with the clue. "Home abroad?" would have made sense. "Home in the country?" just seemed like gratuitous misdirection.
@Michael Weiss I take your point regarding INANE; I guess the two words are just rather distant in my idiolect (I would never call the same statement both inane and vacuous). I still think the US Embassy clue involved some cheap misdirection. On the other hand, if the puzzles were never hard, where would be the fun? :)
All 7 comments loaded