"after a while you can recognize one from across the room without consulting the shine."

Well, I did not go that far! You won't either when your eyes get as old as mine.

Reminds of an oldtimers statement when I was questioning him on how he used to use a "crap joint."

Per him: "Well Bub, I could toss the bones out the window and into an alley on a sunny Sunday afternoon and would make book that they came up 7"