Pet Hates........or FFS

[Barry]

Here's something that really gets on my titties, spending ages cleaning my glasses properly only to see a bloody great smear on the lens when I put them back on. It's almost enough to make me have contact lenses again grrrrr

I have that problem when cleaning the windows (on the inside - outsides are done by my window cleaner). Spend ages cleaning them, and think I've done a good job - then spend the next few days polishing out the smears which I hadn't noticed before!

[walpurgis]

My brother is the opposite. He's OK with the house, but his cars usually have the filthiest windows I've ever seen, inside and out. And they are often pretty expensive motors (they change quite often).

[Marco]

I keep the windows in my house clean (don't wear glasses), but my car *must* always be immaculate, windows and everything else, inside and out! :cool:

I simply cannot abide driving around inside a 'mobile bin'... :nono:

Marco.

[Len Co]

Here's something that really gets on my titties, spending ages cleaning my glasses properly only to see a bloody great smear on the lens when I put them back on. It's almost enough to make me have contact lenses again grrrrr

I have always found the cleaning stuff opticians sell you to be useless, I clean my glasses under the tap with a tenny weeny drop of washing up liquid and a thorough rinsing. Probably bad for the lens coating I'm sure but I haven't noticed and it works a treat.

[Barry]

I have always found the cleaning stuff opticians sell you to be useless, I clean my glasses under the tap with a tenny weeny drop of washing up liquid and a thorough rinsing. Probably bad for the lens coating I'm sure but I haven't noticed and it works a treat.

Soap and water is what you should use. But don't use a paper towel or a tissue to dry them - you could damage the coating. Only use a lint free cloth.

[Momo]

Cleaning my iPad screen, within minutes is greasy as &£?@ !!

[Pieoftheday]

I have always found the cleaning stuff opticians sell you to be useless, I clean my glasses under the tap with a tenny weeny drop of washing up liquid and a thorough rinsing. Probably bad for the lens coating I'm sure but I haven't noticed and it works a treat.

I've used washing up liquid on my visor's for years, seems to help stop them steaming up as well as cleaning, fairy works best:)

[Yomanze]

I've used washing up liquid on my visor's for years, seems to help stop them steaming up as well as cleaning, fairy works best:)

Yep, used to do the same with gas masks. :)

[Pieoftheday]

Yep, used to do the same with gas masks. :)

Fairy?:)

[Ian7633]

Soap and water is what you should use. But don't use a paper towel or a tissue to dry them - you could damage the coating. Only use a lint free cloth.

My optician told me never use microfiber cloths or dusters as they hold the dirt which very quickly becomes grinding paste with the inevitable consequences. The recommendation was to use a clean, soft tissue with a very weak mix of Fairy Liquid and water, works really well.

[Yomanze]

Fairy?:)

Fairy is the best.

[Marco]

Did you call me, dahling? :eyebrows:

Marco.

[farflungstar]

Sellers who insist on collection only even when they have the original packaging, and site at 'your own risk' if they send it. Just pack it as well as humanly possible - bearing in mind it got shipped around the world to get to you!

[Len Co]

Those little plastic bags you are supposed to put your fruit in at the supermarket. First you cant get one out of the box, then 50 come out at once, then you can't separate them and finally it takes you ten minutes of fumbling and licking your fingers and rubbing your palms to open one. Then your tomatoes fall out of the bottom.

[Yomanze]

Trains rocking up with half the carriages at peak time. I couldn’t even get on one last week it was that bad.

[southall-1998]

Those little plastic bags you are supposed to put your fruit in at the supermarket. First you cant get one out of the box, then 50 come out at once, then you can't separate them and finally it takes you ten minutes of fumbling and licking your fingers and rubbing your palms to open one. Then your tomatoes fall out of the bottom.

Been there, done that :lol:

S.

[walpurgis]

Women who put on a stupid pout for 'selfies'. Why??

And what's this selfie nonsense about anyway?

[WESTLOWER]

Women who put on a stupid pout for 'selfies'. Why??

And what's this selfie nonsense about anyway?

Blokes are doing that nonsense too now!

[Yomanze]

Blokes are doing that nonsense too now!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171106/9ea520ed86eb5064f7aa43d23c155b4f.jpg

[walpurgis]

Says it all really. I detested him.

[Puffin]

Stupid self obsessed pouters. The only thing that is of any interest to them is the cult of celebrity and all the vacuous meaningless rubbish that this encompasses.

[Yomanze]

The medium is the message, and social media / phone cameras + acceptance = inverse vanity where in fact it is making people feel less good about themselves. Self obsession doesn’t necessarily mean you love yourself, so in a way, excessive selfies are to be pitied.

[Marco]

...excessive selfies are to be pitied.

Indeed. Unless you're a kid or a daft teenager, you should not only be pitied, but locked up for indulging in such risible banality.

Marco.

[WESTLOWER]

Indeed. Unless you're a kid or a daft teenager, you should not only be pitied, but locked up for indulging in such risible banality.

Marco.
Or giving a good shoeing!

[Puffin]

A good cock-punching.....for male and female :)

[Barry]

My fiancé is always asking me to take photos of her with her smartphone. It's not my thing at all, and I used to get annoyed when she asked as I thought it vain. But I relented when I found out all she wanted was to send the pictures to her children abroad.

[mightymonoped]

I absolutely lose my shit when people use "loose" when they mean "lose". :lol:

[walpurgis]

You should chose your words more carefully and loose the attitude mate! :D

[struth]

let lose my bowels.


could be righted with an s or an o;)

[Len Co]

Or a c (and an s maybe)

[Marco]

My fiancé is always asking me to take photos of her with her smartphone. It's not my thing at all, and I used to get annoyed when she asked as I thought it vain. But I relented when I found out all she wanted was to send the pictures to her children abroad.

That's a rather different thing, and totally justifiable.

We're talking about the vacuous imbeciles who take 'selfies' every two seconds (almost), whilst doing nothing interesting whatsoever, simply to post on Snapchat or Instagram, for the 'delectation' of the similarly afficted!

Those folk need a damn good slap for indulging in such risible banality....

Marco.

[Roy S]

Tesco's putting the price of diesel up by 1p while I was in the store! £1.19 when I drove in, £1.20 when I drove out, actually going in the store rather than just filling up cost me 27p (that's without what I spent in there). Had a 10p off a litre voucher from a previous visit which cushioned the blow a little but but all the same.. :(

[walpurgis]

Given up looking at fuel prices. I just bung about £20 worth in once a month.

[Marco]

Never buy supermarket fuel, as it's false economy.

Marco.

[Pieoftheday]

Given up looking at fuel prices. I just bung about £20 worth in once a month.

I don't think I've ever looked at the price of petrol, mind you I don't do that many miles so 15 sovs in my bike seems to last ages:)

[Roy S]

Never buy supermarket fuel, as it's false economy.


My humble Clio runs well enough on it.

[Marco]

Ok, but how do you know it wouldn't run better on something else - have you done the comparison? ;)

Marco.

[Ian7633]

This may well sound strange but I covered around 300,000 miles in my Audi S6 and it definitely ran best on Shell petrol and it really was noticeable if I had to use supermarket fuel. Admittedly it did need to be run with the super plus type unleaded but Shell or Esso were the best, BP and Texaco were OK and supermarket stuff the worst, it also caused knocking as well so maybe the octane quoted was a bit optimistic.

[walpurgis]

I buy my petrol from BP. The only non supermarket place handy for me. Not that I've noticed any difference in the car's running or economy. Doesn't make much difference to me as I only average about eight miles a day and the car turns in about 65mpg.

[struth]

I get mine at Tesco seems fine to me

[walpurgis]

I get mine at Tesco seems fine to me

Tried to use the 'pay at pump' at Tesco a couple of times with no success. Can't suss it out. There is no instruction notice and the display tells you nothing. Do you insert the Clubcard first or debit card? When is the PIN number entered? Does it let you fill up & pay or does it want sequenced details first? Am I being dim? I have very limited patience and this lack of guidance pisses me off big time. I felt like kicking the shit out of the damn thing!!

[struth]

Club card and wait til instructed to remove then card and pin then remove on instruction. You get upto 99£. You can also get reciept

[Marco]

I refuse to use anything automated, other than a cash point. Where possible, I insist on being served by a human being, *especially* in supermarkets!

Marco.

[struth]

I refuse to use anything automated, other than a cash point. Where possible, I insist on being served by a human being, *especially* in supermarkets!

Marco.

i dont mind for petrol. in fact i insist... saves having to walk to the counter and wait behind numerous chatterboxes, and folk with colds coughing all over me. after all its self service anyway.

[Marco]

Yes, but the point is, if the process of paying is a ballache (counter-intuitive), as Geoff has outlined, then I don't want to be sat in my car behind some dweeb, waiting for him or her trying to work out how to use the machine, before I can get to the pump and fill up! :doh:

It's the same as it often is now at ATM cash points, and you're stood waiting behind dickheads performing all their monthly business transactions, with about three different debit or credit cards, when all you want to do is withdraw a tenner! :rolleyes:

That's why at a bank I always go the (few remaining) tellers there, to carry out my business, even if I have to wait in a queue, no matter how hard the staff try to direct me towards the internal ATMs.

At a filling station, I simply want to rock up to my chosen pump, fill up, and go inside and pay... And the stations I use are rarely that busy that I can't get served, and out, in minutes.

I'm just dead against the replacing of human beings with machines becoming the norm (as no doubt will happen sooner rather than later), as a) it loses jobs, and b) sets a dangerous precedent for us slowly being controlled by machines.

In this day and age, society needs to retain its 'humanness' as much as possible, before machines and computers take over completely!!

Marco.

[struth]

aye, its an issue, but im pretty immobile so doing it all with half a dozen steps is good too. im happy to be flexible on this although i dont use them in shops. lets face it if I go to counter I do it all anyway. I put the card in and press the buttons so its pretty much the same minus the walking and standing and queuing etc.

[Marco]

Yeah, immobility is a different kettle of fish, so no arguments there. However, in terms of your last point, the difference is the payment process is all set up for you, which you don't have to think about or stress over, unlike standing outside [possibly in the freezing cold] trying to work out how to use a machine that's alien to you.

That's the 'service' aspect of the experience I like, and indeed demand. The same as being served by staff at supermarket checkouts, rather than standing there weighing all different types of fruit and veg, pushing this button and that - and essentially doing their job for them, whilst PAYING for the 'privilege'!! :doh:

As for queues in filling stations, like I said, for me it's a non-issue, as the Texaco station I use now is situated in a quiet local village, and I go there to fill up the car at off-peak times, so there's rarely any more than two people in front of me getting served. More often than not, after filling up, I'm straight up to the counter to pay! :)

Marco.

[Marco]

This is where I fill up with Texaco Supreme diesel: http://www.gresfordservicestation.co.uk/

Nice quiet wee station, with friendly and pleasant staff :)

Marco.

[Minstrel SE]

Yeah Marco raised a good one about people doing all their monthly business transactions at a servicetill. Its an unwritten rule that its for very quick transactions only then clear off :D

Also people hogging the bank cashier like they have never heard of internet banking. Ooooh how do I do this?...how do I do that as Im losing the will to live behind them :)..usually the older generation stuck somewhere in the 1970 or decades earlier...oh I love a good rant.

I like the automated till in certain shops because I feel Im saving the human staff from menial work. To be honest I dont even want any conversation because I hate small talk with shop staff...trouble is the queue is getting longer than the queue for a human being :)

[Macca]

Yes, but the point is, if the process of paying is a ballache (counter-intuitive), as Geoff has outlined, then I don't want to be sat in my car behind some dweeb, waiting for him or her trying to work out how to use the machine, before I can get to the pump and fill up! :doh:

It's the same as it often is now at ATM cash points, and you're stood waiting behind dickheads performing all their monthly business transactions, with about three different debit or credit cards, when all you want to do is withdraw a tenner! :rolleyes:

That's why at a bank I always go the (few remaining) tellers that are there, to carry out my business, even if I have to wait in a queue, no matter how hard the staff try to direct me towards the internal ATMs.

At a filling station, I simply want to rock up to my chosen pump, fill up, and go inside and pay... And the stations I use are rarely that busy that I can't get served, and out, in minutes.

I'm just dead against the replacing of human beings with machines becoming the norm (as no doubt will happen sooner rather than later), as a) it loses jobs, and b) sets a dangerous precedent for us slowly being controlled by machines.

In this day and age, society needs to retain its 'humanness' as much as possible, before machines and computers take over completely!!

Marco.

Wow! I completely agree with everything you say in this post. Must be the first time I have ever done that with one of your posts in the off topic section. :)

[Macca]

Re ATM, went to one tonight on the way home from work. There is a middle age woman and a youth at it. She presses buttons for ages, Eventually cash comes out, she takes it, and takes her card. Then they just stand there looking at the machine. Not sure what they were expecting to come on the screen, Morecambe and Wise or something? They stood there a good 30 seconds before they seemed to finally realise the show was over, then they shuffled slowly away. Just bizarre.

[montesquieu]

I refuse to use anything automated, other than a cash point. Where possible, I insist on being served by a human being, *especially* in supermarkets!

Marco.

Quite. If supermarkets want to outsource work to me that they normally pay staff for then they can bloody well give me a 10% discount. In the absence of that I refuse to use their automated checkouts. Occasionally when queues are massive I have gone to the self checkout, found a way to set the red light flashing, and insisted someone come over and do the job for me, including the bagging up. That'll teach them.

Another thing that annoys me is when nosy post office staff ask 'what's in the parcel'?. 'None of your business' or 'nothing illegal I've read the instructions' doesn't seem to cut it so I now go a mile out of my way to the one single local post office where I get along with the guy behind the counter and he doesn't ask me any more.

I mean if you are booking a courier it's click a check box .. in the post offce, a giant poster explaining why you can't send semtex or battery acid is usually clearly visible, why on earth do they need to quiz you? And don't you notice it's always 'women of a certain age' who are a pain in the arse about these things?

[Marco]

Re ATM, went to one tonight on the way home from work. There is a middle age woman and a youth at it. She presses buttons for ages, Eventually cash comes out, she takes it, and takes her card. Then they just stand there looking at the machine. Not sure what they were expecting to come on the screen, Morecambe and Wise or something? They stood there a good 30 seconds before they seemed to finally realise the show was over, then they shuffled slowly away. Just bizarre.

Lol... And you stood there and let them, without telling them to stop dreaming and get the fuck out of the way, so you can use the machine?

You're certainly more patient than me! ;)

Marco.

[Marco]

Quite. If supermarkets want to outsource work to me that they normally pay staff for then they can bloody well give me a 10% discount. In the absence of that I refuse to use their automated checkouts. Occasionally when queues are massive I have gone to the self checkout, found a way to set the red light flashing, and insisted someone come over and do the job for me, including the bagging up. That'll teach them.


Hahahaha... A man after my own heart!! :clap::clap:

Always remain a free-thinker who refuses to be controlled....

If more folk woke up and smelled the coffee, in that respect, instead of blindly being brainwashed like sheep, society wouldn't be in the state that it's in!!!

Marco.

[Marco]

Wow! I completely agree with everything you say in this post. Must be the first time I have ever done that with one of your posts in the off topic section. :)

There's always a first time for everything, lol! :D

I always talk sense; it's just the first time you've realised it.... ;)

Marco.

[karma67]

tesco express! there is nothing remotely express about it!

[Minstrel SE]

I agree with montesquieu but when buying just a few items I dont really want the cashier asking me if I need help with packing, about the nectar card and the mundane small talk

I quite like the automated till and that they will trust us to check things out. They do have a good reduced section that I usually get a few things from...some Sokolow chicken breast sausages (lovely) and pesto parmesan pasta tonight for pennies.

They are always doing special offers so I generally let them off that Im checking my own food out. So Ive come to accept the self serve tills but I wouldnt use them with a trolley full of food.

The post office is another good example of a pet hate because they micro manage way beyond whats necessary. I object to telling them.....sometimes I casually play it down but other times I lie because its none of their bloody business if its clearly not on the banned list. I make sure its nothing valuable unless fully insured.

Who is actually going to tell them if its criminally related or they want to send something on the banned list. Unless they have a x ray machine what is the point of asking every time. I have pointed that out to them and they agree that its a waste of my time

[walpurgis]

The indifferent "have a nice day" gets on my tits!!

[walpurgis]

If you mail a vintage watch, do you have to tell them it's radio active?

[Firebottle]

I'm with Marco and Tom here, I don't like the self service tills either. I'll occasionally use one for a few items but there're so frigging slow for my liking.

'Did you bring you own bag' Yes I did because I'm sensible. It's tempting to see if there is a limit to empty bag weight written into the system software. I might just take a bag with a 10kg weight in it to see if it screws things up :eyebrows:

Then you put the item on the out tray and are having to wait for the system to OK the item against it's expected weight, so the scanner won't accept the next item you are feverishly waving about :steam:

[Marco]

I agree with montesquieu but when buying just a few items I dont really want the cashier asking me if I need help with packing, about the nectar card and the mundane small talk


I can't stand the small talk either, so I just stand there and look grumpy (not difficult as it's unlikely I'll be enjoying the experience), which usually has the effect of discouraging the staff from talking to me! :eyebrows:

Different if I'm in my local butchers or fruit and veg shop, when I'm shopping at independents, and as a regular there the staff and I have gotten to know each other (the relationship therefore is totally different), so having a chat/bit of banter is all part of the experience.

However, I simply abhor self-service checkouts in supermarkets, because as I've said, I dislike the precedent they set, and they unquestionably lose jobs, so in that respect we have to stop just selfishly thinking about ourselves and what superficially seems more convenient for us.

I'm also not a 'top-up' shopper, so when I use supermarkets (as I hate going there unless I have to), I do a week's shopping (at least) all in the one go, so there's always a trolley full of stuff, the majority of which is fresh produce, which is a major ball-ache putting through self-service checkouts. I'd be stood there forever doing it, so it's simply a non-option.

Here's the thing, which shows that it's ALL about saving money for the supermarkets...

If more checkouts were manned by staff (rather than the majority closed), especially during the busiest times, and there were more 'express' tills available (six items or fewer/baskets only), which was strictly monitored, there would be no need for any self-service checkouts, as everything would be running quickly and smoothly!

But of course that costs money.... And are they passing the money they've saved on employing less checkout staff onto customers? Are they fuck. It's all going into the pockets of the fat cats!! And that's another reason why I boycott self-service checkouts. The last thing they are is having been created for our benefit!

Here's the crux:

If in a supermarket I'm PAYING (indirectly or otherwise) for the privilege of being served, then I WANT to experience that privilege, or otherwise as Tom says, be reimbursed (via discounted shopping) for the inconvenience of having to serve myself.

That way I'm being incentivised, on MY terms, to serve myself, not merely being surreptitiously 'groomed' into changing my behaviour by supermarkets, simply to maximise profits for the fat cats!

End of.

Marco.

[Macca]

If you go in my local Sainsbury after 2100 then it is self service only now. That's unacceptable. I insist on them either opening a till for me or doing the self service thing for me. They do it, presumably because there is some dictat from head office that says they have to. But that won't last.

I'd be happy to see all the supermarkets go broke, then we could go back to having the butcher, greengrocer and general store. That was a much better system.

[Primalsea]

I seem to have an adversion to overly chipper, attentive sales guys when I walk into a shop. This gets worse when I have to put up with their sales pitch crap. Odd that I dont seem to have the same feeling towards the overly chipper, attentive attractive saleswomen. Still see through the sales crap, but the whole experience is more more pleasurable to tolerate...

[Primalsea]

You guys who dont like self-service checkouts. Does this mean you will sell all of your hifi and start employing real musicians to play in your living room whenever you would like to listen to music? :lol:

I’ll get my coat...

[walpurgis]

It can be fun to walk into a Hi-Fi shop and when an assistant comes up, say something dumb like 'my daughter says I need a new stereo' and then see what sales patter you get from him. After he's gone on a bit, you can throw him by pointing to something and saying maybe 'do you know the effective mass for this SME arm?' or 'do you have any Koetsu SUT's in stock?', that should put them on the back foot!

[alphaGT]

It can be fun to walk into a Hi-Fi shop and when an assistant comes up, say something dumb like 'my daughter says I need a new stereo' and then see what sales patter you get from him. After he's gone on a bit, you can throw him by pointing to something and saying maybe 'do you know the effective mass for this SME arm?' or 'do you have any Koetsu SUT's in stock?', that should put them on the back foot!

I recall having a go at a few sales persons in hi fi shops in the past, a pleasant surprise when you find one who knows what he’s talking about!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Macca]

I seem to have an adversion to overly chipper, attentive sales guys when I walk into a shop. This gets worse when I have to put up with their sales pitch crap. Odd that I dont seem to have the same feeling towards the overly chipper, attentive attractive saleswomen. Still see through the sales crap, but the whole experience is more more pleasurable to tolerate...

This is true.

[Macca]

You guys who dont like self-service checkouts. Does this mean you will sell all of your hifi and start employing real musicians to play in your living room whenever you would like to listen to music? :lol:

I’ll get my coat...

The Sumerians were knocking about around 3500 BC and we know they had shops. The concept probably goes back much further. One thing all shops had in common from then until about five years ago was that you went in, chose your goods and then you went to a person and they wrapped them up and took your money. Now, after 10,000 years of that working just fine, we suddenly have to do it all ourselves.

Bollocks, I'm not having it.

I'd be up for some Luddite type action - break into the supermarkets and smash up all the self-service machines. Down with this sort of thing!

[Primalsea]

The Sumerians were knocking about around 3500 BC and we know they had shops. The concept probably goes back much further. One thing all shops had in common from then until about five years ago was that you went in, chose your goods and then you went to a person and they wrapped them up and took your money. Now, after 10,000 years of that working just fine, we suddenly have to do it all ourselves.

Bollocks, I'm not having it.

I'd be up for some Luddite type action - break into the supermarkets and smash up all the self-service machines. Down with this sort of thing!

:lol:

[Marco]

The Sumerians were knocking about around 3500 BC and we know they had shops. The concept probably goes back much further. One thing all shops had in common from then until about five years ago was that you went in, chose your goods and then you went to a person and they wrapped them up and took your money. Now, after 10,000 years of that working just fine, we suddenly have to do it all ourselves.

Bollocks, I'm not having it.


Lol.... Now you see if we all thought that way, and boycotted the bastard checkouts, then it would force the supermarkets into a rethink! So let's take direct action.

We need to 'train' THEM into behaving the way that WE want, not vice versa... Never underestimate the POWER OF THE PEOPLE!! :hifive::hifive:

Marco.

[Minstrel SE]

I agree that with a trolley full of food I would head to a cashier but for one item or just a few items there is nothing they add to the experience. I have still got to dig my cash or card out and I might as well do it at my own pace infront of a machine.

There is often a queue for a cashier and I feel awkward with six items so I head to the self service tills which are usually much quicker. I wouldnt use a machine if the process was a complete PITA.

Thay have been cutting staff anyway because the reality is 10 till lanes with three cashiers in sight. Yes we probably do need to complain but while you are at it complain about the shoddy treatment of electronically tagged staff in warehouses and superstores. Often the staff you deal with will be overworked and on some commission basis which is detrimental to all of us. We all like the best price and dont really question where the costs have been cut.

Would you all bother a bank cashier to withdraw £20...nope we mainly use servicetills. That used to be my crap job and you lot took it away from me :)

Shopping is mainly a mundane experience for me so I would rather do as much as possible while in a semi daydream. Believe me the human cashiers have run out of interesting small talk on a long shift. I would rather a machine told me to have a nice day....same difference :)

[Marco]

I agree that with a trolley full of food I would head to a cashier but for one item or just a few items there is nothing they add to the experience. I have still got to dig my cash or card out and I might as well do it at my own pace infront of a machine.


Yeah I know what you mean, but for me the machine would still be slower, because as I've never used one before, it'd take me a bit to work out how to do so - most likely longer that it would to go to a manned express checkout, at the midweek off-peak times of day I use supermarkets, where I'm usually first or second to be served.

Very rarely are there any queues at that time :)


Thay have been cutting staff anyway because the reality is 10 till lanes with three cashiers in sight.


Indeed, and that's what they should be addressing, rather than opening more and more self-service checkouts, and getting 80% of the normal checkouts manned, rather than 30% of them, which is usually the case!


Yes we probably do need to complain but while you are at it complain about the shoddy treatment of staff in warehouses and superstores. Often the staff you deal with will be overworked and on some commission basis which is detrimental to all of us. We all like the best price and dont really question where the costs have been cut.


Absolutely! However, I'm someone who believes in staff being properly paid for their work, so I'd welcome paying a little more for my shopping to help that cause.


Would you all bother a bank cashier to withdraw £20...nope we mainly use servicetills. That used to be my crap job and you lot took it away from me :)


Really?

Well, if I'm inside a bank it'll not be to withdraw money, but more likely to deposit it - and I don't trust doing that stood at a machine. Plus, as I said, I don't like the precedent that they set. They lost you your job after all!


Shopping is mainly a mundane experience for me so I would rather do as much as possible while in a semi daydream.

I hate grocery shopping, but quite enjoy other types of shopping, such as for records, beer and wine, certain types of clothes, nice things for the house and [shock horror] Christmas shopping, (as I enjoy the vibe) when the towns and shops are quiet, and I can get in and out, having got what I need, before the hoards of unwashed descend! ;)

Marco.

[struth]

Don't mind grocery shopping but started work in a grocery. The till are easy to use. Even an idiot like me can do it first time. Just don't buy anything age related and always scan one item and put it on the scale or it goes loopy

[Marco]

The till are easy to use. Even an idiot like me can do it first time. Just don't buy anything age related and always scan one item and put it on the scale or it goes loopy

Can't be arsed. I'm paying for some fucker to do it for me! :ner:;)

Marco.

[Minstrel SE]

Well technology marches forward and the owners of these businesses employ accountants to ensure that the overheads are as low as possible. The trickle down effect doesnt really happen and its been getting far worse in the last few decades I see Dickensian times for many.

I jest about my job but the first three bank branches I worked at are simply not there any longer. Those jobs will never exist again as its all being cut back and centralised to save costs. Of course we all know what happened in 2008. I very much doubt technology and the dot com boom is replacing those jobs with new job opportunities.

Robots are making cars and they do it very well which is worrying for the future of human labour.

The problem is that they havent got on with a new way of political thinking for a social living allowance,. If people have to work until the age of 66 and beyond, there needs to be an economy to support that work ethic

[walpurgis]

Well technology marches forward and the owners of these businesses employ accountants to ensure that the overheads are as little as possible.

You're not kidding.

I notice that Tesco's penny pinching is becoming more obvious. Most of their 'Value' products having disappeared and other good value non-brand items have gone. Very peeved that the 'Seriously Strong Cheddar' his no longer available, I really liked that.

If I can buy elsewhere, I do.

[Marco]

Well technology marches forward and the owners of these businesses employ accountants to ensure that the overheads are as little as possible. The trickle down effect doesnt really happen and its been getting far worse in the last few decades


I understand that, and you're absolutely right, but I don't give a shit about what's best for THEM or their overheads. As a customer, all I'm interested in what's best for ME!

These places need to start showing that they give a toss about the best interests of their customers - who ultimately pay their wages - if they want to remain in business. So we need to FORCE them to change tact.

And we can do that by stopping 'dancing to their tune' and allowing our strings to be pulled like puppets, for them to continue improving their profitability, surreptitiously making US work for THEM in the process - and there is no better example of that 'brainwashing' than these self-service checkouts.


I jest about my job but the first three bank branches I worked at are not there any longer. Those jobs will never exist again as its all being cut back and centralised to save costs


...and we've essentially stood back and let it happen by not using those branches enough in the first place!

Internet banking has a lot to answer for too, in that respect, and our innate laziness, not wanting to get off our backsides to carry out our financial affairs, and instead sit at a computer at home and do it.

Don't get me started on supermarket 'home deliveries' either (unless you have mobility issues)!! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Get off yer fukkin fat arse and MOVE......! :guns:

Marco.

[Len Co]

In a certain supermarket, generally considered up-market (certainly by itself!), let's call it 'W' for the sake of argument, you can pick up a scanner at the door, scan your goods as you choose them, put them in 4 big sturdy bags they supply, then just pay with no further checking at a customer-controlled checkout point. (You keep the big bags, take them home and use again next time). Been doing it for years. Wouldn't change and it keeps grandchildren amused too! They used to occasionally do spot checks during checkout to see if you were nicking anything ( can't really blame them for that ) but we haven't been checked for a number of years now............. Actually, I'm not sure I should be telling you lot this!

[walpurgis]

A certain 'W' should offer good service, seeing as they charge rather more than most supermarkets. I admit to liking some of their offerings though.

[struth]

tesco do this too. seems popular but i with marco and insist on customer service if at all possible. Might do it if they give me a discount tho

[Barry]

Internet banking, despite what they say, is NOT secure. I speak from experience as I have had my accounts hacked twice now, so I will now only deal face to face with a human being at my bank.

Likewise, I detest 'self service' checkouts at supermarkets. They invariably go wrong with 'reduced' items or with special offers, and as Marco and others have said, I already pay for checkout staff help with the overall price charged for the goods.

[Marco]

In a certain supermarket, generally considered up-market (certainly by itself!), let's call it 'W' for the sake of argument, you can pick up a scanner at the door, scan your goods as you choose them, put them in 4 big sturdy bags they supply, then just pay with no further checking at a customer-controlled checkout point.

So you're just another unpaid employee doing their job for them (and performing a useful stock-take for the supermarket at the same time), as you go round the shop scanning stuff, instead of at the end of your shopping. It amounts to the same thing! :doh:

And that might work fine for goods with barcodes on, but what about fresh produce, if I'm buying many separate types of loose fruit and veg, which certainly applies in my case. How does that work, and just how time-consuming would it be?

Marco.

[walpurgis]

Internet banking, despite what they say, is NOT secure

Damn right. Too many horror stories out there. I won't use it.

[Marco]

Likewise, I detest 'self service' checkouts at supermarkets. They invariably go wrong with 'reduced' items or with special offers, and as Marco and others have said, I already pay for checkout staff help with the overall price charged for the goods.

Which is why, Barry, we should all boycott the self-service checkouts and insist on using manned ones, unless they offered us a 10% discount off all goods, as an incentive. Trust me, if we all did that, things would soon change! ;)

Marco.

[Barry]

I already 'boycott' self service checkouts.

[Marco]

I know, but we need *everyone* to do it! Never gonna happen, of course.... But IF it did, it would undoubtedly force the supermarkets into changing their policies!

We always need to remember that people power *can* force change, if WE want it to, thus allowing us to TAKE CONTROL, rather than BE CONTROLLED... The same applies with governments ;)

Marco.

[walpurgis]

I already 'boycott' self service checkouts.

As do I.

[Len Co]

So you're just another unpaid employee doing their job for them (and performing a useful stock-take for the supermarket at the same time), as you go round the shop scanning stuff, instead of at the end of your shopping. It amounts to the same thing! :doh:

And that might work fine for goods with barcodes on, but what about fresh produce, if I'm buying many separate types of loose fruit and veg, which certainly applies in my case. How does that work, and just how time-consuming would it be?

Marco.

You weigh loose fruit etc and the machine prints a label - Just like the French supermarkets require you to
it doesn't take any longer - nothing significant anyway, and I know I've selected the right type of apples etc. So I'm getting charged the right amount.
I don't feel I'm doing anyone's work even though the whole forum would probably say otherwise judging by previous posts! I don't have to unload my trolley and repack all the goods. I feel I am saving time and avoiding frustration at the checkout, you just breeze through usually.
It's a great system as far as I'm concerned.

[Marco]

You weigh loose fruit etc and the machine prints a label - Just like the French supermarkets require you to...


Yes, and I don't like it there either ;)


...it doesn't take any longer - nothing significant anyway...


So how significant is "nothing significant"? It would be an interesting one to test.


...and I know I've selected the right type of apples etc. So I'm getting charged the right amount.


You can also do that by checking your receipt at the checkout. I don't leave the place until I've done so, and made sure all is ok. Very rarely has there been a problem.


I don't feel I'm doing anyone's work...


You might not *feel* like it, but it's a fact that you are.


I don't have to unload my trolley and repack all the goods. I feel I am saving time and avoiding frustration at the checkout, you just breeze through usually.
It's a great system as far as I'm concerned.

If you like it, Mark, that's fine.

However, as I said, it would be interesting to test how long it takes you to weigh, label and scan a whole large trolley full of goods, as you go round the store, versus how long it takes me to unload and repack it at a manned checkout, especially during quiet times of the day, and when there are helpers available, if you wish, to do your packing for you ;)

Marco.

[Len Co]

Yes, and I don't like it there either ;)



So how significant is "nothing significant"? It would be an interesting one to test.



You can also do that by checking your receipt at the checkout. I don't leave the place until I've done so, and made sure all is ok. Very rarely has there been a problem.



You might not *feel* like it, but it's a fact that you are.



If you like it, Mark, that's fine.

However, as I said, it would be interesting to test how long it takes you to weigh, label and scan a whole large trolley full of goods, as you go round the store, versus how long it takes me to unload and repack it at a manned checkout, especially during quiet times of the day, and when there are helpers available, if you wish, to do your packing for you ;)

Marco.

Marco, I only said 'nothing significant' because there might be the odd occasion when it would take me a few nano-seconds longer and I could not bear the thought of having possibly told an untruth. I don't really think I lose any time here at all mate and I'm certainly not worried enough to want to test it.
(I trust myself more than I trust a till operator to get things right too, in my experience they sometimes don't know some of the more exotic fruits or even the various types of loaves of bread they sell in some supermarkets - they ask me what it is!)
Anyway, enough of this tit for tat, just letting people know there's perhaps a system that might suit them out there.
Happy shopping!

[Marco]

Sure, and that's fine - no worries at all :)

I just hate the principle behind it all, whether anyone finds it useful or not, as I know where it leads.

Marco.

[Malky1422]

In literature and journalist's do it too.....Starting a sentence with the word and. And so on and so forth. Its a joining word and journalist's should know better, even some books are written this way.

[Marco]

Not sure what you're referring to specifically, Malcolm, or what that's got to do with the current discussion?

Btw, where are you in the UK? "United Kingdom" is a little too vague... The nearest big town or city would suffice, or the geographical area you live in, such as 'Essex' or whatever. Ta :)

Marco.

[struth]

Not sure what you're referring to specifically, Malcolm, or what that's got to do with the subject of the thread?

Btw, where are you in the UK? "United Kingdom" is a little too vague... The nearest big town or city would suffice, or the geographical area you live in, such as 'Essex' or whatever. Ta :)

Marco.

I think it might be one of his pet hates

[Marco]

Ah yes... I thought he was referring to something that had been written during the current discussion about self-service checkouts at supermarkets.

I agree with him, in that respect, although I sometimes do it in specific places to create emphasis.

Marco.

[Barry]

In literature and journalist's do it too.....Starting a sentence with the word and. And so on and so forth. Its a joining word and journalist's should know better, even some books are written this way.

And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon England's mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On England's pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England's green & pleasant Land.

The rules of grammar are not set in stone; they can always be bent or broken for linguistic effect.

[walpurgis]

And I'm a major offender! ;)

[Marco]

The rules of grammar are not set in stone; they can always be bent or broken for linguistic effect.

Indeed, and the cleverer you are with words and grammar, the more effectively it can be done...

It's rather like designing hi-fi equipment. Some stick rigidly to the 'rules' (contained in electronics books), and others use some 'poetic licence', to create a successful effect, sonically with their designs, as indeed linguists do with words, in a literary sense. It's what 'art' is all about! ;)

Creative people rarely stick to 'the rules'... They like to think outside of the box.

Marco [never a rigid, 'black and white' thinker].

[struth]

im not artistic or poetic. someone needed to say it :lol:

[Minstrel SE]

Oh I think we can play with words to upset the grammar police. I know AND shouldnt "officially" go at the beginning of a sentence but I will I will sometimes stick it there to highlight the point that Im daring to use it there. :)

Even the experts agree its a myth as its been used at the start of a sentence since the beginning. If and or but are cleverly used at the beginning, it can make a better statement.

"It’s difficult to break old habits, but this one is worth considering. Just don’t tell your teacher. When most of us were in school, our English teachers made a point of forbidding us to begin a sentence with “and” or “but.” It’s one of those lessons that stuck, and writers today go to extreme lengths to avoid it. Is it really forbidden, though? Or is it just a myth?

Grammar experts universally agree that it’s a myth. According to The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage, writers have been doing it pretty much since the beginning of writing. One theory for the perplexing prohibition is that teachers were trying to encourage their young students to form complex sentences. By not allowing the use of either conjunction at the beginning of a sentence, students were forced to think about their writing and not simply string together a series of simple clauses.

Unfortunately, teachers never assigned an endpoint to the ban, and since old habits die hard, we still adhere to it today. Thus, if it works for you, there’s no reason to avoid it. Still, there are a couple of things to keep in mind as you’re considering using “and” or “but” at the start of a sentence."

The youngsters play with language....we should play with sentences as it should be ever changing. One day I will put all the apostrophes and full stops in......Oh and ban the colon!....I dont give a stuff about these traditional punctuation marks :)

Each to their own though and I've already mentioned that raised inflections are doing my nut in. :) The American spelling of the word colour gives me sleepless nights. :D

[alphaGT]

I am terrible about starting a sentence with the word, “But”, a girlfriend of mine pointed it out recently. I’ve never heard it was incorrect, and I see how it could be grammatically incorrect. But it’s how I think! Words come out of my head in that way, hard to avoid. I rarely write official documents, I have been published three or four times, only in magazines, where the rules of grammar hardly apply anymore. I am appalled at some of the poor grammar, and use of curse words, or abbreviations for curse words, found in magazine publications these days. When I’m reading a magazine where people get paid to write, and there is an Editor in Chief listed, I expect more. But that’s just me!

And while I’m at it, the local grocery had a self service lane. I noticed that no one was using it. All I had was some beer and junk food, so I tried it. It would up caught in a loop until a store manager came and stick his key in it. The last time I went in, I noticed that the self service lane was gone! Machines had been removed. In this part of the world, people can not be trusted, if there is a chance for them to cheat, bet they will. I’m guessing that’s why, lack of use doesn’t seem like a reason to remove them so quickly.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Malky1422]

Yes I suppose our language is fluid and changes over time. If we were to go back 500 years we would stuggle to understand them, especially the phrasings. I know this by reading history books, I have read a lot about Mary Queen of Scotts. Spelling was quite different as well.

[Marco]

Hi Malcolm,

I asked earlier where you were from in the UK. Could you please update your profile with either an area location and/or the name of your nearest large town or city, as "United Kingdom" is simply too vague. Cheers :)

Marco.

[Pieoftheday]

Virgin media are currently installing fibre cables in my area,I came home from work yesterday to find a big grey junction box slap bang in front of our house.now whilst I realise they have to put them somewhere some consultation would have been nice FFS

[struth]

Virgin media are currently installing fibre cables in my area,I came home from work yesterday to find a big grey junction box slap bang in front of our house.now whilst I realise they have to put them somewhere some consultation would have been nice FFS

I dare say is probably the council's fault for lack of consultation as they will have decided on the position. one thing for sure, it wouldnt have been placed outside a Councillors house ;)

[Pieoftheday]

I dare say is probably the council's fault for lack of consultation as they will have decided on the position. one thing for sure, it wouldnt have been placed outside a Councillors house ;)

I contacted the council this morning, I was told it wasn't a planning issue and I'd have to contact Virgin or the contractor. I'll not bother, they're not going to re lay all those cables are they, it's the lack of consultation that's pissed me off:steam:

[struth]

I'd stir it a bit... you never know you might get some compy:eyebrows:

[Pieoftheday]

I'd stir it a bit... you never know you might get some compy:eyebrows:

Trying to contact Virgin is impossible, they don't do email,and you can only talk to them by phone if you have an account with them, you couldn't make it up

[Marco]

Did you not get a letter sent out to you, James, advising you of the forthcoming works? We did, and so were prepared for it.

Why not take a hammer to the junction box, in the wee small hours, and blame it on vandals? ;)

Then when they come back out to fix it, you can ask them 'nicely' to put it somewhere else.....

Marco.

[struth]

could see it getting caught by the local builders merchant truck:lol: the guy around here has hit a lamp post

[Pieoftheday]

Did you not get a letter sent out to you, James, advising you of the forthcoming works? We did, and so were prepared for it.

Why not take a hammer to the junction box, in the wee small hours, and blame it on vandals? ;)

Then when they come back out to fix it, you can ask them 'nicely' to put it somewhere else.....

Marco.

No communication at all Marco. I've seen other people online trying to get these boxes moved and these were 3 times bigger. it seems Virgin just ignore them

[Marco]

could see it getting caught by the local builders merchant truck:lol: the guy around here has hit a lamp post

Indeed... In situations such as this, one needs to apply some lateral thinking ;)

Marco.

[Marco]

No communication at all Marco. I've seen other people online trying to get these boxes moved and these were 3 times bigger. it seems Virgin just ignore them

I think you should look into their contractual obligations, in that respect, and find out what Virgin are legally obligated to do, in terms of advising local residents of forthcoming works, especially when things such as large junction boxes are encroaching on your property. Google for it and see what you find.

If it's obvious that they've been negligent in some way, then you may be able to force them to move it. Fight for what's right. Don't just give up and allow the technology bandwagon to simply steamroll over you!

Marco.

[Pieoftheday]

I think you should look into their contractual obligations, in that respect, and find out what Virgin are legally obligated to do, in terms of advising local residents of forthcoming works, especially when things such as large junction boxes are encroaching on your property. Google for it and see what you find.

If it's obvious that they've been negligent in some way, then you may be able to force them to move it. Fight for what's right. Don't just give up and allow the technology bandwagon to simply steamroll over you!

Marco.

Jus got a number from one of their work barriers, this number is no longer in use!!!! Got another number,oh no you should have pressed 1 at the start said the chap,dialled again and pressed 1, our call handlers are busy, cue shite music,I gave it 5 and hung up, what a crap company

[Pieoftheday]

Unbelievable!! Managed to fire off an email to their expansion team, 30 seconds later I got an email to see if I wanted to buy wine from them FFS!!

[mightymonoped]

May be worth trying a complaint via Twitter to @virginmedia? Companies are getting much more sensitive to this as it's a very public forum which reflects badly on their reputation and brand.

[Pieoftheday]

May be worth trying a complaint via Twitter to @virginmedia? Companies are getting much more sensitive to this as it's a very public forum which reflects badly on their reputation and brand.

It's a good point,i closed my Twitter,Facebook etc account s ages ago though. Looking forward to a response from their expansion team

[guy]

last post here may be of interest/use:

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Community-Natter/junction-box-location/td-p/3573225

claims they do get local authority approval!

[walpurgis]

last post here may be of interest/use:

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Community-Natter/junction-box-location/td-p/3573225

claims they do get local authority approval!

Only in so far as the broad terms of the streetworks license that statutory undertakers must have. It's not necessarily specific about everything.

[guy]

Only in so far as the broad terms of the streetworks license that statutory undertakers must have. It's not necessarily specific about everything.

Perhaps my interpretation of this phrase is too literal then:

"The cabinets are installed only when they have been approved by the Local Authority and we do give them full dimensions for them to consider......"

[Macca]

Perhaps my interpretation of this phrase is too literal then:

"The cabinets are installed only when they have been approved by the Local Authority and we do give them full dimensions for them to consider......"

Plus a brown envelope full of cash.

[guy]

Plus a brown envelope full of cash.

oooh you cynic :lol:

[Macca]

oooh you cynic :lol:

The way I see it you have to decide whether local authorities are hopelessly incompetent or bent as a nine bob note. Since no organization can possibly be so utterly and so permanently incompetent you have to figure they are on the fiddle. I reckon corruption in local government is at Nigerian levels. They know it but they daren't do anything about it because they would uncover a mountain of it going back years and it would destroy the credibility of our whole system of government.

[walpurgis]

I think you'd be surprised. After nearly forty years serving local authorities directly and indirectly in Highway Engineering, I have to say I saw little evidence of it. No doubt it occurs, as with everywhere else I expect, but it will be on a very minor scale.

[Macca]

The level of bentness is going to vary I suppose. I know that round here there is a lot of it. I'm not talking bout the ordinary workers here mind, only top bosses and the councillors. The ordinary working man rarely if ever gets to wet his beak.

[struth]

there is graft in any business but dont think councils in general are bad for it nowadays.

[Pieoftheday]

Well no response from Virgin,I kind of expected that, looks like it's tough titty, what a dreadful attitude toward people.saw a couple in Scotland had one put in front of theirs, it were nearly 6ft
×6ft ! And they got know where either:steam:

[Roy S]

An internet connection that either works or doesn't, not sort of half working, making you think it's actually doing something only to come up with an error message five minutes later.

[Minstrel SE]

Councils!...Bent as a nine bob note!! Another one of my pet hates along with the Council Tax...just the poll tax given another name and a punitive system of taxation

Macca summed it up with "Nigerian Levels". They just have a British way of dressing it up with green and pleasant land/ stiff upper lip propaganda. This country is as corrupt as the best of them

[Len Co]

On a lighter note, anything that goes on a bathroom shelf. It will be specifically designed to fall over at the slightest provocation. I have only to reach out for my sponge to have an avalanche of shampoo bottles, toothbrush holders, back scrubbers and assorted cosmetics containers bombard my nether regions.

[Marco]

Wider shelves, so that stuff isn't simply 'balancing' on them? And/or keep your sponge somewhere away from the aforementioned items/be less clumsy? ;)

Just an idea! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Barry]

On a lighter note, anything that goes on a bathroom shelf. It will be specifically designed to fall over at the slightest provocation. I have only to reach out for my sponge to have an avalanche of shampoo bottles, toothbrush holders, back scrubbers and assorted cosmetics containers bombard my nether regions.

Sounds like what you need is a basket, rather than a shelf.

[Minstrel SE]

On an even lighter note the safety police have been at my usual Johnson cotton buds. They now have paper based tubes and you cant get a good drum bursting purchase on them now :) I didnt have a problem and now I have a problem possibly because some people cant use them correctly affecting everybody else

I find them next to useless now and will have to find another brand with at least the plastic tubes.


Edit its actually the anti plastic lobby keeping them out of the sea...fair enough...... but it still leaves a useless product. Why are people not disposing of them correctly and they must be getting flushed down the loo

[struth]

Usually get aldi ones

[Oddball]

On an even lighter note the safety police have been at my usual Johnson cotton buds. They now have paper based tubes and you cant get a good drum bursting purchase on them now :) I didnt have a problem and now I have a problem possibly because some people cant use them correctly affecting everybody else

I find them next to useless now and will have to find another brand with at least the plastic tubes.


Edit its actually the anti plastic lobby keeping them out of the sea...fair enough...... but it still leaves a useless product. Why are people not disposing of them correctly and they must be getting flushed down the loo
Ha , shouldn't put them in your ears , as it just pushes the wax up like one of those things they rammed the cannon powder and shot in with !!
I have a stainless sort of mini spoon I use to gently ease the dead skin and wax from out of my ear

I am mainly cursing the frost as its making my life a lot more harder

[Marco]

I have a stainless sort of mini spoon I use to gently ease the dead skin and wax from out of my ear...


Awesome.... Have you ever tasted it?

Mine's quite peppery, with the consistency of peanut butter. If you melt it in your spoon, it makes a nice fondue, served with garlic croutons. Highly recommended! :thumbsup:

Marco.

[walpurgis]

The current trend for some young blokes to shave the front of their heads to produce a hairline that's straight across. It looks bloody ridiculous. Even worse when the shaved bits have a couple of day's stubble!

[montesquieu]

The current trend for some young blokes to shave the front of their heads to produce a hairline that's straight across. It looks bloody ridiculous. Even worse when the shaved bits have a couple of day's stubble!

Tsk. Young blokes with daft haircuts. Never happened in our day.

(BTW I was 16 in 1977 ... hasten to say I'm not in the photo)

https://i2-prod.chroniclelive.co.uk/incoming/article11377460.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/JS90861799.jpg

[Firebottle]

I'll be relating my experience with a French energy supplier shortly, when I've stopped bouncing off the walls :steam:

[Bigman80]

I'll be relating my experience with a French energy supplier shortly, when I've stopped bouncing off the walls :steam:[emoji54]

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Primalsea]

Not being able to purchase more than 2 boxes of painkillers at a time...

I was in Tesco and tried to buy 4 boxes of 24 paracetamol and was told it’s not possible, but I could purchase 2 boxes of 48 instead.

[struth]

Was brought in to discourage spontaneous suicides.

It wasnt very well thought out tho

[Pierre De Grenoble]

All those pukingly "beautiful" images on my desk top log in screen. I click no I don't like it and lo and behold a week later it's back.

If I tell MSN that I actually like an image they promptly remove it... for ever.. :doh:

[Pieoftheday]

Not being able to purchase more than 2 boxes of painkillers at a time...

I was in Tesco and tried to buy 4 boxes of 24 paracetamol and was told it’s not possible, but I could purchase 2 boxes of 48 instead.

a chap was having a similar argument a few weeks back in sainsburys, they wouldnt let him have two boxes but he could buy one and then go back around the supermarket and buy more:scratch:

[Firebottle]

OK, as many of you may know we lived in France for a while and have now been back in the UK for just over a year now.

When we left France we closed all accounts and settled all final bills in good faith.

So it came as a bit of a shock to receive a 'Facture rectificative', i.e. a rectification bill from one of the suppliers. The extra amount is for :

'Regularisation tarifaire Tarif Bleu - du 01/08/14 au 31/10/14', plus tarifaire Base - du 01/08/14, and
'Regularisation tarifaire Tarif Bleu - du 01/11/14 au 31/07/15', plus tarifaire Base - du 01/11/14.

Yes your eyes don't deceive you, the dates are from 2014 to 2015 :mental:

My instant response was to send them a very snotty email expressing my disgust at the situation. I did however get a response which reads :

'On 15th June 2016, the Conseil d'État (the Council of State, that acts as the supreme court for administrative justice) decided that the evolution of regulated electricity prices was not adequate and cancelled the price scales for the following periods: from 1st August 2014 to 31st October 2014 and from 1st November 2014 to 31st July 2015.

Therefore, on 2nd October 2016, a new official decree stated that these prices should be retrospectively increased for all domestic customers. This means that we have to bill you both standing charge and consumption.'

What the **** it has to do with 'administrative justice' I haven't a clue, I think it's just robdog practices. So like it or lump it the same has happened to 25 Million other customers, who presumably are as p***ed off with it as I am.

The amount was under 18 Euros and I have now paid it but FFS.

:steam:

[Pierre De Grenoble]

How is it that the family all think I am a difficult person to buy a present for @ Xmas so that all I ever get is socks and all that shite..

and I can go to a shop / website and fill a couple of sacks in no time at all...... :doh:

[Macca]

OK, as many of you may know we lived in France for a while and have now been back in the UK for just over a year now.

When we left France we closed all accounts and settled all final bills in good faith.

So it came as a bit of a shock to receive a 'Facture rectificative', i.e. a rectification bill from one of the suppliers. The extra amount is for :

'Regularisation tarifaire Tarif Bleu - du 01/08/14 au 31/10/14', plus tarifaire Base - du 01/08/14, and
'Regularisation tarifaire Tarif Bleu - du 01/11/14 au 31/07/15', plus tarifaire Base - du 01/11/14.

Yes your eyes don't deceive you, the dates are from 2014 to 2015 :mental:

My instant response was to send them a very snotty email expressing my disgust at the situation. I did however get a response which reads :

'On 15th June 2016, the Conseil d'État (the Council of State, that acts as the supreme court for administrative justice) decided that the evolution of regulated electricity prices was not adequate and cancelled the price scales for the following periods: from 1st August 2014 to 31st October 2014 and from 1st November 2014 to 31st July 2015.

Therefore, on 2nd October 2016, a new official decree stated that these prices should be retrospectively increased for all domestic customers. This means that we have to bill you both standing charge and consumption.'

What the **** it has to do with 'administrative justice' I haven't a clue, I think it's just robdog practices. So like it or lump it the same has happened to 25 Million other customers, who presumably are as p***ed off with it as I am.

The amount was under 18 Euros and I have now paid it but FFS.

:steam:

I'd have stuck them for it, frankly. What are they going to do from all the way over there in France? They can't cut you off and it's not worth taking you to Court in this country for 18 dollar let alone from overseas. Tell them to take it out of the Brexit settlement if they are so desperate for it.

[Puffin]

How is it that the family all think I am a difficult person to buy a present for @ Xmas so that all I ever get is socks and all that shite..

and I can go to a shop / website and fill a couple of sacks in no time at all...... :doh:

Despite having been into this malarkey since I was 11 years old, I have never ever had anyone buy me anything hifi related, nor even asked if there was anything in particular I would like.

[CageyH]

I'd have stuck them for it, frankly. What are they going to do from all the way over there in France? They can't cut you off and it's not worth taking you to Court in this country for 18 dollar let alone from overseas. Tell them to take it out of the Brexit settlement if they are so desperate for it.

How much of the UK electricity is supplied by French owned companies? ;)

[Pieoftheday]

Woke up today feeling positive, found a leak under sink, bugger,a cheap but annoying fix,took dog out,slipped on ice cut my leg,FFS

[Pigmy Pony]

A pet hate with me is the need for parents to personally chauffeur their precious bundles to school every day. The justification would be that the roads are too busy for pedestrians. Their actions are a big contribution to these busy roads (see how much easier travel is during school holidays). What they're not saying is that the little geniuses can't be trusted to cross a road.

If I'm in a queue of traffic and I see a car laden with schoolkids, I don't let them out. Why should I make it easier for them to make my commute harder?

2 suggestions:
1. Put a big coat on little Tarquin and kick him out the door with some bus fare.
2. Confiscate their phones so they can concentrate better on their surroundings, instead of gawping at myarseyourfacebook.

[walpurgis]

Woke up today feeling positive, found a leak under sink, bugger,a cheap but annoying fix,took dog out,slipped on ice cut my leg,FFS

You know you should be taking things steady at your age James. :D

[Pieoftheday]

[QUOTE=walpurgis;929019]You know you should be taking things steady at your age James. :D[ :)

[Barry]

A pet hate with me is the need for parents to personally chauffeur their precious bundles to school every day. The justification would be that the roads are too busy for pedestrians. Their actions are a big contribution to these busy roads (see how much easier travel is during school holidays). What they're not saying is that the little geniuses can't be trusted to cross a road.

If I'm in a queue of traffic and I see a car laden with schoolkids, I don't let them out. Why should I make it easier for them to make my commute harder?

2 suggestions:
1. Put a big coat on little Tarquin and kick him out the door with some bus fare.
2. Confiscate their phones so they can concentrate better on their surroundings, instead of gawping at myarseyourfacebook.

My parents stopped accompanying me to school after the age of five. Although I went to a boarding school, I was a 'day pupil' because we only lived about a mile away. I was taught how to use a zebra crossing, given the bus fare and expected to make my own way to and from school.

Talking of letting traffic in, why don't people understand that it is one car at a time - I really dislike 'tailgaters' who force their way in! :doh:

[walpurgis]

My parents stopped accompanying me to school after the age of five.

Same here. I walked the mile or so each way and remember in the winter, wading through thigh deep snow in my wellies and shorts (weren't allowed long trousers :rolleyes:) and having stinging red thighs once I got where I was going.

[struth]

Same here. I walked the mile or so each way and remember in the winter, wading through thigh deep snow in my wellies and shorts (weren't allowed long trousers :rolleyes:) and having stinging red thighs once I got where I was going.

easy life you had. we had no wellies or short trousers .... not even a school; just a cardboard box!!:ner:

[Barry]

easy life you had. we had no wellies or short trousers .... not even a school; just a cardboard box!!:ner:

I was thinking the same - "tell that to kids today and they wouldn't believe you". ;)

[Ian7633]

My parents stopped accompanying me to school after the age of five. Although I went to a boarding school, I was a 'day pupil' because we only lived about a mile away. I was taught how to use a zebra crossing, given the bus fare and expected to make my own way to and from school.

Talking of letting traffic in, why don't people understand that it is one car at a time - I really dislike 'tailgaters' who force their way in! :doh:
With you all the way there Barry, I really don't remember being taken to school, used to walk to the bus stop with mum, I went to school, she went to work.

As for tailgaters they need to be punched soundly :punch:

[Pigmy Pony]

We lived for 3 months in a paper bag in a septic tank!

[Barry]

We lived for 3 months in a paper bag in a septic tank!

Yes we know - you had to get up three hours before you went to bed, work a twenty five hour day, after which you were thrashed to death by your father.

[Marco]

Same here. I walked the mile or so each way and remember in the winter, wading through thigh deep snow in my wellies and shorts (weren't allowed long trousers :rolleyes:) and having stinging red thighs once I got where I was going.

Lol - that literally sounds like something out of the dark ages! Guess it turned you into the big daftee you are now :D

It was, erm, slightly different for me... I went to a prep school, for my primary education, which was six miles from our home, so my dad drove me there and collected me later in his nice warm car, whilst wearing long trousers (for the winter), or shorts in the good weather. It was a great school, very small (a converted house) with small classrooms, and the opportunity for one-to-one teaching. I was doing algebra and learning French in Primary Six.

The secondary school I attended was eight miles from home, so I took the school bus there and back, and we pretty much wore what we wanted, as long as it consisted of a white shirt (with school tie), grey or navy jumper and black trousers. It was a strict Catholic school, so many of the teachers were nuns. Amongst other things there, I learned Latin.

During 5th and 6th year, I wore my leather biker's jacket (with a Gong logo on the back) and my 18-hole Docs (with varying colours of laces), and arrived in school on my motor bike, which the girlies loved.... :eyebrows:;)

Great days! :cool:

Marco.

[Marco]

A pet hate with me is the need for parents to personally chauffeur their precious bundles to school every day. The justification would be that the roads are too busy for pedestrians. Their actions are a big contribution to these busy roads (see how much easier travel is during school holidays). What they're not saying is that the little geniuses can't be trusted to cross a road.

If I'm in a queue of traffic and I see a car laden with schoolkids, I don't let them out. Why should I make it easier for them to make my commute harder?

2 suggestions:
1. Put a big coat on little Tarquin and kick him out the door with some bus fare.
2. Confiscate their phones so they can concentrate better on their surroundings, instead of gawping at myarseyourfacebook.

Lol - I do agree with every word there! Far too much mollycoddling going on with kids these days.

And what's happened to school buses? If you don't live within walking distance of a school, why can't the school lay on buses to pick up kids, rather than parents having to run them to school (especially in their ridiculous 4x4s, which never see any 'off-road action')? It would certainly alleviate some of the traffic issues.

Marco.

[Macca]

Lol - that literally sounds like something out of the dark ages! Guess it turned you into the big daftee you are now :D

It was, erm, slightly different for me... I went to a prep school, for my primary education, which was six miles from our home, so my dad drove me there and collected me later in his nice warm car, whilst wearing long trousers (for the winter), or shorts in the good weather. It was a great school, very small (a converted big house) with small classrooms, and the opportunity for one-to-one teaching. I was doing algebra and learning French in Primary Six.

The secondary school I attended was eight miles from home, so I took the school bus there and back, and we pretty much wore what we wanted, as long as it consisted of a white shirt (with school tie), grey or navy jumper and black trousers. It was a strict Catholic school, so many of the teachers were nuns. Amongst other things there, I learned Latin.

During 5th and 6th year, I wore my leather biker's jacket (with a Gong logo on the back) and my 18-hole Docs (with varying colours of laces), and arrived in school on my motor bike, which the girlies loved.... :eyebrows:;)

Great days! :cool:

Marco.

Easy life. At my primary school we were not allowed to wear long trousers, even in the snow. Nor could you walk in wearing tracky bottoms over your shorts and take them off outside the gates. Some kid tried that once and got the cane for it.

You'd get the cane for having the top button of your shirt undone too. Or for running. Children today don't know that they're born. Of course we just accepted it as perfectly normal, six year olds being caned on the back of the legs. Would be a hate crime now or some other nonsense.

IMO it equipped us to deal with life's hardships much better than today's over-indulged molly coddled children. They were actually doing us a favour, although we didn't realise at the time.

[struth]

Easy life. At my primary school we were not allowed to wear long trousers, even in the snow. Nor could you walk in wearing tracky bottoms over your shorts and take them off outside the gates. Some kid tried that once and got the cane for it.

You'd get the cane for having the top button of your shirt undone too. Or for running. Children today don't know that they're born. Of course we just accepted it as perfectly normal, six year olds being caned on the back of the legs. Would be a hate crime now or some other nonsense.

IMO it equipped us to deal with life's hardships much better than today's over-indulged molly coddled children. They were actually doing us a favour, although we didn't realise at the time.

I disagree martin. They were lazy teachers, with a nasty streak thats all imv. we got belted for breathing wrong, doesnt make it right.

[Macca]

I disagree martin. They were lazy teachers, with a nasty streak thats all imv. we got belted for breathing wrong, doesnt make it right.

Maybe in some cases, not in this one. The punishments were never delivered with anger or frustration. They were just the consequences to breaking the rules, that's all. And it did mean you learned how to break the rules and not get caught. A valuable life lesson, that.

The problem now is that children expect adult life to be a bed of roses, an unbroken continuation of their childhood, and when it inevitably doesn't work out like that, they can't cope.

[Marco]

Easy life. At my primary school we were not allowed to wear long trousers, even in the snow. Nor could you walk in wearing tracky bottoms over your shorts and take them off outside the gates. Some kid tried that once and got the cane for it.


Yup, I can't begin to pretend otherwise, as an only child from comfortably off, middle class parents. However, I wasn't gratuitously spoiled with material possessions, as many kids are today, and having it easy when I was young certainly didn't stop me from having a work ethic and wanting to make a success of my life.

Marco.

[Marco]

So does anyone know what happened to school buses - do they not exist anymore, and if they do, why are parents ferrying their kids around instead in cars?

Marco.

[Macca]

Don't know. Now you mention it, it has been a long time since I saw a bus with 'School' on the front. I suppose now car ownership is pretty much universal there is no need for them.

[Pierre De Grenoble]

Great days! :cool:

Marco.

passed my 11+ as it was then so went to the local grammer..

forced to do Latin for 5 fecking years and failed the "O" level.. veni vidi vici my arse..

I always accepted that we were there to learn and achieve but "great days" not a fucking chance....

[Macca]

I also went to a Grammar and did Latin for 5 years, no choice. If you were good at Latin you had to do Ancient Greek as well. Fortunately I was terrible at Latin, was always getting detention for being unable to construe.

I recall a schoolmate saying 'Once we are out of this place the rest of our lives are going to be gravy, whatever happens'. He wasn't far off.

[Macca]

That bit in 'Life Of Brian' where the Centurion has to correct his 'Romans Go Home' graffiti on the forum, that's a documentary as far as I'm concerned.

[Pierre De Grenoble]

I disagree martin. They were lazy teachers, with a nasty streak thats all imv. we got belted for breathing wrong, doesnt make it right.

So true. one fucking arse wipe knocked me out of my chair / desk with a 6" wooden blackboard rubber because he thought I wasn't paying attention to his RE class. ( fucking RE of all things...)

When I woke up I was in Hospital for 3 weeks with Rheumatic Fever.. That cunt was never even questioned about it... I was 12.

School days the best days.. never EVER..

[Macca]

Getting hit with the blackboard rubber was nothing to us. How about a full on punch in the side of the head that would knock you to the ground?

We had this drunken Irishman who would do that, not for any reason. One time I dodged it and he punched a hole in the classsroom wall. The form master came in later and went crackers. We told him who did it but he wouldn't believe it.

[Pierre De Grenoble]

Getting hit with the blackboard rubber was nothing to us. How about a full on punch in the side of the head that would knock you to the ground?

We had this drunken Irishman who would do that, not for any reason. One time I dodged it and he punched a hole in the classsroom wall. The form master came in later and went crackers. We told him who did it but he wouldn't believe it.

Myself I think they didn't want to believe it. Every thing these days is far to politically correct and health & safety aware but if some sadistic bastard treated my grand kids the way I was treated he / she would be saying hello to a base ball bat when he / she wasn't expecting it.

[montesquieu]

I also went to a Grammar and did Latin for 5 years, no choice. If you were good at Latin you had to do Ancient Greek as well. Fortunately I was terrible at Latin, was always getting detention for being unable to construe.

I recall a schoolmate saying 'Once we are out of this place the rest of our lives are going to be gravy, whatever happens'. He wasn't far off.

I did six years of Latin and recall that I more or less enjoyed it, bit of Classical Greek as well. (Though maybe I've forgotten all those toe curling moments when you were put on the spot in class to construe a chunk of Ovid). Comes in handy for many of the things I love in adult life, such as listening to the sacred music, visiting churches and cathedrals and reading the inscriptions, or just reading a well written book! Also I don't speak any Italian beyond reasonable facility with a menu and some musical terms, but it's amazing how far you can get with just that and a bit of Latin!

My kids laugh at me when I define the meaning of words with reference to the Latin or Greek (or French or German) root, but they get the importance of knowing where language comes from and the subtle differences of meaning between apparently equivalent words with Germanic or Latin or French roots.

BTW my school had a policy of shorts only except in severe winter (proper snow on the ground) and the description earlier of red thighs on fire with frostbite brought back memories. Long trousers being a privilege of fourth year (Scottish O Grade) and above.

As for school buses, both my kids walked to primary school and got buses to high school (30-40 mins each in opposite directions) not school buses though they seem to be extinct for some reason probably because SUV-driving parents don't use them enough to justify their continuation ....

[Macca]

Myself I think they didn't want to believe it. Every thing these days is far to politically correct and health & safety aware but if some sadistic bastard treated my grand kids the way I was treated he / she would be saying hello to a base ball bat when he / she wasn't expecting it.

I know what you mean. But it's funny, we didn't think anything of it at the time and I still don't regard it as anything other than ultimately beneficial. You learned to be on your toes and you lost your fear for violence. I wasn't a tough kid by any means but I made it and so did all of the others, even the real softys.

I know loads of people will think I am so wrong, but that's how I feel. What can you do?

[Barry]

..............

My kids laugh at me when I define the meaning of words with reference to the Latin or Greek (or French or German) root, but they get the importance of knowing where language comes from and the subtle differences of meaning between apparently equivalent words with Germanic or Latin or French roots.


I'm fascinated with the origin and etymology of words in general; an interest with which my schoolboy Latin and Greek comes into use.

[struth]

Still get them here but not so many.

We had a number of psycho teachers both at primary and then secondary level. Most were either single or married without kids. Total tossers to a man or woman. My daughters teachers were in comparison all very good and even handed. Keen to help and friendly. Got more out of kids that way

[Pierre De Grenoble]

I know what you mean. But it's funny, we didn't think anything of it at the time and I still don't regard it as anything other than ultimately beneficial. You learned to be on your toes and you lost your fear for violence. I wasn't a tough kid by any means but I made it and so did all of the others, even the real softys.

I know loads of people will think I am so wrong, but that's how I feel. What can you do?

Couldn't do anything then because it was considered to be "character forming" but the old expression of "don't get mad get even" has always stayed with me..

[Ian7633]

Couldn't do anything then because it was considered to be "character forming" but the old expression of "don't get mad get even" has always stayed with me..

His name wasn't Adams by any chance?, we had a complete headcase for an RE teacher called Adams and his favourite weapon was the board rubber. He threw it at the wrong kid once, kid's dad came in the next day and it was the first time I had ever seen anyone nut somebody, I think it was one of the best things I've ever seen and that bastard teacher was much nicer......when he finally came back to school.

[walpurgis]

I'm fascinated with the origin and etymology of words in general

Me too. I often ponder the origins of words and notice parallels or the simlilarity of equivalents in different languages. Names too, they show associated derivations across the world.

[Macca]

I think the difference is if the teachers are vindictive with their violence. Mine were not. The corporal punishments were always dispassionately administrated. Never saw a teacher hit anyone in anger. The Irish feller was always laughing when he was punching. But he was just a nut job. You're going to encounter nut jobs in adult life so good training really.

[Pierre De Grenoble]

His name wasn't Adams by any chance?, we had a complete headcase for an RE teacher called Adams and his favourite weapon was the board rubber. He threw it at the wrong kid once, kid's dad came in the next day and it was the first time I had ever seen anyone nut somebody, I think it was one of the best things I've ever seen and that bastard teacher was much nicer......when he finally came back to school.


I'm chuckling as I read and no my pricks name was Duguid or similar..

but the sad thing is as you said "when he came back"

[Pigmy Pony]

We had a history teacher who administered discipline with a slipper, by leaving the classroom so that he could start his run from the corridor, so that he could whack the miscreant all the harder. It never hurt, it resulted in everyone laughing, including the 'victim', and this bit of pantomime made the pupils respect and like him!

To be popular and respected must be a difficult balancing act, and teachers who can do this are worth every penny

[Marco]

passed my 11+ as it was then so went to the local grammer..

forced to do Latin for 5 fecking years and failed the "O" level.. veni vidi vici my arse..

I always accepted that we were there to learn and achieve but "great days" not a fucking chance....

Well, Steve, there we disagree. I loved almost every aspect of my schooldays, especially primary, at the small prep school I went to. Apart from the teachers being fantastic, both at doing their job and being really caring and friendly, the freedom you were given was great.

For example, we were given money to go into town (a 10 min walk away) and buy our own lunch, so more often than not it was cream cakes and pop all round, lol! Secondary school was harder work, of course, but in general I enjoyed my time there, got on with most of my teachers and had some major laughs with friends (and fun with girls), and left with good qualifications.

That's why I can look back on those days with great fondness :cool:

Marco.

[Marco]

As for school buses, both my kids walked to primary school and got buses to high school (30-40 mins each in opposite directions) not school buses though they seem to be extinct for some reason probably because SUV-driving parents don't use them enough to justify their continuation ....

Most likely... Fucking idiots, the lot of them :wanker:

Going on the school bus every morning from the south side of Glasgow to Paisley, where my secondary school was located, was great. A) because it gave you time to do your homework before class lol, and b) to have a chinwag with your mates, swapping football stickers or whatever, or in the wintertime having snowball fights before the bus arrived! :D

Marco.

[Len Co]

My alma mater was a Welsh grammar school where the staff were the usual crusty old pipe-smoking tweed wearing suspects - and that was just the women. Imagine my delight when Miss Edwards turned up fresh from college to teach us Physics in a mini-skirt and the tightest of tight sweaters. Certainly made my galvanometer twitch a bit!

[walpurgis]

Cushions!

Settees and chairs etc., are (hopefully) ergonomically designed to accomodate the human form. So why do women pile large cushions on them? I constantly have to move cushions out of the way to sit comfortably. Where's the sense in that? :scratch:

[Len Co]

Obviously a big pile of soft furnishings on display is gong to give the impression that their @rses are smaller. Some sort of thing as men keeping stocks of baby carrots and other miniature root vegetables in the bedroom. Don't get me started on bonsai.

[Ninanina]

I only have fond memories of my primary school, the others were a complete wast of time...

I went awol for most of my upper school time, it was so rubbish... I had no time for most of the teachers and any A & O levels I passed were nothing to do with their input...

[montesquieu]

I only have fond memories of my primary school, the others were a complete wast of time...

I went awol for most of my upper school time, it was so rubbish... I had no time for most of the teachers and any A & O levels I passed were nothing to do with their input...

My primary school in a rough industrial town was hellish beyond belief, all I can remember is the whole class getting repeatedly belted (the dreaded Lochgelly 'tawse') for nothing very much, and having my head bounced off toilet walls by older kids, at least one of whom, I later found out, subsequently did time for murder.

By contrast my six years of high school in a rural boarding school was sheer bliss, as much music as I could fit in my day and by and large the sport (otherwise copious, cold & pointless) was avoidable if you could prove you were doing something constructive (such as music practice).

[struth]

All our primary teachers were old spinsters who belted for fun. Only time they ever smiled and even then it was crooked

[walpurgis]

I made local history by getting expelled from nursery school. Things didn't get any better from there onwards. Constantly in trouble right the way through school, my last school being very rough and tough. I got a constant hidings from teachers and pastings from bigger lads (made a point of settling scores with each one the month before I left though :)). I was booted out at the age of fourteen and told never to return. Didn't matter, I'd learned easily and had learnt all I needed.

[Pigmy Pony]

How'd you get expelled from nursery school? Try to cop some breast feeding from a teacher? Or perhaps leaving your soiled nappy in her butty box?

[Macca]

Loan sharking and extortion.

Probably.

[struth]

running a knocking shop:lol:

[Pigmy Pony]

running a knocking shop:lol:

Don't become a celebrity or a politician, it'll all catch up with you!

[Minstrel SE]

I only have fond memories of my primary school, the others were a complete wast of time...

I went awol for most of my upper school time, it was so rubbish... I had no time for most of the teachers and any A & O levels I passed were nothing to do with their input...

Im right with you Ninanina. Thats exactly how I feel.

The great education scam is a whole topic for the pet hates section. I just felt that I was on a giant meat conveyor belt and I passed my O levels on an autopilot of regurgitation. I flunked my A levels because I had already been offered a job but I chose the wrong subjects anyway, no thanks to the school. They didnt even know I was there half the time and I did start flunking off . I couldnt face further education but feel that was a failure of the system. I am keen to learn in the right environment but I hated school

A key point is that the quality of A level teaching was poor or maybe it was because I suddenly had to think for myself without any real basis/guidance on which to do that. They chucked volumes of Nuffield Physics books at us and its a massive subject to take in with lazy teaching.

The fond memories of primary school are more to do with the joyous moments of young childhood before they squeeze that out of you.

If you look up quotes about unschooling it becomes clear that its mainly to keep kids off the streets and out of the labour market in a giant social engineering exercise. By the time I left school I was simply conditioned to say yes sir in some crap office job. It did not free my mind and make me a free thinker. I had a head full of osmosis theory and no idea of who I was or what I was capable of.

The standard of careers advice summed it all up :(

[Minstrel SE]

If one more shop or machine asks me if I want my receipt, I will explode to the moon :)

Like today she has my receipt 30cm away from me and asks me if I want it. Of course I want it as its the only written proof I have paid for the goods. Why wouldnt I want it? Why would I allow her just to throw it in the bin?

If I dont get my receipt and Im stopped at the door or go into another shop, what proof do I have that Ive paid for the items in my bag. I may also like to check the prices on the receipts later.

Some lad in another shop said he would know if I had paid for it but come the crunch he wouldnt know and we would have to go back through a machines copy records with a security guard present

Its driving me mad. Why cant she just hand me my receipt without asking me. Its already printed FFS so they are not even saving paper. Anyway I dont want them saving paper...I want my receipt Aaaaaargh

[tapid]

Exactly Martin, for whatever reason I was buzzed going out of Morrisons and as my main shopping had been in Liddles I had to produce that bill as well for security.
Saved me a lot of hassle in the long run that, me thinks.

[Pierre De Grenoble]

Exactly Martin, for whatever reason I was buzzed going out of Morrisons and as my main shopping had been in Liddles I had to produce that bill as well for security.
Saved me a lot of hassle in the long run that, me thinks.

Common Scam:- Security Guard's mate goes through the barrier 6 inches in front of you. his trolly is loaded with knock off.

Security pounces on an innocent you and his mate saunters out of the area whilst you get all the hassle.

I stand to be corrected but I have also been told that Security does not have a legal right to search you and or your bags

[struth]

Common Scam:- Security Guard's mate goes through the barrier 6 inches in front of you. his trolly is loaded with knock off.

Security pounces on an innocent you and his mate saunters out of the area whilst you get all the hassle.

I stand to be corrected but I have also been told that Security does not have a legal right to search you and or your bags

You are correct. They have no rights above any other civilian in UK. Complaints should be made to police and the sia

[walpurgis]

Common Scam:- Security Guard's mate goes through the barrier 6 inches in front of you. his trolly is loaded with knock off.

Security pounces on an innocent you and his mate saunters out of the area whilst you get all the hassle.

I've had it happen to me in Tesco! Some dodgy looking female with loads of shopping walking out directly in front of me setting off the alarm. I'd clocked her waiting near the exit as I approached.

Big security guard over like a shot asking if I'd paid for everything I was carrying. I told him it was all my property and he wasn't touching it. Walked around him and carried on outside with him following and demanding to see a receipt. I just said 'Bollocks' and went to my car. I knew he was running a fiddle. Fuck 'em I say!

[Macca]

It's up to them to prove you nicked it, not up to you to prove you paid for it. If they detain you physically ands it turns out they were wrong to do so you can sue them. And supermarkets have deep pockets. They'll settle out of Court too as they don't want the publicity or the legal bills.

[montesquieu]

It's up to them to prove you nicked it, not up to you to prove you paid for it. If they detain you physically ands it turns out they were wrong to do so you can sue them. And supermarkets have deep pockets. They'll settle out of Court too as they don't want the publicity or the legal bills.

Several newspapers have reported steep rises in shoplifting as plod no longer investigates any theft under £200. Too busy tracking down malicious tweets with their backsides glued to a chair.

[Macca]

Several newspapers have reported steep rises in shoplifting as plod no longer investigates any theft under £200. Too busy tracking down malicious tweets with their backsides glued to a chair.

Now then, you know that the most important thing we have to tackle in our society is people having their feelings hurt...

[tapid]

Yeah, were just ignore anyone doing anything unlawful.

[Primalsea]

I've had it happen to me in Tesco! Some dodgy looking female with loads of shopping walking out directly in front of me setting off the alarm. I'd clocked her waiting near the exit as I approached.

Big security guard over like a shot asking if I'd paid for everything I was carrying. I told him it was all my property and he wasn't touching it. Walked around him and carried on outside with him following and demanding to see a receipt. I just said 'Bollocks' and went to my car. I knew he was running a fiddle. Fuck 'em I say!

I think if this happened to me I think on the spot I would phone up the head office and explain what was happening and ask to speak to someone in charge of security. That would make the guard squerm a bit.

[Minstrel SE]

Yes but you all know that the situation can get surreal fast. Camera operator having a bad day, security guard that wants a promotion and a couple of jobsworths. I dont think you would be so indignant when asked to return to the shop and they are threatening to call the police :)

I may have an item in my bag for life :) bought from another shop which this shop also sell. This is important especially in the days of automated tills. Its a situation waiting to happen if I dont have receipts.

There must be a trend of people going nah dont want my receipt or they wouldnt ask. They leave them sticking out of the machines as well. Its pure lazy mindedness. Who are those non caring people I wonder? It takes a few seconds out of my day to get a receipt so why wouldnt I?

When I get home and everyting is packed away I chuck my receipts then. Even then something may be dodgy so its good practice to generally hang on to them for a little while.

Anyway it does my head in. If they just handed me the receipt they could save on the complete waste of words every time.

I dont agree with that in the workplace :D

[Macca]

Receipts from cash machines, what are they all about? The most pointless and wasteful feature ever. You can see your balance so why do you need a bit of paper with it on as well? If you're that forgetful write it down. And then they leave it lying on the machine or chuck it on the ground anyway.

[southall-1998]

Christmas Cards sprinkled with glitter :steam:

S.

[Barry]

Receipts from cash machines, what are they all about? The most pointless and wasteful feature ever. You can see your balance so why do you need a bit of paper with it on as well? If you're that forgetful write it down. And then they leave it lying on the machine or chuck it on the ground anyway.

I keep them so I can check them off against my statement, just as I do with all receipts for items paid for using my bank card.

[walpurgis]

Never used a cash machine, but I'd keep receipts if I did.

[WESTLOWER]

Never used a cash machine, but I'd keep receipts if I did.

NEVER??

[Macca]

I can't believe anyone would bother. And how can you get by without using a cash machine? I used to cash checks in the bank but even I gave that up in the end and got a card.

[struth]

I rarely use cash at all

[walpurgis]

NEVER??

NOPE!

[Macca]

You should use cash as much as possible. Once they get rid of cash that's the end. They'll have us by the balls, man. Revelation 13:17 17: so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

[WESTLOWER]

I rarely use cash at all

Agree few people carry cash nowadays, but to say, 'never' used a cash machine!

[walpurgis]

how can you get by without using a cash machine?

Don't use much cash and these days, if I occasionally want any, I pop into the post office and draw what I need from my bank account with my debit card. Only takes a jiffy!

[Macca]

First person to ever use a cash machine was Reg Varney off of 'On The Buses'.

[walpurgis]

Agree few people carry cash nowadays, but to say, 'never' used a cash machine!

Why would that be so 'amazing'?

[Macca]

Don't use much cash and these days

What are you back to bartering goods and services now? Very anarcho-syndicalist. :D

[walpurgis]

You should use cash as much as possible. Once they get rid of cash that's the end. They'll have us by the balls, man. Revelation 13:17 17: so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

What beast might that be?

[WESTLOWER]

Great Northern Railway. Bunch of useless Karrnts.
Delayed trains, cancelled trains, peak times into the city of London.
They have even started to blame the drivers ! "Lack of driving staff"
All run on a profit based model. Shite service, shite rolling stock, shite customer care
And sky high, rising fares. KARRRNTS

[Ian7633]

Christmas Cards sprinkled with glitter :steam:

S.

Oh yes, I had three on the same day and only noticed how bad the 'glitter drop' was when the cat was sparkling

[Ninanina]

Great Northern Railway. Bunch of useless Karrnts.
Delayed trains, cancelled trains, peak times into the city of London.
They have even started to blame the drivers ! "Lack of driving staff"
All run on a profit based model. Shite service, shite rolling stock, shite customer care
And sky high, rising fares. KARRRNTS

I very rarely use trains, thank goodness ;)

[WESTLOWER]

Why would that be so 'amazing'?

You are perplexed that I find that someone who states he has NEVER used an ATM machine
Is pretty amazing!? :scratch:

[WESTLOWER]

I very rarely use trains, thank goodness ;)

You have no idea what delights you are missing!
It's utterly horrendous. I'm shattered when I get to work!

[walpurgis]

You are perplexed that I find that someone who states he has NEVER used an ATM machine
Is pretty amazing!? :scratch:

Don't think I mentioned "perplexed", but I've never had the need to get cash from a 'hole in the wall'.

[Macca]

What beast might that be?

I don't know, it is all in the Bible. Somewhere near the back.

Seriously though, can you imagine a world where there is no cash in hand anymore? It will happen, we are slowly going that way. People don't realise the ramifications.

[struth]

Admin of everything is the biggest waste of money. God knows how we managed in past times

[Ninanina]

You have no idea what delights you are missing!
It's utterly horrendous. I'm shattered when I get to work!

Sorry to hear that Adam :(

I have very occasionally used the train into London and on those few times it was ok but I'm glad I don't have to use it very often

[walpurgis]

I very rarely use trains, thank goodness ;)

Not used public transport for thirty years or so.

[Ninanina]

Not used public transport for thirty years or so.

I think I last used a train about 8 years ago into London...

I can't remember the last time I used a bus, maybe 25 years ago..

[walpurgis]

I don't know, it is all in the Bible. Somewhere near the back.

Ah. There are many bibles. Would you know which one? It's been written in so many interpretations, it's very hard to tell which is correct. If any.

[WESTLOWER]

Not used public transport for thirty years or so.

Sensible man!

[walpurgis]

I think I last used a train about 8 years ago into London...

I can't remember the last time I used a bus, maybe 25 years ago..

I just rely on being chauffeured in the Bentley. ;)

[Macca]

Not used public transport for thirty years or so.

Aeroplanes count, they are the worst form of public transport by a margin. Boats count too, they are the best form, except when it is rough and people are sick everywhere.

You must surely have been on a plane or boat since 1988?

[struth]

Can't get on a bus

[Macca]

Ah. There are many bibles. Would you know which one? It's been written in so many interpretations, it's very hard to tell which is correct. If any.

You want a King James Edition. That's like the Linn Sondek of Bibles. Lots of people rate it as the best even though there is no real reason to do so but nevertheless it has become something of a benchmark. But pretty much any version has the Book of Revelations in it. As with popular beat combo 'Iron Maiden' the whole 'Number Of The Beast' thing is a big draw so they don't tend to leave it out. Don't get one of those modern Bibles where Jesus talks in street slang, unless you are deliberately being ironic.

Anyways, New Testament, near the back.

[walpurgis]

You must surely have been on a plane or boat since 1988?

No. Don't go abroad or fly within UK. Used to ride a motorbike all the time, as well as driving cars. Still own both.

Anyway. What's 1988 got to do with it?

I've actually flown quite a bit, but only on military aircraft. I doubt there's a record of my flights, nor of why I may or may not have been abroad with the military. It was a long, long time ago and I was never actually in the forces, although I am a several times qualified military marksman with considerable armed and unarmed combat training. Figure that out! :D (no, not TA)

[Macca]

1988 - thirty years ago.

Re the military: you were a contractor, I'd guess. I used to have the contracts for BTP and the Army and could have gone on all sorts of beanos with them but I never did. No idea how you can get an marksman badge without being in the forces though.

[struth]

Civsecops. I don't fly now. Have done but prefer boats. There is something civilised about it. Was on a train recently. Well 6 years ago lol

[Marco]

Not used public transport for thirty years or so.

I used a train last month the first time in about 20 years, simply because for that particular journey it was more practical to do so. I haven't been on a bus in about 25 years, and planes only occasionally, the last time being last year when Del and I flew to Austria to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.

No, when possible, I like to drive (abroad, too), primarily because I like the freedom of being able to go where I want, when I want, without my movements being controlled by a timetable. I also hate any form of queues with a passion, the inconvenience of delays, which frustrate me beyond belief, and having to mix with the 'great unwashed'... But also because using a car allows you to bring things of interest back home and/or transport items much more conveniently and easily.

Basically, I like to be in control of my life, rather than something or someone else controlling it for me. I pretty much insist on that.

In terms of transport, I'm lucky living in an area where the roads are generally quiet and sometimes completely empty, which is the case pretty much anywhere in rural North Wales, so 'traffic chaos' is something I rarely encounter. I work from home too, so the only 'rush hour' I encounter is when the cats run to their food bowls, first thing in the morning, when they want fed! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Minstrel SE]

Never used a cash machine, but I'd keep receipts if I did.

Ah so youre the person we are all queue behind in the bank. No we dont do that anymore Mr Walpurgis ( its not 1950) Big ear trumpet up eeeeh eeeeh :D

[Minstrel SE]

I agree about public transport though. I understand why people use cars even though the roads are clogged to hell. When I first started work, waiting for the bus on a winters evening is something I will never forget. What did Thatcher say?...If youre still getting the bus at 26 its a sign of failure...typical Tory comment

Theres never really been any good transport policy. maybe if the ran very frequently with wifi and a hostess service I would be happy to use it. We do have to free the roads up somehow.

Trains are still technically subsidised by taxes but it should all be nationalised and people encouraged to use the train. It should beat driving to Aberdeen but its pricey and I might be sat next to the family from hell :)

I get on my bike for town trips. all that old bike really costs me is about £15 a year for a chain and rear cassette or a new tyre

[walpurgis]

Ah so youre the person we are all queue behind in the bank. No we dont do that anymore Mr Walpurgis ( its not 1950) Big ear trumpet up eeeeh eeeeh :D

Pay attention at the back! I said I use the post office. No queues there.

[walpurgis]

all that old bike really costs me is about £15 a year for a chain and rear cassette or a new tyre

Rear cassette a year? Mine lasted nearly 10,000 miles, riding to and from work. Just lubed it regularly.

[struth]

What's a rear cassette