View Full Version : Pet Hates........or FFS
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What's a rear cassette
The mind boggles!
walpurgis
30-12-2017, 14:07
rear multi-sprocket
Is that the rear wheel cogs. Never had one go and I cycles a lot when young
walpurgis
30-12-2017, 14:15
Is that the rear wheel cogs.
Yup.
Minstrel SE
30-12-2017, 18:34
Rear cassette a year? Mine lasted nearly 10,000 miles, riding to and from work. Just lubed it regularly.
No not every year...sorry I should have made that clear. This is my anti theft bike not attractive to thieves so I do tend to let the chain stretch more than it should which is naughty. I do have a chain wear indicator tool and an in situ chain bath cleaner. The chain is oiled but this bike generally gets more neglected.
Get it lazy and I end up replacing both chain and cassette because the worn stretched chain has started to affect the cassette. The chain should be replaced as soon as the stretch indicator is between 0.75 and 1%. It all lasts much longer with a careful monitoring and replacement as the cassette will bed in again with a new chain before its cogs are too worn. a cassette should last three chains they say. My old bike however is a lesson in pure laziness and I can get these 7spd cassettes quite cheap from some suppliers. I will have effed a chain and cassette in two years which isnt too bad and I dont even care about the cheap suntour chainset on the front :)
Im very familiar with chain skip with a new chain because Ive run it all for too long. The cassette then must be replaced together with the new chain. You know when you have a worn cassette ready for the bin
Cassettes are much easier to get off with the chainwhip than screw on freewheels. I trickled down the 7 speed cassette wheel Ive had for 18 years. Cassettes were invented yonks ago and nobody should really be running screw on freewheels :)
My better bikes get a careful maintenance routine. I mainly run Shimano Hg chains and I have 7, 8 and 9 speed cassettes.
Anyway its still much cheaper than the bus for a year
Once again Sainsbury's shelves were groaning under the weight of 8 different types of doughnut. But not the ones I want.
'There might be a problem at the warehouse', a member of staff speculated idly.
Once again mugs were queueing for the self service when you could just walk up to a manned till and get served with no wait. I think they must pump something into the air, it beats me.
walpurgis
08-01-2018, 20:54
Once again Sainsbury's shelves were groaning under the weight of 8 different types of doughnut. But not the ones I want.
Try the little Eccles Cakes in the cake aisle. They're lovely!
Try the little Eccles Cakes in the cake aisle. They're lovely!
Yeah I could get in the cupboard under the stairs to eat it. Pretend there is still a war on.
I had no idea they still made such things. My Nan always used to have them in. Was never keen, it's the currents I don't like. But you didn't turn a cake down back in those days.
Morrisons own in store bakewells are good
Had a couple of Apple Danishes in the end. They were pretty good. And count as two of my '5 a day'.
Pigmy Pony
09-01-2018, 20:18
Whenever returning from 'oop north', we drop into Killington Lake Services' farm shop for a slab of 'dead fly pie'-two slices of pastry wrapping a thick seam of currants. Simple but nice. All gone before re-joining M6
Whenever returning from 'oop north', we drop into Killington Lake Services' farm shop for a slab of 'dead fly pie'-two slices of pastry wrapping a thick seam of currants. Simple but nice. All gone before re-joining M6
Sounds a bit like Garibaldi biscuits - or 'squashed fly' biscuits as I like to call them. ;)
Have you ever wondered why so many biscuits are named after revolutionaries?
montesquieu
09-01-2018, 22:02
Have you ever wondered why so many biscuits are named after revolutionaries?
Yes I hear old Archie Tunnock was a revolutionary in his day ....
Have you ever wondered why so many biscuits are named after revolutionaries?
What - you mean Lenin, Marx, Trotsky, Mao, Rosa Luxembourg, Castro and Guevara biscuits? :scratch: More a case of "a biscuit in every barrel", rather than "a chicken in every pot".
walpurgis
09-01-2018, 22:08
Mr. Bourbon has a lot to answer for as well.
Pigmy Pony
09-01-2018, 22:37
"Mr Nice" wasn't a revolutionary, he just sold lots of weed, which led to his followers eating lots of biscuits :)
Primalsea
09-01-2018, 23:05
Rich Tea was a right b*****d by all accounts.
walpurgis
09-01-2018, 23:07
Rich Tea was a right b*****d by all accounts.
Yeah. He was some ginger nut!
This is all very hard to digest(ive).
prestonchipfryer
10-01-2018, 11:39
People who take life too seriously and criticise others with their politically correct, offence-taken attitude. That really pisses me off big-time.
walpurgis
10-01-2018, 11:44
You're all crackers :D
Chocolate fingers to you mate! ;)
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2018, 21:35
People who take life too seriously and criticise others with their politically correct, offence-taken attitude. That really pisses me off big-time.
Australian comedian Jim Jeffries made a joke about lesbians not having a sense of humour, and two lesbians got up and walked out
He was joking of course
No doubt women have a different threshold to types of humour men often like. And vice versa
And don't forget the Peak Freens Trotsky Assortment
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2018, 22:44
I took the Trotsky Assortment for lunch at the Ritz. Wasn't that expensive, two quid for a big box
Pigmy Pony
10-01-2018, 22:50
No doubt women have a different threshold to types of humour men often like. And vice versa
We all have a button hidden somewhere, waiting to be pushed
Some folk miss the point that although we are both human. Well nearly [emoji38] there is a huge difference mentally between the sexes in general And no bad thing. Keeps you on your toes
And don't forget the Peak Freens Trotsky Assortment
All together now:
'Revolutionary biscuits of Russia!'
'Rise up out of your boxes!'
mad-moon
11-01-2018, 13:17
what really boils my piss...is ignorant fuckers who don't reply to your mail...from wanted ads on this forum....does anyone have an amplifier that will drive my ??? ...you send them a mail, and they don't even bother their arses to answer you..Grrrrrr..!
Oh...and to add salt to the wounds...are the twats who buy something from you...(for next to nowt) and don't even have the courtesy to say it's been received..never mind thankyou...
walpurgis
12-01-2018, 18:01
Smartphones that leave a 'Sent from my...........' message at the end of everything, get on my tits!
Switch that bit off!! Surely you can? It just advertising that you shouldn't be obliged to promote.
You can switch it off, although I've no idea how.
On the iPhone you just untick this message
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180112/7f14b20465901de49ce935fb9bc842cb.jpg
Although I sometimes forget, sorry
walpurgis
12-01-2018, 18:21
Looks simple enough. Do you have to do that for every message? It should stay unticked in my opinion, otherwise they're 'opting you in'.
I hate smartphones. Had a couple and gave them to grand kids. I don't get on with capacitive touchscreens, half the time they do nothing when I try, something to do with my skin I believe. Plus the fact I don't want an account or monthly tariff. I only make about dozen calls and a few texts a year, so a 6 monthly £10 PAYG top up covers my needs..
It's in settings
Now permanently off, thanks Grant.
walpurgis
12-01-2018, 18:30
Now permanently off, thanks Grant.
One down, 234 million to go. :)
Firebottle
12-01-2018, 18:47
234 million -1 ;)
walpurgis
12-01-2018, 18:49
:lolsign:
Sent from my Quantum Purifier using Rare Earth Metals.
Minstrel SE
13-01-2018, 16:09
Weve probably had this one before but sellers based in China listing that they are from the UK... Durham or Basildon for example....Aaaargh!
I cant pick up on it everytime and maybe Im guilty for thinking a small LED, battery operated, motion activated light can be had for £3.89 posted. When I see Durham UK I dont want some Chinese seller trying it on. I usually double check with this sort of item so Im probably more annoyed with myself. Ok they want the business but can this be considered ok?
Maybe the main problem is Im losing all sense of pricing in poundshop Britain.
So Ive got an item on the slow boat from...... and I usually notice a marked rise in my details being sold for cold calling and emails. If there is a problem ebay will have to refund me because I have never had a Chinese seller properly refund me
Although I feel like the cheapskate I am.....this is plainly fraudulent. If I listed I was somewhere else its fraudulent information. I will wait and see if they have a warehouse in the UK but what are your bets on that? I should report it to ebay but nothing seems to get done and these sellers have my address :(
Primalsea
13-01-2018, 16:46
Although you’ll surprised who sells your details, even companies who you think would not. A few times I have signed up for something but used a different name and kept track of who got what name. It was interesting to see what marketing I received from new companies and I knew who gave them the details by the name that was shown.
Minstrel SE
13-01-2018, 18:48
Oh yes once the information is out there thay are all at it. Even the council sells my info to any company thats interested in the voters roll.
I did notice an increase in paypal phishing emails once I had transactions in the far east. Then again there are surely some great sellers there and Im not being racist about it.
I had a great stylus gauge from Hong Kong but I knew that was coming from HK.
I once received half (yes half) a coax plug when this happened before and then some Monty Python dirty fork sketch took place where the customer service bod was going to lose his/her livelihood if I complained....Never got a refund though...ebay had to do it.
Gets me about once a year this problem and I must be more careful to check the seller details
Pierre De Grenoble
13-01-2018, 20:08
I once received half (yes half) a coax plug when this happened before and then some Monty Python dirty fork sketch happened where the customer service bod was going to lose his/her livelihood if I complained....Never got a refund though...ebay had to do it.
Seems to be a different business ethic. I have your money for a faulty product and you will not get it back.
not quite sure how eBay think that this scenario ( and I've been through it) is a positive buying experience that encourages casual buyers to re use their platform, never mind those of us who understand the ins & outs.
The sooner that eBay goes down and gets bought out by google the better.. At least we'll know that search will fecking work properly.......
hifistokie123
13-01-2018, 20:19
Now that is a GREAT Idea
TVM
Dave
The way EBay keeps raising their rates, and cutting costs, they should be rolling in money! But in these modern times, you never know who may be bought out next? eBay used to give 2% EBay Bucks back for most purchases, I never really let it influence my purchases, but it was nice after you’ve bought a piece of stereo or two to get some spending money back. But, the greedy just couldn’t stand it! They first said that any EBay bucks under $5 would not be awarded, then they changed it to 1%. Like they aren’t making any money? Why did they bother offering it in the first place if they really didn’t want to? If they have EBay bucks or not will not affect my buying habits, but this just seems greedy on their part. They’d have been better if they had never brought it up.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
montesquieu
13-01-2018, 20:56
The way EBay keeps raising their rates, and cutting costs, they should be rolling in money! But in these modern times, you never know who may be bought out next? eBay used to give 2% EBay Bucks back for most purchases, I never really let it influence my purchases, but it was nice after you’ve bought a piece of stereo or two to get some spending money back. But, the greedy just couldn’t stand it! They first said that any EBay bucks under $5 would not be awarded, then they changed it to 1%. Like they aren’t making any money? Why did they bother offering it in the first place if they really didn’t want to? If they have EBay bucks or not will not affect my buying habits, but this just seems greedy on their part. They’d have been better if they had never brought it up.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Not sure this ever applied in the UK
Don't recall it here either. Used to get 10% off vouchers regularly at one time though. I rarely use the bay now but was a big user once.
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 18:30
Spotted while driving north through roadworks on M1 near Wakefield yesterday, a workman! He was lurking amongst the cones but his fluorescent yellow plumage stood out like a sore thumb. My first sighting of one this year.
Spotted while driving north through roadworks on M1 near Wakefield yesterday, a workman! He was lurking amongst the cones but his fluorescent yellow plumage stood out like a sore thumb. My first sighting of one this year.
he must have been lost;)
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 18:47
he must have been lost;)
We're all lost in Wakefield....
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:05
We're all lost in Wakefield....
Wasn't that a Bonnie Tyler song? And what's that structure near you that looks like a giant needle?
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:16
I lost a perfectly good Estwing hammer in Wakefield while working on a new "eco houses" estate a few years ago.
Spent a week there one afternoon
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:28
While I've got my "grumpy head" on, let me just say how much I hate it when people say "Robin Reliant". Grrr! Mrs Pony thinks there are more important things to get mad about, but all these niggles have a cumulative effect.
Also on my shit-list are people at the supermarket who wait for the check-out person to say what the total bill is before rooting in their handbag for their purse. And people who say "definately" will be first against the wall when the revolution comes
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 19:29
Spent a week there one afternoon
Used to be a nice city centre, I try to avoid these days, I wonder if Trump included it in his shitholes:)
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 19:31
That recent Tui ad, ain't no body loves me better, aaarrgh fxxxxxxk off:steam:
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:32
Spent a week there one afternoon
Come to Chorley! Like Wakefield but with added tumbleweed
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 19:32
Come to Chorley! Like Wakefield but with added tumbleweed
Ooh sounds nice
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:35
That recent Tui ad, ain't no body loves me better, aaarrgh fxxxxxxk off:steam:
When the missus is fast forwarding through the ads, she would rather miss part of the programme than risk hearing any of that awful Tui ad
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 19:39
When the missus is fast forwarding through the ads, she would rather miss part of the programme than risk hearing any of that awful Tui ad
I have to agree with her ,it's so cockin awful, it just winds me up. The original recording is good,but now spoiled
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:42
It's the new name for Thompson Holidays
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 19:48
And that woman who sings on it looks (and sounds) like a parrot that's fallen off its perch (remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue)
Ah not seen it although I don't watch much tv as such and don't go holiday s so it wouldn't interest me if I did
walpurgis
16-01-2018, 19:55
While I've got my "grumpy head" on, let me just say how much I hate it when people say "Robin Reliant". Grrr! Mrs Pony thinks there are more important things to get mad about, but all these niggles have a cumulative effect.
Also on my shit-list are people at the supermarket who wait for the check-out person to say what the total bill is before rooting in their handbag for their purse. And people who say "definately" will be first against the wall when the revolution comes
Definitely agree with you there. :)
As for the Robin Reliant, I've been known to tell people there's no such thing. They argue and I tell them to look it up.
Another thing is Londoners who are unable to use the abbreviation 'didn't' and pronounce it 'ditn'. God know why, I hear it quite often.
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 19:58
Ah not seen it although I don't watch much tv as such and don't go holiday s so it wouldn't interest me if I did
Grant, you may well want to put your TV through the window if you did see it!!
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 20:00
Definitely agree with you there. :)
As for the Robin Reliant, I've been known to tell people there's no such thing. They argue and I tell them to look it up.
Another thing is Londoners who are unable to use the abbreviation 'didn't' and pronounce it 'ditn'. God know why, I hear it quite often.
With regards to pronunciation, how come some Americans can't say ask? They say axe?
Pigmy Pony
16-01-2018, 20:12
"Too cool for skool" chic, can't be seen using correct grammar, innit
Pieoftheday
16-01-2018, 20:17
"Too cool for skool" chic, can't be seen using correct grammar, innit
Bloody stupid tossers:)
Minstrel SE
17-01-2018, 20:31
Ads that package up and misuse core human emotions to sell product. I think they call it emotional branding but its getting worse and its truly sickening.
Dont take everything thats good about the human race and link it to flogging your product as if your product is anything near the scale of whats really matters in life.
As The late Bill Hicks said "if you are in advertising do us all a favour and........" Strong words but we need to fight back against these parasites and predatory capitalists
Ads that package up and misuse core human emotions to sell product. I think they call it emotional branding but its getting worse and its truly sickening.
Dont take everything thats good about the human race and link it to flogging your product as if your product is anything near the scale of whats really matters in life.
As The late Bill Hicks said "if you are in advertising do us all a favour and........" Strong words but we need to fight back against these parasites and predatory capitalists
Can you provide an example? I'm thinking of advertisments for charities showing variously sad, but appealing, animals or children.
Minstrel SE
18-01-2018, 17:13
Yes hang on Im trying to put them out of my mind. I will try and come up with examples. Those Vodaphone ads have me reaching for the sick bucket but there are many more. Just tell us the phone charges and coverage benefits....we will do the rest..... making friends and getting on with life.
The big mac advert that had to apologise for exploiting bereavement...the ads like Heineken implying that it brings people with oposing views together. They are not the only ones using that bringing people together slant.
Oh and Pepsi in that shameless catastrophe of an ad which was actually mocking the black lives matter movement.
I can make an allowance for charity ads and I was looking at some examples on the emotional branding page. There is a debate there but tugging at the heart strings is what they are about
Im talking more about the mini story scenario and then it pans out to a car for example. Banks that show a little story of a lifecycle as if they are our best mates other than the fact they are charging interest on a loan and vigorously dealing with defaulters
Tell me directly about the products if they must but dont link it all with a load of emotional B/S. I would like to see somebody defend this type of advert as they are getting worse
Pieoftheday
18-01-2018, 17:23
what about those perfume ads, usually around christmas, they make no sense at all:steam:
what about those perfume ads, usually around christmas, they make no sense at all:steam:
At least they have fit women and don't preach at you
If an ad annoys chances are it is not aimed at your demographic, but it will be working on someone. The ads that work on you are the ones you don't even think about.
Fact is bullshit sells, you just have to target the right bullshit at the right people. It has always been the case and always will be because that is how the human brain works.
Pieoftheday
18-01-2018, 18:41
At least they have fit women and don't preach at you
Hmm ,fit..?skinny toothy models arn't my thing, I've never really got the fashion model thing, wire clothes hangers with hair
Hmm ,fit..?skinny toothy models arn't my thing, I've never really got the fashion model thing, wire clothes hangers with hair
Agree but they are still quite pretty even if too thin and in any case it isn't like we are going to have to shag them anyway :)
Yes hang on Im trying to put them out of my mind. I will try and come up with examples. Those Vodaphone ads have me reaching for the sick bucket but there are many more. Just tell us the phone charges and coverage benefits....we will do the rest..... making friends and getting on with life.
The big mac advert that had to apologise for exploiting bereavement...the ads like Heineken implying that it brings people with oposing views together. They are not the only ones using that bringing people together slant.
Oh and Pepsi in that shameless catastrophe of an ad which was actually mocking the black lives matter movement.
I can make an allowance for charity ads and I was looking at some examples on the emotional branding page. There is a debate there but tugging at the heart strings is what they are about
Im talking more about the mini story scenario and then it pans out to a car for example. Banks that show a little story of a lifecycle as if they are our best mates other than the fact they are charging interest on a loan and vigorously dealing with defaulters
Tell me directly about the products if they must but dont link it all with a load of emotional B/S. I would like to see somebody defend this type of advert as they are getting worse
I agree with you all the way! And do not believe any of that dreck inspires me to buy anything. But apparently it does inspire someone to buy? Or they wouldn’t spend the money on them?
And I do not give charities a pass either. At least, not any charity that has over 90% operating fees. They get on tv and portray the saddest conditions on earth, crippled children, forgotten veterans, and suffering animals, and in the end a few cents from every dollar actually go to the people they are collecting for. While their CEO’s have multi-million dollar paychecks. And they are tax exempt? Tugging on people’s heart strings is big money! And it amazes me how many people will part with their money KNOWING these numbers. While there are needy people right in their own neighborhoods and in their own families. That being said there are legitimate charities out there, but these money making scams make it hard on real charities to collect money.
Russell
When I was a youth, maybe about fourteen, I was with my parents and my two brothers on Church Street in Liverpool, Saturday afternoon. This tall, good-looking bloke with a clipboard steps up to my mother and says, 'Would you mind participating in our focus group? You have to watch our commercial and tell us what you think and there is a prize at the end. It will only take ten minutes.'
Surprisingly my mother says 'Yes'. So we go up to this very grand room up above one of the shops where they have a projector and a big screen all set up. They sit my mum down and play her the commercial whilst me and my dad and brothers are stood at the back right out of the way.
The commercial was later shown on TV and was for Cadbury's Crème Eggs. It must have cost a bomb to make. Full authentic medieval village, about 30 extras, pigs, hens, geese all running about. Essentially they are having a race and the ones who eat the creme eggs win. It ran about 30 seconds.
They put the lights up and the bloke asks her, 'Okay, did watching that make you think that you would buy crème eggs for your children next time you are shopping?' Or something very similar.
My mother says, 'What? What are you talking about?'
'I've just shown you our commercial for crème eggs and I'm asking you if you thought it would make you go out and buy them.'
'Crème eggs? I didn't see any crème eggs. It just looked like a bunch of men rolling in the mud.'
'You didn't see them eating the crème eggs?'
'No, it was all so fast and I wasn't really concentrating at the start.'
At this point me, my dad and my bros are creasing up as silently as possible (which wasn't very silent at all) at the back. My mother did get a prize but I can't recall what it was, so clearly it was nothing great.
Minstrel SE
20-01-2018, 10:45
Well yes I mainly watch the BBC channels because they are free from adverts.
Ad breaks on the other channels just tend to mildly annoy me now and I flick the channel. I cant really think of any product where I have thought Im glad they advertised that on TV and want to buy it because of the advert.
Ok some ads can be quite good and I liked the Carlsberg stunt with 149 bikers in the cinema...but then I feel that was interesting, funny and done well. The product involvement wasnt overplayed as they handed them a beer. I didnt rush out and buy Carlsberg though next time I wanted a beer
I dont mind magazine ads like Hi fi because its generally more toned down and just showing the product. I just think there is a line to be drawn and the advertising standards authority should have more clout
Pigmy Pony
21-01-2018, 21:33
Isn't it about time that something was done about all the online casino ads that descend about 11pm, especially at weekends? They're clearly targeting people who are either pissed or don't have to get up for work in the morning. I know some might say that these people shouldn't need to be protected from themselves, but these companies seemingly getting away with exploiting the vulnerable offends my sense of fair play.
Payday loans ads wind me up too, for similar reasons.
And I've an idea for a new personal injury ad:
Suffered an injury while out and about? Watch where you're going, knobhead!
walpurgis
21-01-2018, 21:39
exploiting the vulnerable offends my sense of fair play
When's 'fair play' ever come into it? It's totally against capitalist ideals.
And I've an idea for a new personal injury ad:
Suffered an injury while out and about? Watch where you're going, knobhead!
Many years ago I joking said to a friend of mine that with the creeping US trend of "sue and be damned" and the "no-win, no-fee" service being offered by 'ambulance chasers', it wouldn't be long before scaffolding at street level would be cushioned, similar to the padding used on rugby goal posts. Lo and behold, it is now common practice to clad scaffolding poles to avoid litigation from idiots who can't be bothered to look where they're walking (probably because they're too busy talking or texting on their phone).
Pigmy Pony
21-01-2018, 22:15
And of course there are going to be some who will seek out potential claims, eg deliberately tripping over uneven pavements.
The whole litigation thing is out of hand, but there are a lot of lawyers in government. Not really surprising that they would make life easier for lawyers.
Pigmy Pony
21-01-2018, 22:42
And there's not a damned thing we can do about it. Voting for the others come election day doesn't change anything, it's like trying to decide whether to eat cat shit or dog shit.
walpurgis
21-01-2018, 22:50
Yes. You can't beat the system. Although you can do your best to kick a few dents in it as you pass by.
Minstrel SE
22-01-2018, 05:50
Isn't it about time that something was done about all the online casino ads that descend about 11pm, especially at weekends? They're clearly targeting people who are either pissed or don't have to get up for work in the morning. I know some might say that these people shouldn't need to be protected from themselves, but these companies seemingly getting away with exploiting the vulnerable offends my sense of fair play.
Payday loans ads wind me up too, for similar reasons.
And I've an idea for a new personal injury ad:
Suffered an injury while out and about? Watch where you're going, knobhead!
Yep I have studied gambling addiction for two years and I am an anti gambling advisor. Its a shameless deregulation of something which causes untold misery. A gambling addiction is now in the same medical chapter as substance abuse.
Also the payday loans are a sad reflection of our economic system with a substantial amount being taken out to cover gambling losses.
Ah the caring society and the illusion of choice eh!
Firebottle
22-01-2018, 07:17
Voting for the others come election day doesn't change anything, it's like trying to decide whether to eat cat shit or dog shit.
BEST quote of the week :youtheman:
Yep I have studied gambling addiction for two years and I am an anti gambling advisor. Its a shameless deregulation of something which causes untold misery. A gambling addiction is now in the same medical chapter as substance abuse.
Also the payday loans are a sad reflection of our economic system with a substantial amount being taken out to cover gambling losses.
Ah the caring society and the illusion of choice eh!
But what about the millions of people like me who enjoy gambling and don't have any negative issues with it? Should our pleasure be curtailed just because of a small minority who can't cope with it? At what point does a caring society become a nanny state, its citizens spending their entire lives as helpless children being protected from themselves at all times and from everything?
Certainly not in my view, although I'm no fan of gambling. You can put some elements of control in place, but at the end of the day you have to let adults live or die by their decisions, whether responsible or irresponsible...
One thing I do utterly abhor though, is the deliberate targeting of the weakest and most vulnerable in our society by unscrupulous individuals, simply for (immoral) financial gain. Martin's payday loans example is a valid case in point. Borrow £100, at some ridiculously inflated rate of 1995% APR! :doh:
That's legalised extortion, and quite simply, should be banned!
Marco.
Certainly not in my view, although I'm no fan of gambling. You can put some elements of control in place, but at the end of the day you have to let adults live or die by their decisions, whether responsible or irresponsible...
One thing I do utterly abhor though, is the deliberate targeting of the weakest and most vulnerable in our society by unscrupulous individuals, simply for financial gain. Martin's payday loans example is a valid case in point. Borrow £100, at some ridiculously inflated rate of 1995% APR! :doh:
That's legal extortion, and quite simply, should be banned!
Marco.
If they were banned what do you do if you desperately need a hundred quid to tide you over and the bank won't play ball? Your only option then is a loan shark who will charge similar rates of interest to the payday loans people and will get nasty in a physical manner if you don't pay up. Default on a legal loan and worst case you will have some knob calling you up and a few threating letters. I suppose if you have anything of value you could pawn it but likelihood is that if you are that skint then you don't.
The high rates of interest they charge are due to the high number of defaults they have to account for. It's a market like anything else and if you do use such a lender you are going to go for the lowest interest rate. So you have to conclude the rates they lend at are about as low as they can go and still make some money.
Ironically the TV ads for the loans do feature people who would be highly unlikely to actually need one unless they have deliberately screwed their credit rating. And that youth complaining there is no hot water so he can't have a wash! Get under a cold shower you ponce!
Ironically the TV ads for the loans do feature people who would be highly unlikely to actually need one unless they have deliberately screwed their credit rating. And that youth complaining there is no hot water so he can't have a wash! Get under a cold shower you ponce!
THAT AD GETS MY GOAT. :lol: little git forcing mum down docks again coz he needs hot water:doh:
The other one is just as bad with the bloke in the supermarket asking his children to 'Please behave.' 'Please?'
The freezer is on the blink but you can see it is packed with food. And he is in the shop buying more. But they are so skint they have to borrow money at 1000% interest. How does any of that make sense?
If they were banned what do you do if you desperately need a hundred quid to tide you over and the bank won't play ball?
Indeed, and it's not the fault of the poor folk in that unfortunate position (who knows what's happened to them), so they have to go for money where they have to go... I wasn't referring to them, nor would I judge them. However, this:
The high rates of interest they charge are due to the high number of defaults they have to account for. It's a market like anything else and if you do use such a lender you are going to go for the lowest interest rate. So you have to conclude the rates they lend at are about as low as they can go and still make some money.
...I don't believe for one second, ably evidenced by the multi-millionaires who own the respective companies, and who certainly aren't struggling to make money! They're simply taking advantage of and ripping off the poor and vulnerable.
No idea how they get to sleep at night. I definitely couldn't do it, no matter how rich it was possible for one to become.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
22-01-2018, 18:51
Ironically the TV ads for the loans do feature people who would be highly unlikely to actually need one unless they have deliberately screwed their credit rating. And that youth complaining there is no hot water so he can't have a wash! Get under a cold shower you ponce!
Your arm would never get tired slapping that little moron
Minstrel SE
22-01-2018, 18:53
But what about the millions of people like me who enjoy gambling and don't have any negative issues with it? Should our pleasure be curtailed just because of a small minority who can't cope with it? At what point does a caring society become a nanny state, its citizens spending their entire lives as helpless children being protected from themselves at all times and from everything?
Yes I dont judge you on that basis nor do I wish to sound holier than thou. It is a legal activity and its your money. There are people who have a social side around it and put a fiver on a horse over a cup of tea. I cant say they have a problem.
However and its a big however, gambling addiction problems have gone exponential. Where is the thin end of the wedge when talking about gambling? Many people do have a problem and there are methods of gambling designed to be highly addictive. Im talking in particular about online gambling, the FOBTs and new styles of fruit machines.
Smoking had a free pass for too long and drinking alcohol is a real problem in society. They are legalised drugs and gambling is actually one of them when people understand how the craving for escape and dopamine can fuel a gambling addict. Its much more complex but thats the general idea in that the money plays a lesser role in the mind control process. A devil and an angel above the shoulders is how popular culture tries to understand the brain.
Of course the tax raked in means the government have a vested interest in keeping it going. I have realised that people do need protecting so there is a line to be drawn somewhere and thats where the debate must start.
I dont advocate a nanny state in all areas. I just think there needs to be a greater realisation about the dangers of gambling and the misery it causes.
Personally I would heavily regulate it away from the high street and I would ban certain types of gambling.
Best wishes
Martin
montesquieu
22-01-2018, 19:10
I've been in Vegas maybe half a dozen times, always for work (assorted technology conferences).
The first time I was there I bet $20 at the tables. It was gone in seconds. I realised that the possible losses were limitless. Machines were everywhere including screens built into the top of the bar. I was actually a bit horrified by the whole business and in all the trips I've made there since, I've never bet another $.
Thankfully I've never really been a gambler of any sort but that doesn't mean I'm unfamiliar with it - I watched my brother give his wages at the bookies in his apprentice days, before he decided that he preferred pissing his money away at the pub away rather than handing it over at a glass counter. (Compulsive behavior seldom restricts itself to one kind of compulsion). He started young (at school) and used to get me to go in and claim his winnings in case they wouldn't pay out. (They were happy to take his money well underage but he wasn't sure they'd give him any back). And no, the story doesn't have a happy ending.
Gambling is a mug's game - the house always wins, eventually - and I would bet that half - possibly way more than half - of those who engage in it regularly have some kind of problem surrounding it. There aren't bookies on every small parade of shops just to take bets on the Grand National.
I'd be happy to see it regulated to a minimum across the board, while FOBT should be banned as a matter of urgency, I've seen them and the sad bastards who play them, this is surely one of the things government should be for, to protect idiots from themselves.
Not really a gambler. Haven't had a bet in 40 years I guess so no issues, but Ive seen what it can do to folk and it's just as dangerous as drugs. Fobt or puggies as we call them used to be very restricted by bet and winnings including % of total take. I take it that's been drastically altered. They were potentially bad enough in old days but must be a red rag to a bull now.
Like drugs folk will do it so banning won't work . Legal controls need to be stronger but of course the folk who benefit most from their current existence, control the lawmakers so what chance eh?
Everyone always wants to ban things these days. Like that has ever been the answer to anything in the whole recorded history of mankind.
Attempting to advance a culture and civilisation by banning things, that doesn't really make any sense to me.
Minstrel SE
22-01-2018, 23:15
Everyone always wants to ban things these days. Like that has ever been the answer to anything in the whole recorded history of mankind.
Attempting to advance a culture and civilisation by banning things, that doesn't really make any sense to me.
But its where you stand on issues like hiding cigarettes behind shutters. You cant tell me that having a cigarette or stiff whisky is healthy.
I find it quite disturbing that cigarette smoking was allowed to take hold on an industrial scale. Surely there comes a point where people need protecting from the predators that will sell us anything including gambling. Gambling has left people homeless, bankrupt and under trains!
I think its beyond a freedom of choice issue where things are clearly harmful. Nobody is offering life changing odds on Manchester United vs the Grannies 11.
I know what you are getting at and it makes me sound like a real " I dont agree with that in the workplace" character. However I have learnt that people need protecting from the gambling industry.
But its where you stand on issues like hiding cigarettes behind shutters.
The people who wanted that wanted a complete ban. I think it is idiocy but then what can you do? Everyone dies of something. 3000 people die on the roads each year in the UK alone but we don't ban cars because that would be impractical. Are we going to ban dangerous sports like skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, sailing? Lots of death and suffering there too.
Given that millions of people enjoy gambling, alcohol and all sorts of other 'things that are bad for you' in moderation and with no adverse effects* are pretty much an indicator that the problem lies with those who are adversely affected and that is the problem that needs to be addressed rather than the gambling (or whatever) which is just a manifestation or symptom.
But that would be complex and difficult so no-one goes there. Easier just to ban things. A knee jerk reaction, understandable in some ways, but it has stood us in such bad stead for so long is it not time to look at an alternative approach?
* People who don't gamble are often unaware that gambling, even if, over time you are losing money; can be enjoyable. If you look at it as a time spent having fun/cost equation it is no different from any other leisure activity. Going to a theme park for example. Which I've done and was not worth it. Expensive and boring. But I'm not out to ban theme parks because of that. I know plenty of people who love them, why deny them it?
Tattoos, pretty much the same. Plenty of skint people with several grands worth of tats. Should we ban that, stop these idiots wasting their money? Who gets to decide who is the idiot and who are the smart people? It all starts getting very difficult once you start to look at the unintended consequences. Sadly that seems to be the way we are going nonetheless.
Banning things is not the way forward. Like bombs you need to be smart. Also you just have to accept some folk just cannot be protected from themselves
Banning things is not the way forward. Like bombs you need to be smart.
Indeed, although for me, some things are outright evil (such as I highlighted earlier with legalised extortion, disguised as loans), and so banning them would, in the long term, do more good than harm, whilst simultaneously putting systems into place that address the real source of the problem. I'll go into that later.
Often in life there has to be some pain before there's gain. There is no 'perfect' solution to any problem, and which sees no-one losing out. Someone always will, so all you can do is get the balance of who loses and who gains, right (and fair) as much as possible.
In terms of the poor folks who use payday loans, and such like, perhaps they wouldn't need to if the government didn't screw them left, right and centre, and helped them to LIVE, rather than continually making it more difficult? And I'm talking from ground roots level up. Then, they might not have to seek the 'assistance' of unscrupulous 'high street' lenders, or back street loan sharks (the former simply being a legalised version of the latter).
Therefore, for me, the best way to deal with these problems is a combination of control and education, whilst helping those more who need help. So how do we offer that help, and get to the source of the problem? Well, first you have to understand what the *real* problem is, before you can tackle it, and for me in terms of the gambling issue, both Martin and Tom touched on it earlier:
Smoking had a free pass for too long and drinking alcohol is a real problem in society. They are legalised drugs and gambling is actually one of them when people understand how the craving for escape and dopamine can fuel a gambling addict.
And:
I watched my brother give his wages at the bookies in his apprentice days, before he decided that he preferred pissing his money away at the pub away rather than handing it over at a glass counter. (Compulsive behavior seldom restricts itself to one kind of compulsion)...
I believe that the root of the problem is compulsive behaviour, which some people are more susceptible to than others, and that in turn makes them much more likely to become addicted to things, including gambling. On top of that, is the issue, as Martin mentioned, of "craving for escape". "Escape" from what, then?
I think it's pretty obvious that in most instances the people to whom that applies are seeking to escape from the daily drudge of simply trying to survive, who 'live' a pitiful existence, and who simply can't escape from 'the system', which on virtually all levels, is fundamentally designed to penalise them and reward the rich.
Address that sorry state of affairs, whilst also helping and educating those with compulsive behaviour issues, and I believe that many of the problems associated with gambling would be alleviated, thus leaving the majority to enjoy their pastime in peace, and with those susceptible to compulsive behaviour, experiencing less adverse effects from their addiction.
Payday loans would also be a thing of the past if 'the system', as mentioned, was fundamentally altered to make for a fairer, more equal society, and *control*, at government level, was put into place to prevent immoral lending to our most vulnerable citizens, by drastically capping the level of interest rates, chargeable by loan companies.
Most is easier said than done, of course, but we could certainly do much more than is currently being done to help matters, that's for sure!
Marco.
Minstrel SE
23-01-2018, 15:12
Yes you see things very clearly Marco.
It is an escape from the daily drudge and the system fundamentally designed to penalise them and reward the rich. Its an escape from depression, perceived boredom, self loathing and hopelessness. An all too brief escape or shot in the vein before reality dawns that all the money has gone with no food in the cupboards.
Its been scientifically proven that a problem gambler gets the same chemical hit from a near miss as from a win....more so in some cases as its been shown that they play for the lows as well...love me... punish me.... hate me....cheat me in a real trance and rollercoaster of emotions. Its seeking those emotions to feel anything other than numb or depressed.
Compulsive gamblers are wired in a certain way but the addiction takes hold in a form of mind control. The body craves gambling and it sends chemical urges around the body. You might not see the body get the shakes but its a similar process Add the thoughts of chasing lucky clover and of course its all going to come back tomorrow in the big one....not! An addict will gamble it all away again as its more often about the feeling of playing
It affects footballers, lawyers and people from all walks of life which is how complex the addiction is. It is mainly a tax on the poor and disaffected.
The problem I have is the level of advertising and machines designed to be highly addictive with a spin every few seconds. The gambling dens werent really built on careful bets and controlled gambling.
Help and education is good but there is a responsibility to tackle this at the source of the problem. Its no good them saying "gamble responsibly" as gambling does not come under the definition of responsible even if we are just gambling a pound.
Sorry but that is hokey nonsense. 38% of people in this country gamble on a weekly basis. That's about 25 million people. Only a tiny minority of those get into issues with it, and they probably have mental health issues in any case, so they would be getting into issues regardless.
I'm sure you do get the odd mug who loses everything because he doesn't know when to stop. That's called learning a lesson. He hasn't lost a limb or anything, just money, so hardly something worth wringing our hands over when there is no shortage of life and death problems in the world.
The problem starts with people who feel sorry for the mug and offer him counselling and a whole suite of similar taxpayer-funded bollocks. Agree with him when he blames the evil gambling barons for tempting him in and encouraging him. Eventually, thanks to the counselling, he will come to realise that it was not his fault at all and there is no lesson for him to learn. And the child will remain a child.
walpurgis
23-01-2018, 23:31
And. Just seen two (more) TV commercials for new cars. They all say something like 'from only £185 per month', but carefully avoid stating how long for or how much you will end up paying. Let alone how that figure compares to the cash price. It's leading the gullible by the nose!!
Firebottle
24-01-2018, 08:30
Plus with most of these it is only a lease agreement and you don't ever get to own the car.
Plus with most of these it is only a lease agreement and you don't ever get to own the car.
It's an arrangement that seems to suit a lot of people though.
Minstrel SE
24-01-2018, 17:30
Yep Capitalism is a pet hate of mine :)
Best system we know is it?. It needs a radical overhaul because the bell is tolling its death knell.
Yep Capitalism is a pet hate of mine :)
Best system we know is it?. It needs a radical overhaul because the bell is tolling its death knell.
It's just how the world works. Even in Communist countries. And always will because people are people and will never change. No sense worrying about it.
montesquieu
24-01-2018, 17:53
Yep Capitalism is a pet hate of mine :)
Best system we know is it?. It needs a radical overhaul because the bell is tolling the death knell.
That's what Marx said 150 years ago. He was talking was bollocks then and it's bollocks now, whatever 'Jeremy' or his dodgy minders say.
The issue isn't with capitalism, which is built on competition and freedom of markets and of information, the issue is with corporatism - we have been captured by monopolies and oligopolies, which are actually the antithesis of what free market capitalism is about.
The future isn't in socialism and central planning - look how well the Soviet Union, Mao's China, Venezuela or wherever else it's been tried actually turned out, as opposed to the grand theory. Mass public ownership and redistribution only works until there stops being any wealth left to distribute. (Unfortunately today's kids are too ignorant of history to have any awareness of that).
The only possible future is in a renewal the market proper - of course then you would really be taking on the new monopolists (Facebook, Apple, Google et al).
https://newrepublic.com/article/143595/return-monopoly-amazon-rise-business-tycoon-white-house-democrats-return-party-trust-busting-roots
Minstrel SE
24-01-2018, 19:48
That's what Marx said 150 years ago. He was talking was bollocks then and it's bollocks now, whatever 'Jeremy' or his dodgy minders say.
The issue isn't with capitalism, which is built on competition and freedom of markets and of information, the issue is with corporatism - we have been captured by monopolies and oligopolies, which are actually the antithesis of what free market capitalism is about.
The future isn't in socialism and central planning - look how well the Soviet Union, Mao's China, Venezuela or wherever else it's been tried actually turned out, as opposed to the grand theory. Mass public ownership and redistribution only works until there stops being any wealth left to distribute. (Unfortunately today's kids are too ignorant of history to have any awareness of that).
The only possible future is in a renewal the market proper - of course then you would really be taking on the new monopolists (Facebook, Apple, Google et al).
https://newrepublic.com/article/143595/return-monopoly-amazon-rise-business-tycoon-white-house-democrats-return-party-trust-busting-roots
Yes I generally agree with you that it does sound very naive just to say I hate capitalism without a back up plan. I do consider myself to have marxist views because I see the struggle between the capitalists who own the productive resources and the workers or proletariat who must work in order to survive. You cant ignore the fundamental truth and there will be trouble if it goes too far.
Clearly if all the land and resources are in the hands of say 20% or less of the population it creates an immediate inequity. Many people are not working to prosper ...they are working through fear and there is a rise again of predatory capitalism and a gig economy which only benefits the rich.
I wont go into everything here but the future must have a socialist basis to it. We dont have a free market as you seem to believe. Its weighted with tuition fees, closed shop discrimination, corruption and all sorts of things to prevent people climbing the greasy pole. My do they grease that pole but its not even that as people just want some rights and a reasonable standard of living.
I believe in nationalisation for the good of all. I believe in a new system of social living payments which doesnt exclude people..
The future is a mix of a genuine free market and public ownership when needed. Its not about what you own but of course capitalists hate that idea because that is their security blanket. The corporations already own everything and they just love desperate workers.
Anyway I cant write an essay here but things are going the wrong way and the greedy capitalists and tories are largely to blame....so there :)
montesquieu
24-01-2018, 20:54
Don't get me wrong I was a trade union organiser in my day and indeed on the Scottish executive of my union back in the 80s (the NUJ, which is not party affiliated). I was also a Labour Party member back then and certainly remember the last time a few diehard sensible people were fighting the loony left.
I think there's an interesting confusion among people who try to reach for equality, equity and social justice (a laudible impulse, and which would include such institutions as the Methodists, out of which a lot of the Labour movement sprung) - social democracy in other terms - and Socialism which is heavily tried to Marxist theory and in my view is a busted flush.
These days I am a bit more conservative in my views than I was in the 80s (not least economically - having given it much thought, I don't see any practical alternative to a properly regulated market), though I would still see myself as a left-learning centrist in many ways. I'm deeply suspicious of any notion that the State should be running all sorts of things it used to but doesn't any more (like making cars or owning road-building operations), - that's not to say that broken energy markets don't need better regulation, or that the 'market' among the rail companies wasn't a total fiction from the beginning.
I also think that history tells us that the main reason civilisations collapse is fiscal/monetary and that by borrowing way beyond its means, the West could find it's sown the seeds of its own destruction. One of the ongoing problems with Democracy is that it becomes a difficult game once populations realise they can vote themselves benefits (bigger pensions, social programmes, infrastructure) that are funded from borrowing - and parties collude in dishonesty to accommodate this. (This is the situation we are in now).
Here's why I think the argument is worth having:
https://capx.co/the-communist-holocaust-and-its-lessons-for-the-21st-century/
https://capx.co/four-common-myths-about-capitalism/
walpurgis
24-01-2018, 21:06
I was a trade union organiser in my day
Ha. That's interesting. I was the GMB rep for a large London local authority for many years. Looking after white and blue collar staff. The gen. sec. Paul Kenny was a mate for many years. Not seen him for ages. Did a bit of 'freelance' repping too, for folk who'd not joined unions. Somebody had to do it. Many staff were intimidated to the point of feeling they'd be victimised if they were openly in a union.
Minstrel SE
25-01-2018, 00:19
I will have a good read of that but it may just confirm things I generally know. The far right and far left are at opposite ends of a circle which doesnt quite join.
These economic systems are also political and Animal Farm explains core human nature as well as any book on the subject. Some people fear reds under the bed like they dont understand how a right wing capitalist system works. Yes attrocities have been commited in the name of any power base or political system....still are.
Economics is not a science so does any current system really work? A modern system is more about keeping a lid on things with propaganda and twisted statistics
I feel that you take the best bits about communal and the best bits about a free market and build a good organised system around that. Thats really what any central ground is trying to do. I am well left of centre and this country has gone too far to the right.
Its not easy with 70 million people just in the UK. Throw Human nature into the mix and any system has got a job on. I think we can make things better and fairer than the current state of affairs though
Pieoftheday
31-01-2018, 11:30
Talking Killer Whale? Ffs!! Saw on the news today, apparently killer whales have been taught to mimic human speech,bollox, Sounds like it's farting:)
Some people sound more intelligent when they fart than when they speak.
Just when you thought the world couldn't get any weirder, someone like this pops up:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42880690
An emotional support peacock?! FFS indeed :mental:
walpurgis
31-01-2018, 17:15
She's obviously an idiot.
Minstrel SE
01-02-2018, 09:06
Talking Killer Whale? Ffs!! Saw on the news today, apparently killer whales have been taught to mimic human speech,bollox, Sounds like it's farting:)
I just find it extremely sad that they are in captivity and these scumbags are trying to talk to them. I would mimic any sound if I was going out of my mind and wanted food or attention. Those micro environments are all they have. The evidence is that is drives them mad and suicidal.
I would like to drop some of these scientists in the ocean and say give it a go now buddy. They would love to talk to you before tucking in to an aperatif.
Yes they are clever mammals. Do we have to reduce everything to human emotions and twisted motives
We have a duty only to be breeding animals in captivity when their species is under threat. They are under threat because we have killed most of them off. I dont agree with most zoo activities and I certainly dont agree with animals in captivity for human entertainment.
There is a campaign to free the whales but corruption and commercial interests keep them in captivity. A double whammy is that they probably wouldnt know how to survive now in their natural environment but that is no excuse for using animals for entertainment or scientific research. Its cruelty on an industrial scale and I find the whole thing disgusting
Pieoftheday
01-02-2018, 10:22
I just find it extremely sad that they are in captivity and these scumbags are trying to talk to them. I would mimic any sound if I was going out of my mind and wanted food or attention. Those micro environments are all they have. The evidence is that is drives them mad and suicidal.
I would like to drop some of these scientists in the ocean and say give it a go now buddy. They would love to talk to you before tucking in to an aperatif.
Yes they are clever mammals. Do we have to reduce everything to human emotions and twisted motives
We have a duty only to be breeding animals in captivity when their species is under threat. They are under threat because we have killed most of them off. I dont agree with most zoo activities and I certainly dont agree with animals in captivity for human entertainment.
There is a campaign to free the whales but corruption and commercial interests keep them in captivity. A double whammy is that they probably wouldnt know how to survive now in their natural environment but that is no excuse for using animals for entertainment or scientific research. Its cruelty on an industrial scale and I find the whole thing disgusting
You're right it is disgusting, I also can't stand when I see these conservationists strapping bloody big transmitters to wild animals so we can learn about them! I doubt I'd be acting naturally with a cocking huge leather collar and transmitter around my throat, what a bunch of tossers ffs!
She's obviously an idiot.
Quite so. Rather cuckoo, I'd say. :mental:;)
Well you can blame Disney for anthropomorphising animals. (When he wasn't banging on about eugenics and racial superiority). But hey, Mickey Mouse, so that's alright then.
I hate people referring to cats as 'pets'. But that's just me.
It's accurate the opposite way, if you consider that, in reality, YOU are the cat's 'pet'... ;)
Marco.
pet1
pɛt/
noun
noun: pet; plural noun: pets
1.
a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure.
"the pony was a family pet"
a person treated with special favour or affection.
"she is the pet of the family"
synonyms: favourite, darling, the apple of one's eye, idol; More
informalblue-eyed boy/girl;
informalfair-haired boy/girl
"the others teased him and called him teacher's pet"
treated with special attention or evoking particularly strong feelings.
modifier noun: pet
"another of her pet projects was the arts centre"
British
used as an affectionate form of address.
"don't cry, pet, it's all right"
verb
verb: pet; 3rd person present: pets; past tense: petted; past participle: petted; gerund or present participle: petting
1.
stroke or pat (an animal) affectionately.
"the cats came to be petted"
synonyms: stroke, caress, fondle, pat
"the cats came to be petted"
A cat is a wild animal that you invite to live in your house. From the cat's perspective you are some sort of butler/personal assistant/valet. Over time they may become fond of you. In no way is it an owner/pet relationship. You may think you 'own' the cat but if it is not satisfied with the arrangement it will just find somewhere else to live.
try that arrangement with a wild cat.:)
not saying cats are as domesticated as dogs etc but they are more than half. some could return successfully to wild, but most wont
Man Bags:
A pal of mine has taken to carrying a man bag. It is now an embarrassment to be seen with him. He claims that he has to have one to carry around all the technological crap that so many seem to find essential these days. If he was younger maybe not so bad as young blokes are weird these days anyway. But he is my age. What can be done?
montesquieu
01-02-2018, 12:36
Man Bags:
A pal of mine has taken to carrying a man bag. It is now an embarrassment to be seen with him. He claims that he has to have one to carry around all the technological crap that so many seem to find essential these days. If he was younger maybe not so bad as young blokes are weird these days anyway. But he is my age. What can be done?
Point and laugh. (In a nice way of course). A sense of the ridiculous is essential for sanity, you are helping him back on the straight and narrow out of what is evidently a mid-life crisis.
(Cheaper than a Boxter mind you).
my neighbour carries one..its an old laptop bag. hides his wine in it i think:D
Point and laugh. (In a nice way of course). A sense of the ridiculous is essential for sanity, you are helping him back on the straight and narrow out of what is evidently a mid-life crisis.
(Cheaper than a Boxter mind you).
I've taken the piss extensively with no discernible effect. As I say, he's my age, so in other words, way beyond the point of giving a shit. But the trend as a whole needs to be curtailed IMV.
I've taken the piss extensively with no discernible effect. As I say, he's my age, so in other words, way beyond the point of giving a shit. But the trend as a whole needs to be curtailed IMV.
That's one of the joys of getting old: "not giving a shit" about what other's think of your looks or of your attire. That's not to say that are some things that are a no-no: balding men who let the remainder of their hair grow long enough to wear as a ponytail; trainers worn with suit trousers, etc.
Compared to that, carrying a 'man bag' (or laptop case) seems to pale into insignificance. Anyway how does that differ from a using a satchel, briefcase or executive case?
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 14:09
When needed, I carry a camouflage backpack. They can shove 'manbags' right up back where they belong!!
montesquieu
01-02-2018, 14:10
But the trend as a whole needs to be curtailed IMV.
Agreed.
I used to be big into watches (before life and divorce intervened - to say nothing of getting back into hifi now it was safe from little kids inquisitive fingers) and was away from watch forums for over a decade. Back in the day (around 2000 or so) watch forums were for guys who, you know, liked watches. Most were ordinary blokes, well like us really, not loaded with cash or obsessively vain or into 'fashion' (as any bakeoff would attest!), but who were a bit nerdy about what was on their wrist.
When I went back for a look recently, I found that these days they are infested with vain little sods who are obsessed with unbelievably expensive push-bikes, boutique shaving products (for heads and legs mostly it seems :rolleyes:), man-baggery and other ludicrously expensive leather goods, and other 'luxury' show-off tat for those with more money than sense. This frequently makes up almost 50% of the 'watch' classifieds.
Of course it goes with the territory that the big watch brands have gone exponentially up in price chasing the super rich particularly in Asia, but it's an interesting phenomenon.
Hifi won't go the same way thankfully, as you can't flash a posh tonearm at the office, and as for bragging rights, nobody cares about the size of your LP collection.
When needed, I carry a camouflage backpack. They can shove 'manbags' right up back where they belong!!
Why the need for camouflage? Do you use it with a camouflage jacket, trousers and hat? :D
...balding men who let the remainder of their hair grow long enough to wear as a ponytail; trainers worn with suit trousers, etc.
Agreed. Now that shit just ain't right... They are the ones who need pointed at and laughed at the most, as it just looks *SO* wrong! That, and old men with dyed dark brown hair!! :lol::lol:
WTF is that shit about?? :mental::mental::D
You wonder if these clowns ever stop and look at themselves in the mirror..... Hint: the image that might have suited you 40 years ago, doesn't suit you anymore! This is what these folk need told:
"Stop desperately trying to cling onto your youth, as you just look like a sad old tit!" :exactly:
Marco.
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 14:24
Why the need for camouflage? Do you use it with a camouflage jacket, trousers and hat? :D
It just happened to be size I wanted.
I do own camo jacket, cargo pants and hat though. But never worn together. I'm no pretend commando. :D
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 14:30
old men with dyed dark brown hair!!
Marco.
Yup. Hilarious!!
You see a lot of it here. The older indian guys with super unnatural black hair (and eyebrows). And even some who use Henna, which makes their hair an orange brown. Bizarre.
The one that makes me laugh is dodgy looking wigs. The ones that don't fit right or no longer match the greying hair remainder in colour. Seriously, how insecure must one be to wear such a thing? I'm always tempted to ask why they're wearing a funny hat!
Oh. And what about blokes who only take their hats off to go to bed? I've known a few.
It just happened to be size I wanted.
I do own camo jacket, cargo pants and hat though. But never worn together. I'm no pretend commando. :D
I do own a pair of cargo pants, but only wear them when travelling. I avoid camouflage-patterned gear - with some of the places I visit it's not a good idea to have any military-looking items about one.
wear a hat out quite often but not indoors. deffo no cargo anything;) otherwise im fairly relaxed about what i wear as long as i dont look like a dick... guys my size and age need to dress appropriately
It's accurate the opposite way, if you consider that, in reality, YOU are the cat's 'pet'... ;)
Marco.
Quite right Marco, in fact I found this list in my Mia's bed this morning
http://i66.tinypic.com/20at7p4.jpg
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 14:53
wear a hat out quite often but not indoors
I wear a baseball cap nearly always when out. My bald nut gets cold in winter and burned in summer.
wear a hat out quite often but not indoors. deffo no cargo anything;) otherwise im fairly relaxed about what i wear as long as i dont look like a dick... guys my size and age need to dress appropriately
My partner has encouraged me to wear a hat in winter, so I bought a trilby style hat. I don't like wearing hats in general: they get blown off; make your hair greasy, but I do wear a Tilley hat when travelling to hot countries.
The Trilby is not getting much use, and I'm not going to go down the cloth cap and Barbour route.
I wear a baseball cap nearly always when out. My bald nut gets cold in winter and burned in summer.
Hope you wear it the way it was intended and not to try and "get down with the kidz".
A cat is a wild animal that you invite to live in your house. From the cat's perspective you are some sort of butler/personal assistant/valet. Over time they may become fond of you. In no way is it an owner/pet relationship. You may think you 'own' the cat but if it is not satisfied with the arrangement it will just find somewhere else to live.
Exactly true! :)
Which is why I much prefer cats to dogs, as I love their 'fuck you' attitude and fiercely independent nature. Much better than having a slobbering, servile mut.. ;)
No, I love dogs too, but they're generally much higher maintenance, and demand your attention all the time, which I can't be arsed with. I prefer something that sleeps for 20 hours of the day, and the rest of the time either eats or shits...
Marco.
Quite right Marco, in fact I found this list in my Mia's bed this morning
http://i66.tinypic.com/20at7p4.jpg
Haha - quality! :lolsign:
Marco.
I do own a pair of cargo pants, but only wear them when travelling. I avoid camouflage-patterned gear - with some of the places I visit it's not a good idea to have any military-looking items about one.
On Antigua it is against the law to wear DPM or anything military looking. Not sure exactly why.
As far as camouflage goes I do have a full Waffen SS Autumn camouflage suit from 1944. Bought it for a couple of quid in a surplus place years ago, they didn't know what it was. It doesn't have any insignia or anything on it so I suppose I could wear it but I don't.
As for dressing your age I am fifty this year and still wear the same clothes as I did at 20. Trainers and tracksuits. Not going to change now. Although traditionally in Liverpool once you get over 60 you can add an old man mac and flat cap to the ensemble. I probably won't do that.
i wear proper trousers ;)
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 18:25
i wear proper trousers ;)
Not worn "proper trousers" since the last funeral I went to (or a tie). Strictly jeans and teeshirt outdoors and joggers and teeshirt indoors.
I wear Farrah 'slacks' for work, and sometimes outside work if I've nothing else clean. Started wearing them at school when it was the fashion, about '84 maybe, and never stopped.
Strictly blue or black jeans for me (with trainers), or on very special occasions, 'proper' trousers, with appropriate shoes. Sorry, Martin, I wouldn't be seen dead in a tracky - even on my power walks! :D
Marco.
i wear proper trousers ;)
...only on the occasions when your frocks are all in the wash:eyebrows:
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
01-02-2018, 18:31
I wanted to buy some camouflage pants, but I couldn't find any!
Strictly blue or black jeans for me (with trainers), or on very special occasions, 'proper' trousers, with appropriate shoes. Sorry, Martin, I wouldn't be seen dead in a tracky - even on my power walks! :D
Marco.
.
Well with me it's a cultural thing, of course. :D I did wear jeans on and off for a long time but tracky bottoms are more comfy. I like the Italian trackys best, Fila and Tacchini. Got a couple of vintage 1980s Tacchini tracky tops, if I wear them when I am out in Liverpool they get much admired.
Pigmy Pony
01-02-2018, 18:43
I've just turned sixty and my wardrobe is 90% jeans, Novelty t-shirts (Green Lantern The Flash, Planet of the Apes) etc., and baseball boots or skate shoes. This last couple of years, her indoors has been trying to move me away from flares, but I don't have the legs for these skinny jeans.
I have some smarter stuff too, boots and shirts by Barbour, Rockport etc., which I use for visiting Hifi shops, my theory being that they make more time for you if you look like you can afford their gear :D
I have some smarter stuff too, boots and shirts by Barbour, Rockport etc., which I use for visiting Hifi shops, my theory being that they make more time for you if you look like you can afford their gear :D
Your theory is right. Never forget the first time I went into the bank in a suit, got called 'Mr McCall' and 'Sir'. That had never happened in my previous 300 visits.
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 18:48
Novelty t-shirts (Green Lantern The Flash, Planet of the Apes) etc.
Good grief!
I prefer subtle tones and don't like graphics on anything.
Got a few lightweight Rockport jackets for summer though.
Rockport, it's a bit ICF/Danny Dyer though, isn't it? I had some Rockport trainers once but they were catalogue returns so dirt cheap, couldn't pass them up.
Used to wear moleskins all the time. Can't get decent ones now tho. Comfiest troos oot mon
Pieoftheday
01-02-2018, 19:04
Used to wear moleskins all the time. Can't get decent ones now tho. Comfiest troos oot mon
I've got some lovely moleskin Hugo boss jeans/trousers, I can't wear them as they seem to have shrunk int wash:scratch:
Or the waistline got unshrunk lol
Pieoftheday
01-02-2018, 19:18
Or the waistline got unshrunk lol
Bugger you saw right through me!! I haven't been able to work properly since last August and must have put at least a stone on:)
walpurgis
01-02-2018, 19:18
Used to wear moleskins all the time. Can't get decent ones now tho. Comfiest troos oot mon
Shortage of moles? :D
.
Well with me it's a cultural thing, of course. :D I did wear jeans on and off for a long time but tracky bottoms are more comfy. I like the Italian trackys best, Fila and Tacchini. Got a couple of vintage 1980s Tacchini tracky tops, if I wear them when I am out in Liverpool they get much admired.
Haha - yes, indeed, and by the same token I can see why they'd be admired in Liverpool!:eyebrows:
When I worked in sales, for folk other than myself, and when I had to make a good impression, I used to like wearing nice suits, most of which were Boss or Armani - in my posey days, when I was a smart looking bastard.
These days, I'm more likely to be bumming around the house in my dressing gown!:D Well, it saves on washing...
Marco.
Bugger you saw right through me!! I haven't been able to work properly since last August and must have put at least a stone on:)
Been disabled for years so it played havok with my body lol Still it's just me to admire it these days
Pigmy Pony
01-02-2018, 20:38
I bought some moleskin pants at the Yorkshire Show last year, it was too cold to be trying them on in a draughty tent, so I don't know if they will fit me. I'm roughly the shape and appearance of a naked mole rat, so they should fit like a second skin.
A lot of the "premium" brands attracted the copiers, and names like Boss, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger and Lacoste are ten a penny in places like Cheetham Hill. So no point in scruffbags like me buying the genuine stuff as people will just assume they're snides. So I avoid these brands. Ido occasionally buy decnt gear, but when they've become last season's stock, and never with obvious logos on them.
Pigmy Pony
01-02-2018, 20:52
Good grief!
I prefer subtle tones and don't like graphics on anything.
Got a few lightweight Rockport jackets for summer though.
So beige then.
In my defence, all the superhero t-shirts are given me by my daughters on birthdays. Maybe they're being ironic, but I don't care-as long as there's no holes and they fit,
l'll wear 'em
Pigmy Pony
01-02-2018, 20:59
Rockport, it's a bit ICF/Danny Dyer though, isn't it? I had some Rockport trainers once but they were catalogue returns so dirt cheap, couldn't pass them up.
Never pay full whack for any of my gear, with the exception of Barbour stuff. I was aiming for the "country vet" look, that way people don't think anything dodgy is going on when they catch me with my arm up a sheep's bum.
Pieoftheday
01-02-2018, 21:31
Been disabled for years so it played havok with my body lol Still it's just me to admire it these days
I don't regard
myself as disabled, arthritis and some other issue s yet to be confirmed have hinderd my working life at the moment though
Haha - yes, indeed, and by the same token I can see why they'd be admired in Liverpool!:eyebrows:
When I worked in sales, for folk other than myself, and when I had to make a good impression, I used to like wearing nice suits, most of which were Boss or Armani - in my posey days, when I was a smart looking bastard.
These days, I'm more likely to be bumming around the house in my dressing gown!:D Well, it saves on washing...
Marco.
When I was a computer tech in the office, I dressed to the 9’s each day, as you say back when I was better looking. Expensive ties, and socks even! Dress for success as they say.
But now that I’ve eluded death and had parts taken out, for medical reasons I can’t have anything tight around my waist, so I am permanently dressed in bib overalls! I look like farmer John, like a hey seed, a hick. But it’s comfortable! And I’ve gotten so used to the top pockets, a great place for my phone. But the other side of that is no one wants to hear my theories on Gravitational Time Dilations. I’ve worn my hair long all my life, and it seems that I’ve always been having to prove myself over and over, so I’m used to it.
Russell
walpurgis
03-02-2018, 09:19
my theories on Gravitational Time Dilations
Wots one o' them then? Something to do with event horizons?
Wots one o' them then? Something to do with event horizons?
Einstein theorized that time is dilated as you go faster, or are closer to a heavy object. Time moves slower on the ground than it does in the Space Station. Most time dilations refer to the speed kind, as you approach the speed of light, time slows down, at the speed of light, it stops. But I’m referring to the time dilation that takes place near heavy objects. I have a theory that the effects that have been attributed to dark matter are really due to gravitational time dilations. As you get closer to the center of a galaxy and the central super massive black hole, Time is moving far slower than it is at the outside edge of that galaxy. So when you see the galaxy twisted in a spiral, it is actually twisted in time, or more accurately, the space the stars occupy has a slower time dilation in the center than the space at the outside edge. If you were in a spaceship close to the center of our galaxy, talking back to Earth, you would appear to be moving very slow, while the response from earth would appear to be in fast forward.
So! The whole idea of dark matter came about from astronomers calculating the mass of a galaxy and the spiral seems to be spinning too fast and the stars should be flung out. So it must weigh more than it seems? I say not so, there is many faults in their logic, for one they are using Neuton’s formulas for planets revolving around a sun, but stars in a galaxy are a much different matter, it is not the same thing at all. The weight of the black hole, and all the many stars that congregate towards the center of a galaxy are extremely heavy, and they are bending space at the core into a tornado shape, but that space is also twisted in time, the stars are like cream on top of your coffee, they are not orbiting, they are only caught up in the current of the coffee.
Because the space is slow in the middle, and fast at the edge, the space itself is twisted, giving the galaxy its shape. Man has not been looking skyward long enough to know how fast the galaxy is rotating, it hasn’t moved at all! Not in 50 years, not enough to tell what’s really going on. And some galaxies are not spirals, they have no black hole at the center, and they are just a static blob, time dilation is about the same all over for those galaxies.
I could go on, lots of math that goes way over my head really, but one thing I am sure of is they are not right about dark matter. Dark matter is only numbers they introduced into their formulas to make them come out right, many billions have been spent and still no proof of its existence. But if you watch an episode of, “How the Universe works”, they testify as if it was a proven fact. Burns my arse.
Russell
walpurgis
03-02-2018, 14:09
Does light accelerate when entering a black hole, thereby exceeding the speed of light? ;)
So what are your thoughts on 'dark energy'? Or do you need to change your overalls to consider the matter? :D
Does light accelerate when entering a black hole, thereby exceeding the speed of light? ;)
According to Einstein, who wasn’t always right, but was right about most things, the speed of light is a constant, no matter your position it always seems to be moving at the same speed. A lot of strange things go on in and around a black hole, but nothing needs to be exotic for it to work.
Recall Einstein’s experiment where he predicted the bending of light coming from stars that would be passing behind the sun during an eclipse, he predicted the gravity of the sun would bend the beam of light from these stars, and he was dead on. So increase the gravity until the beam of light is deflected 180 degrees, and it keeps falling back into the object. Does it speed up? It doesn’t have to for this to work. The speed limit of the universe isn’t a property of light itself, it’s just that point where time and space reach a zero, as I was saying, at the speed of light time stops, so there is no time for it to go faster, unless time went backward. And if time went backward, then it wouldn’t fall into the hole!
Russell
So what are your thoughts on 'dark energy'? Or do you need to change your overalls to consider the matter? :D
A good question Berry, honestly I haven’t given it a great deal of thought. Scientist think it is what is driving the expansion of the universe. The actual fabric of the universe is stretching, and it’s not slowing down. This is certainly happening, if they want to call it dark energy, as good a name as any I guess? Once again the word dark means they have no idea what it is.
An analogy I think of often is, “Does a fish know he’s wet?”. We’ve always thought of space as nothing, an empty vacuum. But it is the ocean we are floating in, whether it’s an ocean of sub atomic partials that have not assembled into atoms? Or just energy, a mass of gravitational forces, magnetic fields, exactly what it is remains a mystery. But the facts speak to the idea that is it something. Are we like fish deep in the ocean? Unaware that we are wet? Proof in the recent experiments where they measured the gravitational waves from two colliding black holes, from a billion light years away. If the waves got from there to here, they must have been rippling in something? Or so it would seem to me.
Russell
The concept of 'empty space' is meaningless. You can't measure distance without using something to measure it with. That something is light, and if there is light the empty space is no longer empty. Furthermore, conjugate pairs of particles can come into existence and disappear again provided their fleeting existence is short enough. Also space (or rather space time) is granular on a small scale (10-35m and 3.10-45s), so space is not the simple empty nothingness that it might appear.
The concept of 'empty space' is meaningless. You can't measure distance without using something to measure it with. That something is light, and if there is light the empty space is no longer empty. Furthermore, conjugate pairs of particles can come into existence and disappear again provided their fleeting existence is short enough. Also space (or rather space time) is granular on a small scale (10-35m and 3.10-45s), so space is not the simple empty nothingness that it might appear.
Thank you Barry! Someone who knows what I’m talking about. I’ve had that same thought about light. If you are at any point in the universe, no matter what direction you look you will see light, photons are moving through every square mm of space.
Russell
Pigmy Pony
04-02-2018, 11:35
The concept of 'empty space' is meaningless. You can't measure distance without using something to measure it with. That something is light, and if there is light the empty space is no longer empty. Furthermore, conjugate pairs of particles can come into existence and disappear again provided their fleeting existence is short enough. Also space (or rather space time) is granular on a small scale (10-35m and 3.10-45s), so space is not the simple empty nothingness that it might appear.
+1
Wot 'e said.
Pigmy Pony
04-02-2018, 11:38
I tested this theory in my garden shed this morning.
The results were inconclusive.
I think I may need a bigger shed.
walpurgis
04-02-2018, 11:41
I used a cardboard box. Not sure what happened, but I can hear all the neighbours screaming!
The concept of 'empty space' is meaningless. You can't measure distance without using something to measure it with. That something is light, and if there is light the empty space is no longer empty. Furthermore, conjugate pairs of particles can come into existence and disappear again provided their fleeting existence is short enough. Also space (or rather space time) is granular on a small scale (10-35m and 3.10-45s), so space is not the simple empty nothingness that it might appear.
your right.. i looked in my wallet and initially it looked empty, but on closer inspection there was a bit of fluff:rolleyes:
Pigmy Pony
04-02-2018, 12:36
I used a cardboard box. Not sure what happened, but I can hear all the neighbours screaming!
Love it!
Pigmy Pony
04-02-2018, 13:04
I have a question for Barry and Russell, which was posed by Tefal-headed comedian Steven Wright a few years ago: If you were travelling in a space bus at the speed of light, and you turned the headlights on, what would happen?
Minstrel SE
05-02-2018, 06:30
People that dont clear their inboxes!...Perhaps we need a dedicted announcement section :D
I have a question for Barry and Russell, which was posed by Tefal-headed comedian Steven Wright a few years ago: If you were travelling in a space bus at the speed of light, and you turned the headlights on, what would happen?
The lights wouldn’t shine. According to Einstein anyway, you are already going as fast as possible.
Russell
Unless it was turbo charged. [emoji38]
No doubt this has had a few mentions before but BREXIT, FFS, as a concept we all know about it but are the BBC being paid a piece work rate for every time they say the fucking word. I counted 14 times in a 4 minute report on the lunchtime news. GGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Every time I hear that now, my eyes glaze over and I switch off... BORRRRINNNGG!! Change the record, FFS.... :doh::rolleyes:
Marco.
The lights wouldn’t shine. According to Einstein anyway, you are already going as fast as possible.
Russell
The lights would shine (insofar as outside observers are concerned, they would see the light propagating at the speed of light, as it must), but as regards the 'passengers on the bus' they wouldn't see anything illuminated by the headlights as they are already travelling at the same speed.
Pigmy Pony
05-02-2018, 18:32
The lights would shine (insofar as outside observers are concerned, they would see the light propagating at the speed of light, as it must), but as regards the 'passengers on the bus' they wouldn't see anything illuminated by the headlights as they are already travelling at the same speed.
But pedestrians (astronauts on a space-walk) wouldn't have much time to get out of the way.
Pigmy Pony
05-02-2018, 18:41
No doubt this has had a few mentions before but BREXIT, FFS, as a concept we all know about it but are the BBC being paid a piece work rate for every time they say the fucking word. I counted 14 times in a 4 minute report on the lunchtime news. GGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Maybe if they changed the word to FUXIT, it would revive some interest
Pieoftheday
06-02-2018, 10:28
In need of a new mobile phone, so I contacted my provider and told them what I wanted and that I could get it elsewhere for what I'm paying now, ooh no we can't do that! So I got my PAC code and went elsewhere and my new phone is due today. Just had a call from my current provider to see how they can keep my custom FFS!!
walpurgis
06-02-2018, 11:02
All the mobile companies seem to be trying to get their customers on monthly accounts and it's almost imposible to find a SIM card that isn't on a monthly tariff. I've had a Tesco PAYG SIM in my phone with no monthly fee for many years, I just top up maybe twice a year (I hardly use it). But they keep texting me with 'free upgrade' offers which of course are tied to monthly fees. I don't want that. As long as I use the phone once within every six months the account will stay active, so I'm sticking with that.
Pieoftheday
06-02-2018, 11:08
All the mobile companies seem to be trying to get their customers on monthly accounts and it's almost imposible to find a SIM card that isn't on a monthly tariff. I've had a Tesco PAYG SIM in my phone with no monthly fee for many years, I just top up maybe twice a year (I hardly use it). But they keep texting me with 'free upgrade' offers which of course are tied to monthly fees. I don't want that. As long as I use the phone once within every six months the account will stay active, so I'm sticking with that.
I would have liked to have got a SIM only deal but my current phone has become almost unusable
walpurgis
06-02-2018, 11:14
Talking of mobile phones. Does anybody else here have problems with touchscreens? They refuse to work properly for me.
There's an article about this here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/06/zombie-finger-and-touchscreens/index.htm
Needless to say, I don't use a smartphone. I've had a couple but get the same problem each time.
first one i had a bit of a problem. think it was me tbh, as it worked with other folk. have no issues now especially with the i phone. quite like mine actually and i never thought that would have happened.
think some cheap screens still have issues
All the mobile companies seem to be trying to get their customers on monthly accounts and it's almost imposible to find a SIM card that isn't on a monthly tariff. I've had a Tesco PAYG SIM in my phone with no monthly fee for many years, I just top up maybe twice a year (I hardly use it). But they keep texting me with 'free upgrade' offers which of course are tied to monthly fees. I don't want that. As long as I use the phone once within every six months the account will stay active, so I'm sticking with that.
I thought with PAYG if you didn't 'spend' the top up within 30 days, you lost it. As in "use it or lose it".
walpurgis
06-02-2018, 11:27
I thought with PAYG if you didn't 'spend' the top up within 30 days, you lost it. As in "use it or lose it".
That's the current arrangement for a monthly account with many providers. Mine's an old SIM card and does not have this.
used to be about 6 months barry. but some may have other ideas... think the 30 day bit is on a monthly contract, what u havent used you lose when the next month comes in.
used to be about 6 months barry. but some may have other ideas... think the 30 day bit is on a monthly contract, what u havent used you lose when the next month comes in.
i never use house phone now
I do to make long distance calls. All calls made after 7pm are free as long as they are no more than 1 hour in duration.
During the day I will use my mobile as my monthly contract comes with 800 minutes of free talk time (and a large number of texts, but I rarely send texts - my phone doesn't have a 'qwerty' keypad).
dont think any smartphones have keypad as such. if i can use it easily then anyone can. tbh mine is used mostly with texts. dont get many calls now. most folk i knew are dead lol
dont think any smartphones have keypad as such. if i can use it easily then anyone can. tbh mine is used mostly with texts. dont get many calls now. most folk i knew are dead lol
I'm in the same boat. Phone company actually asked me why I hardly use it, I think they regretted that.
dont think any smartphones have keypad as such. if i can use it easily then anyone can. tbh mine is used mostly with texts. dont get many calls now. most folk i knew are dead lol
My phone is an ancient (1.5G :lol:) Nokia, with the characters for texting grouped in threes in the numeric keypad. I was thinking of a smartphone where a virtual 'querty' keypad can be put up on the screen. With predictive suggestions you can type fairly quickly.
I can't, never figured out how that predictive thing works and I've had a cellphone since 1996
left word what u typed middle what it thinks you mean(ie what you often use) and end what it might be if what youve typed is what you do mean. auto correct is better off unless you like it slagging folk off:lol:
Pigmy Pony
06-02-2018, 18:06
It took me over a year to get used to my iPhone, at which point it died. It wasn't new, and not worth repairing. The Missus bought me a replacement, made by Alba :eek: and it's awful! Alarm works sometimes, ringtones seem to change on a daily basis (currently text messages are announced with a lengthy AC/DC sample). The touch screen is sometimes unresponsive, but I think it may be down to dry hands. If I lick my fingertip first, it seems to like that.
It took me over a year to get used to my iPhone, at which point it died. It wasn't new, and not worth repairing. The Missus bought me a replacement, made by Alba :eek: and it's awful! Alarm works sometimes, ringtones seem to change on a daily basis (currently text messages are announced with a lengthy AC/DC sample). The touch screen is sometimes unresponsive, but I think it may be down to dry hands. If I lick my fingertip first, it seems to like that.
Lucky sod ! You got the top of the range model !!
Primalsea
06-02-2018, 21:44
Work issued me with a new iphone 6 with 128 GB when I started the job. Not was I very grateful I also learnt that for my next phone I definitely do not want another iphone.
Pigmy Pony
06-02-2018, 22:04
After watching some of those Channel 5 programmes (the ones that make you want to throw stuff at the TV, I'm talking about the benefits programmes, like "28 kids, and trying for another"), I've decided that the smarter the phone, the dumber the user.
I may be the exception to this theory. Couple of weeks ago I tried using the Sat Nav to find an address, and drove round in circles for over an hour before I realised it was just displaying my position on a map, not the destination. If I knew how to get the sim card out of it, I swear I would have launched that piece of crap out of the window :scratch:
Firebottle
07-02-2018, 07:50
:rfl: That's given me a good laugh this morning.
I've recently bought an inexpensive smartphone, an Alcatel A3 XL for £125 sim free.
Might not be the fastest out there but excellent on all other counts.
Pigmy Pony
07-02-2018, 18:27
A mate of mine has an Alcatel, and he rates it. Two and a half times the cost of my Alba though. Bowie's "Golden Years" ringtone this morning, God knows what this afternoon's ringtone's called, "India Enema" by the sound of it:(
I worked in cellphones 1995 to 2004 and hate to say it but Alcatel were notorious for going wrong. But I suppose things may have changed.
Pigmy Pony
07-02-2018, 19:01
My mate's Alcatel may go wrong if he keeps it long enough. He has a bit of a short fuse and breaks his phones on purpose :mad:
Why is it you can never find the particular cable you need?
Can find all sorts of weird cables I wouldn't even have a use for (when & why did I get them??) but never the actual one I want.
walpurgis
09-02-2018, 15:05
You've probably got it plugged in the back of your equipment. :)
After watching some of those Channel 5 programmes (the ones that make you want to throw stuff at the TV, I'm talking about the benefits programmes, like "28 kids, and trying for another"), I've decided that the smarter the phone, the dumber the user.
Ha - I think you've got something there! As for those awful junk programmes, it's always funny laughing at vacuous idiots with more kids than braincells!:D
It's always the dumbasses who think that the only reason for existing is to breed.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
09-02-2018, 19:28
Why they have to procreate so much, I don't know-it isn't like they don't have a telly! And its usually a 65 inch one! Still, if you're going to get your TV from Bright House, with no intention of making the repayments, you may as well go large.
:lolsign:
Have you ever played the game 'spot the house without a satellite dish, on your average dole-scrounger council estate'? It's a fun one... ;)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
09-02-2018, 20:28
Not done that one, but observing these "Channel 5 Chavs" beating a path between Bright House, Sport Direct and Cash Convertors is quite amusing. And why does the "husband" always have his right arm in a plaster cast?
Pigmy Pony
10-02-2018, 16:09
Whenever I see a car chase in one of those "Road Wars" type programmes, the miscreants always decamp and "have it on their toes" in trackies and trainers. I think people wearing sportswear in public without a valid gym membership should be arrested and charged with "going equipped to run from the police".
And while I'm on this rant, I always give drivers wearing a baseball cap a wide berth, because they rarely give a toss about other road users. Also, old men driving with a trilby on their head can be a problem too (easy to spot, their right turn indicator is on permanently).
walpurgis
10-02-2018, 16:14
How about older guys with baseball caps like me?
Pigmy Pony
10-02-2018, 16:19
Absolutely fine for driving golf buggies in Florida. Only kidding, us oldies are exempt-but strictly NO TRILBYS
montesquieu
10-02-2018, 16:21
FIFA World Cup.
When did it become compulsory to stick FIFA in front of something that has always been just the World Cup. Or maybe the football World Cup if the rugby one happens to be on at the time.
I don't want to be reminded about the bunch of corrupt tossers that sit at the top of football's money tree.
I suppose there's nothing that can be done if you read it on the back of a bag of some really unhealthy junk food that has paid FIFA to be a sponsor. But we shouldn't have to read about FIFA any other time. (Unless it's the latest one of them to do jail time).
whit's wrong wi' trilbys????:scratch:
walpurgis
10-02-2018, 16:22
whit's wrong wi' trilbys????:scratch:
They're for old geezers! :D
ive got about a dozen hats. more stylish than a baseball hat :ner:
Pigmy Pony
10-02-2018, 16:36
I love hats, they just don't love me. I think my head might be the wrong shape. I've tried wearing them whole on holiday, where nobody knows me. but then I catch my reflection in a shop window and the sight always made me groan. That's the real reason I let Mrs P go shopping on her own ;)
walpurgis
10-02-2018, 16:39
ive got about a dozen hats. more stylish than a baseball hat :ner:
Hope you haven't got a Breton like Corbyn. :D
http://i66.tinypic.com/2egek4p.jpg
Pigmy Pony
10-02-2018, 16:39
I can just about manage a woolly hat if the weather's cold enough, but they just make me look like E.T.
Pigmy Pony
10-02-2018, 16:44
Hope you haven't got a Breton like Corbyn. :D
http://i66.tinypic.com/2egek4p.jpg
Is that what that is? I thought Bretons were those stripy shirts you wear under your string of onions
mostly fedoras or similar
Carlos Santana
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180210/bf6826569206ee7adea32c4492feddd7.jpg
Summer straw
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180210/07d8a75c47af3b40aaa3e02b24fc8262.jpg
Couple of fedoras and a trilby below
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180210/81925f3675dfc9d385f932beb12430d0.jpg
I get mine from the states
Pigmy Pony
11-02-2018, 18:29
I bet they were thoroughly searched by HM Customs, their logic being that the purchaser must be on drugs :D
Films where the dialog is nothing but a low mumble with occasional grunts - the Americans have always been particularly good at these, but the fashion seems to be catching on more and more in UK TV dramas too. Might as well be in a foreign language, if there are no subtitles I'm totally stuffed.
Have you had your conservatory valeted recently? Inside and out? Just seen a TV ad for this. What an age we live in. Mind you people seem happy to pay a tenner to have someone throw a bucket of water over their car and briefly run a hoover round the inside so I suppose it's a viable market.
.
walpurgis
16-02-2018, 18:30
Yes. I've seen those. Folk getting too lazy (or too stupid) to clean anything these days. Still, it's less annoying than all the funeral plans being flogged on the box.
Yes. I've seen those. Folk getting too lazy (or too stupid) to clean anything these days. Still, it's less annoying than all the funeral plans being flogged on the box.
A mate whose unemployed and has all day every day to clean his car takes it to the valeters instead. I think for the feeling of status more than anything.
walpurgis
16-02-2018, 18:38
I put my motor through the Tesco automatic wash around xmas. Cost me a massive two and a half nicker! It's filthy at the moment.
On the other hand I also have a mate whose house and car are always a total pigsty. Rubbish piled in all the passenger footwells right up to the height of the seats. You know those grills you can get to separate your dogs in the boot of your estate from the back seat? He had a Merc estate and the grill was a spiderweb. Went right across the car and from the back of the seat all the way to the roof. Really impressive. And he drove around with that for years. This bloke works long hours and is wealthy enough that he could pay the Queen to clean the car for him. Nowt so queer as folk.
Minstrel SE
16-02-2018, 19:24
Yeah thats one!...people who don't wash their own car and get their groceries delivered....You lazy blighters! :) Where's the pride in a job well done?
(Secretly I'm very jealous but I'm a control freak and renowned skinflint)
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