Things you always wanted to know the answer to [Vol. 5]
Discussion
bodhi said:
So when you go out for dinner with work with a pan European team and people start ordering an Espresso for dessert - how in the hell do they get to sleep afterwards?
I always finish a meal out with a double espresso, I've never had an issue with sleep. It is weird how coffee affects some but not others when it comes to sleep, my youngest won't touch coffee in any form from about 17:00 as it just messes her sleep up.
The Mad Monk said:
My question was intended to get information as to how the rest of the world sees the UK.
If an independent observer looked at the UK's foreign policies how would they be viewed?
Yes, I get that and it's a good question. If an independent observer looked at the UK's foreign policies how would they be viewed?
Regrettably I can only answer with another question. Where are you going to find an independent observer? Everyone has an axe to grind and I believe that's true even of academics trained to (and claiming to) take a detached and objective view.
To put it another way, almost all people are irrational almost all the time. Which explains every election result ever.
The Iranian man on the wireless was an educated professional but from my perspective everything he said was bonkers. Utterly delusional. But I'm completely confident he would say the same thing about either you or me.
The closest (or most accessible anyway) I can think of offhand to an objective thinker would be Jordan Peterson but that in itself simply illustrates my own bias as his philosophical leanings are unequivocally conservative. So I'd have to take his assessment of our foreign policy with a pinch of salt too.
A fine conundrum.
Error_404_Username_not_found said:
The Mad Monk said:
My question was intended to get information as to how the rest of the world sees the UK.
If an independent observer looked at the UK's foreign policies how would they be viewed?
Yes, I get that and it's a good question. If an independent observer looked at the UK's foreign policies how would they be viewed?
Regrettably I can only answer with another question. Where are you going to find an independent observer? Everyone has an axe to grind and I believe that's true even of academics trained to (and claiming to) take a detached and objective view.
To put it another way, almost all people are irrational almost all the time. Which explains every election result ever.
The Iranian man on the wireless was an educated professional but from my perspective everything he said was bonkers. Utterly delusional. But I'm completely confident he would say the same thing about either you or me.
The closest (or most accessible anyway) I can think of offhand to an objective thinker would be Jordan Peterson but that in itself simply illustrates my own bias as his philosophical leanings are unequivocally conservative. So I'd have to take his assessment of our foreign policy with a pinch of salt too.
A fine conundrum.
For the past 20 years, I have worked equally internationally as nationally. I'm up to 32 countries, all of which are classified as low-income, transition or emerging economic nations. All of my clients are government institutions in one shape or form. I'm currently writing this from north Cyprus.
Over the years, I've paid close attention to how the governments of other nations view the UK, not just in a foreign policy context but a wider one.
On the whole, the words that apply are 'respect', 'trust' and 'nice'.
Our system of democracy is often looked upon enviously, particularly the Monarchy which I've found is more widely understood by foreigners more than our own population.
We are sometimes considered as assuming dominance on certain matters.... 'our way is the right way!' And the nuances of local issues is something that at an institutional level, the UK is sometimes found lacking.
But generally speaking, the UK is seen as a safe pair of hands, intelligent, decent and supportive.
Our Foreign Policy may at times be less than ideal but is typically 'less-worse' than that deployed by an other G8 nation.
I have to mentioned Brexit because this has undoubtedly taken some of the shine off how other nations view us. I wouldn't say it's damaged our reputation internationally but has certainly called into question some aspects of our previously recognised virtues.
Another angle:
I have refereed martial arts (kickboxing, full and semi-contact) internationally for the last ten years. I have been all over the world to do this, and mostly been very poorly paid. But that's not really what it's all about for me. Anyway the UK seems very highly regarded. Brexit was barely mentioned except in passing, and we are apparently known for our fairness and sophistication (!). I stopped refereeing two years ago, but it's unlikely these views will have changed especially in a sports arena dominated by politeness, personal discipline and a sense of fair play.
I have refereed martial arts (kickboxing, full and semi-contact) internationally for the last ten years. I have been all over the world to do this, and mostly been very poorly paid. But that's not really what it's all about for me. Anyway the UK seems very highly regarded. Brexit was barely mentioned except in passing, and we are apparently known for our fairness and sophistication (!). I stopped refereeing two years ago, but it's unlikely these views will have changed especially in a sports arena dominated by politeness, personal discipline and a sense of fair play.
48k said:
Where did all the hovercraft drivers go?
The ones who drove the really mahoosive SRN4s across the channel (not the piddly ones that go to the Isle of Wight)
The ones who drove the really mahoosive SRN4s across the channel (not the piddly ones that go to the Isle of Wight)
My mates dad who is a retired cross channel hovercraft captain said:
Some moved to being tug skippers in Dover Harbour, some went to Seacat, some just went off and found other boats. One of them became captain of the dredger in Dover Harbour also. They're all retired now.
HTP99 said:
bodhi said:
So when you go out for dinner with work with a pan European team and people start ordering an Espresso for dessert - how in the hell do they get to sleep afterwards?
I always finish a meal out with a double espresso, I've never had an issue with sleep. It is weird how coffee affects some but not others when it comes to sleep, my youngest won't touch coffee in any form from about 17:00 as it just messes her sleep up.
In my 20's, I could have a coffee after dinner and be out like a light.
In my 40's, if I had a coffee after about 6pm, I'd not sleep.
In my 50's, I was back to being able to have coffee after dinner.
In my 60's, I had to avoid caffeine during and after radiotherapy. I had a proper coffee the other day after lunch and didn't sleep that night (!).
AstonZagato said:
HTP99 said:
bodhi said:
So when you go out for dinner with work with a pan European team and people start ordering an Espresso for dessert - how in the hell do they get to sleep afterwards?
I always finish a meal out with a double espresso, I've never had an issue with sleep. It is weird how coffee affects some but not others when it comes to sleep, my youngest won't touch coffee in any form from about 17:00 as it just messes her sleep up.
In my 20's, I could have a coffee after dinner and be out like a light.
In my 40's, if I had a coffee after about 6pm, I'd not sleep.
In my 50's, I was back to being able to have coffee after dinner.
In my 60's, I had to avoid caffeine during and after radiotherapy. I had a proper coffee the other day after lunch and didn't sleep that night (!).
A 'proper' one from a restaurant doesn't seem to have the same effect, but this might be countered by the booze that goes with it.
The Mad Monk said:
My question was intended to get information as to how the rest of the world sees the UK.
If an independent observer looked at the UK's foreign policies how would they be viewed?
In the context of the news right now it may be coloured by the UK's history with Iran(not great, what with having a hand in a coup that set up the Shah) or Gaza(It's all Balfour's fault, plus following if not slavishly copying US policy), if so it may be seen in a less than charitable light. If an independent observer looked at the UK's foreign policies how would they be viewed?
hidetheelephants said:
In the context of the news right now it may be coloured by the UK's history with Iran(not great, what with having a hand in a coup that set up the Shah) or Gaza(It's all Balfour's fault, plus following if not slavishly copying US policy), if so it may be seen in a less than charitable light.
This. It really depends on what country. Generally if they're in the "I hate America" fan club, the UK is usually numher 2 on their s
t list.captain_cynic said:
This. It really depends on what country.
Generally if they're in the "I hate America" fan club, the UK is usually numher 2 on their st list.
Why would that be ? didn't we save Europe's fat spotty, Generally if they're in the "I hate America" fan club, the UK is usually numher 2 on their s
t list.arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
Nethybridge said:
Why would that be ? didn't we save Europe's fat spotty,
arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
Did you wrap yourself in a St. George's flag and wipe the spittle from your chin with a Union Flag handkerchief as you wrote that, as "Jerusalem" played in the background on your gramophone? arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
deadtom said:
48k said:
Where did all the hovercraft drivers go?
The ones who drove the really mahoosive SRN4s across the channel (not the piddly ones that go to the Isle of Wight)
The ones who drove the really mahoosive SRN4s across the channel (not the piddly ones that go to the Isle of Wight)
My mates dad who is a retired cross channel hovercraft captain said:
Some moved to being tug skippers in Dover Harbour, some went to Seacat, some just went off and found other boats. One of them became captain of the dredger in Dover Harbour also. They're all retired now.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Nethybridge said:
Why would that be ? didn't we save Europe's fat spotty,
arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
Did you wrap yourself in a St. George's flag and wipe the spittle from your chin with a Union Flag handkerchief as you wrote that, as "Jerusalem" played in the background on your gramophone? arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
Also there is a huge world outside of Europe.
captain_cynic said:
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Nethybridge said:
Why would that be ? didn't we save Europe's fat spotty,
arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
Did you wrap yourself in a St. George's flag and wipe the spittle from your chin with a Union Flag handkerchief as you wrote that, as "Jerusalem" played in the background on your gramophone? arse in the two disagrements, counts for nothing.
Strange case of 20th century amnesia among the world community,
How come war mongering Germans, invading Italians and Russians,
War criminal Japanese, genocidal Serbians are ranked more popular than
Ol Blighty.
[ sorry it disnae rime]
Also there is a huge world outside of Europe.
popeyewhite said:
Getting boring you two having a pop at Nethybridge. He's quite correct BTW, we did save Europe.
Some posters [that I had down as intelligent] seem to take statements on this thread awfie seriously, they don't recognise obvious attempts at satire, sarcasm or irony, so they are real easy to wind up
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