Impromptu pub conversations

[308mate]

Prompted by a sub-plot on another thread, I suspect there might be some interesting stories on conversations of complete strangers that you may have joined in on at the pub.

Or if there isnt any of those at all, I'll just tell you mine.

I was in a pub in London years ago and my lady-friend had popped to the toilet. Behind me I could hear two blokes talking about the virtues of the Nissan Patrol and why it was better than its competitors.

Well because I:

a) had had a couple of pints and

b) have some experience in this area and

c) think I know everything,

I opted to just pop round to their table and give them my 2pence worth.

"I couldnt help overhearing your conversation about the Patrol" I say to the English chap and his Japanese mate. "Youre wrong you know. Sure it has a couple of innovations but the Toyota Land Cruiser is superior in almost ever respect."

I went on to tell them about my experience of Patrols vs Land Cruisers in mining and farming in Western Australia and when I was Toyota salesman.

"I see" says the english chap, gesturing to his japanese friend. "Well let me introduce you to Mr X (I forget their names), he is the chief design engineer at Nissan for the Patrol and Im the marketing manager for Nissan in Europe. How do you do?"

Me, slightly awkwardly, "Goodness, it seems my friend is back from the toilet. *cough* Enjoy your lunch."



I always think I should have asked them for a job that day. Though its better to assume that had they thought me worthy of one, they would have offered. Seemed like nice guys though.

[RobCrezz]

Did you tell the Chief where they needed to improve the Patrol?

[rhinochopig]

So basically what you're saying is tell us about the times when you've chatted up strange men in the bar.

[NismoGT]

rhinochopig said:

So basically what you're saying is tell us about the times when you've chatted up strange men in the bar.

Edited by NismoGT on Tuesday 8th December 14:00

[308mate]

By the time they introduced themselves, I'd already made some direct comparisons between the two and also taken the time to touch on why a Hilux was soooo much beter than a Navara or Pathfinder too.

To be honest, the designer seemed geniunely interested. Maybe his culture is just very polite....

[shoggoth1]

Why has this been moved to General Gassing? Yes, the first story is car related, but it's about pub conversations in general. The Lounge, where it was, is surely the natural home for this topic...

[hornetrider]

So this conversation was 'years ago' yet you discussed the Navara with them?

[308mate]

hornetrider said:

So this conversation was 'years ago' yet you discussed the Navara with them?

Correct Clueso. The Navara has been for sale in Australia for over 20 years.

[hornetrider]

Arse.

[ShadownINja]

308mate said:

By the time they introduced themselves, I'd already made some direct comparisons between the two and also taken the time to touch on why a Hilux was soooo much beter than a Navara or Pathfinder too.

To be honest, the designer seemed geniunely interested. Maybe his culture is just very polite....

Or he's clever enough to see what people genuinely have to say about his product.

[crofty1984]

I had a bit of time to kill in Leeds waiting for a mate to finish work, so I popped into the art gallery near the city/town hall. Ended up having a brief chat with a spanish girl working there, topics covered included:
How Italian is a bit like Spanish,
Einstein's theory of space/time and his famous eclipe experiment
How Megadeth and Metallica are very much like Lamborghini and Ferrari
Travel
Mark Rothko
The rise and fall of Dubai

Was going to say that this should be in the lounge, surely? Though I guess the Lamborghini/Ferrari thing is ok for GG.

[Munter]

I fear none of the topics I have randomly struck up are within site rules. They normally revolve around some birds assets we've both tracked across the pub, or the fact that the piss we're drinking tastes slightly of beer.

[LuS1fer]

That's really really embarrassing.

1. Working for Nissan and talking about work in the pub.
2. Aggravated by talking about something as dull and banal as a Nissan Brick.

[308mate]

crofty1984 said:

Was going to say that this should be in the lounge, surely?

It was.

[ipsg.glf]

Surely the feedback you did/were able to/should have been able to provide would have been absolute dynamite to a sales orientated business?

Don't they spend fortunes trying to engage with customers?

Edited by ipsg.glf on Tuesday 8th December 15:58

[308mate]

LuS1fer said:

That's really really embarrassing.

1. Working for Nissan and talking about work in the pub.
2. Aggravated by talking about something as dull and banal as a Nissan Brick.

I prefer to think of it as "inspired". (Though this is no less embarrasing)

4WDs are a big deal to an Aussie.

[The Wookie]

I was once having a conversation with a couple of mates in a pub about Caterham's and racing. A bloke was on the table next to us with what appeared to be his date.

One of my mates asked me how fast my car at the time went, to which I responded something like 'about 110+ in clear air, perhaps 120 with a tow (slipstream)'

The bloke turns round and basically says 'you're talking bks, Caterham's do over 130'

Me - 'Some Caterham's do, but not mine, it's only 140bhp'
Bloke - 'Rubbish, they all do at least 130'
Me - 'So you know the exact engine spec, gearing, and aerodynamic configuration of my car then'
Bloke - 'I don't need to, I've been racing Caterham's for years'
Me - 'Oh really? What series?'
Bloke - 'It doesn't matter'
Me - 'Well I'm just interested because I've been racing Caterham's for a couple of years and I might have heard of you'
Bloke - 'Bullst, you've never raced a Caterham before, I'd recognise you'
Me - 'Well, as it happens, my two friends here attended one of my race meetings with me not more than 3 hours ago, didn't you boys? <nods> so I'd dispute that.'
Blokes - 'fk off, you're all liars'

At which point his bird started laughing and he stormed off to the other side of the pub!

[mat205125]

crofty1984 said:

I had a bit of time to kill in Leeds waiting for a mate to finish work, so I popped into the art gallery near the city/town hall. Ended up having a brief chat with a spanish girl working there, topics covered included:
How Italian is a bit like Spanish,
Einstein's theory of space/time and his famous eclipe experiment
How Megadeth and Metallica are very much like Lamborghini and Ferrari
Travel
Mark Rothko
The rise and fall of Dubai

Was going to say that this should be in the lounge, surely? Though I guess the Lamborghini/Ferrari thing is ok for GG.

Does that make Def Leppard the same as TVR. Essentially the same thing, however somehow lacking that certain something that would put them at the top of the pile, and with a disconcerting reputation for having a shoddy build quality where some key components might have been omitted / missing. Never the less, a cheaper alternative to the established brand that won't cost an arm and a leg to buy ...... well, not a leg anyway.

[308mate]

The Wookie said:

I was once having a conversation with a couple of mates in a pub about Caterham's and racing. A bloke was on the table next to us with what appeared to be his date.

One of my mates asked me how fast my car at the time went, to which I responded something like 'about 110+ in clear air, perhaps 120 with a tow (slipstream)'

The bloke turns round and basically says 'you're talking bks, Caterham's do over 130'

Me - 'Some Caterham's do, but not mine, it's only 140bhp'
Bloke - 'Rubbish, they all do at least 130'
Me - 'So you know the exact engine spec, gearing, and aerodynamic configuration of my car then'
Bloke - 'I don't need to, I've been racing Caterham's for years'
Me - 'Oh really? What series?'
Bloke - 'It doesn't matter'
Me - 'Well I'm just interested because I've been racing Caterham's for a couple of years and I might have heard of you'
Bloke - 'Bullst, you've never raced a Caterham before, I'd recognise you'
Me - 'Well, as it happens, my two friends here attended one of my race meetings with me not more than 3 hours ago, didn't you boys? <nods> so I'd dispute that.'
Blokes - 'fk off, you're all liars'

At which point his bird started laughing and he stormed off to the other side of the pub!

Gold.

[LuS1fer]

Well Hyundai seem to think their coupe is Genesis - but then so did VW with their Polo special edition.

This could be a whole new thread so someone strat one, I can't be bothered.