New possibility of a total smoking ban in England

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Toy:
If there are insufficient funds in your account for the above amount to be debited, a warrant will be issued for your imminent arrest. [/i]

Will smoking be permitted in prison?

Yes but not if you've committed public smoking offences.

Steve - you have described job for yourself

quote:

Originally posted by Earwicker:
The idea of plod coming round and making sure no-one's smoking in some seedy back-street spit and sawdust pub in Newcastle - where even the bloody cat smokes, for f*ck's sake! - is just a hoot.


EW

EW a selection of "spit and sawdust" Pubs for you in Newcastle. Aye and we are all still wearing flat caps and trailing whippets.

Personal favourites are the Free Trade and The Crown Posada.

Regards

Nic

Eyup ark'

Ar didna mayn Nyewcastle 'pon tyne, ar mint 'castle under bloody lime! Thee dunner 'av smoke fray pubs rind theeer 'cause thee orll bludy smoke theeknowst.

Wot?

quote:

Originally posted by Earwicker:
Eyup ark'

Ar didna mayn Nyewcastle 'pon tyne, ar mint 'castle under bloody lime! Thee dunner 'av smoke fray pubs rind theeer 'cause thee orll bludy smoke theeknowst.

"Hello Ark,

I didn't mean Newcastle upon Tyne. I meant Newcastle Under Lime! One doesn't have smoke-free pubs around there because everyone smokes, as you know."

Nime,

Even with the translation I can still understand Gianluigi's difficulty in understanding this load of bollocks.

Just been catching up on tonights postings, you are on a bit of a roll. Some quality soap box rants, respect.

Regards

Nic

Dear Friends,

Given the rather early demise of smoking in the [UK] boozer, I took the oportunity after work to visit one of the best pubs in the country tonight. The Talbot at Knightwick, which fortunately has a smoking patronage and a smoking staff! God, may they rest in peace when it catches up with them and I hasten to add me! I found I had run out of 'baccie so bought a quarter ounce of Old Holbourn. May it be said that the days of such fun are numbered, and I will not argue against that, though I am sufficiently pissed to say that I shall enjoy the privelege as long as it lasts! My non-smoking mate was good enoughto do the transporting, and enjoy the outrageously non-PC company. I want to find somewhere [a nation] where I can simply work hard, die at reasonable age, and have a bit of fun in the meantime! Fredrik

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
Dear Friends,

Given the rather early demise of smoking in the [UK] boozer, I took the oportunity after work to visit one of the best pubs in the country tonight. The Talbot at Knightwick, which fortunately has a smoking patronage and a smoking staff! God, may they rest in peace when it catches up with them and I hasten to add me! I found I had run out of 'baccie so bought a quarter ounce of Old Holbourn. May it be said that the days of such fun are numbered, and I will not argue against that, though I am sufficiently pissed to say that I shall enjoy the privelege as long as it lasts! My non-smoking mate was good enoughto do the transporting, and enjoy the outrageously non-PC company. I want to find somewhere [a nation] where I can simply work hard, die at reasonable age, and have a bit of fun in the meantime! Fredrik

Fredrik,

Sell up, move to thailand, get yourself a thai bunny or two (no one older than 25)and live like a god.

That's my advice.

Erik

Dear Erik,

I am one of the shiest creatures you would ever meet. It takes me at least two years to lower my guard with people. And once I find a friend, I don't loose them. I would be out of my depth in such a diiferent culture. Strangely, I would be more comfortable among Norwwegains than most Brits nowadays, though the Norse can seem a bit reserved to outsiders, and their definition of logic is certainly very black and white. I would miss the in between bit I think, which confirms to me that I am rather British in an old fashioned way, if not a way that fits today, I am sad to observe. All the best from Fredrik

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
Dear Erik,

I am one of the shiest creatures you would ever meet. It takes me at least two years to lower my guard with people. And once I find a friend, I don't loose them. I would be out of my depth in such a diiferent culture. Strangely, I would be more comfortable among Norwwegains than most Brits nowadays, though the Norse can seem a bit reserved to outsiders, and their definition of logic is certainly very black and white. I would miss the in between bit I think, which confirms to me that I am rather British in an old fashioned way, if not a way that fits today, I am sad to observe. All the best from Fredrik

Fredrik,

I found Norwegians in england are very different to how they are back home, much more reserved back home and getting to know them was sometimes difficult but once I had they were always very loyal friends. As for me I generally fit in easily enough wherever I have been and can imagine living effortlessly in any number of countries without missing the UK at all. This is country will be dragged down the toilet pan after america if we dont break with them soon. I personally would not like to bring children up in this country, its not a fit place for them.

Regards,

Erik

Dear Erik,

I have been of the view that UK PLC has been going down the pan for most of my forty four years. I bollucked my brother when he fathered his first child. I don't have any, because I so fear the way the world is going. But then I am also considered an unreasonable pessimist by some. I think I am very reasonable, so long as people see it my way........... eventually!

Actually I had a major row at work yesterday, and told one of the board of directors, (concerning an production issue, a problem actually, which concerns me as I have to deal with the inadequacy of the plant) that, 'You just have not thought this through, have you? It's patheetic!'

I apologised before today's work started, only to be astounded by the fact that he apologised for his rejoinder, pointing out that I had made a fair point. I was shaking with rage when I blew up mind you. At least I managed not to be violent or actually swear at him. The poor shop floor manager with us actually was so embarrassed that he could only look at the floor. Later he told me not to apologies, but I don't mind admitting to weakness. I am human. But it really wound me up. That is why I was so fed up this week. The whole issue should have been sorted months ago, and my frustration at the idiocy of it just came out, when this office bound twit started spouting theoretical rot. I could have got the sack for it, but didn't.

Lordy, I need a job with intelligent managers. Maybe not the army then, Erik! Fredrik

quote:

Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
Dear Erik,

Lordy, I need a job with intelligent managers. Maybe not the army then, Erik! Fredrik

Fredrik,

I fear america knows it will end up as a third world economy within 20 years - a number of leading US economists say this - china is going to produce everything - the US is ever more desperate to control the oil and force the petro dollar on all of us - I think Iran will be invaded before xmas. Eventually the US and China will slug it out or we can strenghten europe to stand between them...the climate is f**ked and.....and the UK is becoming more like a police state everyday and yobs and chavs everywhere. I despise popular culture and resent it rammed down my throat 24/7.

I am sorry about your work situation. Hang in there and tough it out or you won't be getting those DBLs!! Personally I always try to take work as a game, I never take it too seriously, and I certainly don't let setbacks diminish my self-worth, it's just a means of paying the bills. They can have my time but they will never get my soul, not even the army got that, there is always a little something I keep back because at the end of the day I think it's all bo**ocks.

Work is like chess, you make the moves after thinking carefully, ego is disengaged, your'e caught in a corner so you take some deep breaths and calmly asses how to plot your way out - its not personal its just about pieces moving around a board, that'a all. Work is like that for me.

I try to focus about children dying of AIDS and starvation in Africa and it gives me some perspective, I won't sell my soul to a bloody corporation, there are more important things in life. Hell I might die today so why waste time obsessing about work? You get some seemingly mindless acts of bad managment in the Army but on the whole they are better than their civvy street equivalents in my experience. There are fools everywhere, can you make them wise? Patience is the thing. Patience and tolerance. We spend out lives trying to organise our external world and very little at controlling our minds. It's like walking on rough ground is painful for bare feet, so do we cover all the ground with leather or do we just put leather on our feet? Conrolling my mind is easier than controlling others all the time, if Im hooked into controlling others I'm suffering. Its hard enough controling my mind never mind 6 billion other minds.

Personally I always got on well with the lowest and the highest, it's the buggers in the middle who are the tricky bastards.

**These days I love the challenge of turning someones views around but the key is to be well motivated on the one hand while not being attached to your view being accepted on the other**. Not always easy to do I know.

If your ego is well and truly engaged it creates friction and competition but if your ego is not engaged and people see you have a genuine interest in progressing something positively they usually disengage their ego too. If I hear of some lunecy in my workplace (and it pisses me off)I nearly always put something in writing first, then I sit on it for a day, then I send it if it reads ok in the cold light of a new day. Even in meetings (unless its brain storming) if I hear some whacko idea I will say something like, 'I will give that idea my full consideration and let you have my thoughts by the end of the day' or such like. I usually manage to turn the whackos around 'I really like your idea but I think we can improve on it for the benefit of all' is better than 'your full of crap and my idea is better' (I think it but I dont' say it, I move the pieces around the board and if i'm clever enough it won't be a question of improving their whacko idea at all it will be implementing the best idea regardless whether it's mine or the tea boys - and if I'm not clever enough then hell I've done my best and I don't dwell on it). I enjoy all this bollocks but it's not ME. Its' just a game.

Don't get down about it Fredrik. I take a pride in doing my best, I truly do, but I don't kid myself that is really matters in the great scheme of things. Iv'e walked out of a couple of jobs and never given the buggers a second thought. They don't own me and they never will.

All the best Fredrik and good luck for next week. Have a think how best to win them over. Don't dwell on the negative scenarios it is all to easy to play over and over. 'First we make our habits, then our habits make us' thus we must always stand guard at the door of our own minds and watch our thoughts lest they conspire to trip up us up!

Regards,

Erik

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Toy:

quote:

The idea of plod coming round

It won't be plod. In the brave new police state sans police it will be plain-clothed stazi-esque nanny council officials propping up the end of the bar or seated in a corner with a female stooge intended to look like their mistress, supping alcohol-free pints, and handing out on-the-spot fines as they return from the gents.

Within a few years they won't even need to hand you the fine. They'll use an electronic remote reader to obtain your details from the chip inside your ID card (you'd best have it on you or else...) and a letter will drop through your door:

Dear Mr Chuffer,

You were seen in the Rose and Crown on Queen Street, Salisbury smoking a cigarette between 2110 and 2117 hours on 27th March 2009.

A fixed penalty of £2500 will therefore be debited to your current account, sort code 34-67-87, number 64386645 on 5th April 2009. If there are insufficient funds in your account for the above amount to be debited, a warrant will be issued for your imminent arrest.

I trust there will be no further incidents of smoking in a public place thus obviating more formal action.

I thank you for your cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

The Enforcement Team at Salisbury Council.

Do you mean there won't be the facility for payment by debit/credit card?

Why we need the ban...

Yesterday my wife took our daughter to a friend's birthday party at a local bowling alley. They both came home reeking of cigarette smoke. Both had spent a couple of hours passive smoking.

We went to a concert in the evening in a non-smoking venue. Over 1000 people happily enjoying an evening's music without breathing in other people's noxious fumes.

Seagull

The tide is turning.

Last week I was in a pub with Mrs Mick enjoying a very good meal, when some fool put a cigarette in his mouth. About 50 people gave him a dirty look and he put it out after a couple of puffs.

He must have felt a total outcast.

Regards

Mick

Rear Friends,

Rarely have I adjusted my possition so fast as I have during this Thread. Initially I wanted pubs to keep on with a chance for choice, but I see that my arguement lacked logic, and was not thought out. Unlike some of the legislation this half-baked administration has introduced I think this law is not only right, but timely.

Splendid outcome for evey body, with a mind able to work it through.

Smokers, including me, must rightly adjust to the fact that society sees the actuvity as unacceptable in public places. Times change, and only dynosaws stick to the olden ways, and eventually die out.

Fine result, and I never thought I would say that three months ago! Fredrik

Fredrik

You said... only dynosaws stick to the olden ways, and eventually die out.

Yes we now call them smokersaurus.

Regards

Mick

Mick, All The Best From Fredrik

Dear Friends,

I would like to apologise for the terrible typo above. You can be assured that this neither Freudian, nor slyly intentional! Adam, if you read this, and can do it, would you be kind enough to subsyitute a capitol D for the capitol R, please?

Fredrik

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Last week I was in a pub with Mrs Mick enjoying a very good meal, when some fool put a cigarette in his mouth. About 50 people gave him a dirty look and he put it out after a couple of puffs.

Last night, I went to the pub for a pint and absolutely EVERYONE in it was smoking (except me, as it happens).

This will soon be illegal.

It's democracy, Jim, but not as we know it. The minority have it.

EW

EW

Smoking is the provence of the lower social economic classes. I know that sounds snobbish but it is true. The more socially aware middle classes smoke considerably less than the uneducated working classes.

I suggest you change your pub.

Regards

Mick

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Smoking is the provence of the lower social economic classes. I know that sounds snobbish but it is true. The more socially aware middle classes smoke considerably less than the uneducated working classes.

True. But the point I'm making is that it will soon be ILLEGAL (for f*ck's sake!) to smoke in places where everyone chooses to smoke, which is not just stupid, but also unjust.

quote:

I suggest you change your pub.

I often do, and whether or not I wish to smoke is a factor in deciding in which particular hostelry to imbibe.

Regards

Earwicker

EW

Most people thought it was ok to drive and drive in the 1960's and those who got done often wrote into newspapers asking why the police did not spend their time chasing burglars instead of law abiding motorists.

Times and attitudes change and the law has to reflect that. Whether you like it or not, smoking indoors is totally unacceptable and that includes pubs.

You are in the minority on this one.

Regards

Mick