Miserable Looking Londoners...
-
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02 -
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02 -
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02Shaun Wilde wrote: I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count :laugh: I was in Ealing once and a giant of a man sidled up to me, clipboard in hand, and started rattling off questions. I noticed he had a badge mentioning he was from a gas company. I quickly mentioned I don't live in the UK, never mind London and so a gas company would not make a cent out of me. That shut him up fast and he ambled off to someone more pommy looking. Even if you don't have the right accent, just say you live outside of the UK (say you emigrated even.) Still, here in SA I feel sorry for the chaps and often answer all their questions. p.s. The reason why Londoners are miserable is not because of canvasers, but because of the blasted weather!
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
-
Shaun Wilde wrote: I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count :laugh: I was in Ealing once and a giant of a man sidled up to me, clipboard in hand, and started rattling off questions. I noticed he had a badge mentioning he was from a gas company. I quickly mentioned I don't live in the UK, never mind London and so a gas company would not make a cent out of me. That shut him up fast and he ambled off to someone more pommy looking. Even if you don't have the right accent, just say you live outside of the UK (say you emigrated even.) Still, here in SA I feel sorry for the chaps and often answer all their questions. p.s. The reason why Londoners are miserable is not because of canvasers, but because of the blasted weather!
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
Paul Watson wrote: The reason why Londoners are miserable is not because of canvasers, but because of the blasted weather! Hmm. This can't be true. London, being in the south of England, gets some of the mildest weather and yet they are still the most miserable. Kevin
-
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02LOL. Walking around London I sometimes wish I had a set of badges saying something along the lines of 1. "No, I don't have any spare change" 2. "No, I don't have a spare cig" 3. "No, I'm not interested in anything you have to say" Arrgg, good ol' London town.
Dylan
"In meetings, the person who is least competent usually does the most talking. Talking is a direct substitute for competence, at least in the minds of other people. Five minutes after you leave a meeting, you won't remember what anyone said but you will remember who did most of the talking. Withing a day your mind will translate that into a notion that the talker was unusually knowledgeable" - Scott Adams, Dilbert and the way of the weasel
-
Paul Watson wrote: The reason why Londoners are miserable is not because of canvasers, but because of the blasted weather! Hmm. This can't be true. London, being in the south of England, gets some of the mildest weather and yet they are still the most miserable. Kevin
Kevin Glover wrote: London, being in the south of England, gets some of the mildest weather and yet they are still the most miserable. Mild is the key. Wild weather is great, energising. We here in Cape Town get wild weather. One day it is hot and sunny, the next a storm has blown in and the wind is knocking busses over. We get four seasons in one day. There is very little boring, week on week overcast weather. London has tons of week on week overcast weather. The kind that becomes oppresive after 4 days and downright wrist-slashing after 3 weeks. Plus all those gray buildings, with people in gray and black clothing, with black umbrellas driving around in black taxis. All under a gray sky. Nice place to visit, but I would hate to live there.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
-
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02Shaun Wilde wrote: If you have ever been caught by one Never make eye contact - once you do, you're doomed. :suss:
I knew it would end badly when I first met Chris in a Canberra alleyway and he said 'try some - it won't hurt you'..... - Christian Graus on Code Project outages Damned nice for remote servers where using Enterprise Manager is like wadding through treacle while covered in velcro, upside down -Paul Watson on SQL Server Query Analyser
-
Kevin Glover wrote: London, being in the south of England, gets some of the mildest weather and yet they are still the most miserable. Mild is the key. Wild weather is great, energising. We here in Cape Town get wild weather. One day it is hot and sunny, the next a storm has blown in and the wind is knocking busses over. We get four seasons in one day. There is very little boring, week on week overcast weather. London has tons of week on week overcast weather. The kind that becomes oppresive after 4 days and downright wrist-slashing after 3 weeks. Plus all those gray buildings, with people in gray and black clothing, with black umbrellas driving around in black taxis. All under a gray sky. Nice place to visit, but I would hate to live there.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
I wonder how the suicide rate in London compares to that in Seattle? "How many times do I have to flush before you go away?" - Megan Forbes, on Management (12/5/2002)
-
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02If it's some regulars, the following helps: bad breath, and three phrases: ask "Whut fuuhr?" like you really don't get what they expect from you. Keep not understanding whatewver they say or do - answer "Whut?" Repeat 2..5 times. Then: SMILE as if it's your fault - "No Uhndershtand. Surri.". If you train the regulars to keep away from you, the others probably will refrain from you either.
If I could find a souvenir / just to prove the world was here [sighist]
-
If it's some regulars, the following helps: bad breath, and three phrases: ask "Whut fuuhr?" like you really don't get what they expect from you. Keep not understanding whatewver they say or do - answer "Whut?" Repeat 2..5 times. Then: SMILE as if it's your fault - "No Uhndershtand. Surri.". If you train the regulars to keep away from you, the others probably will refrain from you either.
If I could find a souvenir / just to prove the world was here [sighist]
peterchen wrote: If it's some regulars, the following helps: How about: *stare deep into the canvaser's eyes* "How about we take this survey back to my place and do it on my waterbed." :rolleyes:
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
-
peterchen wrote: If it's some regulars, the following helps: How about: *stare deep into the canvaser's eyes* "How about we take this survey back to my place and do it on my waterbed." :rolleyes:
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
-
hehe! But careful, he might say "yes" ;)
If I could find a souvenir / just to prove the world was here [sighist]
peterchen wrote: But careful, he might say "yes" :~ Good point! Though *Paul enters Typical Male Mode* the MSN Butterfly girl who approached me in Leicster square is more than welcome to come back to my place and ask me survey questions... :rolleyes:
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaChristopher Duncan wrote: Which explains why when Santa asked, "And what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" I said, "A life." (Accesories sold separately)
-
Okay after 6 months of working in the town, I think I now know why every one in London looks so miserable. Street Canvassers. yup I lay the blame on these people. Everyday I have to go out to lunch and I have to run the gauntlet of these people at least 3 each way. Why? And why do they have to be out there everyday? If you have ever been caught by one, you resolve to never let it happen again and yet there they are reminding you of that hell encounter many months back. Surely if they took a break then the bad memories would fade. I don't even have the protection of answering in a foreign accent/language which seems to have magical deterrant power. And Yorkshire doesn't count. But how does this make everyone miserable? Well if your busy looking out for these people so you can avoid them - the its head down and furtive glances - you daren't show a smile as they take it as some sort of acknowledgment to approach. And yes I know its Xmas - but I am generous all year round. I don't make special effort at Xmas just so that Santa well bring me that Games Console - I know the elves are watching all year round.
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02Well, the only thing I learnt from taking statistics at A Level was that their very act of selecting who they question means that their survey results will be utterly skewed and useless, so I usually point this out. -- Help me! I'm turning into a grapefruit!