Nope, hes a typical Southern OAP who hankers for the days when he could grow his own food, drove his Lada (he was particularly fond of these cars), drag his children round castles and museums at weekends and loudly share his disgust of such establishments as MacDonalds.

A man has just walked through the office in a red t-shirt and red plaid pyjama bottoms! - I kid you not!

I didn't pay any attention to that at first. I just had to get a translation for the second bit.

Dress down Friday?

I agree, the standard of driving in the UK is probably one of the best in the world along with Germany.

I have always believed that its not speed that kills, its stupid dangerous and inconsiderate driving coupled with speed that kills. Speed alone is not the issue....Germany's autobahn is proof of that.

This is why undertaking should be made against the law, some of the weaving idiots on the 401 infuriate me.....and some without indication makes it even worse! and then then there is the tailgating issue!



With the exception of Germany European's are crazy drivers way worse than US and Canada.

How matchy-matchy, seems like some trouble went into that outfit.

1. Passive aggressive behaviour as most have no balls to confront a situation face to face. Most of it is point scoring.

2. Letting people know what you are doing seems more important than actually doing something useful or beneficial for the team or company.

I've alway found meeting people in the pub odd.

If I'm chatting with someone and someone comes in who knows them. They will shake their hand and not mine. Not even a handshake or an introduction.

It's odd to see as an outsider. In a pub back home you'd shake the person whose hand you know, then introduce yourself and shake the person they are withs hand. It's common courtesy and a basic skill of acquainting with people.

Other than that I've kind of been here too long to notice or care about the other stuff. Yes they're passive aggressive but that is because they're all harmless. Yes they are lazy at work and get nothing done but isn't that why we all moved here? For a more sedate easier life than Blighty?

Lastly I agree that the driving is horrible. That comes from having a test where you weave in and out of a few cones. Driving distance, reverse parking, lane discipline simply aren't criteria.

1. Fax machines...or even better printing the screen, scanning it and emailing it to you...just do a screen print.

2. standard of driving - tailgating, optional extra indicators, lack of acknowledgement when you have let them in, not flashing trucks in when on the highway, lane discipline or lack there of, mad dash to be the first at the lights, buses that just pull out

3. pedestrians that have the most amazing faith in my driving skills and my trucks brakes

4. roadworks - a cone that is hanging onto the side of the road in the lane, other side of the cone is a 2 ft drop , no lines or no cats eyes or even better slightly removed lines and new lines that don't match and potentially send you into on coming traffic.

Any good examples of passive aggressive behaviour? I never quite get that term...

Trying to find one that won't be offensive.

Correct on all counts, except some are extremely dangerous and there were no cones for me, I think the motorcycle test has cones. I failed my first 2 driving tests, the first on lane discipline and the second on parallel parking.
Pub etiquette is going to vary.... at the club where I drink everyone usually drinks at one long table, and it spreads out as more people come in. A nod and smile and wave is easier than shaking a dozen hands, but an introduction of a guest to those in the vicinity is usual. If I brought a friend there and there were 4 or 6 people at the table I would introduce him or her and they might shake hands, but if it was packed maybe only those in our area. That isn't beer, it's Lemon Hart and diet coke.

Having no concept of sport or should i say sports.. i would get more excited over a freight rover 1st qualifying round on a wet Wednesday night in Bognor than Canadians do over sporting events...i mean here everybody wore an oilers t-shirt for one day for the Stanley cup play off semi final..then put away and never spoken of again.

You ask someone for a favour, "please pass the salt". The person says "oh alright then" and shoves it across the table. The person doesn't speak to you for the rest of the evening.

I thought mine was better.

If it makes you feel like you're a big man for once, yours is better.