Re: UK Customs Powers
 

I don't know if this is in the same category, but weren't the pop duo Jedward harrassed at uk airports?

http://www.3am.co.uk/jedward-make-of...assment/24775/

Re: UK Customs Powers
 

I've suffered similar less than sympathetic treatment in a Spanish airport, however I don't judge a whole nation on the basis of one experience.

I've not noticed the conduct of British customs and security personnel to be any worse than that in any other country, but possibly better than quite a few.

Re: UK Customs Powers
 

You are quite right. One cannot judge a nation on two experiences like mine. Everyone is different and one must judge as one finds. However, what is apparent is that the English do like their rules and regulations! That used to be a criticism levelled at Germans (Alles in ordung! Sicher und sauberkeit!). I am always amused by the necessity for five fire doors per room in hotels where often some require the services of Hercules to gain access. Did you see the case of a lady who dropped a piece of pie in a park and which the birds devoured - she was in court with a possible £20,000 fine!! Sorry I never heard the full details nor the outcome. Closer to home one sees the endless bickerings in the press about illegal cars running without ITV or car tax. I've never seen such mutterings in the local Spanish press. The attitude is - if you can get away with it - why not! Perhaps I'm an anarchist at heart but the ever increasing arbitary enforcement of minor regulations appears to totally lack human feeling. Of course we know now (one of the national papers has proof) that the Guardia work to commissions when levying fines. Thus very special care has to be exercised to avoid their habitual road blocks where few escape some kind of fine. Petty enforcement in all its forms has gradually made daily life more and more fraught. But in England there is also the constant reminder on the media of the risk of terrorist attack. "Enhanced security" is a phrase heard every day. Do you ever wonder if there is a hidden agenda operating at a very high level? The entire American and English military are unable to trace Mr B. Laden and his gentlemen in night attire! Nor have they been able to bring England's version of democracy to the mountain tribes of the North west Frontier. My great grand father's task in the Raj has still not been completed. So as we remember the fallen today, should we not also seek constructive ways to ensure that the the sacrifices have not been in vain and can be definitively ended by looking for genuine and long lasting political solutions? This will require an extraordinary measure of creativity not to be found in militaristic thinking.

Re: UK Customs Powers
 

they deserve it:zzz:


what worries me more, is that you are reading their blog:eek::rofl:

Re: UK Customs Powers
 

The fire regulations in the Uk has resulted in the saving of many lives and a reduction in major fires to the extent that when one occurs it is usually national news. Spain could do well to comply with decent fire regulations.

Why should tax paying and law abiding citizens pay for what to me is criminal activity in avoiding tax. One only has to look at Greece to see what happens when that is the norm.

I agree with you that there are a lot of ' Jobsworths' in the Uk. Sad Bast..

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

I know we have karma awards. but are there "off subject awards" too?:rofl:;)

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

From my short time as a member it seems to me that two things generally occur as a topic develops. One is that the thread goes off subject and the second is that replies become a personal slanging match between certain members.

From my point of view I would reply to an off subject reply that has been started by someone else. In respect of my second point I would not get involved in 'slagging' another member off.

Perhaps I should have started a new thread on the subject?

Re: UK Customs Powers
 

First a brief comment on fire. I am not a fire specialist but I can only say that there seems to be an obsession with rules in England - wouldn't it be nice if there were some means to separate out sensible precautions from the jobs-worth type rules which petty factotums like to enforce to the misery of others. One other comment. In this part of Spain most buildings are of entirely cement and concrete. Our own home is 100% cement and concrete except for the doors and window frames. Thus I think it would be fair to say the risk of fire in England is greater in buildings where so much wood is used unless of course there is a forest fire which would only affect urbanisations near wood land.

The question of tax is a very deep one indeed in my opinion and brings into question the integrity of government itself. Here are a few thoughts to get started.

Firstly let me describe an experience I had in Spain. I bought a property in 2005 just before the market collapsed. Two years later I was faced with an accusation of tax evasion in respect of the declared value of my garage. The tax authority claimed that I should have declared €13,000 for my parking space. In fact if was not worth much more than 50% of that even then which I declared. Today it would probably sell for 20-30% of the claimed value! I had to pay a €600 fine plus similar legal costs as my appeal failed.

As you probably know, it is customary to under declare transfer values in Spain since the tax at 7% would be a very heavy burden and most buyers would not agree to go ahead unless there were a degree of flexibility. So my point here would be - do you think it is right that I was fined even though my lawyer dealt with the paperwork and provided figures according to local custom? You may be tempted to say that the law must be obeyed however unfair it may be. You might say instead that local customs should be respected! Which is right?

Now let me direct you to the well know stories where corruption has led to illegal buildings especially in Andalucía and where in certain cases honest English people have paid all their taxes only to see their homes confiscated or bulldozed. Must the law be obeyed without question at all times?? Should these people return to England bankrupt to live on National Assistance?

Are you going to tell me that such unfairness does not ever occur in England? Will you tell me that corruption is more a Spanish thing? We have only to look at the corruption in the highest levels of government in England to know that there isn't much difference. It is just that the English are much cleverer at covering it up than the Spanish. Dare I say - more professional at it!

Politicians of all colours do not understand the meaning of truth. They are lent on by so many vested interests that how can one hope for true honesty and integrity amongst them. I am not going to consult the lists of names again but I doubt if there are more than a tiny handful of honest MPs in the House.

The man in the street is pillared for the smallest tax transgression whilst the top men escape with total impunity. I only need mention "banker". You know the rest. Whilst such a corrupt structure exists my sympathies go to those who can avoid or evade paying taxes demanded.

I am sorry. Until those in high authority practice what they preach, I shall continue to see tax collection as something to be avoided whenever possible.

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

I totally agree and support all you say. It is easy to get led away from the subject of the thread and indeed forget completely what it was. I have just posted about corruption in high places. The subject was (was it?) a ferry to Engalnd! So we get Ferry - Customs - their powers - the abuse of - the need to obey the law at all times - to unfair taxes - to property abuse - tax evasion!

Yes a new thread would be appropriate. I'll start one as soon as I can establish the right place for thorny issues such as this!

As to mutual bashing - how refreshing to see your comment - there's far too much confrontation at all levels of society. The English have been fighting in Afghanistan on and off for (what? 200 years) and still nothing is settled.!

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

Did you not notice the :rofl:;) at the end......:confused:

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

Sorry not sure what ROFL icon is?

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

Its a system of showing emotion, he was laughing

Now lets try to get back on topic please

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

Point taken - I'll cease posting here!

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

I'm not sure I understand why you want to stop posting here:confused:
You don't like people expressing emotion on here and being friendly?

Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
 

There seems to be a misunderstanding here. I am very new to forums! He commented that the subject matter of the posts had drifted away from the original theme and I expressed my agreement. I was bringing in some controversial material and I commented that perhaps there is a more suitable place for it. When I have time to explore I want to return with another thread to express my thoughts. Hope that's clearer!