Grumble Thread

[Serial_Apologist]

This morning, I observed a driver hold back for an oncoming line of traffic before moving out to pass through a pinch point. We were always taught when learning to drive that one holds back by several car lengths before moving out to pass parked vehicles, the main purpose of which is to allow one to see beyond that point and be better able to judge the right moment. And it was clearly explained by driving instructors that not to do so correctly could mean failing the test. This morning, however, within a few seconds a chorus of car horns rang out telling a driver following correct procedure to move forward, presumably, even though traffic was still coming from the opposite direction. The driver started up, wound down his window and said "All right, all right!", giving a V sign to the following queue. As a consequence, when his time to move forwards came he was forced to take a sharp right turn, taking up both directions before frantically winding anticlockwise to lurch forwards, tyres screaming and nearly forcing me off the road on my bike, btw.

Another consequence of this recent adjustment of driving standards to pre-empt bullying from other road users, of course, is that the two-point turn now needed to get by any obstruction in turn obstructs traffic coming the other way - often in turn accompanied by a second chorus of hooting and four-letter language from the opposite direction. Thinking further about this is occurs that such behaviour by all parties says a lot about the skewed way many people now value time, so that the supposed time wasted in leaving perhaps 20 metres between oneself and the obstruction to be passed, is more important in the time stressed-senses of many than the greater time lost by the unnecessary manoeuvring - though I suppose some will put the resulting aggro down to "human nature!"

[LHC]

This morning, I observed a driver hold back for an oncoming line of traffic before moving out to pass through a pinch point. We were always taught when learning to drive that one holds back by several car lengths before moving out to pass parked vehicles, the main purpose of which is to allow one to see beyond that point and be better able to judge the right moment. And it was clearly explained by driving instructors that not to do so correctly could mean failing the test. This morning, however, within a few seconds a chorus of car horns rang out telling a driver following correct procedure to move forward, presumably, even though traffic was still coming from the opposite direction. The driver started up, wound down his window and said "All right, all right!", giving a V sign to the following queue. As a consequence, when his time to move forwards came he was forced to take a sharp right turn, taking up both directions before frantically winding anticlockwise to lurch forwards, tyres screaming and nearly forcing me off the road on my bike, btw.

Another consequence of this recent adjustment of driving standards to pre-empt bullying from other road users, of course, is that the two-point turn now needed to get by any obstruction in turn obstructs traffic coming the other way - often in turn accompanied by a second chorus of hooting and four-letter language from the opposite direction. Thinking further about this is occurs that such behaviour by all parties says a lot about the skewed way many people now value time, so that the supposed time wasted in leaving perhaps 20 metres between oneself and the obstruction to be passed, is more important in the time stressed-senses of many than the greater time lost by the unnecessary manoeuvring - though I suppose some will put the resulting aggro down to "human nature!"

Too many Ronnie Pickerings on the road

[Serial_Apologist]

If I see that *funny* clip from the Handforth Parish Council meeting ONE MORE TIME, I will either chuck the TV through the window, or have to go for a walk around the block to cool off. Probably the latter, as I'm rather fond of my telly.

[Bryn]

If I see that *funny* clip from the Handforth Parish Council meeting ONE MORE TIME, I will either chuck the TV through the window, or have to go for a walk around the block to cool off. Probably the latter, as I'm rather fond of my telly.

I must admit that my immediate reaction was in favour of those trying to uphold standing orders. Only as it became clear they were only being raised as a stumbling block did my sympathies shift over. I now share your reaction to the clip's continued recycling. She was in good form on The Last Leg, though.

[Dave2002]

This morning, I observed a driver hold back for an oncoming line of traffic before moving out to pass through a pinch point. We were always taught when learning to drive that one holds back by several car lengths before moving out to pass parked vehicles, the main purpose of which is to allow one to see beyond that point and be better able to judge the right moment. And it was clearly explained by driving instructors that not to do so correctly could mean failing the test. This morning, however, within a few seconds a chorus of car horns rang out telling a driver following correct procedure to move forward, presumably, even though traffic was still coming from the opposite direction. The driver started up, wound down his window and said "All right, all right!", giving a V sign to the following queue. As a consequence, when his time to move forwards came he was forced to take a sharp right turn, taking up both directions before frantically winding anticlockwise to lurch forwards, tyres screaming and nearly forcing me off the road on my bike, btw.

Another consequence of this recent adjustment of driving standards to pre-empt bullying from other road users, of course, is that the two-point turn now needed to get by any obstruction in turn obstructs traffic coming the other way - often in turn accompanied by a second chorus of hooting and four-letter language from the opposite direction. Thinking further about this is occurs that such behaviour by all parties says a lot about the skewed way many people now value time, so that the supposed time wasted in leaving perhaps 20 metres between oneself and the obstruction to be passed, is more important in the time stressed-senses of many than the greater time lost by the unnecessary manoeuvring - though I suppose some will put the resulting aggro down to "human nature!"

What really gets me is if I see a fire engine or ambulance or police car in my rear view mirror, and it gets close I pull in to the left and frequently stop. Then when the emergency vehicle has passed usually some thoughtless drivers then try to zoom past me - followed by a whole stream of traffic. Thus my journey is delayed slightly because of the inconsiderate nature of the others.

I'm not quite sure what the law is on this in the UK, but I was very surprised to note in one state in the USA that on any visible sign of an emergency vehicle with lights flashing everything stopped - even on a multi lane highway and even traffic going in the opposite direction. I queried that and was told that it was indeed the law in that state.

[oddoneout]

If I see that *funny* clip from the Handforth Parish Council meeting ONE MORE TIME, I will either chuck the TV through the window, or have to go for a walk around the block to cool off. Probably the latter, as I'm rather fond of my telly.

Another advantage of not watching TV news methinks...

[french frank]

I must admit that my immediate reaction was in favour of those trying to uphold standing orders. Only as it became clear they were only being raised as a stumbling block did my sympathies shift over. I now share your reaction to the clip's continued recycling. She was in good form on The Last Leg, though.

I'm not sure where this is being 'recycled' as I've only viewed it on [my] demand until I felt I'd seen it enough times. As to sympathies, there was obviously already 'history' behind it as someone else (not the officer we saw) had apparently thrown the chairman out of the previous meeting. I don't need to see it again, but it still makes me smile.

[Dave2002]

I'm not sure where this is being 'recycled' as I've only viewed it on [my] demand until I felt I'd seen it enough times. As to sympathies, there was obviously already 'history' behind it as someone else (not the officer we saw) had apparently thrown the chairman out of the previous meeting. I don't need to see it again, but it still makes me smile.

I'm afraid I've been in live meetings which were considerably more "enthusiastic" and "amusing" for those not directly affected than that one.

[Nick Armstrong]

If I see that *funny* clip from the Handforth Parish Council meeting ONE MORE TIME, I will either chuck the TV through the window, or have to go for a walk around the block to cool off. Probably the latter, as I'm rather fond of my telly.

It never struck me as particularly amusing in the first place, or worthy of recycling (bar a couple of memorable lines, which friends have quoted a couple of times). Mainly an insight into petty committees, and a reminder why I’ve avoided any involvement in anything similar

Fortunately I’ve not encountered it since - is it still doing the rounds?

[teamsaint]

It never struck me as particularly amusing in the first place, or worthy of recycling (bar a couple of memorable lines, which friends have quoted a couple of times). Mainly an insight into petty committees, and a reminder why I’ve avoided any involvement in anything similar

Fortunately I’ve not encountered it since - is it still doing the rounds?

I would think the lawyer cat was more up your boulevard........

( not seen the parish council thing and don’t intend to).

[Triforium]

It never struck me as particularly amusing in the first place, or worthy of recycling (bar a couple of memorable lines, which friends have quoted a couple of times). Mainly an insight into petty committees, and a reminder why I’ve avoided any involvement in anything similar

Fortunately I’ve not encountered it since - is it still doing the rounds?

I have it on good 'authority' that it is.....

[Bryn]

I have it on good 'authority' that it is.....

Indeed. The next council meeting was considered sufficient excuse to drag it out again.

[Nick Armstrong]

I would think the lawyer cat was more up your boulevard........

Yes. I thought he analysed purrfectly the most impawtant claws in the document

[Dave2002]

Mainly an insight into petty committees, and a reminder why I’ve avoided any involvement in anything similar.

That's a bit unfair. It gives you "an" insight into such committees, but doesn't give you full insight. They may indeed have many "stupid" squabbles, and raise and attempt to deal with with matters which don't particularly interest you, but they do - arguably - serve a useful purpose. They are a part of the governance in the UK and if they were to be removed things would become even more "top down" than they are at the moment.

[french frank]

That's a bit unfair. It gives you "an" insight into such committees, but doesn't give you full insight.

And I don't think the edited and - so it appears - still widely recycled clip was intended as "comedy", but to make an example. If people laughed, surely, it was largely in disbelief that adults could behave in such a way, in their own names (and faces) rather than the anonymity of the internet. As Nick said, there were some good lines, eg re the "naughty step" ("Was there any room there?" "Not much.") The clip didn't actually show any of the business of the meeting.

They may indeed have many "stupid" squabbles, and raise and attempt to deal with with matters which don't particularly interest you, but they do - arguably - serve a useful purpose. They are a part of the governance in the UK and if they were to be removed things would become even more "top down" than they are at the moment.

Yes, even parish councils are an important part of the chain of democracy.*** Most people won't volunteer to stand, not because they're a waste of time, but because they consider it a waste of their time. Leave it to someone else. I have sat on many lowlier committees as an elected rep, and people don't behave like that. And few stand in order to inflate their own self-importance. They work very hard and get essential work done.

All that said, I can understand the constant repetition (which I've been spared ) could be extremely wearisome.

*** I've only been to one parliamentary debate: that was in the House of Lords and, on the Wittgensteinian principle, it was a far more sensible, well-informed debate than I've ever witnessed from the Commons. That could, of course, be because we're only shown the edited highlights, the John MacEnroe's "You cannot be serious" bits. But it did make me think appointments could be more useful than elections.