WBMT.....What baffled me today

woof woof said:
Me to the chemist "Have you got any Otex ear drops please?"
Chemist to me "What do you want them for?"

:oops: :$
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That reminds me of something that happened to me in a Boots shop a few months ago..

I went up to the pharmacy counter and asked for a packet of Anadin Extra, packet of 32. The woman behind the counter picked up a packet from the shelf and then turned to me with a very quizzical look on her face. She asked, “has your doctor prescribed these for you?”
“No,” I replied.
“Are you taking them to thin your blood?”
“No,” I replied.
“Then what do you want them for,” she asked.
“Because I’ve got headache,” was my response.
“These have paracetamol in them, you can’t take them for headache,” she said.

She then went on to accuse me of being a drug addict just because I had told her that I had taken them before.
 
L320Rio said:
These have paracetamol in them, you can’t take them for headache,” she said.
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And what does it say on the packet? Headaches and migraines
Someone needs re-training!
 
This is a constant bafflement to me.

Often when driving along when there's a slip road off to the left someone will overtake and then immediately pull in to take the slip road. This is fair enough I suppose if there's a lot of traffic in the LH lane but it also happens when I'm the last car in the line. In that case there's no need for drama and no need to overtake and then pull in and likely have to slam on the brakes to take the exit. This happens time after time and not just to me, I see it often.

Anyway today it wasn't on an A road near an exit it was in a 30mph limit and I was the last car of several entering a point at which the road narrows from two lanes to one. I saw the car behind me and about to overtake and I eased off but that wasn't enough and I had to brake and then once they'd swung in on came the brake lights and I had to brake harder. Such a stupid and unnecessary move.

A mile further down the road it opens up again to two lanes at traffic lights and as I was turning right and they were going straight on I took a peak into the car as I passed them. It was a woman who looked like a library assistant from the 1950's. She was small, in her 30's or 40's with her hair pulled back, wearing glasses and a white blouse and looked just like I'd imagine a library assistant or typist from years back. I know you can never tell and people of any sort can do odd things once behind a wheel but what makes someone so... ordinary looking? conservative looking? pull off such a stupid, unnecessary and in reality quite dangerous manoeuvre?
 
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The thing like this that really bugs me is if I am the last car on a multi-lane carriageway, why force yourself in front when there's a bloody huge space behind me. Believe, I'm not a slow driver, so I'm not going to get in the way. Same as coming from a slip road onto the main carriageway, it is up to the driver joining to regulate their speed and "slot in" safely.

I am sure if you quizzed 100 drivers on various aspects of the highway code, 90% wouldn't get 10 out of 10. The stupidity of some of them on the "drivers awareness course" I did many years ago was unbelievable.
 
Jelster said:
I am sure if you quizzed 100 drivers on various aspects of the highway code, 90% wouldn't get 10 out of 10.
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Going on what I see day to day, I think you are being optimistic, 5/10 would be my guess and some of those are driving instructors :(
 
Cobra said:
Going on what I see day to day, I think you are being optimistic, 5/10 would be my guess and some of those are driving instructors :(
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You're probably right, but I am a glass half full type of guy :giggle:
 
Cobra said:
Going on what I see day to day, I think you are being optimistic, 5/10 would be my guess and some of those are driving instructors :(
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Mrs WW is learning to drive and some of the stuff she comes out with makes me think "That can't be right" but it is what she's being taught.

One example. On a nearby A road with a 50mph limit when people join from a slip road on the left I'll very often ease off and let them in. She's taught to pull into the RHL. But what if you want to be in the LHL? What do you do then? Speed up and overtake them and then pull back in? Pull out and then ease off and drop in behind the car which has just joined? In this situation easing off and letting them join seems best to me as I get to stay in LH lane.

I once got a speeding fine as follows. I was tootling along in my Lotus Elan SE coming up to a joining slip road on the left. The slip road was initially empty as I approached and then a solid line of cars came down it already doing 70 or more MPH, there were so many that I assume they must have been released from traffic lights further back and that would explain the empty road becoming a solid line of cars. As the slip road was solid traffic easing off to let them is wasn't an option so I pulled out into the RHL, speeded up to about 80mph and once I was clear I pulled back in. One of the cars joining was a police car and he stopped me and I was prosecuted for speeding for a few hundred yards. I think he just wanted to stop the bloke in the Lotus, but no proof obviously.
 
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woof woof said:
Mrs WW is learning to drive and some of the stuff she comes out with makes me think "That can't be right" but it is what she's being taught.
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The mind truly boggles it really does :(

woof woof said:
I think he just wanted to stop the bloke in the Lotus, but no proof obviously.
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It wasn't yellow was it? He may have been playing road snooker ;)
Similar happened to me many years ago, coming off a roundabout onto a dual carriageway, someone came up my inside,
they pulled out from my left, and matched my speed.
arse! I put my foot down to get back to the left lane, yes I was speeding a bit, but I passed him and pulled back left to let the following traffic go, and dropped back to 70.
A copper pulled in behind me, and ignored the other speeding traffic, after awhile he disappeared into the distance,
I was driving a blue estate at the time, I guess he needed to stop another red first ;)
 
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Red.

I got annoyed as at that time I was fixing computer kit and driving a lot. The engineers I worked with were often stopped as doing so many miles whilst trying to hit response times it was just an occupational hazard. Anyway. The annoying part is that apart from one who was done for drink driving everyone who was stopped for speeding (this was in the days when speed cameras weren't the norm, traffic cops were) without exception were just told to keep their speed down. In my sports cars I was never let off like that, I always prosecuted. Well, twice as I wasn't a prolific speeder. That can't have just been bad luck and must have been down to the cops just wanting to book the guy in the sports car.
 
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woof woof said:
Red.

I got annoyed as at that time I was fixing computer kit and driving a lot. The engineers I worked with were often stopped as doing so many miles whilst trying to hit response times it was just an occupational hazard. Anyway. The annoying part is that apart from one who was done for drink driving everyone who was stopped for speeding (this was in the days when speed cameras weren't the norm, traffic cops were) without exception were just told to keep their speed down. In my sports cars I was never let off like that, I always prosecuted. Well, twice as I wasn't a prolific speeder. That can't have just been bad luck and must have been down to the cops just wanting to book the guy in the sports car.
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Yep that'll do it (y)
Pot a red ( not white as I mistakenly wrote) and then move on to one or the high scoring colours :D
 
Cobra said:
Yep that'll do it (y)
Pot a red ( not white as I mistakenly wrote) and then move on to one or the high scoring colours :D
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About 12 years ago I had a silver S Type and I was admittedly speeding, just a touch :D when a traffic car pulled along side and the passenger gestured me to slow down, which I did, and off they went into the night. Speeding of course. I don't think there's any doubt that some police will decide to prosecute or just have a word depending upon the type of car and that really isn't right or fair,
 
Many years ago, I had a Frogeye Sprite and would often be a touch faster than legal heading home after work (I was a nightclub doorman so it tended to be around 02:00). I got a few pulls but never even a producer/7 day wonder. Generally it was a quick chat about the car and "You don't see many of these around these days - keep the speed down and keep it on the road" type of chat.
 
Many years ago I had an ex police ford capri 3.0 v6
got stopped 10 plus times by coppers who used to drive it, they just wanted to reminisce
 
I got stopped in my first Mini (2006 Cooper S), the copper was my IAM instructor, he didn't recognise the car as I'd only had it 2 days.... We spent 5 minutes chatting about the car and about 10 seconds of "be careful".... I'm still not sure if he meant be careful I don't get a ticket, or just take care :giggle:
 
I was travelling back home from Edinburgh one afternoon in my company car, at the time a Volvo 850 T5R estate. I was maintaining a steady 60 MPH when another Volvo 850 came up behind me, sitting very close. The driver was obviously trying to goad me to increase my speed but I sat there at 60 MPH, after a couple of miles he overtook me and as he went past I noticed the car was occupied by two police officers. I must have spoiled their game that afternoon......
 
Or their speedo was better calibrated than yours and they were waiting for a completely safe place to pass while staying within the limit?
 
Nod said:
Or their speedo was better calibrated than yours and they were waiting for a completely safe place to pass while staying within the limit?
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I am sure if that was the case they wouldn't have sat on my tail so close.
 
broc said:
I was travelling back home from Edinburgh one afternoon in my company car, at the time a Volvo 850 T5R estate. I was maintaining a steady 60 MPH when another Volvo 850 came up behind me, sitting very close. The driver was obviously trying to goad me to increase my speed but I sat there at 60 MPH, after a couple of miles he overtook me and as he went past I noticed the car was occupied by two police officers. I must have spoiled their game that afternoon......
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they should have known better as tailgating is illegal and dangerous
 
Workshop smoke alarm going off. Panic stations.

All was well, must need a battery.
 
I change our smoke alarm batteries every new year's day and relegate the partially depleted ones to lighter duties (well, less critical, anyway!) Saves the dreaded 3 am beeping!
 
Dale. said:
Workshop smoke alarm going off. Panic stations.

All was well, must need a battery.
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I bet that went down well with your hang over :p
 
Nod said:
I change our smoke alarm batteries every new year's day and relegate the partially depleted ones to lighter duties (well, less critical, anyway!) Saves the dreaded 3 am beeping!
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I should get a routine like that.

All our house alarms now have 10 year batteries and are all linked, more or less one in every room, as per the new Regs in Scotland. The workshop one though was decanted from the house when the linked ones were installed, just for peace of mind as I have electricty out there too. That runs on a normal Duracell PP3.

Why is it always 3 am (ish)? :LOL:
 
LCPete said:
they should have known better as tailgating is illegal and dangerous
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Back in the 1970s, I fell for that trick in reverse, a police car doing 30-35 on the straight part of a trunk road near Okehampton. As soon as I overtook them, they pulled me over and ticketed me for crossing double white lines, which I hadn't.

Being young and not entirely stupid, I made an official complaint. I was very surprised to receive a letter, two or three days later, inviting me to an interview with the divisional commander at Plymouth. He sat me down, gave me tea and biscuits and listened to my side, at the end of which he said "Don't worry, it will be dealt with". Another few days later, another letter, officially withdrawing the summons.

Some years on, I mentioned this to one of our local coppers, who laughed and said "another victim!" It turns out this couple were notorious for that trick and shortly after my incident had tried it on with the son of a local magistrate - after which they were cordially invited to resign!
 
WBM last Week.

Upgraded both mine and my wife's phone and also changed providers. Activated my new sim and PAC on Tuesday, number transferred over on Thursday morning. Mrs F activated hers on Thursday and got an email to say her number would be transferred on Tuesday 30th!

Is it not an automated process? Do computers work so hard, they need weekends and bank holidays off?
 
Marc said:
Is it not an automated process? Do computers work so hard, they need weekends and bank holidays off?
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I'm just thankful if anything works in this country.

It's funny that people abroad think the UK is very organised and clean and that everything works. After years here Mrs WW is beginning to be grateful, surprised even, now when anything does go smoothly.
 
woof woof said:
I'm just thankful if anything works in this country.

It's funny that people abroad think the UK is very organised and clean and that everything works. After years here Mrs WW is beginning to be grateful, surprised even, now when anything does go smoothly.
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I moved to Norway in 1988 (Norwegian wife), and the plan was to return to the UK when I retired 5 years ago, however, we changed our minds when we saw how much worse everything seemed to be getting over there, and no signs of any improvement in the foreseeable future...
 
I have just discovered another least favourite word or saying to add to,

So, ( pet hate) to start a sentence or answer.
Reach out, to contact.
And the new one,
Escalate in the context of, meaning to share.
 
And a work not in a dictionary , Somethink :bat::rolleyes::headbang:
 
Cobra said:
I have just discovered another least favourite word or saying to add to,

So, ( pet hate) to start a sentence or answer.
Reach out, to contact.
And the new one,
Escalate in the context of, meaning to share.
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Impact instead of affect, as in, 'how will this impact your sales'
:headbang:
 
The plague impacted sales - knocked 'em for 6!
 
Cobra said:
I have just discovered another least favourite word or saying to add to,

So, ( pet hate) to start a sentence or answer.
Reach out, to contact.
And the new one,
Escalate in the context of, meaning to share.
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and the use of 'Absolutely' instead of 'yes'

Dave
 
Headline in The Guardian, "Non-EU workers outnumber EU ones in various sectors in post-Brexit shift"

As UK workers are Non-EU workers I would be surprised if they did not outnumber EU ones

​

 
Cobra said:
I have just discovered another least favourite word or saying to add to,

So, ( pet hate) to start a sentence or answer.
Reach out, to contact.
And the new one,
Escalate in the context of, meaning to share.
Click to expand...

Escalate ? I've never heard that one. To share " How is it used, then ?
 
A sentence that annoys the heck out of me and comes from politicians. "Let me be clear"

Pronoucing H (Aitch) as Haitch. When did that start and why ? When the bank HBOS was taken over by Lloyds because of massive losses back in 2009 it was on the news bulletins a lot and most reporters called it Haitch BOS.

Another.. "Off of" and "At this moment in time" I first heard that coming from trade unionist strike leaders as they were interviewed on TV.

"I, myself, personally" think..etc..

In a restaurant after a meal is brought to the table. "Enjoy" ..Aaaagh !

"At then end of the day"

Adding "right" at the end of sentences during a chat. Seems to come a lot from Afro-Caribbean youngsters.

'Giving instructions to a driver. "Reverse back into that space " :rolleyes:
 
JohnC6 said:
A sentence that annoys the heck out of me and comes from politicians. "Let me be clear"

Pronoucing H (Aitch) as Haitch. When did that start and why ? When the bank HBOS was taken over by Lloyds because of massive losses back in 2009 it was on the news bulletins a lot and most reporters called it Haitch BOS.

Another.. "Off of" and "At this moment in time" I first heard that coming from trade unionist strike leaders as they were interviewed on TV.

"I, myself, personally" think..etc..

In a restaurant after a meal is brought to the table. "Enjoy" ..Aaaagh !

"At then end of the day"

Adding "right" at the end of sentences during a chat. Seems to come a lot from Afro-Caribbean youngsters.

'Giving instructions to a driver. "Reverse back into that space " :rolleyes:
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I find "let me be perfectly clear" both annoying and amusing.

Amusing because being perfectly clear is the last thing that is going to happen and annoying because I feel those using it(almost exclusively politicians) are being a bit patronising.

Agree about "off of". No one would say, "Turn the TV off of." so why say, "Take the cup off of the table"?

Dave
 
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