Seemingly trivial things that annoy you
Comments
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19644754#p19644754]BelgianBeerGeek[/url] wrote:
Yep. And Dutch tomatoes. Yes, they crunch. They are, however, tasteless. Thank the gods for home-grown fruits.Dutch strawberries. Call me a food snob if you like, but strawberries, when ripe, should not be crunchy.
This is the best country for growing tasty fruit and veg, why are we subjected to tasteless overseas stuff?
(Yeah I know the answer: 'cos it's cheaper. The root of everything wrong with the world)
I have this discussion every year with my ageing mum, because she always goes on about waiting for 'English' strawberries and how they are the best, and it's a seemingly trivial thing that annoys me.
I used to work at a Min of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food laboratory and there were beds of strawberries growing for testing/tasting. If I remember correctly, there were around 22 varieties in this plot, and being grown in England, they were English by most most people's definition.
Some of them were delicious, some tasteless, and some were just bloody awful. It makes not a scrap of difference where they are grown, the only thing that really counts (if they are at the right stage to be eaten), is the variety.
The older I get, the better I was.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19644754#p19644754]BelgianBeerGeek[/url] wrote:
Yep. And Dutch tomatoes. Yes, they crunch. They are, however, tasteless. Thank the gods for home-grown fruits.Dutch strawberries. Call me a food snob if you like, but strawberries, when ripe, should not be crunchy.
This is the best country for growing tasty fruit and veg, why are we subjected to tasteless overseas stuff?
(Yeah I know the answer: 'cos it's cheaper. The root of everything wrong with the world)
I have this discussion every year with my ageing mum, because she always goes on about waiting for 'English' strawberries and how they are the best, and it's a seemingly trivial thing that annoys me.
I used to work at a Min of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food laboratory and there were beds of strawberries growing for testing/tasting. If I remember correctly, there were around 22 varieties in this plot, and being grown in England, they were English by most most people's definition.
Some of them were delicious, some tasteless, and some were just bloody awful. It makes not a scrap of difference where they are grown, the only thing that really counts (if they are at the right stage to be eaten), is the variety.
I think it's more to do with the fact that the Dutch have mastered the art of producing food rapidly for the export markets, but at the expense of any taste or nutritional value.0 -
Well, I beg to differ. A heck of a lot of vegetables in the UK are grown by hydroponics and taste of nothing, especially cucumbers, lettuces and tomatoes. Being familiar with the fruit markets in Barcelona and a recent visit to Lisbon, their fruit is far better quality. I think the fruits and veg that are exported to the UK are poor quality because we are not a very discerning bunch.
There is another aspect in that fruit does not travel well. They often pick them well before thier peak so that they will travel and ripen but I have bought whole punnet's of peaches which have never ripened.
If you go to the average corner shop and petrol station in the UK, you are faced with reams of fizzy pop, crisps and chocolate. Hardly any fruit or veg. It speaks volumes.seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
^^^ I agree with most of that, and obviously I'm only talking about what the Dutch export and comparing that to seasonal British produce. It isn't the fault of the Dutch that people in this country will buy food based on how shiny it is.0
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The fact that the loops for my belt are the same height as our door handles.--
Saw a sign on a restaurant that said Breakfast, any time -- so I ordered French Toast in the Renaissance.0 -
The fact that the loops for my belt are the same height as our door handles.
Wot? No reference to fruit or vegetables !?seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
When digging up carrots and parsnips, the disappointment when I realise that what looks like a perfectly formed specimen, turns out to be completely misshapen.0
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When digging up carrots and parsnips, the disappointment when I realise that what looks like a perfectly formed specimen, turns out to be completely misshapen.
You need to plant them in a plug of sand.seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
Aphids destroying my rocket crop. Bastards.0
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At the risk of veering away from vegetables...
the bloody school run, cars stopping or turning without warning, doors flying open left, right and centre, kids crossing the road without so much as a glance over their shoulder.
Then there is the 109 year old lollypop lady that takes longer to walk out into the road than the kids take to cross the road and she seems to stop traffic for adults without kids as well! She doesn't wait for a few people to build up, as soon as one appears she stops the traffic until there is no people within about a mile radius of her who may possibly want to cross the road at some point!
It is the most dangerous thing possible to cycle past!www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes0 -
The elderly lady who works in our corner shop. She's nice enough, but she's always got her head stuck in one of those 50 Shades of Sh1t books. It's quite disturbing.0
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She fantasises about you after you've left.The elderly lady who works in our corner shop. She's nice enough, but she's always got her head stuck in one of those 50 Shades of Sh1t books. It's quite disturbing.
Hope that helps.0 -
Has she given you a wink yet Finchy?0
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Thanks lads. I'm going to have to find a new shop now. verylonglegs - do you mean "wink", or are you just trying to avoid the forum's swear filter? In either case, no.0
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At...
Then there is the 109 year old lollypop lady that takes longer to walk out into the road than the kids take to cross the road and she seems to stop traffic for adults without kids as well! She doesn't wait for a few people to build up, as soon as one appears she stops the traffic until there is no people within about a mile radius of her who may possibly want to cross the road at some point!
The 109 year old vegetable has probably just started her training, so give her some slack. Apart from that, some car drivers and peds are complete twonks. Today, whilst strimming the front verge, there must have been at least a half dozen vehicles that passed me within a quarter of an inch as if I did not exist and when there was no cars on the other side of the road. Some of the masses are frightening in their headlessness.seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
Thanks lads. I'm going to have to find a new shop now. verylonglegs - do you mean "wink", or are you just trying to avoid the forum's swear filter? In either case, no.
No it was genuine, not a typo. Just be pleased you are talking about a stranger, I saw a copy of one of those books on the coffee table when visiting my parents, my mum was reading it apparently. I try not to think about it.0 -
^^^ Shudder. My sympathies.0
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At the risk of veering away from vegetables...
the bloody school run, cars stopping or turning without warning, doors flying open left, right and centre, kids crossing the road without so much as a glance over their shoulder.
Then there is the 109 year old lollypop lady that takes longer to walk out into the road than the kids take to cross the road and she seems to stop traffic for adults without kids as well! She doesn't wait for a few people to build up, as soon as one appears she stops the traffic until there is no people within about a mile radius of her who may possibly want to cross the road at some point!
It is the most dangerous thing possible to cycle past!
Bizarrely, just down the road we had a young guy (early 20's) who was a "Walter Mitty" hoax lollypop man! He even made his own lollypop sign out of cardboard and would stand in the middle of the road acting a bit funny.
I haven't seen him in a while, I wonder if he's been arrested under some mental health act?"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
Carers Allowance0
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Carers Allowance
...and the paperwork loopholes to go through to get it. Hardly trivial mind.seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
Carers Allowance
...and the paperwork loopholes to go through to get it. Hardly trivial mind.
Looked after your own family when I was brought up, didn't get the rest of society to pay for it. I just look at the "carers" who live next door to me, full Sky package, new car, pub every night, things I can only dream of and I am paying for it!0 -
Carers Allowance
...and the paperwork loopholes to go through to get it. Hardly trivial mind.
Looked after your own family when I was brought up, didn't get the rest of society to pay for it. I just look at the "carers" who live next door to me, full Sky package, new car, pub every night, things I can only dream of and I am paying for it!
I have a young family, a full time job and I was primary carer for my mother for the best part of 5 years. Caring for her compromised everything I did (including my job and my already meagre income) until she passed away. FWIW, I never did actually get carer's allowance but anyone in that position should take it, after all, people like me are far cheaper for the state. Whilst you may have had an extended family making things all the more easier to do such things, I was on my own. I don't have SKY. I have a rusty old 13 year old car and I don't drink.
Rant over, sorry folks. I must do better.
When I was a lad, there were 27 of us living in shoe box in middle o' road. What really annoyed me was the neighbours who lived in a mine shaft - they had it good, sponging 3 grains of salt every year from t' Union...seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
My wife's inability to just ring up a friend and ask for help.
There has to be a full "hi, how are you, how's the kids, blah blah" conversation with it.
Me? I just ring up and ask for help. Then say "Thanks, speak soon, must sort out <<insert whatever it was>>" and hang up.
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
If I order a cycling product from a certain online shop at 2pm. It arrives at my address the next day.
But if I lose my HSBC debt card out the back of my cycling jersey it takes 6 days for a replacement card to arrive at a branch thats one hours drive away.
Me "Just send it to my home address"
Mumbai call centre "Computer says I'm sorry Ben, I'm afraid I can't let you do that"
Me "But you first sent the card to my home address"
Mumabi call centre "But we'll send it to your local branch"
Me "Theres nothing local about it. You only have 2 branches for the whole of North Scotland".
I have had nothing but problems with HSBC. I don't think they have ever helped me in any way, ever.
It would be a seemingly trivial thing if it wasn't for the fact I have no access to the money in my bank account for at least 6 days. Last time the new card was faulty, so another 6 days with no funds.
Anyone know a bank that can actually get things right?"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
If I...no funds.
Anyone know a bank that can actually get things right?
Nope.
Feel for me. My nearest Lloyds is now Carlisle after all the Lloyds branches became TSB in Scotland.
Here's your options:
First Direct
Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
TSB
The Clydesdale Bank.
Take your pick. they are all shyte although First Direct is supposed to be okay and you actually get to speak to someone in the UK.seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
Sportive photos. Does anyone look good in these things? I look like a sack of lard wrapped in lycra. Yuk.
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
In the John Lewis restaurant yesterday for a cup of tea & a slice of cake and the chap in front of me said - without the slightest embarrassment or shame - "can I get a piece of chocolate cake?". Didn't even say please. I know it's an old cliché of an annoyance but hearing 'can I get' provokes me into wanting to inflict a savage beating or even murder on whichever prat imagines that it's still 1997 and he's an extra in Friends. Had to settle instead for following up Dumbo's semi-literate request for what amounts to children's food, with a clear and loud enough to make it obvious who I was really addressing as he slumbered towards the till, "Good afternoon. Can I HAVE a tea and a slice of lemon drizzle cake please?". He heard. Pity he's still alive to do it again tho.0
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In the John Lewis restaurant yesterday for a cup of tea & a slice of cake and the chap in front of me said - without the slightest embarrassment or shame - "can I get a piece of chocolate cake?". Didn't even say please. I know it's an old cliché of an annoyance but hearing 'can I get' provokes me into wanting to inflict a savage beating or even murder on whichever prat imagines that it's still 1997 and he's an extra in Friends. Had to settle instead for following up Dumbo's semi-literate request for what amounts to children's food, with a clear and loud enough to make it obvious who I was really addressing as he slumbered towards the till, "Good afternoon. Can I HAVE a tea and a slice of lemon drizzle cake please?". He heard. Pity he's still alive to do it again tho.
John Lewis' cafes really bug me, overpriced fancy-dan food with added unecessary garnish :evil:
PS: Chocolate cake is not just for kids, but otherwise I agree with you. Apart from the John Lewis' cafe location, mind. Although I like JL electrical and homewear depts, as they have staff who know what they're talking about.
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
My wife's inability to just ring up a friend and ask for help.
There has to be a full "hi, how are you, how's the kids, blah blah" conversation with it.
Me? I just ring up and ask for help. Then say "Thanks, speak soon, must sort out <<insert whatever it was>>" and hang up.
She has to ring a friend to get some help? Doesn't that tell you something?
Women do talk in riddles and you're supposed to 'listen', I will give you that.
Like: It is Sunday and she says "What are you doing on Thursday?" !! Right, erm... what are planning/what do you want? Why don't they ask a straight fooking question?seanoconn - gruagach craic!0 -
No no no no no. It's a reasonable price and you can't get a more basic foodstuff than lemon drizzle cake, and being a few pennies more than a greasy spoon keeps the riff-raff out, or it should. Add dowdy women with screaming toddlers in the middle of the afternoon in supposedly nice places to the list.John Lewis' cafes really bug me, overpriced fancy-dan food with added unecessary garnish :evil:
PS: Chocolate cake is not just for kids, but otherwise I agree with you. Apart from the John Lewis' cafe location, mind. Although I like JL electrical and homewear depts, as they have staff who know what they're talking about.0
