Archive for the ‘United Kingdom’ Category

Airborne Welcome

General, United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
Jul 27 2008

I found this BBC News article both amusing and disturbing at the same time. The general gist: “A plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Germany after two British women tried to open a cabin door mid-flight”.

The aircraft was returning from Greek island Kos (now there’s a surprise – Brits on a beach holiday) when two drunk women in their mid twenties started being abusive. They are suspected to have smuggled alcohol on board.

For other passengers it was no doubt an early welcome to the UK – or for the fellow Brits, “welcome home” before landing.

People like these should have their passports confiscated. But not before sending them to a remote island. Twats.

It’s an embarrassment to Brits everywhere.

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Starbucks Cash

General, United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
Feb 28 2007

Starbucks CardI only just discovered the Starbucks Card whilst in the UK recently – can someone enlighten me as to the purpose of this card? According to the brochure “the Starbucks Card is handier than cash, as there’s no more searching for change”. Yes, but, isn’t that also the purpose of credit or debit cards?

“Load it with any amount from £2 to £150, and then your Card is activated to use whenever you are in Starbucks“. No doubt. But isn’t the money better sitting in my bank account earning interest (however little), and with my credit card I can even dispense with my cash one month later and earn spending points.

The only useful feature I can find is the ability to view your recent transactions – an easy way to find out just how much money you’re exporting to Seattle, and a quick way to realise that all those coffee’s can, in fact, be quite expensive!

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In London

Travel, United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
Feb 25 2007

I’m in the UK at the moment, so please excuse the infrequent postings though i’m back in Beijing tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great Chinese New Year – 恭喜發財 and 新年快樂 to all!

It’s actually quite pleasant to see rain again, and this February has been extremely mild – both in Britain and in Europe. Though with the pound so strong right now… crikey is this country expensive! It’s bad enough that the public transport doesn’t compare with that of any major Asian city, but to charge an arm and a leg for it is extortion. Hotels are typically £100 per night for something VERY average and food… it makes me wonder how people afford to live here!

Heathrow Terminal 5 is still under construction it seems (they could have built two whole airports in this time in China), Luton Airport is an even bigger shithole than it used to be, roadworks appear to take forever, and the streets sometimes just feel darnright unsafe.

But why do I keep coming back? At the end of the day the lush greenery, friendly countryside folk, and sticky toffee pudding (ooh I do miss that!) lure me back.

Programs like ‘Living in the Sun’ really say a lot about ‘British culture’ ; but if it’s any consolation, perhaps once everyone has moved to Spain, no doubt eating Fish and Chips and visiting English pubs, we can invite the Spaniards to come here and take over the Island :-)

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Shariah Banking

General, United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
Jun 27 2006

Lloyds TSB in the UK have come up with an innovative new business model: Islamic Financial Services. Whilst this is probably nothing new in the Muslim world, i’ve never seen it advertised by a Western bank.

The idea is truly brilliant. ‘Shariah approved money management’ means that no interest is paid on your bank account – since in Islam you should not make money from money, only through “legitimate trade in goods and items” – where you share the risks and rewards.

For Lloyds it couldn’t be better: they save money on unpaid interest, provide services for a sizeable market, and that means more money for the coffers. That’s what I call a plan!

Those interested should also note that Lloyds also provide Islamic Home Finance – an alternative way to finance your home purchase.

I wonder when banks in China will start offering Communist Friendly Banking. Presumably this means dividing your riches between all other bank accounts. It’s a shame this isn’t yet available: with the amount of money I have, i’d gain from it for sure!

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The World’s Local Bank

United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
May 27 2006

- so local (Swansea too, I might add) that they have trouble following a simple instruction that is to have my credit card posted to my registered overseas address.

It’s not difficult, really. After getting all my stuff nicked back in February, i’ve cancelled and subsequently had my HSBC credit card re-issued. One month later there was no sign of it – a call to the card centre revealed my card was in my ‘local’ branch. Centre said they’d arrange for a transfer – instead, I now got a letter informing me if I don’t collect my card soon it would be revoked.

Another call to the call centre, who issued me with yet another new card, promised to send it to Hong Kong – but of course, it went to Swansea again, and all i’ve received here is yet another letter telling me the card is ready for collection.

I’ve called again yesterday, but frankly i’ve given up… wagers on the table please for the number of re-issues i’ll have before I get my card!

I don’t need the card, I have local ones here, but that’s not the point – for such a large ‘global’ corporation to fail to carry out such a simple instruction is just disappointing (though sadly not surprising). They have my overseas address registered in the system, so they should just send the damn card there – it’s not against policy, they’re just incompetent.

They definitely got the local part right… they’re just seriously having problems knowing where the rest of the world is.

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Who’s that random bloke on the Beeb?

United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
May 21 2006

That would be, of course, Guy Goma – a Congolese man who was first reported to be a taxi driver but later confirmed to have been applying for a job within the BBC. He was broadcast live on BBC World – a channel which unforunately I have not seen much of lately since being in Beijing.

It started with the victory of Apple Computer over the lawsuit by Beatles’ Apple Corps, for which presenter Karen Bowerman welcomed Goma into the studio as computer expert Kewney. Not realising she had the wrong person, she proceeded to interview ‘Kewney’ by asking “Were you surprised by this verdict today?”

Goma responded:

“I’m very surprised to see the verdict come on me because I was not expecting that… When I came, they told me something else.”

The look on Goma’s face when he discovered he was live was just priceless. In fact, you can view a copy of it online.

Meanwhile of course, the real Kewney was sitting at reception watching himself on TV – live. Now that’s something you don’t see every day.

As for Goma – there is no word yet on whether he got the job he applied for.

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Galloway ridicules US Senate

United Kingdom, United States | Posted by Terence
May 19 2005

Those who missed George Galloway’s statement to the US Senate about allegations he received money from Saddam through the oil-for-food programme can view the full hearing video, streamed by the BBC. Or read the full transcript.

I wouldn’t vote for him, and I didn’t join his party. But nonetheless, his oratory skills have shown once again and made a complete fool of the US senate – more specifically, senator Norm Coleman. Whilst i’m in no position to side with either party, it is clear that Coleman should have better prepared his allegations and found more substantiated evidence. As it stands, Coleman looks nothing short of amateur in his proceedings and only shows that some US politicians would still stand by US pride and patriotism over rational well grounded decision making.

Update:
I don’t aim to form a personal opinion of Galloway nor start a debate here – but Harry does print a copy of the statement released by the Charity Commission regarding Galloway’s statement on his excellent blog. Much of his posts in the surrounding week also contain interesting comments against Galloway.

The Socialist Worker on the other hand has an interesting article on how they forged the case against Galloway.

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Cleaning in jumpsuits…

United Kingdom | Posted by Terence
May 17 2005

Further to my previous post on trash culture, The Sun has a nice image of what they believe future street sweepers may look like. Personally I think the shoes are too shiny – and why is the guy given a brush?

I am reminded of the brilliant Monty Python sketch in which a cleaner was being interviewed about his job:

“I clean out public lavatories!” – he proclaimed.
“I see… is there a promotion involved?”
“Oh YEAH… In 5 years they gimme a BRUSH!”

And for the record no, I don’t usually read the sun. I was looking for toilet paper but then realised I couldn’t use the monitor to wipe my backside.

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