CatmanV2
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Rant Thread
- Thread starter GeoffCapes
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I would have pointed out the large amounts of electricity they supply to us usually. But that will all have to go to the rest of the EU, especially Germany, once they stop buying so much Russian energy. In fact it looks like the UK has a surplus of gas right now (make up your own jokes, in the Boris thread if need be).
The rest of your post I agree with. Like you I find it sad that such a beautiful country and people, with so much in common with us in every way, seems to have such a political chip on their shoulder. With each other as much as with us it seems.
GeoffCapes
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The irony of our 'surplus' gas is that it has come from Norway and Qatar (LNG imports) so it's not even our own gas we have a surplus of.
GeoffCapes
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Opening business bank accounts.
Why, when you have banked with a certain bank for 10+ years do you have to have an appointment with a Business Banker (not sure if that is a euphemism) to open another?
However, you have to have a phone call first.
What's worse is that my local branch can't even have a call with me until the 10th June!
But Bexley can on Friday. So my new bank account will be opened at the Bexley branch of what used to be called Abbey National!
Don't get me started on other banks either, tried to open one with Nat West, it would be easier getting hold of Putin to speak to as opposed to someone in that shower of a bank to try an open an account!
And breathe.......
So I had the phone call with Santander Bexley. What a waste of time!
To open a bank account I need the following:
A bank account to prove the address. (WTF)
A utility bill (I'm using another of my companies' office, a serviced office at that).
A contract for the lease of an office.
A contract for work. Need a Bank account set up for that....
What a joke! I did ask the bloke if they actually opened any business accounts any more!
He said once I have an account up and running they would be more than happy to switch that account over to Santander when I'm ready! I replied "I'm hardly likely to do that now am I???"
FFS! Banks! Bunch of Barclays Bankers!
Scaf
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Try opening one up for someone fleeing the war in Ukraine, they still ask for proof of of address !
CatmanV2
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Oh indeed. It's all one way. No brit has a chip on their shoulder about the French (or indeed France)
Personally love the place. Not been for far too long (Centenary in fact) and have universally found the people lovely (even the ones in Paris)
C
UlstermanAbroad
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As for most things political, I would refer you all to that well known and loved BBC documentary:
To my mind. You will not find a more honest, nor accurate explanation of the purpose of the EU.
To my mind. You will not find a more honest, nor accurate explanation of the purpose of the EU.
RodTungsten
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… and the definition of NATO: French in, Germans down and Russians out? There may be more…
I think we’ve had mutual national chips on our shoulders for at least 3000 years. Despite really liking each other as people.I don't find myself in complete agreement with you often Markbut in this case, I could not agree more. Literally.
I love France. I spent a year blissfully living in Haute Provence and travelling round the region a bit and it was the happiest I've been, during what has been a fairly awful decade. In truth, I can't wait to return.
But on a political level, the next time they're invaded. I'd be minded to let them stew a bit longer, before coming to their rescue. To be fair. They said that they would make Brexit as painful as possible and that's exactly what they did and continue to do. But these are not the actions of a friend. An ally. A major trading partner. They are the actions of a petulant child throwing a school yard tantrum. Sometimes, the only way through an issue is to respond in kind.
If it meant a boycott of French products, I would quite happily forgo French wines. French cars. Even, reluctantly, French women
Steady on. There will be some bleating about 'saying not very nice things' about the French again soon...
CatmanV2
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I think we’ve had mutual national chips on our shoulders for at least 3000 years. Despite really liking each other as people.
Hmmm. Not at all clear that generally we really like each other as people, but maybe those that don't just stick out more for me
C
GeoffCapes
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Errrr, 1000 year ago we were invaded by the French. Hang on, they were the Normans. Who hated the French.
We were populated by Anglo Saxons. Who hated the French.
And we were also populated by the Vikings, where history suggest, weren't big fans of the French.
So perhaps it's just genetic?
Personally I quite like the place. And like most people in France think that Parisians are unbelievably rude and arrogant.
The rest are quite nice.
MarkMas
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The Normans were Vikings, anyway.
Our mutual history goes back a lot further than that. Tribes coming from Europe shared genes and culture across the Channel. There’s a reason why the French still call Wales ‘Pays de Galles’, and Great Britain and Little Britain were parts of the same nation, just with a bit of sea between them. If you have the heritage of a Welsh Briton like me you have a more in common with the French than the Germans.
(As it turns out, with the Spanish and North Africans as well, but that’s a different story).
(As it turns out, with the Spanish and North Africans as well, but that’s a different story).
MarkMas
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I don't find myself in complete agreement with you often Mark
I love France. I spent a year blissfully living in Haute Provence and travelling round the region a bit and it was the happiest I've been, during what has been a fairly awful decade. In truth, I can't wait to return.
But on a political level, the next time they're invaded. I'd be minded to let them stew a bit longer, before coming to their rescue. To be fair. They said that they would make Brexit as painful as possible and that's exactly what they did and continue to do. But these are not the actions of a friend. An ally. A major trading partner. They are the actions of a petulant child throwing a school yard tantrum. Sometimes, the only way through an issue is to respond in kind.
If it meant a boycott of French products, I would quite happily forgo French wines. French cars. Even, reluctantly, French women
If you carry on like this, I may have to unblock you!
GeoffCapes
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Point proven then.
CatmanV2
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What that the whole 'My DNA ancestry' industry is total ********, you mean?
zagatoes30
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Eurotunnel - robbing b*stards
Had to change the registration of car we are taking to Le Mans as the classic won't be ready, OK the new car is 2 foot longer and taller but still under the 1.85m to allow it to go neither deck. How much do they want to change the booking ?
£90 on an original £180 flexi ticket (which allowed changes) - that's 50% of the fecking price just to change the vehicle
Had to change the registration of car we are taking to Le Mans as the classic won't be ready, OK the new car is 2 foot longer and taller but still under the 1.85m to allow it to go neither deck. How much do they want to change the booking ?
£90 on an original £180 flexi ticket (which allowed changes) - that's 50% of the fecking price just to change the vehicle
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