2 more pet hates of mine are :
1. Yuppies with speedboats.
2. Militant anti smokers. Every time I come to England I come by train through the tunnel, and I've noticed that at German stations smokers have to stand in special areas (small yellow squares painted on the ground) - in Belgium they seem to be puffing away like the rest of Europe was years ago (At least at stations which are open ones) - Whereas in British stations it's forbidden completely even if standing on an open platform such as Watford junction. So, Europe's anti smoking laws are interpreted differently. There are still many pubs in Germany (Though no longer in Nordrheinwestfalen - the State where I live) which have rooms for smokers and, as long as they are effectively separated from non smokers - and, payed staff do not have to enter those areas then this seems ok. to me. This is still the situation in most of Belgium. To go further than this (as in Britain) is too much interference in people's lives - and reeks of victimization. I see absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be able to go to a designated area of a football ground at halftime for a cigarette if I want (as in most German stadiums).
Was in Switzerland in May and we could not help noticing that the Swiss seemed to be big smokers and it was allowed in Stations etc which I found surprising.

