Off Topic The Politics Thread

[Goldhawk-Road]

Well that’s a view
Europe is beautiful and believe me I am qualified to experience what young people do for work in Italy Spain and France ... they get on their bikes and work it’s that simple . Ethics I see it in real time . I then experience for example a borough close to my U.K. home and see full on what can be described as English youth wasters on benefits

Don’t paint Europe to be a mess when I challenge anyone on here to monitor what is around them home in the U.K.

Massive differences in culture and the U.K. is the bloody mess

Youth in Spain has indeed got on their bikes, DT, and many have come to the UK to work, and are excellent people. But it doesn't say much for the economy of Spain or the operation of the EU, that they cannot find work on their homeland. And the UK's gain is Spain's loss.

In the UK, we have record employment levels. Sure, there will be the wasters and the spongers as you say, who choose to live life on the benefits and the black economy. I suspect there's an element of those types in every country in the world. Mostly, though, the young in the UK have their head screwed on. Hard work, qualifications, care about the environment and a heartening move away from the binge drinking socialising of the generation before are all reasons to be encouraged.

Taking into account the uncertainty of the transition to independence after Brexit, the economy of the UK is doing surprisingly well. The same cannot be said of the rest of the EU or the Eurozone. It's hard to name any member states that are doing well. Probably Scandinavia and the Low Countries are best placed, but these aren't the big players.

I've always been pro Europe, it's the federal move of the EU that I believe is not a suitable fit for the UK. I hope Europe thrives, but as I said yesterday, if it gives the bureaucrats in Brussels a bloody nose in the May EU parliamentary elections, I shan't be sorry. I think these people have behaved badly in the Brexit negotiations, particularly Selmayr who said losing N Ireland was the price Britain had to pay for voting for independence and Tusk who hoped Brexiteers would be sent to hell. I made these points, and Stan took it as a personal attack on this Brother and sister and law and nephew in Spain. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We're coming to a critical stage of the Brexit negotiations. If the EU time limit the back stop, I think May's deal will get through and it will be positive for the UK and the EU. If not, and there is delay and calls for another referendum, I think things will get nasty very quickly.

 

[Goldhawk-Road]

Anyway, away from the massively important Brexit news.......is anyone watching the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan with a slightly nervous twitch ?
If these ‘two tribes go to war’ it could get very nasty indeed

Kashmir has been a running sore since partition, and the source of several wars. We could be in for another now, and no doubt, the UN will have to go in again and cool the hotheads.

 

[Staines R's]

Yep, it’s scary. Especially given the current leadership of those countries - Modi is a nationalist populist, and who knows what Imran Khan stands for. They, and by extension we, are relying on common sense within the military of both countries.

Also in the news
- good for Emma Thompson

- Xenophobes rejoice! Foreign language teaching in state schools reaches an all time low. The combined total of kids studying a language for GCSE in 37 local authority areas is less than the number studying languages at Eton. In 3 areas absolutely no one took a language GCSE. Reason ‘languages are hard to get a good grade in’ so neither pupils nor schools are incentivised to study them. But it doesn’t matter, because everyone else speaks English. Well no, 75% of the worlds population doesn’t. Nick Gibb, the schools minister, was on the wireless blaming the last Labour Government for this (he was quickly shut down on that) then saying how brilliantly we are doing teaching Mandarin. In 2018 746,000 A levels were taken. 3,300 of them were in Mandarin.*

- big day for the soul of the Republican Party in the US. Trump is in Vietnam, trying to distract attention from what is going on in Congress. If it emerges in hearings today that he wrote a cheque to give to Stormy Daniels while President even Republicans should conclude that he should be impeached. His ex mate Michael Cohen is said to be providing the evidence today.


*even if you have no interest in talking to foreigners, learning a foreign language in adulthood is proven to ward off dementia. So worth the effort.

Always found it poor the amount of people who have attempted to learn a second language. That’s one thing I don’t like about our culture is that many go abroad and expect to be able to communicate in English....and if that fails then just talk slowly and loudly...in ENGLISH !!!

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

Yep, it’s scary. Especially given the current leadership of those countries - Modi is a nationalist populist, and who knows what Imran Khan stands for. They, and by extension we, are relying on common sense within the military of both countries.

Also in the news
- good for Emma Thompson

- Xenophobes rejoice! Foreign language teaching in state schools reaches an all time low. The combined total of kids studying a language for GCSE in 37 local authority areas is less than the number studying languages at Eton. In 3 areas absolutely no one took a language GCSE. Reason ‘languages are hard to get a good grade in’ so neither pupils nor schools are incentivised to study them. But it doesn’t matter, because everyone else speaks English. Well no, 75% of the worlds population doesn’t. Nick Gibb, the schools minister, was on the wireless blaming the last Labour Government for this (he was quickly shut down on that) then saying how brilliantly we are doing teaching Mandarin. In 2018 746,000 A levels were taken. 3,300 of them were in Mandarin.*

- big day for the soul of the Republican Party in the US. Trump is in Vietnam, trying to distract attention from what is going on in Congress. If it emerges in hearings today that he wrote a cheque to give to Stormy Daniels while President even Republicans should conclude that he should be impeached. His ex mate Michael Cohen is said to be providing the evidence today.


*even if you have no interest in talking to foreigners, learning a foreign language in adulthood is proven to ward off dementia. So worth the effort.

On the languages thing, as someone who wasn’t a natural but enjoyed French, Spanish and Latin, taking Spanish as part of my degree even though I wasn’t particularly good, this is a disgrace. It’s really tough for schools to find good enough teachers either native or English but it’s a vicious cycle as they aren’t seen as core or important subjects. As you say, there are loads of benefits to learning a language outside of the pure novelty of being able to converse with someone in their tongue. It’s just one symptom of our increasing arrogance and isolationism.

 

[sb_73]

On the languages thing, as someone who wasn’t a natural but enjoyed French, Spanish and Latin, taking Spanish as part of my degree even though I wasn’t particularly good, this is a disgrace. It’s really tough for schools to find good enough teachers either native or English but it’s a vicious cycle as they aren’t seen as core or important subjects. As you say, there are loads of benefits to learning a language outside of the pure novelty of being able to converse with someone in their tongue. It’s just one symptom of our increasing arrogance and isolationism.

I was **** at French in school, scraped an old style O Level grade C, but found it much easier (though not easy) and hugely rewarding when living abroad for extended periods to learn the local language (never to a fluent level, but enough to have a conversation about more than the weather). Sadly, without frequent use, the facility fades quite quickly in my case. Although oddly I find it relatively straightforward to understand written French, Spanish and Italian nowadays, at least the gist. Language revitalisation and perhaps learning a new one are retirement projects. This trend in our education is very sad. A language to GCSE used to be compulsory.

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

I was **** at French in school, scraped an old style O Level grade C, but found it much easier (though not easy) and hugely rewarding when living abroad for extended periods to learn the local language (never to a fluent level, but enough to have a conversation about more than the weather). Sadly, without frequent use, the facility fades quite quickly in my case. Although oddly I find it relatively straightforward to understand written French, Spanish and Italian nowadays, at least the gist. Language revitalisation and perhaps learning a new one are retirement projects. This trend in our education is very sad. A language to GCSE used to be compulsory.

Yeah even for me, doing GCSEs in 2006, we had to do French and I’d guess about 1/3 of my year did German/Spanish too. It’s a great life experience for someone of any age to live in a foreign-speaking country. Absolutely nothing worse than the stereotypical English family shouting loudly and slowly at their French waiter.

 

[kiwiqpr]

TWO PINTS OF LAGER GARSON

 

[danishqp]

I was **** at French in school, scraped an old style O Level grade C, but found it much easier (though not easy) and hugely rewarding when living abroad for extended periods to learn the local language (never to a fluent level, but enough to have a conversation about more than the weather). Sadly, without frequent use, the facility fades quite quickly in my case. Although oddly I find it relatively straightforward to understand written French, Spanish and Italian nowadays, at least the gist. Language revitalisation and perhaps learning a new one are retirement projects. This trend in our education is very sad. A language to GCSE used to be compulsory.

You're very right here. I always believed myself to be a way above average bon viveur.
Now, after mastering Dansih, I know I am!!

Seriously though, it's been a problem for me over here in being able to practice my Danish.
The Danes speak such good English that they much prefer to banter with me in the Queen's and pick up a few colloquialisms along the way
I stump them a little by switching to Cockney. They're then happy to with to Danish!!

Hows the Nanny Goat me old China? Having problems getting up them apples and pears?
Make sure that Calvin Klein keeps flowing - don't let the merchant bankers get you down

 

[DT’s Socks]

You do talk some absolute bollox sometimes, Paul.
If only real life was a simple as it is in your pretty little head. I’m sure the 31.4 percent of youth who are unemployed in Spain would like that too ( We won’t talk about the 21.5 percent in your beloved France and god forbid mentioning the 42.3 percent in Greece).
These are REAL people.....and like this country.....it’s a ****ing mess.

There is a difference Staines no universal credit over here also those numbers quoted do not take in the amount of people working on the black
You can earn £17k casually and not be in the system
Sorry mate but there is a vast difference in culture
Just my social circle all of the youth are working at the moment away in various ski locations
Yes it’s not a full blow career path and two young people I know are super qualified yet are doing seasonal jobs

We have an entire culture in the U.K. that people depend on and abuse in many many cases

They find work because they have to ... it’s that simple and they move to do so... bigger distances than you can imagine

This is the truth no returns x

 

[DT’s Socks]

Youth in Spain has indeed got on their bikes, DT, and many have come to the UK to work, and are excellent people. But it doesn't say much for the economy of Spain or the operation of the EU, that they cannot find work on their homeland. And the UK's gain is Spain's loss.

In the UK, we have record employment levels. Sure, there will be the wasters and the spongers as you say, who choose to live life on the benefits and the black economy. I suspect there's an element of those types in every country in the world. Mostly, though, the young in the UK have their head screwed on. Hard work, qualifications, care about the environment and a heartening move away from the binge drinking socialising of the generation before are all reasons to be encouraged.

Taking into account the uncertainty of the transition to independence after Brexit, the economy of the UK is doing surprisingly well. The same cannot be said of the rest of the EU or the Eurozone. It's hard to name any member states that are doing well. Probably Scandinavia and the Low Countries are best placed, but these aren't the big players.

I've always been pro Europe, it's the federal move of the EU that I believe is not a suitable fit for the UK. I hope Europe thrives, but as I said yesterday, if it gives the bureaucrats in Brussels a bloody nose in the May EU parliamentary elections, I shan't be sorry. I think these people have behaved badly in the Brexit negotiations, particularly Selmayr who said losing N Ireland was the price Britain had to pay for voting for independence and Tusk who hoped Brexiteers would be sent to hell. I made these points, and Stan took it as a personal attack on this Brother and sister and law and nephew in Spain. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We're coming to a critical stage of the Brexit negotiations. If the EU time limit the back stop, I think May's deal will get through and it will be positive for the UK and the EU. If not, and there is delay and calls for another referendum, I think things will get nasty very quickly.

Agree Spain’s economy looks crazy on paper but look at how we dress our own up
It’s illegal is most European countries to be in debt
Credit cards have an annual fee for example
The culture difference is miles apart between the U.K. and Europe ... or Km if you are European

Yes the UK is or was the target destination ... it’s The biggest shop in Europe

All said before of course by me the resident plonker ... but ponder on and you will eventually see I have made consistentl points based on my observations of a varying current lifestyle

 

[Staines R's]

There is a difference Staines no universal credit over here also those numbers quoted do not take in the amount of people working on the black
You can earn £17k casually and not be in the system
Sorry mate but there is a vast difference in culture
Just my social circle all of the youth are working at the moment away in various ski locations
Yes it’s not a full blow career path and two young people I know are super qualified yet are doing seasonal jobs

We have an entire culture in the U.K. that people depend on and abuse in many many cases

They find work because they have to ... it’s that simple and they move to do so... bigger distances than you can imagine

This is the truth no returns x

Your posts are getting more bizarre and full of fantasy every day Paul.
You really need to start living in the real world mate and see how real people live.

 

[Goldhawk-Road]

You're very right here. I always believed myself to be a way above average bon viveur.
Now, after mastering Dansih, I know I am!!

Seriously though, it's been a problem for me over here in being able to practice my Danish.
The Danes speak such good English that they much prefer to banter with me in the Queen's and pick up a few colloquialisms along the way
I stump them a little by switching to Cockney. They're then happy to with to Danish!!

Hows the Nanny Goat me old China? Having problems getting up them apples and pears?
Make sure that Calvin Klein keeps flowing - don't let the merchant bankers get you down

I have an image of one of your Danish colleagues asking a young English woman if he can take down to his cellar and show her his Calvin Kleins

What you say about competence to speak English may go to motivation in schools here. Most Europeans not only speak English fluently but are keen to speak English to polish their skills. I have a friend who studied German. Every time he goes over there, he speaks his rusty German to them, and they speak beautiful English back. If I was studying now, I'd probably learn Mandarin or Japanese.

 

[Staines R's]

I have an image of one of your Danish colleagues asking a young English woman if he can take down to his cellar and show her his Calvin Kleins

What you say about competence to speak English may go to motivation in schools here. Most Europeans not only speak English fluently but are keen to speak English to polish their skills. I have a friend who studied German. Every time he goes over there, he speaks his rusty German to them, and they speak beautiful English back. If I was studying now, I'd probably learn Mandarin or Japanese.

I think as you get older the thought of learning a new language fits into your situation.....
Throughout the years I’ve learnt to get by in various languages due to girlfriends..Spanish, Turkish and French (Though I’ve forgotten most of what i learnt by now)
Now due to the job and working in areas like Southall and Hounslow I’m picking up a little bit of Urdu and Gujarati.....even some Polish.
I tried Japanese.....found it quite difficult.

 

[Goldhawk-Road]

I think as you get older the thought of learning a new language fits into your situation.....
Throughout the years I’ve learnt to get by in various languages due to girlfriends..Spanish, Turkish and French (Though I’ve forgotten most of what i learnt by now)
Now due to the job and working in areas like Southall and Hounslow I’m picking up a little bit of Urdu and Gujarati.....even some Polish.
I tried Japanese.....found it quite difficult.

You've done a lot better than me. I never moved past O level French! I did do a school exchange with a French lad, he stayed with us, and I stayed with his family, which I found fascinating from a cultural point of view. I also did a month's French language course in Tours on the Loire when I was 18. Problem was, I got friendly with a bloke from Devon, we chatted up these two pretty girls from Solihull. The four of us spent all our time together and I came back with a Birmingham accent!

 

[Sooperhoop]

We actually had Esperanto lessons at my school, I vaguely remember attending a few in my first year but as these were at lunchtime and not timetabled they didn't hold the interest. Did French 'O' Level and Latin up to the 3rd Year which clearly influences the Mediterranean languages. I think some people just have a natural aptitude with languages unlike myself who struggles with trying to translate in my head which isn't the way to go...

 

[DT’s Socks]

Your posts are getting more bizarre and full of fantasy every day Paul.
You really need to start living in the real world mate and see how real people live.

Thank you for your help on this matter

 

[sb_73]

We actually had Esperanto lessons at my school, I vaguely remember attending a few in my first year but as these were at lunchtime and not timetabled they didn't hold the interest. Did French 'O' Level and Latin up to the 3rd Year which clearly influences the Mediterranean languages. I think some people just have a natural aptitude with languages unlike myself who struggles with trying to translate in my head which isn't the way to go...

Learning a language in a classroom a couple of times a week and then not talking or listening to it until you are next in the classroom is very difficult, though you can at least get the basics. Full immersion where you hear the language all the time is much easier with a bit of motivation and self discipline. I was much younger and (sometimes) unattached when I was learning, so talking to ladies was quite a good incentive. Especially in Italy.

 

[DT’s Socks]

Conduire de retour de Béziers témoin de la protestation de première main et puis je suis de retour à ma maison où je peux voir où la vie réelle est

25 ° tarte aux bergers dans le four et maintenant va regarder un film C'est la vie

Nous avons battu Leeds hier soir c'est la vraie vie

Maintenant, nous allons tous pisser sur Brentford

Mon aéroglisseur est plein d'anguilles

 

[DT’s Socks]

Je peux vous dire tout ce que vous avez besoin de plus d'un diplôme pour importer une voiture en France

 

[daverangers]

I wish I'd learnt more French at school but as an ignorant 14 year old I thought I'd never need it. Having moved to Paris 8 years ago I have massively struggled with my poor French and now realize the huge benefit of speaking another language. I am also now slightly jealous of my 3 year old son who is as comfortable in English as he is in French.