[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In a message dated 01/05/2007 05:35:25 GMT Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > <snip>
> This list has often been likened to a pub whose customers stand > around the > bar talking about matters of common interest; naturally this will > centre > around boats but it will often go off at a tangent and also spread > over onto a couple of other lists - try and keep track of THAT > conversation! Over the years > we may not have actually met many of the listers but they are now > friends > with real personalities (in one case two!) and it sometimes takes a > few weeks to get to understand their quirks. There are the quippers, > the technical, the pedants, some who make sense, some who don't, > those who won't buy a drink . . . . ;-) Sadly, you and Callum have > hit the negative aspects early on and it > may have coloured your opinion. In a similar way to Mark Twain's > (reputed) comment, "If you go to Britain and you don't like the > weather, hang around > for a few hours until you find one you do like" Just substitute > 'attitude' for 'weather'. My twopenyworth... I think Dave's hit the nail on the head. British humour is unique. It must be hard for the US to see the funny side like wot we do. For my sins I've worked (for the same company) on both sides of the pond, and I could say things to people this side, I wouldn't even dare say to people on the other side. In fact I would go so far as to say that of the three sites that the company had (US, UK, FR), the culture & humour was much more closer with the French. US and UK = Two nations separated by a common language.... As for bottom posting. That's often been a bone of contention. I beleive most of the subscribers do bottom post (a lot of the members here [like myself] are also known on URW and FBUC - for which bottom posting - being proper Usenet newsgroups - is almost "de rigeur" - and one soon gets a sharp reminder if top posting!). Personally I use OE with OE-QuoteFix, which gives automatic bottom posting and colours each reply based on the number of ">" at the line start. That I find very useful, especially when replies are inserted. Also sometimes people do not snip enough, although George will sort out the non-snippers from time to time. Ron Jones Process Safety & Development Specialist Don't repeat history, unreported chemical lab/plant near misses at http://www.crhf.org.uk Only two things are certain: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe. ~ Albert Einstein
