For heavens sake !

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mhall

mhall

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Sep 8, 2009
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  • #1
    If I hear one more person telling me I shouldn't leave the house because of the weather I swear I will punch someone in the face.

    Life goes on, it's a bit of snow, awkward for some but really not a big deal. Every other country in the world deals with the weather with a shrug and carries on living. In this country every news channel tells people to stay at home - flaming ridiculous.
     
    A

    anon154650

  • #3
    To be fair, it is because "nanny knows best", and people do not dress accordingly. Whilst I stomp about in steel toe-capped boots, thick socks and multiple layers, I see the old folk out in their patent leather shoes and brown slacks. I want to stop them and ask if they want two broken hips and frost-bite!?

    I do not remember my school closing due to snow, or having to mess around with "risk assessments". Sure, the village kids did not make it in, but those of us living in the town were expected to turn up. Lunchtime was snow-ball fights on the school field. It was the law!
     
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    PrestonLad

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    May 3, 2012
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  • #6
    mhall said:
    If I hear one more person telling me I shouldn't leave the house because of the weather I swear I will punch someone in the face.

    Life goes on, it's a bit of snow, awkward for some but really not a big deal. Every other country in the world deals with the weather with a shrug and carries on living. In this country every news channel tells people to stay at home - flaming ridiculous.
    Click to expand...

    I was driving at 95mph on the motorway yesterday - spun my car on the snow twice before writing my car off in a big smash. When the Ambulance was taking me away, I noticed a big overhead sign saying "Snow and Ice - Slow Down".

    Do you think I should sue the Department of Transport, because they didn't have such warning signs further back up the road where I'd crashed... yet the conditions were no different?
     
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    Doodle-Noodle

    Doodle-Noodle

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  • #11
    It's snowing here today - I've seen at LEAST 5 separate flakes of snow. As a result, my shop has been empty all day, soooooooooo boring and soul destroying when it's like this.
    On the other side of retail, Sainsbury's are apparently rammed with shoppers stocking up so that once the 6th flake hits their door step they will have enough food to last them until July.
     
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    John_Orcus

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    Nov 19, 2010
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  • #12
    When I got home from work on Monday my eldest was looking a bit sheepish. When I asked him what sort of day he had, he confessed that he had been told off at school.

    It turns out that he had committed the heinous crime of throwing a snowball at another child during a snowball fight, and it had actually hit the other child in the face!

    Needless to say I gave him a damn good thrashing and told him not to do it again before completing the school method statement.
     
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    Scott-Copywriter

    Scott-Copywriter

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  • #13
    The problem is that the snow doesn't happen enough in this country for the majority of drivers to get any real driving experience in these conditions, so everyone is stuck in a bit of a catch 22 situation. They need to learn how to drive, but can't do it because they don't go out as they can't drive confidently in it!

    The fact is, when it's snowy and icy I see a sharp increase in the number of crashes and smashed up cars lying next to the road, and that even takes into account that many people stay off the roads when it's this bad.
     
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    Matt1959

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    Sep 8, 2006
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  • #14
    I've always wondered why the roads grind to a halt with the slightest hint of snow and whilst drivers skill has something to do with it, I think the main problem is the sheer number of vehicles on the road which in turn means traffic loses its momentum and thats what causes the problems. ie in middle of night the Sainsburys artic will trundle safely along whilst during the day, as soon as the traffic gets stop start, the lorries stuck and thats the end of it for everyone...

    to add to the OPs misery:)
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...recast-UK-motorists-told-travel-avoid-it.html
     
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    S

    ScottishInvestments

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    Nov 28, 2011
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  • #20
    I find this time of year rather amusing.

    Cars driving at 5mph crashing into things, people falling all over the place, trains suspended, buses suspended, motorways closed and gritters stuck because of traffic jams.

    Meanwhile in Scandinavia, cars driving normally at 70mph, no crashes, no people falling over, trains working like clockwork, motorways clear and gritters hammering down the road clearing snow.

    It's rather embarrassing how pathetic this country is!

    ScotInvest
     
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    Doodle-Noodle

    Doodle-Noodle

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  • #24
    You can't get a loaf of bread in Tadley today ..... or a pint of milk. It was all bought up yesterday by snow-preppers who obviously have HUUUUUUGE appetites.
    We have lots of snow today which I know from experience is seriously bad for business as nobody will want to come out.
    I did NOT want to leave my nice cosy bed this morning, nor dig my car out of the 2cm of snow it was embedded in but I have made it in. Left the car in the driveway though as it is actually snowing quite heavily here now and the forecast is for even more, so I've walked in.
    However, I underestimated the amount of time it would take me to get here by 20 minutes so was late (not that anybody is going to notice), forgot how poor the insulation is in my wellies so have very cold feet, and I look like a panda as my mascara has run.
    All in all, a great start to what will no doubt be another wonderful day ;)
     
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    M

    mobious

  • #25
    gaztronics said:
    Lunchtime was snow-ball fights on the school field. It was the law!
    Click to expand...

    There was a police warning by Durham Constabulary saying they will arrest people throwing snowballs, it's bonkers. Obviously there was alot of feedback on Facebook so they reworded it to "if anyone is throwing snowballs at people who do not consent".

    What a loads of b@ll@cks
     
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    Scott-Copywriter

    Scott-Copywriter

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  • #28
    ScottishInvestments said:
    I find this time of year rather amusing.

    Cars driving at 5mph crashing into things, people falling all over the place, trains suspended, buses suspended, motorways closed and gritters stuck because of traffic jams.

    Meanwhile in Scandinavia, cars driving normally at 70mph, no crashes, no people falling over, trains working like clockwork, motorways clear and gritters hammering down the road clearing snow.

    It's rather embarrassing how pathetic this country is!

    ScotInvest
    Click to expand...

    There are some very fair reasons. It certainly doesn't make our country "pathetic".

    One of the main issues is the lack of winter tyres. In countries such as Sweden, you must use winter tyres by LAW during certain times of the year. As some people may or may not know, winter tyres can make an amazingly large difference to grip in snowy conditions.

    We could try that here, but a set of winter tyres can cost anywhere from £300-£1000, so I can't see the population being please if the Government forces us all to spend that sort of money on winter tyres and also spend money having to fit them on and take them off every year.

    That's really the main issue.

    Another issue is the lack of trust. To be quite honest I see a lot of people driving around who clearly have very little experience or confidence driving in snow and ice. For that reason, even though I have a reasonable level of confidence in my own driving, I'm going to purposely drive slow as I can't trust others to drive properly.

    I could be driving along at a reasonable speed quite nicely until someone misjudges their braking at a junction and slides out in front of my on-coming car (something which actually happened near my home just last year).
     
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    simon field

    simon field

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    Feb 4, 2011
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  • #29
    Scott-CopyandDesign said:
    There are some very fair reasons. It certainly doesn't make our country "pathetic".

    One of the main issues is the lack of winter tyres. In countries such as Sweden, you must use winter tyres by LAW during certain times of the year. As some people may or may not know, winter tyres can make an amazingly large difference to grip in snowy conditions.

    We could try that here, but a set of winter tyres can cost anywhere from £300-£1000, so I can't see the population being please if the Government forces us all to spend that sort of money on winter tyres and also spend money having to fit them on and take them off every year.

    That's really the main issue.

    Another issue is the lack of trust. To be quite honest I see a lot of people driving around who clearly have very little experience or confidence driving in snow and ice. For that reason, even though I have a reasonable level of confidence in my own driving, I'm going to purposely drive slow as I can't trust others to drive properly.

    I could be driving along at a reasonable speed quite nicely until someone misjudges their braking at a junction and slides out in front of my on-coming car (something which actually happened near my home just last year).
    Click to expand...

    Excellent post. The alternative would be to have a huge fleet of serious snow-moving equipment, just like they do in Scandinavia, and also Northern Germany too, having spent some time there in the 90's.

    This equipment would cost a lot of wedge. It would sit idle 48 weeks of the year, 5 years out of 10. It still needs maintaining. Council tax would fly up.

    They have it totally sorted in other countries, but winter there is not like winter here. We get a fortnight of snow here, a bit of frost, and it's generally "a bit chilly". Over there it snows for months and remains in the minus 20's plus for ages and ages.

    It's good to see a proper British winter if you ask me. You know, normal.

    It amazes me how many shops / pubs / businesses won't even chuck a couple of bags of grit about outside their doors though :|
     
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    gr9ce

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    Jul 17, 2011
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  • #30
    Oh joy, a day at home. Opened the curtains to a white out. Tax done, ironing done, enjoyed a day of day time TV flog it/ declutter programming. Motivated to have a tidy up and maybe earn more than being in retail. Sounds like a repeat for a couple of days.

    Luckily (or not) in a business deserted by customers this time of year. Just hope it clears up for the trade shows in a week and by March...............and that no drought orders arrive!

    First prize to Doodles for being the most positive person on these boards.
     
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    Doodle-Noodle

    Doodle-Noodle

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  • #31
    gr9ce said:
    Oh joy, a day at home. Opened the curtains to a white out. Tax done, ironing done, enjoyed a day of day time TV flog it/ declutter programming. Motivated to have a tidy up and maybe earn more than being in retail. Sounds like a repeat for a couple of days.

    Luckily (or not) in a business deserted by customers this time of year. Just hope it clears up for the trade shows in a week and by March...............and that no drought orders arrive!

    First prize to Doodles for being the most positive person on these boards.
    Click to expand...
    LOL to that Gr9ce!!! I am not feeling very positive at all - it was DIRE in the shop today, 2nd worst day ever. Took just over £20 and by 3pm I was so fed up that for the first time since we opened I shut up shop at 3.30pm and went home.
    I am not expecting great things for tomorrow either!
     
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    S

    ScottishInvestments

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    Nov 28, 2011
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  • #33
    Scott-CopyandDesign said:
    There are some very fair reasons. It certainly doesn't make our country "pathetic".

    One of the main issues is the lack of winter tyres. In countries such as Sweden, you must use winter tyres by LAW during certain times of the year. As some people may or may not know, winter tyres can make an amazingly large difference to grip in snowy conditions.

    We could try that here, but a set of winter tyres can cost anywhere from £300-£1000, so I can't see the population being please if the Government forces us all to spend that sort of money on winter tyres and also spend money having to fit them on and take them off every year.

    That's really the main issue.

    Another issue is the lack of trust. To be quite honest I see a lot of people driving around who clearly have very little experience or confidence driving in snow and ice. For that reason, even though I have a reasonable level of confidence in my own driving, I'm going to purposely drive slow as I can't trust others to drive properly.

    I could be driving along at a reasonable speed quite nicely until someone misjudges their braking at a junction and slides out in front of my on-coming car (something which actually happened near my home just last year).
    Click to expand...

    I agree, it's lack of education and common sense! The very easy driving tests also have something to do with it.

    I think if we continue to have these serious winters, the believe the government must make it law for winter tyres. I'd also like to see drivers experience night time driving and winter driving before they pass.

    ScotInvest
     
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    Hunnie

    Hunnie

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    Oct 19, 2011
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  • #34
    Hi,
    This winter is proving to be very snowy/icy at present but we have had a couple of mild winters previously and not all areas of the UK are severely affected even now.
    How would requiring winter driving for a test work?
    Would learners have to wait months (years?) for the right bad weather?

    I can walk to work.
    My children(when they were children!) could always walk to school.

    I don't need winter tyres or a course in snow/ice driving because I don't drive in such conditions.

    The only problem with snow/ice is transport so life goes on if most things are within walking distance.

    Regards
    Hunnie
     
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    W

    woodss

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    Feb 22, 2007
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  • #35
    When I were a lad, I learned how to handle a car in winter weather by ragging one around a car park... of course that's not politically correct but maybe some skidpan training as part of the test would go a long way to getting peoples' confidence levels up in the winter...
     
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    Doodle-Noodle

    Doodle-Noodle

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    Tadley, North Hants
  • #38
    woodss said:
    How? She walked to work - net cost zero, and opened doors that she had presumably already paid the rent for.

    In effect:
    Staying at home: £0 earned
    Opening the doors: £20 earned.

    Explain again how that's worse??
    Click to expand...

    I had an electric fan heater on the whole time I was in the shop as it was just too cold ..... goodness knows how much that cost!
    Anyhow, I did:
    :) finish AND file my tax return
    :) do 3 jewellery repairs for customers which have been sitting in a box for a week 'cos I didn't feel like doing them
    :) make a good start on an order for some canvasses which I also didn't really fancy doing
    :) help a new customer with a sewing project for her up-coming wedding - she didn't buy much as she really didn't need half the things she thought she would and I (stupidly) told her so. She was, however, very grateful for the advice and will hopefully spread the word to her friends etc. She's the sort of customer I love having in - wants to make lots of things but doesn't know how and doesn't have the equipment, so hopefully she will be back and spend!
    :) drank LOTS of tea and had 3 Hob Nob biccies

    So far today I've taken another order for a canvas, made 3 cups of coffee for the lovely workmen who were gritting the pavement outside my shop and sold a silver pendant.
     
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