Late to the party on this one, as ever. I have nothing to add beyond that already provided by other more thoughtful people, and am posting this largely for my own future reference.
I hadn't seen or heard of this one, but I gotta say that I can certainly relate to the idea of wanting to just come out and yell "shut up" once in a while. The better part of valor is to control that impulse, of course, but I can at least relate to the guy.
Well, it's a good job you're not employed in any capacity where sensitivity and a capability for nuanced communication are paramount requirements, eh? Like, say, UN diplomat...
Japanese incompetence with Teh Social Networks made the front page of my favorite US news source today. (TPM) I guess it's comforting to know that privileged old men are stupid everywhere? I keep thinking I want to live in Japan again, then I think again.
Savoring the bitterness of my Frappuccino, a quote surfaces... I cannot help but giggle at the circumstances of a stately man of rank who would, when thrown a rope, be so quick to unravel while managing to somehow drown in a puddle of laughter. "To be enraged with a dumb brute that acted out of Blind instinct is blasphemous."
I'm sorry, but 'Be silent'? Are you serious? He's supposed to be a top level human rights representative, not a sodding school principle. There is no excuse for having no skills for the job you blagged from your powerful contacts.
I remember seeing the news reports just for the 2002 World Cup, where the Japanese authorities were desperately trying to reassure people that they could cope with the inevitable influx of hooligans who could afford to travel halfway round the globe to one of the most expensive countries in the world.
They'd constructed a water cannon cum billboard, which could flash up appropriate messages to appease the barbarian hoards as they got battered by high pressure water jets. 'Silencio por favor' was obviously keenly targeted at the expected Spanish and Argentinian mobs. The English version read 'Quiet down please.'
Can't help but feeling a couple of people got given the wrong cards, to be honest.
I wouldn't call myself a "more thoughtful" person, but thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, as ever :)
DeleteI hadn't seen or heard of this one, but I gotta say that I can certainly relate to the idea of wanting to just come out and yell "shut up" once in a while. The better part of valor is to control that impulse, of course, but I can at least relate to the guy.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's a good job you're not employed in any capacity where sensitivity and a capability for nuanced communication are paramount requirements, eh? Like, say, UN diplomat...
DeleteJapanese incompetence with Teh Social Networks made the front page of my favorite US news source today. (TPM) I guess it's comforting to know that privileged old men are stupid everywhere?
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking I want to live in Japan again, then I think again.
TPM? Doesn't ring any bells, I'm afraid.
DeleteGiven the choice, I'd rather be in Japan than the UK right now, obviously enough, but long term it's a definite concern.
Sometimes people are wound so tight they end up burning their own house down before realizing that it might have been laughing with them.
ReplyDeleteYes. I also love how you've managed to fit at least three different metaphors into a single sentence there ;)
DeleteSavoring the bitterness of my Frappuccino, a quote surfaces... I cannot help but giggle at the circumstances of a stately man of rank who would, when thrown a rope, be so quick to unravel while managing to somehow drown in a puddle of laughter. "To be enraged with a dumb brute that acted out of Blind instinct is blasphemous."
Delete"..he doesn't know the weight that a good "shut up" carries in an international context."
ReplyDeleteYou do rather have to question the selection criteria for the diplomatic corps, in that case, wouldn't you say?
I'm sorry, but 'Be silent'? Are you serious? He's supposed to be a top level human rights representative, not a sodding school principle. There is no excuse for having no skills for the job you blagged from your powerful contacts.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the news reports just for the 2002 World Cup, where the Japanese authorities were desperately trying to reassure people that they could cope with the inevitable influx of hooligans who could afford to travel halfway round the globe to one of the most expensive countries in the world.
ReplyDeleteThey'd constructed a water cannon cum billboard, which could flash up appropriate messages to appease the barbarian hoards as they got battered by high pressure water jets. 'Silencio por favor' was obviously keenly targeted at the expected Spanish and Argentinian mobs. The English version read 'Quiet down please.'
Can't help but feeling a couple of people got given the wrong cards, to be honest.