For a second blog I just thought that I would get something topical off my chest.
Firstly I'd just like to say that I'm not a financial expert and do not pretend that I know the ins and outs of the economy. I'm just like the next person with an opinion. I'm a business owner I am wholly conscious of the national debt, European crisis and pending US financial armageddon. Chances are I'm just saying what people are thinking.
The UK debt... I wholeheartedly agree that we as a nation need to address the debt. There is no point in living beyond your means. I've done it personally and there comes a day when you can't borrow any more and have to stop, take stock of your position and get back in the black. The irritation here is it is the country (government) who has been spending more money that they have been collecting in taxes and yet it is you and me that have to pay the debt. Why doesn't the government stop sending aid money abroad, stop getting involved in other peoples wars and stop bailing other countries out? Yes I understand that there's a "you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours" philosophy going on but who's paying the bills here?
The US are trillions in debt (did you know that is 12 zeros) - check out http://www.usdebtclock.org/, it's frightening. Even if they get the debt ceiling increased by $2.5 trillion it would only allow the government to operate until early 2013. If no agreement is met then they will start to default on their debt obligations which has potentially catastrophic results for everyone - great!!
This all reminds me of when you are in the aeroplane going on holiday and they are talking through the safety drill. There is one bit where they are talking about the oxygen masks and they quite clearly instruct you to "put on your own mask first before helping others". In other words if you pass out and die what good are you going to be to anyone else? As a nation we need to sort ourselves out first before helping others, it's as simple as that.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Are you a people person?
I'm often concious of my own changing feelings towards people. We all are but of course I can only vouch for myself so it got me thinking... where is the line between not enough people and too many people?
Take clothes shopping - we all know the feeling of walking into an empty shop with the attendants watching your every move, studying what you are doing, what you are looking at and whether you are going to buy anything. I'd guess the vast majority of us can't get out quick enough. From the shop-keepers point of view what is obtrusive and what is ignorance? Should they jump on the potential customer or let them get on with whatever they want? Should they employ people to be fake browsers to encourage real shoppers to visit their store? From the consumer consider the alternative - a jam packed shop, no attention, not able to get to anything and queues to the changing room... No wonder on-line shopping is so popular.
Ok so on the most part shopping is a choice. But dog walking?... I walk the dog early in the morning, sometimes as early as 5.30am and despite days of extreme weather I enjoy it. Apart from the initial dragging myself out of bed I love that time of the morning. The park where I walk the dog every weekday morning is empty and at certain times of the year can be misty, atmospheric, serene, calming and beautiful. The only people you will ever see are staff commuting to the local hospital - head down, caffine deprived and normally power walking and it's them that I don't mind. Other dog walkers though? On the whole I can't stand them. Ok so just because I have a dog doesn't mean that I want to talk. Call me unsociable but this precious 30 minutes is my time (ok it's my trusty companions time as he reminds me daily) and I really really down't want to be making small talk with anyone. It's extreme to the point of ridiculous. I mean I see dog walkers saying hello to every dog walker but ignoring absolutely everyone else in between. Forget listening to your iPod - the headphones are so small no-one even realises that you're listening to music and so stops for a chat. I've therefore taken to either chatting on the phone, tweeting or texting. Hardly the most relaxing of "me" time after a day on the phone and computer at work.
Take clothes shopping - we all know the feeling of walking into an empty shop with the attendants watching your every move, studying what you are doing, what you are looking at and whether you are going to buy anything. I'd guess the vast majority of us can't get out quick enough. From the shop-keepers point of view what is obtrusive and what is ignorance? Should they jump on the potential customer or let them get on with whatever they want? Should they employ people to be fake browsers to encourage real shoppers to visit their store? From the consumer consider the alternative - a jam packed shop, no attention, not able to get to anything and queues to the changing room... No wonder on-line shopping is so popular.
Ok so on the most part shopping is a choice. But dog walking?... I walk the dog early in the morning, sometimes as early as 5.30am and despite days of extreme weather I enjoy it. Apart from the initial dragging myself out of bed I love that time of the morning. The park where I walk the dog every weekday morning is empty and at certain times of the year can be misty, atmospheric, serene, calming and beautiful. The only people you will ever see are staff commuting to the local hospital - head down, caffine deprived and normally power walking and it's them that I don't mind. Other dog walkers though? On the whole I can't stand them. Ok so just because I have a dog doesn't mean that I want to talk. Call me unsociable but this precious 30 minutes is my time (ok it's my trusty companions time as he reminds me daily) and I really really down't want to be making small talk with anyone. It's extreme to the point of ridiculous. I mean I see dog walkers saying hello to every dog walker but ignoring absolutely everyone else in between. Forget listening to your iPod - the headphones are so small no-one even realises that you're listening to music and so stops for a chat. I've therefore taken to either chatting on the phone, tweeting or texting. Hardly the most relaxing of "me" time after a day on the phone and computer at work.
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