Would anyone go Christmas shopping in town anymore? Crowds of people, traffic moving slower than treacle, and endless Christmas songs. I understand Mariah Carey has made nearly $100m in royalties on ‘All I Want for Christmas is you.’ That’s enough to turn me into the Grinch.
Do I still have a couple of racks of ties that beg me to put them on every time I open my wardrobe instead of throwing them away? Firstly I cannot forget the eye watering cost! Hermes ties, which were de rigeur in my days in the City are now over £200 each. I must have fifty! Let alone a smorgasbord of others; even my School House tie of skull and crossbones from my days at Rugby School. If I have worn a tie more than a dozen times in the nine years since moving to Malta (outside of funerals or marriages) I would be surprised…..and yet. I accept the current method of showing your superiority in meetings is a black polo and Birkenstock sandals rather than a Gieves and Hawkes suit, Turnbull and Asser shirt and Loeb shoes, but who does that impress? Dressing well is not only about self respect but respect to others. The idea you can dress like a tramp to show you are so rich you don’t need to show esteem sends out all the wrong signals. My days of business meetings are few and far between but if I am seeking a partner let alone financial resources dressing with dignity for who I’m talking to, usually pays off.
Do so many cop shows feature earnest looking detectives flashing a torch as they enter a building looking for someone, when there is a perfectly good light switch nearby?
Flashlights are quickly joining forces with other cop cliches
1) How bad the coffee is in a police station,
2) There’s always a parking spot right where it’s needed
3) A cop with a troubled home life or estranged spouse, leading to personal phone interruptions mid-case.
4) The mismatched partners forced to work together, often a “family man” paired with a “loner” or eccentric cop
5) The cantankerous police boss who constantly chews out the main cop and threatens to take their badge.
6) The cell phone signal dropping or battery expiring at a vital moment And finally
7) Police and FBI fighting over jurisdiction with “This is OUR case!” arguments.