Grumpy Old Man


What do you complain about the most?

Everything and anything.

Aren’t you supposed to get wiser as you grow older ? I don’t recall anyone saying that with increased wisdom comes a marked decline in tolerance levels. I am 72 now, but I think I noted my intolerance building when I hit 60.

I find people, in general, to be rude and impatient. Just the other day, I was waiting 2nd in line to order food in a pub. I opened my mouth to order when a woman stepped past me and started her own order. Once upon a time, I would have said that it was the young that were rude, but these days, I think the older generation doesn’t set very good examples. This person was at least my age, if not older.

When I was young, we were taught to be polite and courteous. I still try to meet those standards, but boy, do I get bent out of shape if I don’t receive the same treatment

Our roads seem to have become more dangerous due to other drivers having forgotten the highway code. Happily tailgating, pushing me because I won’t exceed the speed limit. Not bothering with their indicators, presumably relying on my ability to read their minds and cutting into the safe distance I have left, causing me to have to brake excessively hard.

The driving issue seems to have worsened since the covid lockdowns. Maybe this is just my perception as I was in Australia when it all kicked off, and I spent seven months driving down there in WA. A different style of driving. When I got back to the UK, there were a couple of lockdown periods, and then everyone was back out on the roads. From there on in it seems to me that the UK driving standards have deteriorated.

I think the biggest thing I complain about is the lack of access to doctors. If you want an appointment you have to ring up at 08:00 if it’s urgent, 10:00 for a routine appointment. Woe betide you if you miss that time by a second.

Invariably when you dial you get the engaged tone, you may be lucky and be told you are “number n” in the queue. Then, if you get to speak to a real person you will be told that all appointments for the day are gone.

The online consult system is a joke, and if you happen to have two conditions to discuss with the doctor, you have to go through the whole process twice.

As I said, I spent seven months in WA. I had to sign up for Medicare. Brilliant. I could go on line, see my doctors available appointments, choose one that suited me and then see the doctor.

Six days a week !!! Why can’t we do that here in the UK?

I could go on, but I am sure you all have better things to do than read my rants.

Actually, come to think of it, that’s why you are here.

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Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

4 thoughts on “Grumpy Old Man”

  1. The lockdowns did not cause a drop in driving standards. We just tell ourselves that because it makes sense.
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    The poor dears…theyve been cooped up so long, they done did forgot how to use them blinkers.
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    I spend a lot of time at the racetrack where poor driving atandards will get you black flagged, sent home, suspended or worse. So, on public roads, I just have no patience/mercy for bad driving.
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    These new fangled cars are so safe, nobody fears death any longer. I drove a 79 Mini around Toronto for years. Those tinfoil doors reminded you that failure to indicate and getting into a crash…you will lose. Every time.

    1. You are not wrong about modern cars giving an enhanced sense of safety. When I think back to the cars I had when I started to drive. Makes me shudder, no seat belts, how exposed your upper body was, no crumple zones. I never owned a mini but drove one once…. scary but fun.

      1. I am all for safety. And the enhanced ‘feeling’ of safety. But some vehicles reduce the connection to the road SO MUCH that you feel like youre in you living room, playing a video game.
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        Its really important that drivers remember they’re controlling 3,000lbs of steel and glass that could hurt or kill someone.
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        Put the cell phone down. Focus on the task at hand. We’ll all make it to our destination.
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        End of rant

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