That EU five into four challenge

The news today reports again that astonishing difference between UK and German workers. What Brit workers manage in five days, Germany's workers do in four.

I suspect it's this approach to competition that explains why a slight majority wants to cold-shoulder the EU. Yes, try hard on the football field. But work ain't footie.

When we arrive at work here, the first act is likely to be getting the kettle on, to have a cup of something hot, have a moan about the crush on the train, and what won favour on telly the night before.

Neighbourly stuff

Other than the boss, perhaps, whose to knock such neighbourly stuff? It even suggests we might care more for our fellows than those industrious folk a few countries over. It might.

To hear the news was quite a coincidence for I experienced two scenes today that probably tell all about that odd Brexit vote.

First scene is set at the dentists. Three little Indian children aged around three and four, displaying a surprising grasp of correct English, are waiting in the reception area. Some dental posters have taken their attention. They are deriving obvious pleasure from pronouncing the longer words and guessing their meaning.

Now to the Iceland store in my poor neighbourhood. A large mother and daughter are at the till, chatting to the cashier.

The pronunciation, the words they use, and their physiques suggest that achieving might not be part of their upbringing.

Cashier: And what's your daugh'a studyin' for then?
Mother: She's just fir'een.
Cashier to large girl: Is univers'ty what you goin' to do?
Mother: Come on, she's just fir'een.

Continues on the blogs for my sailing adventure story, Sailing to Purgatory, at SailingToPurgatory.com