The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the picture of Maxime Medard* above the bar!


So pull up a chair....what'll it be?




Last Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t21314-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub



* While the other suggestion of Owens, Thomas and Hughie had merit, I couldn't face having Hughie's mug on the wall

I hoped you'd spot that. I think the effort of will you need to win will only be mustered by you against your closest neighbours, and then it's not guaranteed to get you a result. I see you coming unstuck against the other three, win or lose against England.

If I want to read about the cultural characteristics of different peoples and states, I'll go to the library and leaf through the sociology journals, thanks. If I'm reading Lonely Planet, it's to find out when the museim closes and where the mid-price Middle Eastern restaurants are.

Everyone's an expert.

Speaking of schedules, I've just seen England's Six Nations fixtures:


4 February v Scotland (away)
11 February v Italy (away)
25 February v Wales (home)
11 March v France (away)
17 March v Ireland (home)

Now, the England team for this year's tournament is going to be a pretty new-look side, but last time they played at Murrayfield they drew and they squeaked past Italy last time they were in Rome. Could they have been beaten twice by the time Wales come to Twickenham? How would the players and coaches feel if they lose that match and have France in Paris next up?

All hypothetical, but a possible scenario.

Don Alfonso wrote:If I want to read about the cultural characteristics of different peoples and states, I'll go to the library and leaf through the sociology journals, thanks. If I'm reading Lonely Planet, it's to find out when the museim closes and where the mid-price Middle Eastern restaurants are.

Everyone's an expert.

Further on it says that the Irish are quite touchy if you get a bit close to home.

Ulster are the only touchy ones

Hoi! That's my second team you are dissing!

Don Alfonso wrote:If I want to read about the cultural characteristics of different peoples and states, I'll go to the library and leaf through the sociology journals, thanks. If I'm reading Lonely Planet, it's to find out when the museim closes and where the mid-price Middle Eastern restaurants are.

Everyone's an expert.

You dont have to go to a library Don. You just need to go to a Pub or any gathering of the Clan and watch & listen carefully & subjectively. Hard to do. But its far easier to judge your own race, when you have tried living with other races and are on the outside looking in. Or, just check any of the threads on here. Ive learned so much from peoples reactions. And Im not just talking about the Irish. Distinctive National traits abound.

red_stag wrote:Asbo whats the schedule like. Who is home and who is away for Scotland.

Not sure how this will come out on the screen, but here we go:

Saturday, 04 February 2012
Stade De France 14:30 France - : - Italy
Murrayfield 17:00 Scotland - : - England

Sunday, 05 February 2012
Aviva Stadium 15:00 Ireland - : - Wales


Saturday, 11 February 2012
Stadio Olimpico, Rome 16:00 Italy - : - England
Stade De France 20:00 France - : - Ireland

Sunday, 12 February 2012
Millennium Stadium 15:00 Wales - : - Scotland


Saturday, 25 February 2012
Aviva Stadium 13:30 Ireland - : - Italy
Twickenham 16:00 England - : - Wales

Sunday, 26 February 2012
Murrayfield 15:00 Scotland - : - France


Saturday, 10 March 2012
Millennium Stadium 14:30 Wales - : - Italy
Aviva Stadium 17:00 Ireland - : - Scotland

Sunday, 11 March 2012
Stade De France 15:00 France - : - England


Saturday, 17 March 2012
Stadio Olimpico, Rome 12:30 Italy - : - Scotland
Millennium Stadium 14:45 Wales - : - France
Twickenham 17:00 England - : - Ireland

Glas a du wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:If I want to read about the cultural characteristics of different peoples and states, I'll go to the library and leaf through the sociology journals, thanks. If I'm reading Lonely Planet, it's to find out when the museim closes and where the mid-price Middle Eastern restaurants are.

Everyone's an expert.

Further on it says that the Irish are quite touchy if you get a bit close to home.

Dont even mention the Welsh. They have a whole Encyclopaedia of racial inner-demons. Which they will display at the drop of a hat. And blame the English for it.

Does the bold type mean you think Scotland will win every match?

Gibson wrote:

Glas a du wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:If I want to read about the cultural characteristics of different peoples and states, I'll go to the library and leaf through the sociology journals, thanks. If I'm reading Lonely Planet, it's to find out when the museim closes and where the mid-price Middle Eastern restaurants are.

Everyone's an expert.

Further on it says that the Irish are quite touchy if you get a bit close to home.

Dont even mention the Welsh. They have a whole Encyclopaedia of racial inner-demons. Which they will display at the drop of a hat. And blame the English for it.

Thank you for proving my point, but I really didn't say you had a monopoly on touchiness, where would the Welsh and Scottish be then?

Glas a du wrote:Does the bold type mean you think Scotland will win every match?

Hmm, no, it was to visually aid the finding of the Scottish matches?

Morning pub.

I'm not absolutely certain that exercise is 100i% good for you.

It's not. You could get injured quite easily.

Glas a du wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Glas a du wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:If I want to read about the cultural characteristics of different peoples and states, I'll go to the library and leaf through the sociology journals, thanks. If I'm reading Lonely Planet, it's to find out when the museim closes and where the mid-price Middle Eastern restaurants are.

Everyone's an expert.

Further on it says that the Irish are quite touchy if you get a bit close to home.

Dont even mention the Welsh. They have a whole Encyclopaedia of racial inner-demons. Which they will display at the drop of a hat. And blame the English for it.

Thank you for proving my point, but I really didn't say you had a monopoly on touchiness, where would the Welsh and Scottish be then?

Im not touchy Glas, far from it. Just like touching reality-base with others and seeing how it goes.

I'll let the Welsh and the Scots tell their own Truth. As for the English, they just dont give a schitt. Which is cool.

There'll be a gnáshing and a wailing in the Vaalleys and Gloamins tonight.

Great use of colon, As.

Sorry regs. Not being a big fat racist, just fancied a mild-mannered chat about the sheer beauty of our individual characteristics...
I love it.

Thats what comes with living with robots.

A Yank friend of mine said about the Clogs... "Jaaawny, its like watching the March of the Wooden Soldiers" So true.

Let he who casts the 1st virtual stone...

I found it very enlightening Gibbo. Didn't realise you guys were as touchy about use of "top 'o the morning" as we are about "shrimp"

PJHolybloke wrote:Morning pub.

I'm not absolutely certain that exercise is 100i% good for you.

It definitely isn't!


And morning all. Been dealing with a nightmare member of the public on the phone this morning. honestly, some people, are just absolutely horrible. I don't enjoy getting shouted at down the phone, when I'm not allowed to shout back

Gibbo - what would you say the Welsh characteristics are then? (I possibly don't want to know the answer to that!)

That doesn't sound much fun at all, Dreamer. Boo hiss that member of the public!

Definitely boo hiss at them Lucky, honestly one of the most poisonous people I've ever come across. Super nasty.

Ah well no matter, tis almost Friday, and we've finally opened the last tin of choc's in the office, so it's not all bad

rugbydreamer wrote:Gibbo - what would you say the Welsh characteristics are then? (I possibly don't want to know the answer to that!)

Oh no Dreamer. That's up to ye. But, it has a lot to do with the English and History. Same goes for Ireland. We are coming out of that recently and are phhoking up all on our own. No one else to blame but ourselves. All part of growing up as a Nation. Its healthy in the long-term. Thank Allah the English helped bail us out. And Australia is taking our lost children by the 1000's.

Funny ol game evolution eh?

Gibson wrote:Sorry regs. Not being a big fat racist, just fancied a mild-mannered chat about the sheer beauty of our individual characteristics...
I love it.

Thats what comes with living with robots.

A Yank friend of mine said about the Clogs... "Jaaawny, its like watching the March of the Wooden Soldiers" So true.

Let he who casts the 1st virtual stone...

Gib, we Scots are generally just the chippiest folk on earth, especially when it comes to our bigger neighbour directly to the south - would love to dress it up as passion, but let's not kid ourselves!! This, and for no other reason, is why I believe that Scotland desparately needs independence - economically, we'd probably be marginally be worse off, but it's critical to us recovering a national identity that we can be proud of, rather than always looking at ourselves with reference to the south. On the other hand, we have a reputation for meanness that I have never found to be true - could just be me tho!

Hmmm I dunno about the Welsh then Gibbo. We can be a bit tribal, love to fight our neighbour down the road instead of looking at the bigger picture. Not amenable to change would be another.

Stubborn too I would say, and to a fault at times. What's that phrase again, something like 'cutting ones nose of to spite your face'? something like that anyway. I'd say that's a Welsh thing, usually to do with trying to prove a point to people who really couldn't give a hoot (perhaps the English ) but to us it still means a lot.

I dunno, think I've had too much of a mixed upbringing to know what's properly a "Welsh" characteristic.

Ok, Rugby, Rugby, Rugby.

Who are going to win their games in the HC this weekend?

I have:
Ospreys
Edinburgh
Leicester
Scarlets
Montpellier
ASM
Blues
Munster
Toulouse
Quins
Leinster
Sarries

Not doing SG anymore. So they are my picks on here.

oooh my picks, still not done them, going to wait for some more team announcements before I make up my mind.

I hope you're right about the Scarlets, Gibbo, I really do. Could make or break our season (although, I seem to be saying that about every game at the moment!)

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Glas a du wrote:Does the bold type mean you think Scotland will win every match?

Hmm, no, it was to visually aid the finding of the Scottish matches?

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!!! a rising inflection!

Sounds awful dreamer... what's your company's policy for dealing with those types of callers? Surely a calm plea - then if he/she persists. Click. I don't care what anyone says, nobody deserves that sort of abuse.

When I was working in a large firm, a mate of mine (who was a very confident, knowledgeable guy... knew his stuff) would have these epic conversations with a loud and obnoxious builder. They were working on the apartments just up from the Opera House called "The Toaster".

I could only ever hear half the conversation... but my colleague would smile & smirk and roll his eyes as the other guy tried to bully him.

His telephone theory was this: As soon as the other person raises his/her voice... make a conscious effort to speak more slowly and softly... then keep talking even more softer and slowly - simply repeating the same thing.

Within a few minutes the other person will (subconsciously or human behaviour?) mimic you.

He would always then have an opportunity to have the last word & say "goodbye". It worked every time. The more worked up the other guy got - the more he remained calm. He would even say to me at lunch - "I think I'll call the guy just for some fun (knowing there would always be something the builder would be whinging about!) So it would start all tense... then 10 mins later I'd almost be holding back the tears listening to the mood change. Try it next time... it works!

Dreamer, fairly honest opinion. And, Id say you are not typical. Mixed families always give a more open view of the World.

As,
Ive never met a tight Scot in my Life. Quite the contrary. See you Jimmy. Totally agree on the rest. It will be a mess initially, but Scotland has what it takes to go it alone. The unraveling will be painful though. I love Cameron saying that Scotland will have to join the Euro as a threat. What a dick.

Maybe they will in the future? When the dust settles.

Ha that sounds like a good thing to try out Breaker!

We've an on-going problem with t his particular person so we've got to log it every time they call in, but basically I just have to remain polite, go through the motions of asking if they want to leave a message etc and just state if they carry on as they are, I will put the phone down. Don't raise my voice back at all. tis just a right pain in the arse to have to deal with! Still, getting good practice at it now I guess....

Sometimes the only answer is to cut yourself off. If you put down the phone when they are talking they will get mad. If mid answer you put the phone down on yourself they will think its a fault on the line. You must however take an immediate comfort break as they will call back, it only buys you a bit of time to collect yourself and you must then call them back before they can call you again, that will put them on the back foot. The best advice ever in client/customer relations is: "under promise, over achieve"

yeah dreamer - be polite and sincere... and keep a 'smile' on yer face no matter how rude they are. That is the key

Ah sure, we take it in turns on the phone, so we don't often have to speak to this person more than once or twice in a day really on the days they decide to kick off, so tis not so bad. It's just annoying that it's when the people they want to speak to aren't available taht they think it's perfectly okay to take it out on us the admin staff. Seriously, my job can be a bit of an eye opener as to what I shall, perhaps harshly, label the "dregs" of society are like.

Another tactic is the curveball question.

"this is an outrageous bill, I'm not paying this amount!"

"how much would you say is reasonable to pay then, Sir?"

You can only do this though if you have the authority to negotiate on the bill.

rugbydreamer wrote:Ah sure, we take it in turns on the phone, so we don't often have to speak to this person more than once or twice in a day really on the days they decide to kick off, so tis not so bad. It's just annoying that it's when the people they want to speak to aren't available taht they think it's perfectly okay to take it out on us the admin staff. Seriously, my job can be a bit of an eye opener as to what I shall, perhaps harshly, label the "dregs" of society are like.

I find that quite a lot. Our receptionists will often give me the heads up as to difficult clients only for me to find that they are lovely when they speak to me. It seems receptionists are legitimate game.

Linebreaker wrote:Sounds awful dreamer... what's your company's policy for dealing with those types of callers? Surely a calm plea - then if he/she persists. Click. I don't care what anyone says, nobody deserves that sort of abuse.

When I was working in a large firm, a mate of mine (who was a very confident, knowledgeable guy... knew his stuff) would have these epic conversations with a loud and obnoxious builder. They were working on the apartments just up from the Opera House called "The Toaster".

I could only ever hear half the conversation... but my colleague would smile & smirk and roll his eyes as the other guy tried to bully him.

His telephone theory was this: As soon as the other person raises his/her voice... make a conscious effort to speak more slowly and softly... then keep talking even more softer and slowly - simply repeating the same thing.

Within a few minutes the other person will (subconsciously or human behaviour?) mimic you.

He would always then have an opportunity to have the last word & say "goodbye". It worked every time. The more worked up the other guy got - the more he remained calm. He would even say to me at lunch - "I think I'll call the guy just for some fun (knowing there would always be something the builder would be whinging about!) So it would start all tense... then 10 mins later I'd almost be holding back the tears listening to the mood change. Try it next time... it works!

Brilliant. Subtle disablement. And then, control of the situation. It really pisses off the angry mob and plants seeds in their minds. Thats if they have a brain to start with.

Glas a du wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Ah sure, we take it in turns on the phone, so we don't often have to speak to this person more than once or twice in a day really on the days they decide to kick off, so tis not so bad. It's just annoying that it's when the people they want to speak to aren't available taht they think it's perfectly okay to take it out on us the admin staff. Seriously, my job can be a bit of an eye opener as to what I shall, perhaps harshly, label the "dregs" of society are like.

I find that quite a lot. Our receptionists will often give me the heads up as to difficult clients only for me to find that they are lovely when they speak to me. It seems receptionists are legitimate game.

Bingo. That applies to any admin staff. Sure treat us like crap, we can't do anything about it because we don't have any authority, and people know that.

Right, anyway enough grumbling.

Been reading back.

Kiwi - congrats on getting the job interview!

Gibson wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Sounds awful dreamer... what's your company's policy for dealing with those types of callers? Surely a calm plea - then if he/she persists. Click. I don't care what anyone says, nobody deserves that sort of abuse.

When I was working in a large firm, a mate of mine (who was a very confident, knowledgeable guy... knew his stuff) would have these epic conversations with a loud and obnoxious builder. They were working on the apartments just up from the Opera House called "The Toaster".

I could only ever hear half the conversation... but my colleague would smile & smirk and roll his eyes as the other guy tried to bully him.

His telephone theory was this: As soon as the other person raises his/her voice... make a conscious effort to speak more slowly and softly... then keep talking even more softer and slowly - simply repeating the same thing.

Within a few minutes the other person will (subconsciously or human behaviour?) mimic you.

He would always then have an opportunity to have the last word & say "goodbye". It worked every time. The more worked up the other guy got - the more he remained calm. He would even say to me at lunch - "I think I'll call the guy just for some fun (knowing there would always be something the builder would be whinging about!) So it would start all tense... then 10 mins later I'd almost be holding back the tears listening to the mood change. Try it next time... it works!

Brilliant. Subtle disablement. And then, control of the situation. It really pisses off the angry mob and plants seeds in their minds. Thats if they have a brain to start with.

Funny thing was Gibbo when the builder appeared on our floor for a meeting - red-faced and all. My mate would say... with a mock whistle which used to crack me up... "Don't look now - but guess who's here? This should be fun!" He was actually a very interesting bloke... part Zimbabwean, raised in New Guinea from anglo-irish stock and went to the same school (Nudgee College, Brisbane) where most of our rugby stars came from. Married a lovely South African lady. In fact; he is a cousin of Australia's only 4-try scorer against the ABs in Auckland - Bled Cup '78. Greg Cornelson.

He actually enjoyed the builder challenging him. I could hear some screaming going on in the "Cube of Silence" (glass box meeting room). Then after 3/4 hour there would be a roar of laughter and they'd all file out. My colleague would feign frustration walking down the corridor with a roll of drawings under his arms and say something like "Boy...that was easy..."

On the Authority, hierarchy and accepting BS from above question...
There is one main thing I love about living here. Freedom of speech without recrimination. At work and in play. It took me ages to get used to it.

The Clogs have no respect for authority. At all. My 1st week here,I was at a presentation by the CEO of the company.
Usual blah blah blah. Hippie-type guy at the back, lays into him and tells him he is an idiot if he thinks his plans will work in reality.

I thought to myself "This guy is so phhoked" Humiliating his Big Boss in front of a 100 people.

He got promotion and was asked to implement the changes he suggested. He did it and did it well. He's still there. 3 CEOs have come and gone and the new ones go to him for advice.

I have seen it in every company Ive worked for here. Then, I had contracts in between, in England & Ireland. I used the same tactics. Pure honest opinion when asked. The English contract ended after a convo in a wine-bar. They really didnt want to hear the truth from a cocky opinionated, Paddie/Clog. The Irish one, where my best mate was IT Director, I was asked by him to lie to the CEO. He felt uncomfortable. So I went along with the corporate, doff yer cap BS. For him.

It near killed me to do so after a while. I had no tongue left. So I left.

Problem is, I will have to play the game everywhere else I work now...

I want out Ted.

:o Gibbo....how can you think Glos'll lose?!

PM for ASBO

Yeah, you need to be careful speaking the truth in a wine bar - it can be fatal.

Always need to be yourself though - adapt to any given situation but remain consistent and more importantly - persistent. Certain situations there may be a need to bite your tongue whilst some pr1ck tries to steal your ideas in front of a client - but that's why you always keep the best ones to yourself - and get in the client's ear when the other person is not around... and do it a few times. Following up is probably the most critical thing. Even if they're not so keen on your idea at first (you must be 100% sure and be able to prvoe that it works) if you keep repeating - they will come around to your way of thinking. The other person (in your co.) may feel threatened or inadequate - but you can always 'lift him up' a bit and make him feel it was part his idea (not in front of anyone else though!). You need to defuse any insecurities which may be present.

I had this happen to me today - client made me feel a little embarrassed when he praised my solution to a problem when it suddenly all clicked in his mind. What he doesn't know is that there is more to it than I told him - need to control the situation as Gibbo says... and release more 'bullets' when the time is right - for me. It's different when you work for yourself but the same principle applies with any biz/personal relationship.

Yeah, and Bath?!

There's me thinking we got something going on, ha! Whateveeeerr.

He's just West Countryist Prop, not.worth it.

So are you, that's why you live in the West Midlands.

Sorry Prop, but Quins will hammer Glaws, imo.

And PJ, if Montpellier are at all arsed, they will beat Bath. If they are not - they wont. Stating de bleedin obvious, but you know the French, when they are out of the HC.
They may just rest their 1st-choice TOP 14 side. Castres did it v Leinster. We hammered them down there.

Bath are fast improving sooo. this could be a nice confidence-building away win in France. Id like to see ye win.

[quote="Linebreaker"]Yeah, you need to be careful speaking the truth in a wine bar - it can be fatal.


It was, contract-wise, but id have said it anywhere. Just thought it best to do it with the immediate bosses. I think they were afraid Id say it to their bosses.
Anyway I hated it. City Of London in 1989. Wall-to-wall Freemasons feasting on Thatchers Bounty.

It started with one of them saying "Phhook the North of England" "Maggie sorted out those basterds and put them in their place." "We rule England. And the World"

I lost it and said my piece. It all went very quiet. Felt soo much better after it.

One for the wall (took me ages, this did):

https://www.606v2.com/t21750-pick-your-starting-xv-for-wales-v-ireland#846246

I find things like this amazing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16426276