Jyaque

Finally, to Nero, I must say I am confused by your post... You can't hear the announcements for the platforms and train destinations but you want more announcements reminding people not to put their feet on the seats? I fully agree with you regarding the platform announcements, I too often have trouble hearing them, and indeed there are myriad behaviours that each of us find irritating to the extreme. I just wonder whether filling the air with yet more exhortations to not do this or that would help, or whether they would simply add to the aural cacophony that encourages us (me) to blank out the noise and miss the important announcements. We are already told to stand back from the platform edge (personally I see this as preventing the process of natural selection but I probably shouldn't admit that ;) ), to keep our bags with us and report anything suspicious, that security personnel tour the station 24 hours a day, etc etc... Do we need more? "Please take your litter home"; "please keep your feet off the seats"; "please don't stand too close to the person next to you if you didn't use deodorant this morning"; "please don't play your music too lou.. sorry - PLEASE TURN IT DOWN... - oh never mind...". The culprits you mention are the least likely to listen to any recorded voice of authority, especially the Guardian-readers, selfishly destroying the peace with nail-biting. A bigger problem is that the more we are bombarded with little messages reminding us how to behave, the more immune to them we become. Combating this type of behaviour is a more deep-rooted social problem. Please can we not hasten the descent towards the complete disconnect of society from authority and of personal isolation from society by naggingly berating individuals for their tiny acts of rebellion. Otherwise eventually you too will be told you can't have your little personal pleasures because they might upset someone, but there will be no-one left to defend you. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox.

I also must agree with James and Plimsoul about the "Revenue Protectors". Given that the posters in LB state that travelling without a ticket "may" result in a fine, it seems officious that it ALWAYS does, regardless. When PR has queues 20+ people deep to buy tickets and everyone knows there are barriers or ticket collectors at all mainline stations, is it really so bad to travel without a ticket in the hope that the queue at the other end will be shorter? The only person I now who has escaped such a fine has been a girlfriend who batted her big eyelashes and thereby exerted a persuasive technique as old as the hills but unavailable to most of the rest of us.

Barry I'd like to add my twopen'orth in congratulations to you. Your decision to interact directly with the users of your stations displays a remarkable awareness of how to improve services according to localised needs. I wish that more politicians seized the bit as you have, and wish you all success in what must often be a frustrating middle-ground between your customers and the The Powers That Be. Having scanned through this thread, I hope you take strength from the obvious desire of many authors that you succeed, and their gratitude to you for taking a serious interest in their individual opinions. Jack

Why not put a zebra crossing on the Iceland side of the East Dulwich Grove junction, which would stop cars heading towards Goose Green and give turners more time, combined with a zebra crossing across the mouth of E.D. Grove?

So sorry to hear this. Was he chipped? It's always worth giving a ring around the local vets (http://www.any-uk-vet.co.uk/) as well as PDSA at New Cross and of course Battersea, just in case someone takes him in. Good luck.

lenk Wrote: > > If their country of origin will not accept them we > should declare war on that country. > > The resulting war will then stimulate our job > market. Haven't we tried that a couple of times of late? Didn't seem to work; the evil and perfidious Capitalist Forces were hellbent on destroying the world banking system, regardless of the best efforts of Our Glorious Leader. Remember: it is / was not His fault! Sorry, I've digressed.....

Sorry to hear that Quinnie. I was approached by a well-dressed lady near a petrol service station a few year ago, who pointed to a reasonable-looking car on the forecourt and said she was almost out of petrol but had had her bag nicked, could I maybe spare her a fiver... I'm not the most trusting of people but everything fitted, so I did. On the way home my brain processed it through to the point Jim makes - no-one I know would ask strangers - they'd all go into the petrol station and ask if they could call someone they knew who might help. I went back to my mate's flat and told the story, turns out she's there all the time, just waiting for someone to pull in so she can say it's her car. You have to admire the thought that goes into the human psyche that successful scamming takes. Re the tramps, I have to get something in return: a joke. It's amazing how few of them are willing to give that and stumble off muttering...

It's always been a problem. The most effective solution I've found is to save all the rubbish up in an unsightly pile then get the skip when you have a skip-full. Unfortunately it is neither convenient nor pleasant, but there you go. I hope you're thinking up some choice phrases for if you catch someone dumping their stuff in yours..!