Ladymuck

Too right;-) *does a "high five" with Ridgley*

Thank you expat. He is about an hour or so a drive from Helsinki - out in the sticks. His current hotel is the only one there: it is convenient to his place of work. Were he to move this would incur travelling costs and a troublesome journey into work in the cold (public transportation is limited and he has not hired a car). You sound as though you know a bit about Helsinki and its environs?

What about Declan Nerney (remember him LOL??);-)

> At least hand it to > someone and get a receipt... He has tried this and has been told that the procedure is to leave the cash in the room. Apparently, upon its collection, a receipt will be left in its place.

Yes, I have to say I am with you Sean (and karter): sometimes you just have to trust. As for you, your Majesty, hubby is definitely with you! But there is - even in my overly trusting mind - this little speck of apprehension. It's not an insignificant amount of dosh to lose. (And he is working so hard, in the extreme cold, with little daylight, away from home :().

I think Ed Byrne would make a far better candidate. At least he's funny (cute too). The Irish could do with a good laugh at the moment.

You calling me naive?

We didn't - that's the point! We thought it was a wind-up! And, no - not a drop of Irish in me...unless you count the 3 glasses of Baileys I drank by a friend last night...

Crikey, I don't know! Seems the obvious thing to do though! ha ha I shall speak to him tonight and - ahem - suggest it... Oh you've made me laugh...:))

I must admit, I thought like Ridgley: i.e. is this a wind-up?

Hubby is currently contracting in Finland, so things like accommodation are down to him. Prior to leaving for Finland, he pre-booked a hotel on-line for a few days only - just in case it didn't correspond with his requirements. It is an internet-only hotel - so no walk-ins. Thankfully, this temporary place of residence suits his needs and he now wishes to extend his stay for a month. On approaching the, on the face of it, highly laid back hotel "management" to do this, he was instructed to simply leave the money in his room in an envelope for someone to collect at some point during the day (whilst he is at work). Hubby's view is that, bearing in mind that we are not talking about a pittance here, this - to a street-wise Londoner, anyway - all seems rather odd. I should say that, for better or for worse, I have a tendency to overly trust (so I am constantly told), and so - on hearing of hubby's "predicament" - my first reaction was one of delight that the Finns appeared to be devoid of the distrust prevalent in cities like London. Hubby, however, is far more sceptical and is worried about leaving a wad of cash in the room in this way. Apparently, there is no other mechanism for extending the stay. So what should he do? Is his cynicism justified or am I being a bit too naive?

Sorry - a final point. From what you have said, it is possible that the company in question may deliberately be using delaying tactics due to the time limits involved (of which they will be aware). Put everything in writing (including the fact that you did not receive any correspondence and that they appear to be ignoring you) and send everything by recorded delivery so that you have (a) proof of posting and (b) proof of receipt at the other end. It is fairly straightforward: albeit timeconsuming and annoying. So do not allow them to put you off.

You MUST ask them for their complaints procedure if you wish to later proceed to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman Service often takes a dim view of complainants if they attempt to pursue a claim without having first followed the insurer's complaints procedure. Then follow that to the letter. As per ratty, that will usually do the trick. Note: there are time limits involved, so get cracking. Good Luck.

My thread seems heavy-going???!!!!! You're avvin a laff mate! Your God thread makes mine look like something out of teletubbies! On the rare occasion my pea-brain has attempted to contribute to that most arduous and cerebral of (God) threads, I have been told off for messing about! I'll never forget the time the esteemed Chair of the moment saw fit to issue a reprimand for quoting Homer Simpson. So, so, funny. Oh dear, oh dear, my eyes weep as the memory comes flooding back...

Blimey, I am flattered that you thought I might know WOD. Unfortunately I only know what I have read in Narnia's links. My interest lies with the reduction of the MW of employees who are already on the lowest of wages: i.e. the poorest and most vulnerable in Irish society. This thread was merely to discover the latest position as I have been away and couldn't find it: it wasn't meant to progress into an academic debate:-$. I suppose I should have placed the request in the "wanted" section. Sorry to disappoint you. Can anyone else assist WOD?

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He's still not returned then:'(

It never ceases to amaze me how threads can...erm...progress... PGC what must you think? *PMSL*

You really want to know? Well, my Drawing Room thread, which - admittedly is primarily concerned with the UK - might give you a clue or two (have you never looked at it?). But, at the risk of sounding an utter bore, any erosion of employees' rights bothers me. The proposed MW cut in Ireland is a major step back (in my opinion) given the reasons for its introduction in the first place. But, importantly, Ireland, as well as being a member of the EU, is a close neighbour of ours: thin edge of the wedge and all of that. It doesn't bode well. Such matters just happen to interest me.

No no no no no Dita! LOL! I used the phrase "on pitch" earlier (as opposed to the phrase "on the pitch"). Narnia surmised that I might have picked this up from Northern footie chums (there's another: "footie"). Given that I am a Londoner and there are quite a few Northerners in our team, I thought it was funny that he should spot that. As for the theory that your being offside might have something to do with your Northern roots...sorry, but you can't use that excuse; coz me iz a London-err (ear me now) and me iz offside waay more dan you innit...:))

Ooooh thank you Narnia. But how come I didn't find that? (Rhetorical question). Anyway, re. the cuts to minimum wage: thin edge of the wedge if you ask me (but you haven't - so I'll shut up and just be grateful for the article). Interesting vis a vis the welfare benefits. Although I didn't ask for it, thanks for that too!

This post by louisiana has had me in stitches for much of the time: 'uman rights Posted by: louisiana Yesterday, 05:00PM Today, I have been accosted by some demolition peeps undertaking unlawful work (according to Southwark council; Southwark planning enforcement due to visit, when they get a moment in their busy schedule) a few feet from my bedroom window, who said I was contravening their ooman rights by taking photos of what they were doing with a 30-foot-high caterpillar (major works, none with permission). I feel I'm in the midst of an Partridge sketch. What is the craziest citation of 'uman rights that you have come across?

I was following this prior to going away and then forgot all about it. I cannot now find which point this situation has reached. Does anyone know? Are the cuts still going ahead?

Do they stock fresh longans?

Gosh - how dreadful. I'm willing to bet that the amphetamines affected his heart and were more than a minor contributing factor in this. Very sad.