Thursday, November 5, 2009

Married couple was told to drive 400 yards to recycle

A couple who tried to walk to their local recycling tip were turned away for health and safety reasons and told to make the 400 yard journey in their car instead.
David and Katie France thought they were being "doubly green" by taking their waste to the rubbish dump on foot.
But on arrival they were told it was unsafe for them to walk onto the site in case they got run over by a car.
Mr. France, 67, left his wife and the rubbish at the gate while he walked back home to get their Toyota Avensis car.
When he reached the depot he picked up his wife, loaded the vehicle with the recycling, drove onto the site and disposed of the rubbish before driving home.
Mr. France said: "It was farcical. I thought we were being doubly green by taking our recycling there on foot.
"But whatever good we did in recycling our waste was probably counteracted by the CO2 emissions we used up in our car."
The council responsible for tip said that because there is no "dedicated pedestrian access point" it was unsafe for people to walk there.
The couple, from Blandford, Dorset, had bits of unwanted scrap metal to get rid of so thought it best to take it to the nearby recycling centre.
Mr. France said they were met at the gate by an attendant in a fluorescent jacket who told them they weren't allowed in.
He said: "We didn't want the metal to scuff the upholstery in the car and we felt it was silly to take the car such a short distance.
"When we reached the tip we were met at the gate and told we couldn't come in.
"We asked why and the blanket phrase of health and safety was given as the reason.
"I can only assume we might have got run over by a car had we entered the tip on foot,
"So I had to leave my wife there while I dashed home to get the car. Katie jumped in at the gate and we unloaded the scrap metal.
"As we did so, another worker there offered to help us. You couldn't make it up."
Mr. France, a retired radio producer, said: "It is patently absurd that anyone without a car, or anyone who wishes to be 'green', is barred from the site.
"There is no logic here because people in cars have to get out and walk to unload their recycling.
"The signs outside the center make no mention of 'no pedestrians'. This was a job worth having his moment of power."
Mr. France has since written a letter of complaint to Dorset County Council about the episode but said he has received no proper explanation or apology.
A council spokesman said: "In general terms, the household recycling centers are designed for access by car and do not have dedicated access points for pedestrians.
"If residents have walked with the waste from their home then they will be allowed access on foot but will be advised against this practice on safety grounds."
He said the council will look into providing access for pedestrians when looking at the design of future recycling centers.

Cat catches the flu

A cat in Iowa has tested positive for H1N1 swine flu, the first time a cat has been diagnosed with the new pandemic strain.
The 13-year-old cat apparently caught the virus from one of the people living in the house, the American Veterinary Medical Association said in a statement. It has recovered and does not appear to have infected anyone or anything else.
Pigs are the original source of the H1N1 virus and it has been found in several herds, as well as in a pet ferret. Ferrets are especially susceptible to human influenza viruses.
"Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill," Iowa Department of Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Ann Garvey said in a statement.
"This is not completely unexpected, as other strains of influenza have been found in cats in the past." Both the cat and its owners have recovered from their illnesses.
The AVMA has a website on H1N1 illnesses in US animals. Dogs and horses can also catch various influenza strains, although none have so far been diagnosed with H1N1.
"Indoor pets that live in close proximity to someone who has been sick are at risk and it is wise to monitor their health to ensure they aren't showing signs of illness," said Dr David Schmitt, state veterinarian for Iowa.
The new H1N1 passes easily from person to person and has infected millions globally since March, killing at least 5000 people whose infections have been documented.

Funny Looking Hat


Etiquette Mistakes From Around the World

Politely placing the napkin on your lap and keeping your elbows off the table may be the etiquette essentials here in the good ol' USA but when it comes to hanging with friends and colleagues around the world, etiquette often takes on new meanings. Foxy talked to some international friends and did some digging on to find these important tips to keep in mind before you socialize or break bread with pals from across the ponds.
Coffee Break We may gulp lattes all day long, regardless of what time it is here, but in many European countries cappuccinos and other coffee drinks made with milk are enjoyed during the morning hours only. Espresso is what's consumed in the afternoons and evenings. So, don't be surprised when you get a funny look from the waiter after ordering your double latte with extra cream after that pesto pasta lunch.
No Ketchup Please Many French chefs are appalled if guests add condiments like ketchup and mustard to their culinary masterpieces before taking the first bite. They think it masks the true taste of the food -- so get used to your "pommes frites" without that dousing of ketchup.
Oops, All Gone Here in the States, it seems we've been taught to always clear our plates. In China on the other hand, if you gobble up every last morsel it could be insulting to the host as it means that he/she hasn't provided enough food. Keep things on the up and up and leave a few bites left. We're guessing it's probably best not to ask for a doggie bag, either!
Heads Up In Thailand, no matter how adorable someone's child is, resist the urge to give them a friendly pat on the noggin. It's taboo to touch the head, which is a revered body part.
No Sharing No matter how mouthwatering your palak paneer is, offering someone a taste from your plate is a big no-no in India, since it's considered unclean. Enjoy your dinner and rave about it all you want, but keep it to yourself.
A Few Pointers In India, if you want to call someone over, never use your finger to point or wag -- it's seen as condescending and insulting. Instead, hold your hand out, palm down, and scoop with your fingers. You'll get much better results!
Better Than Butter While dining out in Spain, get used to the idea of bread without butter. Ask for it at a restaurant and you'll most likely be told they don't have any. The preferred practice is to dip bread in olive oil -- and if you ask us, it's much yummier anyway!
A - O - K Never give anyone in Brazil the "OK" hand signal (using your thumb and pointer finger to make an O)... it's an obscene gesture that's likely to get you labeled both ignorant and extremely offensive!
Meat 'n' Milk In Israel, unless you know otherwise, assume that a household keeps kosher. That means mixing meat and dairy is not allowed. So no milk in your coffee after a belly-busting beef dinner (and no cheese on that burger, either!).
Sticky Splinters We're all familiar with the wooden chopsticks you get at Asian restaurants. They come stuck together, and you snap them apart which usually leaves a few stray splinters on the end. If this happens in Japan, holding the chopsticks between your palms and loudly clattering them together is a big insult to the waiter or sushi chef because it indicates that his utensils are cheap. Instead, rub one chopstick against the other gently.
Throw In The Towel In a Japanese restaurant, if you're given a hot rolled towel, use it only to wipe your hands. It's generally considered rude to wipe your face with (although at more informal restaurants, people may occasionally be seen doing it).
Service With A Smile Here in the US, many of us are used to serving ourselves and digging in family style at meals. But in China it's common for the host to place food on the guest's plates, so resist the urge to scoop up another helping of rice -- practice sitting back and relaxing, and enjoy letting the host put you on a pedestal.
Sole Purpose Think twice before sitting too casually in Egypt, or even stretching out your gams. Showing the soles of your feet or shoes is considered to be terribly rude -- yes, even if you're sporting Jimmy Choos!
Lip Service No matter how parched your lips may be, when traveling in Zimbabwe, never lick your lips while looking at someone of the opposite sex. While it may seem innocent enough to you, they consider it an obscene gesture.
Baby Steps Have a friend in Russia who's expecting a baby? Go ahead and browse all you want, but don't give them anything until after the little one arrives. It's considered bad luck to do so sooner.


Bet you didn’t notice that the
Viper Car logo when upside down looks like Daffy Duck a little.