In todays news...

[Horse]

Re Foal, he's bar staff, serving to both pub and restaurant customers. They also have waiting and kitchen staff.

Service is shared between them all, divvied by hours worked IIRC

[Cousin Jack]

One chain restaurant in MK (about 10 years ago) took about 2%, so 1/5 of a 10% tip, for the company. Even worse, if you didn't make enough tips to cover their slice they deducted it from wages.

It was illegal even then.

[Mr. Dazzle]

...but there's no reduction if you bring your own.

Well....does rather prompt the thought; can I just forgo napkins and bring my own wet wipes?

[wheelnut]

Do you have the figures as I've not seen them, how do they compare with other countries such as Spain & Italy which have a higher percentage of 1st cousin marriages then we do?

Matthew Syed’s column in today’s Sunday Times covers the subject. Apparently British Pakastani births make up 3.4% of the birth rate but 30% of recessive gene disorders.

[KungFooBob]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr9v1ppglo

At 10-11 kids these days are delivering drugs on Sur-Rons and robbing the local Co-op, not getting upset cos there's no Santa.

[Skub]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr9v1ppglo

At 10-11 kids these days are delivering drugs on Sur-Rons and robbing the local Co-op, not getting upset cos there's no Santa.

There'd likely be less fuss if the vicar had told the congregation god wasn't real.

[MrLongbeard]

Do you have the figures as I've not seen them, how do they compare with other countries such as Spain & Italy which have a higher percentage of 1st cousin marriages then we do?

Matthew Syed’s column in today’s Sunday Times covers the subject. Apparently British Pakastani births make up 3.4% of the birth rate but 30% of recessive gene disorders.

Those figures were cited in Parliament in 2005 and are from a study conducted in 2002, I'd have thought there would be some up to date figures available.
Meh, I can't see any government taking it on, so the problem will sort itself out when the bottom of the genetic barrel has been well and truly scraped and their lines are no longer viable.

[Mr. Dazzle]

30% of recessive gene disorders.

Does being ginger count?

[KungFooBob]

30% of recessive gene disorders.

Does being ginger count?

Yes, cos Santa doesn't visit gingers.

and they smell of piss.

[Saga Lout]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr9v1ppglo

At 10-11 kids these days are delivering drugs on Sur-Rons and robbing the local Co-op, not getting upset cos there's no Santa.

How can any child make it to 10 years old and still believe in Father Christmas?

(My son still believed in Father Christmas until he was about 20 but that was because I told him if he didn't believe I wouldn't need to buy him any presents. )

[Count Steer]

Do you want chips with that?

Thought this was an interesting read* on why Intel is failing, as is the move to become more independent of Taiwan (and S Korea) for stuff that's critical for many things (inc weapons).

https://theconversation.com/western-sel ... o%20happen

* it landed today, so I guess that's today's news.

[weeksy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr9v1ppglo

At 10-11 kids these days are delivering drugs on Sur-Rons and robbing the local Co-op, not getting upset cos there's no Santa.

How can any child make it to 10 years old and still believe in Father Christmas?

(My son still believed in Father Christmas until he was about 20 but that was because I told him if he didn't believe I wouldn't need to buy him any presents. )

Loads still do IMO until at least 10-12 and then it's lost... I'm pretty sure mine was 12.

[Horse]

the move to become more independent of Taiwan (and S Korea) for stuff that's critical for many things (inc weapons).

Hmm

Long-term strategic thinking? "Goodbye SK, hello PRC"?

[Cousin Jack]

the move to become more independent of Taiwan (and S Korea) for stuff that's critical for many things (inc weapons).

Hmm

Long-term strategic thinking? "Goodbye SK, hello PRC"?

More like "Goodbye SE Asia" if the US starts to fall behind China in weapons technology. Followed by "Goodbye NATO"?

[Saga Lout]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr9v1ppglo

At 10-11 kids these days are delivering drugs on Sur-Rons and robbing the local Co-op, not getting upset cos there's no Santa.

How can any child make it to 10 years old and still believe in Father Christmas?

(My son still believed in Father Christmas until he was about 20 but that was because I told him if he didn't believe I wouldn't need to buy him any presents. )

Loads still do IMO until at least 10-12 and then it's lost... I'm pretty sure mine was 12.

I made it to about 16 still believing in the other all seeing, all knowing supernatural being who rewards you if you're good and punishes you if you're bad.

[Horse]

How can any child make it to 10 years old and still believe in Father Christmas?

(My son still believed in Father Christmas until he was about 20 but that was because I told him if he didn't believe I wouldn't need to buy him any presents. )

Loads still do IMO until at least 10-12 and then it's lost... I'm pretty sure mine was 12.

I made it to about 16 still believing in the other all seeing, all knowing supernatural being who rewards you if you're good and punishes you if you're bad.

At age 7 I asked "Who was God's dad?" and went from there.

[mangocrazy]

the move to become more independent of Taiwan (and S Korea) for stuff that's critical for many things (inc weapons).

Hmm

Long-term strategic thinking? "Goodbye SK, hello PRC"?

More like "Goodbye SE Asia" if the US starts to fall behind China in weapons technology. Followed by "Goodbye NATO"?

Or if China decides to take Taiwan and its chip-manufacturing expertise and capability 'in house'. That really could be the start of WW3 (he said cheerfully)...

[Horse]

On the FT today:

https://www.ft.com/content/051247d4-12e ... 7a5d5460b0

Mary McGee, motorbike racing pioneer, 1936-2024

But I don't have access, so:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_McGee

Mary McGee (née Connor; December 12, 1936 – November 27, 2024) was an American motorsport racing pioneer. She was the first woman to compete in motorcycle road racing and motocross events in the United States. Starting out as a sports car racer, she competed in motorcycle road racing and motocross from 1960 to 1976, then began competition again in 2000 in vintage motocross events. Her last race was in 2012.[1] In 2013, McGee was named an FIM Legend for her pioneering motorcycle racing career.

[Mr. Dazzle]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr9v1ppglo

At 10-11 kids these days are delivering drugs on Sur-Rons and robbing the local Co-op, not getting upset cos there's no Santa.

How can any child make it to 10 years old and still believe in Father Christmas?

(My son still believed in Father Christmas until he was about 20 but that was because I told him if he didn't believe I wouldn't need to buy him any presents. )

Loads still do IMO until at least 10-12 and then it's lost... I'm pretty sure mine was 12.

It's quite sweet watching the mental gymnastics Baby D (7) goes through.

She's always been an inquisitive sort of kid and quite a critical thinker. Without any nudging from us (quite the contrary) she's come to the conclusion that Santa must have regional representatives to be able to get around the world so quick, that he must be able to unlock doors, is invisible and can track Mum and Dad's phones to work out when we're away somewhere else at Christmas time.

She'll probably figure it out soon

[Cousin Jack]

How can any child make it to 10 years old and still believe in Father Christmas?

(My son still believed in Father Christmas until he was about 20 but that was because I told him if he didn't believe I wouldn't need to buy him any presents. )

Loads still do IMO until at least 10-12 and then it's lost... I'm pretty sure mine was 12.

It's quite sweet watching the mental gymnastics Baby D (7) goes through.

She's always been an inquisitive sort of kid and quite a critical thinker. Without any nudging from us (quite the contrary) she's come to the conclusion that Santa must have regional representatives to be able to get around the world so quick, that he must be able to unlock doors, is invisible and can track Mum and Dad's phones to work out when we're away somewhere else at Christmas time.

She'll probably figure it out soon

She has sussed it out already. She is constructing that logic just to keep Mum and Dad sweet. At least until after Xmas.