I reckon AO is a bloke. Even ignoring the safety aspects, a bathroom is surely a safe (and private) space? doubt you'd get that with the washing machine in there...

these songs are folk songs, and tell a story...they're not all necessarily about the IRA (that's just recent history)..It's no different to I fought the law. Irish folk songs are great drinking songs... It's also about the fact Irish history is rarely understood in England.

I wonder what Anon's take is on Trump's obvious hatred for the Mayor of London?

I'd suggest getting the current Canadian Head of State to tell Trump to grow up, or no more royal treats...

you know, you could always watch the local weather when they show the local news after the nationals?

There's a generation of young men stuck at home, not knowing how to talk to people (well, women really) & getting validation from the right. I agree with OP in that there's got to be a way to encourage them to get out of the house, but not sure how you make it acceptable enough that they will do it.

Yes, I agree. I do like my chips... unfortunately, my GP now reckons a salad would be better (cholesterol).. Got to be honest though, the death of social clubs and the price of a night out doesn't help in getting people off the internet and into the real world either...

there's a valid point to be made here, but it's not as simple as just eat some chips...

I'm not great at public speaking, and nobody has ever called me defective...

that's because audio (or the written word) helps you visualise these things in your mind, which is always more potent than any film.

I'm pretty sure that there is a link between the rise of airpods and the number of people being rude pricks whilst on their phones.

my dad was like this, but I don't think it was his fault, i think it was just that many baby boomers didn't really know how to do the emotional side of 'dad' things.

this is one where your response will be based on your own experiences (my mother's death was awful). The fact nobody talks about dying just means that the majority of people don't know how to react when you reach a point where it's going to happen sooner rather than later.

I'm convinced that, after his retirement, my dad was radicalised on line by facebook and the DM.

Reform turning into the new Tory Party will see the end of Farage, and he knows it. Now all we need is some form of PR, and Lab/Lib/anybody but the fascists will be in power for a long time.

there are so many follow up questions needed here...i suspect you see yourself as the good guy here but, personally, I'm not convinced you are.

Christmas 2024 was my first without my mum, so I cancelled it. Christmas 2025, I put the tree up but not all the decorations.. I knew I had to make the effort, or may never do it again.. Next Christmas will be hard, but your wife would want you to at least bring Santa out, if nothing else.