Men 'of A Type'.

[andy-hughes]

Has anyone else noticed, there is a particular 'type' of older man who exists in our country.

He is probably late sixties, early seventies.

He has a continually grim expression on his face, as though smiling or laughing would be physically painful.

He is always accompanied by a similarly sour-faced wife who habitually walks behind him as he strides along, going through doors and sometimes, but not always holding them for his wife to follow.

If he does speak to his wife, it's to bark something at her which usually doesn't need a reply.

If he speaks to anyone else, it is as though he is chewing granite, when he refers to his child as 'the daughter' or 'the lad'.

I notice these men are prevalent on cruises, so obviously they have some disposable income, and equally obviously, it doesn't seem to make them happy.

Anyone else noticed these 'types'?

[237SJ]

I haven't read all of the replies but I think it is unfair to say that there is a certain type of man "in this country". I met the most unbelievably rude American at work last night. He was so bad that I just had to laugh every time I spoke to him. You can find them everywhere

[andy-hughes]

Just to clarify a couple of responses - this may not be a particularly 'English' thing - I have noticed it especially on cruise holidays, which are populated by English passengers.

Oh, and anyone who thinks a cruise on a P & O liner bears an resemblance to a 'package holiday' has probably not been on one to know the difference.

[andy-hughes]

237SJ - // I haven't read all of the replies but I think it is unfair to say that there is a certain type of man "in this country". I met the most unbelievably rude American at work last night. //

To be clear, I am not actually pointing out men of a certain age who are rude, it's more to do with their facial expression and general demeanour, than actually being rude to people. Some are, but by no means all - they are just dour and seem to enjoy complaining.

And as I have pointed out, if you are lucky enough to be on a cruise liner with the level of luxury and comfort that P & O offer, you really have no business moaning about it at all.

[New Judge]

"And as I have pointed out, if you are lucky enough to be on a cruise liner with the level of luxury and comfort that P & O offer, you really have no business moaning about it at all."

Depends who your fellow cruisers are :-)

[237SJ]

AH - I have noticed that you can't place people from their facial expressions or general demeanour. People can be lovely and charming on the surface but you don't know what is going on beneath the surface.

[andy-hughes]

New Judge - // Depends who your fellow cruisers are :-) //

There are two systems for dining in the evenings, you can be placed on a table of two, four, six, or eight - your choice - and that table, and your dining companions, are set for the duration.

The other system is called 'freedom dining', when you get placed on the table size you choose when you get to the restaurant, and you sit with whomever they place you with.

The second option suits us, because you don;t get stuck with people you just don;t gel with (a couple of bad experiences put us off) and if you do like people, you can arrange to meet up with them and dine with them again as often as you like.

Other than that, the ship is big enough not to have to spend time with anyone you find not condusive to a good time.

[andy-hughes]

237SJ - // AH - I have noticed that you can't place people from their facial expressions or general demeanour. People can be lovely and charming on the surface but you don't know what is going on beneath the surface. //

Of course, I entirely take your point - I speak as someone whose natural relaxed expression resembles that of a German general who has just seen the Russians coming over the hill! And I am excellent company.

This is really just a light-hearted observation, it's not intended to be a decisive social experiment, just an idea for people to think about and add their observations.

[237SJ]

I know. I have been flying for nearly 33 years. I get it (oh God, I could tell you some stories) -)

[naomi24]

//you can be placed on a table of two, four, six, or eight - your choice - and that table, and your dining companions, are set for the duration.

The other system is called 'freedom dining', when you get placed on the table size you choose when you get to the restaurant, and you sit with whomever they place you with.//

Lovely!

[Theland]

And if they ask you if you would like to dine with the captain, tell them that after paying all this money you refuse to eat with the crew!

[hazydaisy]

Why bother to acknowledge them?

[albaqwerty]

hah! one of my neighbours was exactly like that.
Soor ploom-faced - no enjoyment in life.

Mr Alba had dealings with him in a professional capacity and no-one had a good word to say for the soor-ploom faced git.

Unfortunately, since his demise, not even his only daughter has been to visit Mum, who was the woman who walked 2 paces beind the soor-plooomed git.

Smile and the world smiles with you, grim and well, they don't seem to enjoy life do they ?

[Cloverjo]

I find it quite funny that people want to dine at the Captain's table. I've been on a few cruises and have been invited to do so, but always turned it down.
We always ask for a table for 2, but on one cruise the next table was so close we might as well been on a table for 4.
We tried to ignore each other but after a couple of days you have to acknowledge them and chat a bit.
Not my ideal type of holiday.

[Cloverjo]

Ooh, I sound like a female version of Andy's grumpy men on cruises.
I do like people sometimes, but find it hard to chat. So I like to avoid it if I can.

[ummmm]

My last holiday there were hardly and brits so we rarely conversed with people other than the staff. Perfect.

[RobNorth]

Sounds a bit like poor Richard on his cruise with Hyacinth - "desperate" seems to sum it up.

[sanmac]

I vaguely remember dining at the table of the Captain of the Titanic, Edward J. Smith, and he said, lifting up his brandy snifter: "Well, sanmac, old chap, bottoms up...I had no idea at the time how portentous that toast would be.