Scam Alert

I am think they speaking English in Australia. :-)

Is that what you call it...

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:22:32 +0100, Charlie Self wrote (in article ):

They sent me a VERY long piece of string and a pair of water skis.....

On Thu, 2 Apr 2009 18:29:23 +0100, Morris Dovey wrote (in article ):

The first give away is anyone announcing themselves as "Mr." It's just so.. foreign. I can tolerate the bad engrish but the nasty etiquette is simply unforgivable.

Nayther Prince Albert nor ourself is amused by this unspeakable outrage. Behaviour of this ilk will be the downfall of the Empire, one day. V.R.

You may find it hard to believe, but some people still use and prefer to use the more formal "Mr.". There is nothing nasty about etiquette, only the lack of it. That, sir, is unforgivable.

Yes, but someone concerned with etiquette will not be sending unsolicited email attempting to steal money from people.

That is nasty, and the use of the formal "Mr." is indeed a feature of this type of scam.

You may find it hard to believe, but someone who follows etiquette can still be a lying thief bastard who deserves to be tied to an anthill, covered in honey and then executed after he passes out.

On Mon, 6 Apr 2009 04:57:20 +0100, Dave Balderstone wrote (in article ):

There is nothing wrong with addressing or introducing someone else as "Mr." The bad form is in introducing ones self this way. Perfectly correct would be I am/my name is Smith. " " John Smith " " John. Unforgivably gauche is My name is Mr. John Smith.

My issue was one of propriety, not of formality.

I trust that said person will remember to say "Please," while being tied to the anthill and "Thank you." after the honey is applied.

Try working in academia where everyone introduces themselves as "Dr." this-n-that.

I bet they don't introduce themselves to other doctoral-degreed professors that way, only to those with lesser academic qualifications -- which makes it doubly gauche.

The couple across the street are a chemist and a college professor, both now retired. I believe that, between the two of them, they have at least three doctorate and three masters degrees. They introduce themselves simply as "Gloria" and "Andrew".

My policy was, you don't get called, "Doctor," unless you can save my life. :-)

On Mon, 6 Apr 2009 19:14:25 +0100, Doug Miller wrote (in article ):

Now that is _class_

--The Reverend Doctor Bored Borg, spilling egg down his tie again.

Indeed.

I am proud to be able to count them among my friends.

It's nice to hear about the size 12 souls in the size 6 egos for a change, instead of always the other way 'round.

I'm sure I'd enjoy meeting your friends.

If you're ever passing through Indianapolis, let me know. I'll introduce you.

In Germany, it could well be Herr Doktor Doktor Doktor Schmidt.

What is REALLY silly is a lawyer's business card that reads

Helen Dorothy Smith, Esq.

In heraldry, "Esquire" is one rank above "Gentleman." I suppose the broads think they're better than we plebians.

From Wickipedia Esquire (abbreviated Esq.) is a term of British origin, originally used to denote social status. Ultimately deriving from the medieval squires who assisted knights, the term came to be used automatically by men of gentle birth. The social rank of Esquire is that above gentleman. More specifically, though, a distinction was made between men of the upper and lower gentry, who were "esquires" and "gentlemen" respectively (between, for example, "Thomas Smith, Esq." and "William Jones, Gent."). Today, however, the term may be appended to the name of any man not possessing a higher title (such as that of knighthood or peerage) or a clerical one. In the United States, however, "esquire" is most commonly assumed by lawyers in a professional capacity and has come to be associated by many Americans solely with the legal profession.

"Ed Pawlowski" wrote

=================

Interesting. I always thought the terms scumbag. bloodsucker, parasite and shyster were associated with the legal profession.

I've had the honor of working for/with some very brilliant minds in my industry -- PhD's and those who have the innate knowledge that a PhD would be a waste of their time. I've found that those who are really good are the most humble and personable people to be around. They are good, it's just a part of their being, they don't have to flaunt it. It's some of those who have gotten those credentials and who aren't really that good at what they do that are the most arrogant, irritating and difficult people to work with. They aren't really that good, they kind of sense that and in order to make up for that inadequacy, they tend to make up for lack of ability with bluster and bullying. The first group is a joy to know and work with, the latter, not so much. Sounds like your friends are members of the first group.

There is a third group who are just plain people, regardless of their talents who don't use their abilities as the focus of their being. They are also good people with whom to be associated.

Yabbut that doesn't fit on a business card very well.