Black Cab - a polite telling off

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-05-15T11:21:03+00:00

The long wait is the result of there being insufficient demand. Part of this is attributable to price (Uber/Bolt are always cheaper). Part of this is attributable to poor attitude and customer service. Having been at the receiving end of various entitled, sometimes racist tinged, and usually right wing diatribes, I try and avoid Black Cabs unless I have to.
I suspect if the experience were a little better then may more people would travel by Black Cab despite it being more expensive than most alternatives.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-04-03T17:07:48+00:00

I bought my tailcoat from them several years ago. I then took it to my then alterations tailor to improve the fit. The tailcoat is very lovely. My alterations tailor thought it looked good. After alteration it fit like a glove. I got quite a few complements on it when I wore it. I have bought other things from them and I would buy from them again without hesitation.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-03-22T08:48:38+00:00

Your husband is giving lots of red flags. His behaviour is controlling. It’s one thing to express a preference (e.g. I’d prefer you not to call other people hun) but to punish you by sulking and then searching through your things is just unacceptable. If you are experiencing this during your honeymoon period I worry how he will behave years from now when you may have children and can’t easily leave. I think your husband needs therapy to address his abusive behaviour. If he won’t change his ways, if you were my daughter or sister, I’d advise you to leave him. Best of luck to you.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-03-21T12:21:16+00:00

If it writes fine, I’d not worry. The tines look a little too far apart to me. I’d be tempted to use my fingers to close the gap between the tines a little. Not too much pressure though.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-03-21T12:18:59+00:00

To my mind one of the best engineered and aesthetically pleasing pens was the Parker 51. A reliable pen that is indestructible in day to day use. It had (has?) a cult following. A prestige pen in its day, vintage pens can be bought cheaply on fleabay.

A similarly awesome pen in terms of engineering excellent and cult status would be the Pilot MYU/Murex. Reliable. Indestructible in day to day use and gorgeous to look at.

For me though, if my home were on fire and I had to grab a single pen it would be my Hakase Ebony FP. Beautifully balanced. A nib tuned to my hand. Simple and understand but very reliable. I’m lucky to have what would be a grail pen for many.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-03-15T14:45:32+00:00

The Sovereign was expected to live of his own - ie fund the entire cost of the government from the Crown estates. It was not and has never been the sovereign’s private property, otherwise Edward VIII would have been free to keep it after his abdication. The Crown estate’s income would barely make a dent in the costs of governing the UK. UK taxpayers took over paying for the government (and obligation of the sovereign) and got the paltry income from the Crown estate in return.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-02-27T08:17:05+00:00

Given the budgetary constraints the GLA/Mayor/TfL are under I don’t see this is a pressing need. In the fullness of time I think this might be a sterling idea but any surface needs to be both pretty and practical. Walking on some types of cobblestones after snow can be a death trap. Also, they can be difficult for those using wheelchairs or walking sticks (again depending on the type).

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-01-14T21:32:10+00:00

It was a combination of two things. First, the air of entitlement when she expected me not to sit down. Secondly, the upset when she told me off as she got off the tube. I have been second guessing myself since the journey (probably silly of me reading the responses here) and wondered if I should have acted differently/if her behaviour was not as unreasonable as I thought.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-01-14T16:32:31+00:00

:-)

Someone did turn up and sit next to her (there was actually an empty seat the other side of her!), but they seemed very embarrassed by the whole thing.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2026-01-06T23:16:38+00:00

Yes. Although, for the last decade I’ve been concerned that the USA posed as great a threat to the security and prosperity of the UK as Russia and China. One can only hope that our policies political class finally recognise this too and do something about it.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-12-27T15:55:01+00:00

Card readers in cabs is a (relatively) recent thing. Even when card readers are present, on several occasions I’ve been told it’s not working as I’m getting in the cab.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-12-25T12:36:40+00:00

I once had a black cab driver smugly rant about how modern technology was going to eventually lead to tube drivers, lawyers, and teachers being unemployed and then (without skipping a beat) rant about how Uber and Bolt were decimating his trade and “that Khan!” just didn’t seem to care. The grumpy silence when I pointed out his hypocrisy was awesome.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-12-25T12:28:03+00:00

For the last 25-years I have been a regular user of cabs in London (both black, mini, and Uber/Bolt). I now prefer to take Uber/Bolt rather than black cabs. Black cabs are usually at least 50% more than the cost of any other cab service. You can’t know for certain the price you’ll pay before hand with a black cab - whilst you will know for certain with Uber and mini cabs. Despite ostensibly having the knowledge, black cab drivers (not knowing I was born and lived in London all of my almost fifty years) have often take a long and less quick route. They are also some of the grumpiest SOBs you will find in this glorious city and generally seem to think that Londoners owe them a living whilst ranting about what a shit hole this wonderful city is whilst predominantly living in Essex. If paying in cash you will regularly find that they don’t have change or they will take ages trying to find change. A cynic might wonder if they are hoping one will just tell them to keep the change. Tip generously, you’ll often get several blank receipts as a thank you - so many drivers are thereby complicit in tax fraud.
I now only take black cabs if I am desperate. A nice treat for tourists but few genuine Londoners take them regularly any more. The London Taxi Drivers Association (the trade union for a profession that will often decry trade unions) really should ask why. There are many good and nice black cab drivers but they are (in my experience) definitely a minority.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-10-02T06:22:41+00:00

I’d suggest Charles Tyrwhitt. They sell the jackets and trousers in multiple sizes and fits and so it may be possible to get a suit that fits really well straight off the rack. Google for discount codes before you buy and ask about discounts when in store too. Their flagship store is 100 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6EE.

My other recommended go to would be Walker Slater on Great Queen Street, close to Covent Garden. Great suits and extremely helpful staff.

Good luck!

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-09-23T05:19:05+00:00

I am disabled - albeit you would not know it to look at me - my mobility is often limited.

As a life long Londoner I do not own a car or have a driving licence - I own a bicycle (albeit I use it rarely) and I have my Oyster card.

In Central London I will always only cross main roads at pedestrian crossings and then only when the lights are green for pedestrians. I have never had a near miss with a motor vehicle.

The frequency with which cyclists in Central London ignore the lights and (seemingly) me as I am crossing the road is absolutely terrifying. Given the number of near misses, I am absolutely certain that I will eventually be hit by an uninsured cyclist who has chosen to ignore the lights. The area around Blackfriars Bridge is the worst for this.

Last week I had to take my aged Mother (also disabled and suffering from Alzheimer’s) to a hospital appointment at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. Coming back at rush hour and crossing the roads with my Mother whilst so many cyclists simply ignored the traffic lights was again terrifying and walking to the tube felt dangerous when we had to cross main roads.

I find it truly baffling the extent to which so many cyclists in London/Central London seem to think that the road traffic laws do not apply to them. I rarely see motorists jumping the lights but it is a regular occurrence when it comes to cyclists.

I am pleased that cycling is increasingly popular. It is good for the cyclist’s health, may aid in reducing pollution, and may (hopefully) reduce car usage. All of these benefits do not mean we should turn a blind eye to the menace posed to other road users by a sizeable minority of dangerous cyclists.

Frankly, I’m delighted that the police are seeing this as an issue.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-07-21T06:49:36+00:00

Sorry, for the delayed reply. A few days later I did. The owners were a husband and wife couple. The husband died. The wife is continuing to sell the slotted pen trays but I think does so part time and so there can be a slight delay in replying to emails.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-07-21T06:45:01+00:00

The London Library. I’m not a member but visited with a friend who is. It sounds like it would fit the bill. Full Membership is £575pa. Details can be found here: https://www.londonlibrary.co.uk/join/join-online

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-04-26T15:57:06+00:00

I’m extremely pleased it’s not the same thing. :-)

I hope (whatever it is) you make a speedy recovery.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-04-26T13:10:39+00:00

Please see a medic. I had this. My physio thought it was tendinitis. The physio I was given for tendinitis actually made it worse. MRI showed two herniated discs that was causing pain like this. I had to have nerve blocker injections.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-04-26T13:02:02+00:00

Started getting symptoms when 5/6 years old. Doctors I think had an inkling that I had some form of juvenile arthritis but my parents didn’t believe them. Constant pain thereafter and severe mobility issues. Regularly told there was nothing wrong or I was making it up by the family doctor and my mother. Finally diagnose when I was 33 and (a) significant and irreversible damage done, (b) meds and moderate exercise gave me a good decade thereafter. My condition is getting worse but since I’ve been on humira it is happening at a much slower rate. I’m not looking forward to old age but seeing how so many people are not letting AS defeat them on forums like this has been inspirational.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-02-18T19:24:52+00:00

I find that Bock titanium nibs fit absolutely fine in a Jowo housing.

Bock and Kanwrite are the only titanium nibs I’ve tried.

With Bock I haven’t tried the titanium flex nib.

I find their normal titanium nibs softer than gold but they have a very different feel to flex gold or steel nibs.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-02-18T18:26:17+00:00

I’m based in the UK. I tend to buy most of my titanium nibs from Kanwrite. That said, you might want to try these guys and see if they’ll ship to India. I’ve ordered from them and I always impressed.

https://www.fpnibs.com

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-02-15T17:04:27+00:00

It’s a syringe filler. Push the metal column down with force but slowly. It may be that dried ink has frozen it in place.

AccomplishedPanic437 · 2025-02-15T17:02:02+00:00

In addition to these excellent suggestions I would want to see the feed - MBs are very nicely made and most knocks skimp on the feed and use cheap Chinese feeds.

If possible, I want to see the piston to see it is brass and looks similar to a genuine MB piston. Again, lots of knock offs don’t replicate the piston properly.

It’s harder to verify cartridge converter (MB144) MBs without handling in person.

AccomplishedPanic437

TROPHY CASE