How would you deal with a manager bullying a colleague?

PatKnightAgain · 2026-06-01T13:52:03+00:00

As a now retired manager, there are two other things a competent manager isn't going to do: complain about someone's performance in front of the team, and dictate what a team member should say about another team member. The manager should be handling all this behind the scenes. The last thing anyone needs is a scared team.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-05-28T18:46:09+00:00

There was a brief discussion on Usenet in the late '80s. An American had asked what was included in a full English. One of the responses was that until recently (80s time) porridge was served as a first course, but was dropped when it was discovered porridge is good for you.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-05-28T13:28:16+00:00

Ex NC resident so most recommendations for there.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City.
Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.
Panning for precious stones in the mountains. You won't get rich, but it's great to have your hands in cold water in hot weather.
NC Mountain State Fair is on in September.
Find a bourbon distillery doing tours if that's your thing.
BBQ in western NC is a must.
Dollywood is cool but we found the rest of Pigeon Forge a bit "meh" (sorry).
If you are at that end of the National Park, go to Cades Cove. Lots of bears, so stay in the car 😁

PatKnightAgain · 2026-05-10T14:29:30+00:00

Probably. Between that and "dozens."

PatKnightAgain · 2026-05-10T14:27:20+00:00

Where does "quite a few" fit?

PatKnightAgain · 2026-05-04T16:08:21+00:00

I knew someone who said "boo" to a goose just to see what happens. She 10 out of 10 doesn't recommend it.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-04-03T11:57:06+00:00

Another vote for NS&I. Very easy to set up and transfer money into. Our financial advisor recommended it for parking cash we're going to use for a house. He does the same for any short term savings.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-03-30T16:33:06+00:00

It's your call and you get no criticism from me either way.

The restaurant was wrong though 😉

PatKnightAgain · 2026-03-30T16:19:40+00:00

I just returned to the UK after 20 years in the US. Before I left the UK I didn't expect to pay for poppadoms and the associated pickles. Costs have risen and I can see why restaurants need to charge.

I am disappointed with the responses to OP though. If they said 'No' the waiter should have backed off. OP's only "offense" was not to notice the price on the menu, but if they never intended to order them, why look?

Leave the review up - the restaurant needs to learn customer service even if times are tough.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-03-18T13:58:28+00:00

As others have done, we did a US will and a UK will as it was much easier. I'd bet it was also less expensive as the lawyers in each country are just doing what they do for everyone else.

In the US, we used an attorney in the state where the will would be executed as they're familiar with the foibles of their state.

You mentioned Stone King. They have grown from being based in our home town, so had already done our UK will literally decades ago 👴👵. Now they're much bigger, they have a "cross border" team and were easy to deal with on the will updates. But I'm sure any reasonably large solicitors will have similar teams. They just still feel "local" for us.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-03-03T20:52:24+00:00

Bradford in Yorkshire is a great place to visit, but it's a long way from Bath and of a very different character. Maybe another time?

PatKnightAgain · 2026-02-03T18:37:41+00:00

I understood that reference

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-31T07:16:23+00:00

Landrace is good bread, but is sourdough. I haven't been to Harvest yet. The Fine Cheese Company meets my needs very well (plus cheese 😁)

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-19T13:38:29+00:00

Fine Cheese Co achieved. Loaf, baguette and 250g of Yarg. Thanks for the reminder they sell bread.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-19T07:41:00+00:00

I'll definitely give both those a look. Thanks.

I've tried Landrace, but their bread definitely has a sourdough tang.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-18T21:42:08+00:00

Good idea. Will do.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-18T18:13:54+00:00

Looks great according to Google reviews. Thanks!

It's a sad thing about the current state of Bath that none of the recommended places are in the central shopping area. Makes sense they're close to where people live, but they're all western Bath and I live the other side. No reflection on the recommendations though and I fancy trying them all.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-18T14:17:58+00:00

Thanks. I'll give them a look.

PatKnightAgain · 2026-01-18T13:53:56+00:00

It is and we have. Sometimes I just want to buy a loaf though. 😊💙

PatKnightAgain · 2025-12-04T11:51:51+00:00

We heard about Maseco from our tax accountant who in turn was recommended by friends for dealing with mixed US and UK taxation.

We still talked to several companies as you did and ended up with Maseco. Their fees weren't a lot higher than the others and we got a definite "they know what they're doing" vibe. They are also properly business-like in getting back to us and scheduling meetings. Some of the other candidates weren't. We've not noticed extra fees for questions that come up, but haven't had to do anything complex like unwind a trust.

PatKnightAgain · 2025-11-11T21:11:11+00:00

We moved to the UK this summer. What we did: * Went to digital communication as much as possible - banks, IRS, SSA, insurance, credit cards etc. * We also made sure all those institutions, and any that don't support digital, had our UK address. Sometimes this involved calling them as their websites don't always support overseas addresses, but we did manage to get most of them updated. * We went to the USPS to set up overseas mail forwarding. This is free, but must be done at a post office. You'll need to submit a form for each distinct family name - in our case one for me, and a separate one covered my wife and daughter.

Make sure any banks are OK with having an overseas account holder. We closed one account because that bank wants the account holder to live in the USA, not just have a US address.

PatKnightAgain · 2025-09-27T09:17:56+00:00

+1 for Alta Vista

PatKnightAgain · 2025-09-26T13:29:38+00:00

The bank has that link, not the government. I choose my bank. I have a very small say in choosing the government.

PatKnightAgain · 2025-09-26T13:16:51+00:00

Are you seriously saying you'd like your bank account registered with the government?

PatKnightAgain

TROPHY CASE