Sharia law being imposed in London "Muslim areas"

[SpineyNorman]

But we don't waste money exchanging unwanted tat.

In my family we've come up with our own unique means of avoiding this. Me and my old man noticed that the Argos catalog kept appearing into the bog on Christmas day and boxing day. We were perplexed for ages about it, then realised what it was all about when I went in there after my youngest niece to do a yule log and found it open on the page that the computer game he'd got her was on. We deduced that the cheeky little bugger had been checking the price. We decided that, since neither of us could resist doing the same, everyone must do it. So to save them the effort, and to avoid unwanted gifts, we both decided we would just give cash from then on - everyone knows exactly how much it's worth and if you don't want money then you're obviously too well off to deserve a present from me anyway. It has proven to be a complete success.

 

[free spirit]

Never! Im a firm adherent of consumeristmas.

are you sure you're not just saying that?

well ok then I'll let you off.

Personally I reckon Christmas should start around midday Christmas eve for christmas shopping, carry on to boxing day, with a couple of family visits after that at most, and finish when the turkey is all eaten.

The other reason for keeping christmas is that otherwise I'd basically have no pants, socks, or just clothes in general without it (including the ones I buy for myself within my 2-3 hour annual Christmas shop).

 

[ymu]

In my family we've come up with our own unique means of avoiding this. Me and my old man noticed that the Argos catalog kept appearing into the bog on Christmas day and boxing day. We were perplexed for ages about it, then realised what it was all about when I went in there after my youngest niece to do a yule log and found it open on the page that the computer game he'd got her was on. We deduced that the cheeky little bugger had been checking the price. We decided that, since neither of us could resist doing the same, everyone must do it. So to save them the effort, and to avoid unwanted gifts, we both decided we would just give cash from then on - everyone knows exactly how much it's worth and if you don't want money then you're obviously too well off to deserve a present from me anyway. It has proven to be a complete success.

I've started doing that with the kids. Year before last we were snowed in, so I gave them all an allowance to spend with my card on the internet. Ended up getting my sister to give her eldest cash because she loves browsing in real shops and deciding how best to spend her money. My nephew briefly considered saving it for the next big purchase (he's already bought himself an iPod ) but then asked for an internet club membership.

And then I realised, the most exciting presents at Christmas, apart from the special ones from Mum and Dad, were always cash. I'm going to be that Auntie.

 

[free spirit]

I gave my cousins HMV vouchers on the basis that I had no real clue about their taste in music, plus I wanted to do my bit to keep HMV going. Wankers.

 

[Citizen66]

You can have mine if you want. It's always shit but there you go.

Why do most people over about 55 prefer their vegetables boiled away to a tasteless, vitamin-free mush?

you not 55 yet then?

hey, heres a novel idea. why not cook the fucking thing yourself?

 

[Greebo]

hold up, the Christians appropriated a pagan festival for Christmas, so chances are that most of us would still have been having some form of celebration on Christmas day whether Christianity had come along or not.<snip>

Word.

 

[Citizen66]

are you sure you're not just saying that?

of course not! its also my fucking birthday!

#alwaysachristmasfan

 

[ymu]

I gave my cousins HMV vouchers on the basis that I had no real clue about their taste in music, plus I wanted to do my bit to keep HMV going. Wankers.

Cash is the best kind of voucher. Vouchers go out of date, so if they get buried in a drawer you lose it, and why decide where they have to shop? All you're doing is acting as an unpaid agent for the chain. Fuck that.

 

[ymu]

you not 55 yet then?

hey, heres a novel idea. why not cook the fucking thing yourself?

My step-mother won't allow anyone else to cook.

 

[Citizen66]

Word.

im sure I'd enjoy a pagan dinner just as much. as long as it had roasted veg roast potatoes gravy yorkshire puddings sausages wrapped in bacon and a slab of dead animal. I bet eid has nice food too.

 

[ymu]

of course not! its also my fucking birthday!

#alwaysachristmasfan

Are you somewhat obsessive about observing it as your birthday, or is it just fucking brilliant that your birthday is on the biggest party of the year?

My partner is a few days later, and he gets unreasonably upset if people forget to phone. We don't do presents so the combined present thing is no longer a source of resentment, but he fucking hates it getting ignored. I find it hard to identify with because I manage to forget it's my brother's birthday. Twin brother.

 

[Citizen66]

Cash is the best kind of voucher. Vouchers go out of date, so if they get buried in a drawer you lose it, and why decide where they have to shop? All you're doing is acting as an unpaid agent for the chain. Fuck that.

because people piss cash up the wall.

 

[Citizen66]

Are you somewhat obsessive about observing it as your birthday, or is it just fucking brilliant that your birthday is on the biggest party of the year.

My partner is a few days later, and he gets unreasonably upset if people forget to phone. We don't do presents so the combined present thing is no longer a source of resentment, but he fucking hates it getting ignored.

loads of people forget. I dont care. most people are off work, eating well, spending time with their families, giving and receiving gifts and perhaps having a drink. its not about me. having your birthday that day is seldom shit.

 

[Citizen66]

No.

As I said, if I had my way I'd stay home and have beans on toast rather than pretend to enjoy myself in a place miles away from home where I can't, or not properly anyway. Its OK when you've got a bit pissed early doors but then you've got a long day feeling jaded from early drinking but can't concentrate on doing anything worthwhile-because of early drinking. Which just leaves Christmas telly, which is worse than telly at normal times and that's a fucking joke nowadays. All you can do is get more pissed but pointlessly.

or play board games?

 

[ymu]

No.

As I said, if I had my way I'd stay home and have beans on toast rather than pretend to enjoy myself in a place miles away from home where I can't, or not properly anyway. Its OK when you've got a bit pissed early doors but then you've got a long day feeling jaded from early drinking but can't concentrate on doing anything worthwhile-because of early drinking. Which just leaves Christmas telly, which is worse than telly at normal times and that's a fucking joke nowadays. All you can do is get more pissed but pointlessly.

Chocolate. Don't forget the chocolate.

 

[Citizen66]

my best christmas I fucked off family and visited a mate in berlin. we ate lobster, drank decent bourbon and watched the whole series of the BBC's Auschwitz.

Would have been better if we'd ended up in cuba as planned though.

 

[free spirit]

ahem people

This is a muslim thread for muslim discussion of muslim issues.

 

[Citizen66]

I really don't like board games.

sounds like theres not much you do like. perhaps you're the problem?

 

[ymu]

my best christmas I fucked off family and visited a mate in berlin. we ate lobster, drank decent bourbon and watched the whole series of the BBC's Auschwitz.

Would have been better if we'd ended up in cuba as planned though.

My best was the first year the niblets were all old enough to all be talking. I was flush enough to get them all kiddie digital cameras (on very special offer!). I didn't know but they'd all been asking for them but had got other stuff instead. My nephew was running around the kitchen in excitement and explaining to his granddad that they were cameras that wouldn't break so little kids could use them. Awwww. They had a whale of a time experimenting and plugging into their dad's laptop to check out the results. And they were frighteningly proficient with the USB stick and software too.

And my brother wasn't unpleasant to me for the first (and only) Christmas ever.

 

[sunny jim]

I'll drink where I want and wear what I want; any religious types be they xtian, muslim or whatever can like it or lump it.

I dont go out of my way to offend anyone, but neither will I kowtow to someone elses religious dogma.

^^^This.

 

[Citizen66]

^^^This.

But most 'religious types' don't give a shit. or not in my experience of Muslims anyway.

 

[ymu]

I'll drink where I want and wear what I want; any religious types be they xtian, muslim or whatever can like it or lump it.

I dont go out of my way to offend anyone, but neither will I kowtow to someone elses religious dogma.

That's absolutely fine, as long as you're not going to accept a social invitation to a location where that would be completely offensive to your hosts (which I assume you wouldn't). Some Muslims are fine with alcohol in their houses, so check before you turn them down.

 

[free spirit]

^^^This.

can't say I entirely agree with that - at least I haven't always.

I'm pretty sure part of the reason for stumbling home from fancy dress parties and the like in dress, wig and high heels at 10am sunday morning was winding up the Christians on their way to church. TBF to the local muslims, they barely used to bat an eyelid, just smile a bit then if I bumped into them later they'd just go 'good night last night was it?'.

I definitely crossed a line by doing this on shields road at midday on a saturday by mistake once though. That was slightly scary tbh, but I brazened it out.

 

[ymu]

Exactly as you'd expect. The Christians are going to church, the Muslims live near the church. Huge difference.

 

[SpineyNorman]

Anyway, have we figured out whether sharia law is being imposed on Muslim parts of London yet?

 

[ymu]

About as much as abortion is being banned, yeah.

 

[free spirit]

Exactly as you'd expect. The Christians are going to church, the Muslims live near the church. Huge difference.

the muslims were mostly coming back from the mosque at the time, so not so much difference.

it's not one of the things I've done that I'm most proud of tbh, but I was young, off my tits, rebellious and invincible... plus I needed to get home.

 

[Greebo]

I really don't like board games.

You and my husband would get on well.

 

[Citizen66]

I find it hard to identify with because I manage to forget it's my brother's birthday. Twin brother.

You added this later. Are you New Jesus like me then?

 

[Citizen66]

You and my husband would get on well.

Depending on political positions etc.