Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
9 February 2009
08:1915002Many of you will have seen the story over the weekend about the Queen cancelling her latest foreign tour. Much speculation ensued...was Prince Phillip ill, is he on his last legs, and indeed where were they supposed to be going on this well secreted state visit. Rumour suggests Dubai but its never been officially released.
But...here is the big but...arent these two far too old to be doing PR trips abroad. I mean to say the Queen is 82 and Phillip is 87. In this day and age when even female newsreaders are kicked out beyond 45 havent they dallied and hung around far too long. Isnt it time they put their feet under the table and spent their days doing a bit of mild gardening and a lot of cocoa drinking, and perhaps maybe watch a bit of Come Dancing before the great pendulum in the sky swings their way.
If I make it to 87 and someone asks me to do a PR trip to Dubai I know what I will be telling them.
But come on, its time now to hand the reins to Prince Charles, as the prospect of having two seriously ancient people doddering about from the dinosaur age and representing us on the world stage is not on anymore.Where will it end...will they still be doing it when they are 97. Enough is enough. Out to grass I say.
9 February 2009
08:3715004The other king of the blues, BB, King is 83 and still touring and strutting his stuff on stage. I wouldn't like to ask him to stop playing.
I agree that if Liz and Phil can't keep up with the pace then maybe they should hand over to Charles.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
9 February 2009
11:0815014I agree, its time for the Queen and Prince Phillip to hang up their crowns and pass over the reins to Prince Charles before he gets to old.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
9 February 2009
11:3115015Yes before he gets a chance himself he will be an OAP too, it hardly seems either right or fair. I think it would give fresh impetus to the whole Royal thing which is looking more than a bit tired. Its not that Charles is the bee all to end all but nevertheless. Wouldnt a coronation cheer us all up in these hard times !!??
No?
I was channel hopping on TV last night and I came across a line, I dont know which channel or programme it was but it went something like this..and it wasnt royal related..
"
Well she's 97 and she has a son of 77, she's moved back in with him and is ruining his chances!"
...says it all really.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
9 February 2009
12:0515019Maybe its a case of the Queen dragging her heels so to speak, as she may not think this country is quite ready for Queen Camilla. Its a pity that William is not yet ready for the task, maybe she is hanging on for him to take a wife and become established to take over the role as monarch.
Wow! Now that would be one hell of a coronation to cheer us all up in these difficult times.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
9 February 2009
16:0615027It certainly would Colette, better than Charles and Camilla.
Roger
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
9 February 2009
20:5715062paulb
I think is up to quennie to decide when to go.
No reaL opion on who should take over.
Like all high profile people the meDIA will only concentrate on the negatives
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
9 February 2009
22:0615070the whole royalty bit is on it's last legs, i do not see any of the present mob having the nous or self control to take over the reins.
the queen knows this, that is why she has had to hang on for much longer than she probably intended.
her kids do not seem up to the task, we need someone from outside of the family but still within court circles.
trying to build up a picture here, thought about victor(soon dropped the idea though), the palace would be overrun with second rate rock stars in no time.
the ideal monarch would be a self effacing type that comes from old money, dresses smartly, possibly with a tash, maybe with a double barrelled name, that always helps.
any ideas posters?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
9 February 2009
22:1115071THe princess Royal Princess Anne .Very hard working and a pleasant lady .I have had the pleasure of meeting her on several occasions.
9 February 2009
22:5015072Agree, Sue. But she is far too sensible to want the job!!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
10 February 2009
08:3915075Bern and Sue...you gotta be kidding girls re Princess Anne. Anne who legendary told all the media to "Naff off!! and a host of other PR misdemeanours, would not be ideal material for the number one PR job in the UK. You need someone calm and good natured at the helm of course.
But another bit re Ageism. I caught most of the Despatches programme last night C4...and the bad news is, if you are over 50 looking for a job you can damn near forget it. Nobody wants to know. If you are over 60 you have a snowballs chance in hell of getting a job and its increasingly difficult holding on to one if you have it.
Its not that these people cant do the work..its more and image thing. nobody wants a workforce full of geriatrics, its bad for the image. The top 100 companies have,as featured on programme, only one person over 50 and an average age of 34. I think Ive go those figures right. So there you have it.
Even though Im no spring chicken myself I can understand this move towards youth. Take image concious BMW for example..you yourself wouldnt want to walk into their reception area and be met by two harradan receptionists, one 67 and the other 72 ! ...no
So before the Queen starts to look too old in the job its time to vacate.
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,302
10 February 2009
09:0915077About 12 years ago when I was made redundant for the third time (defence industry cutbacks) I wrote almost a hundred job applications. Most received no reply. I did get a few interviews.
Some prospective employers told me that I was over qualified. Some thought that as I was near to retirement age I wouldn't put much effort into the job as I would be "winding down". The HR man at Silentgliss in Margate was quite rude in that respect. Ironically I did get a part time job in the electronics factory next door running a department where my age and experience was needed.
Some companies make a point of employing older people. However, no way would I wear a red pinny and work in the B&Q!
I'm officially an OAP next month so I shall put my feet up and let others do the work.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
10 February 2009
10:4015081I think this ageism thing is nonsense - and dangerous.
Lots of older people have a wealth of knowledge and experience built up over their working life. Some of these youngsters may have a degree but no experience of life or work and make decisions totally out of their depth.
60 is the new 40
If older people are working, they're paying taxes and NI contributions, they'll also have more money to spend - in shops, pubs, cafe's and restaurants etc. so don't write off us oldies - I'm 60 now, but a different 60 to when my Dad was 60 in 1970 - different times, different attitudes.
Brains and bodies age at a much different rate.
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
10 February 2009
10:4315082Paul i can only assume you have never met HRH Princess Anne .On the occasions I have met her she makes a point of talking to everyone in the room .makes conversation and shows a geniune interest in people .I think she is like me cannot suffer fools .One off the cut remark does not mean she is not a good excample.,and my god she works hard .Always suports the Scotish Rugby side .
On the other point of age .Dont you write old people off just yet .I shall be standing again in the next DDC election /.Knowledge and experience goes along way .In public life you donot want yes Men/Woman a person who challenges is always respected .
The face may look old .the hair grey but the brain is still very good Like a lot of men you can so easily be deceived by the wrapping paper . .
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
10 February 2009
11:1515083I saw the Dispatches programme last night, titled 'Too Old To Work', it was extremely depressing for those of us who have reached the ripe old age of 50 and over. To see so much experience being ignored and brushed under the carpet is shocking, rejections being delivered with statements, such as, You are over qualified, You'll be bored, The work is mundane etc.
So, while we're all living longer and told that 60 is the new 40, etc, when it comes to the workplace we are no longer required. With unemployment figures rising and competition in the job market tougher than ever before, what hope is there for the older applicant - Ageism is rife out there.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
10 February 2009
11:5315086I don't think HRH Princess Anne would want the job, remember she did not want her children to be saddled with a royal title, she does a sterling job representing the Queen but I feel she would not want it as a full-time position.
Howard, openings in the royal household will be advertised at a later date, so keep your calendar open
On a seperate note after watching the Dispatches programme on Ageism within the job marketplace last night, it is indeed very worrying for the over fifties today who are looking for work.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
10 February 2009
18:4415118The issue will not rise until HMQ dies, hopefully not for many, many years yet. She rules OK.
As for the succession. Charles, though I have some reservations, will be King and I am sure will make a good king. I do agree with those who like Anne, she is a real grafter.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
10 February 2009
20:3215126getting back to the ageism thing, the governement(in good faith) brought in a law that stops employers discriminating against older workers.
this has misfired terribly, every time that an employer receives an application from someone aged 50 or over they have to invite the candidate for an interview, just in case they are being tested out.
this causes a lot of wasted time for both employer and hopeful employee.
paul said earlier, words to the effect, that it is horses for courses in some jobs.
only today i received a rejection letter from someone that is promoting a new boy band and wanted a sex symbol as the lead singer.
hard to believe, i know.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
10 February 2009
22:2715135Of course the Queen is still up to the job! The only criteria of the position being that you are next in order of succession to the throne. I have no problem with her carrying on just as long as she continues to voluntarily pay her taxes like every other 82 year old (it is voluntary for them too....right?)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
10 February 2009
23:0715142Howard - I would sue them if I was you!!!
You are right about the counter productive effects of a lot of this anti-discrimination legislation. It also adds a lot to the costs of employers. The fact is that any sensible employer will want to employ, in the right jobs, older workers and it is in their self-interest to do so.