Dipped Headlights.

I'd only do it because it's Ray, though.

I wouldn't do it to someone more tolerant.

I think that's as much self-condemnation as we need from you thanks, Steve. It's much worse than somebody who expresses discomfort with something and merely asks for a bit of consideration.

The problem with Ray and his neighbours is a difficult one, as I can see merit in both viewpoints, but what I can't see as reasonable is the neighbours' total disinterest in trying to reduce the problem. People with decent behavioural standards would at least try to do something to help matters.

Best wishes all, Dave.

But it's not the same in all pubs is it? Some pubs have a quietish atmosphere, and others may be fairly noisy and boisterous. To me it makes sense to go to the ones that best suit your own style and mood - and even they will not be the same at all times.

Best wishes all, Dave.

I'm sorry, but Ray is the one with no consideration here.

Not content with smoking being banned indoors in public places, he's now moaning that people are smoking outside and just to compound things, he's moaning that people are smoking INSIDE THEIR OWN HOUSE!

If someone complained to me about me smoking in or on my own premises, I'd do everything possible to make their life hell - they'd deserve it.

Especially if they drive a soot belching oil burner, which is doing significantly more damage to the health of more people than any amount of my public smoking can do.

In my experience a tiny minority of smokers can be considerate. It's a bit like meeting people with dogs when we're out for a walk. Dog owners seem to be offended if you complain about their wretched animals rushing up to you barking, and maybe wiping their paws on your clothes.

"Oh they won't hurt you" they'll often say. That's very likely true, but I'd just rather they had their dog decently trained and kept it to themselves.

I am neither anti-smoker nor anti-dog. In fact it's nice to see a well trained dog, providing companionship for its owner, and responding properly to any instructions the owner gives it. What I object to is people expecting everybody to just put up with how the smokers (or dog owners behave) and not indicate any disapproval or discomfort with it.

This is all about having general awareness of, and consideration for, other people's interests - and it works both ways.

Best wishes all, Dave.

What is a pub ?

Best wishes all, Dave.

Hear, hear.

It's not sad that people have their own different ways of enjoying themselves. That's inevitable.

Best wishes all, Dave.

Sorry, that should have been 'less tolerant'.

Indeed it does.

For years there have been many places where smokers haven't been allowed to smoke, but the pub shouldn't be one of them. Where I work /everyone/ is a smoker, so the smoking ban has been ignored other than when there are customers in the building. If there are customers in then everyone migrates to the doorway. If the customer then lights up a cig they all come back inside, just inside the door. If the customer doesn't light up the staff stay just outside the door until they've finished their smoke.

Do not modern automatics effectively provide that already?

Best wishes all, Dave.

I couldn't envisage doing it at all. It just wouldn't seem to help matters in any way, unless of course one derives a form of enjoyment from deliberately upsetting people....

Best wishes all, Dave.

I agree with you. In fact even as a non-smoker I'm not at all happy about the way this issue has been approached. If I feel there is too much smoke in a pub for my comfort, I'll go elsewhere.

I expect you're outside the law in doing that, but in practical terms it sounds like a reasonable arrangement.

Best wishes all, Dave.

for example buildinga bridge, 2 miles of motorway, and a flyover. They first put cones over the whole area. Then they proceed to work on all three things simultaneously with a small amount of workers. Why not get more workers and work on one bit at a time?

motorway and pulling out of sideroads.

didn't close the gap like a lot of dangerous drivers do) someone to pull in front of me after undertaking several cars on the motorway.

lorry at 58mph, then I'm not sitting around waiting.

only feel hungry when you want to.

I don't think that's a fair comparison. They are not under equal measures of control.

goes through the door first, causing you to have to slow down to avoid bumping into him. Would you not be annoyed?

Not an especially pressing need, no.

Best wishes all, Dave.

Not to anywhere near the same extent.

Especially with the torque converter making things all mushy.

No, that's not how I read it. Ray does seem to be generally considerate, but he maybe expects too much of other people at times.

I agree he's on difficult ground with this one, and it's not easy to see a satisfactory way out for him or his neighbours.

Well I wouldn't do that, but I would probably feel they were being unreasonable. Even so, I wouldn't wish to worsen the situation.

I've not really kept pace with the state of play regarding diesel vehicles, so I can't offer an opinion on that. My own car this past seven years has been a diesel (a Pug. 406 HDi) and while some people may complain about emissions, it is quite fuel efficient which may partially offset the problem.

In any case I'm not sure it's fair to compare the pros and cons of smoking with the use of motor vehicles in general, or diesels vehicles in particular. One does seem to have more practical justification than the other.

Best wishes all, Dave.

It's the particulates that are the main issue.

Granted, it's getting better, with the adoption of diesel particulate filters, but a majority of oil-burners don't have these.

I'm not really conversant with modern automatics. Are you envisaging a car that has normal clutch and manual gearbox functioning, *and* a fully automatic mode?

I was merely thinking of the automatics that allow manual over-ride, but that would still not equate to a normal clutch and gearbox arrangement - which is perhaps what you are referring to.

Best wishes all, Dave.

I live close to a motorway junction. The diesel particulates penetrates everywhere, it builds up invisibly on surfaces and inside walls. You start noticing it when wiping the walls with a damp cloth.