So. Globalisation. What exactly does that mean and what are the affects of this word on the average person round the world?

Well lets start with the meaning.

It’s all about how business, technology and everything is connected and grown globally. What were once small businesses have evolved into massive corporations, cultures that were separated are now being integrated, research and development has sped up and brands have become household names all over the world where before they were limited to their home nation.

That’s the basic meaning of globalisation and it has resulted in some very different outcomes.

A few decades ago business, compared to today’s, were relatively small and everyone had a fair bite at the cherry. The chief executive or managing director would have responsibility for the running of things and that would be reflected in a higher salary but it was often limited to a ceiling of only ten times what the average worker received.

Technologies changed slowly so one could get used to products and information gradually and get full use from those things before the next generation came to market.

People worked, played, and lived locally and local trades and businesses could thrive and the markets for housing were affordable and set by local incomes.

Society was safer and more caring as communities grew up together, education and morals were greater and life in general was far less complicated and stressful.

Today we see mass exploitation, over inflated house prices, an ignorant youth (who can hardly read and write let alone work), corporate and international corruption in almost every field of business and faceless organisations which take little or no responsibility for their actions.

The chief executive or managing director can receive two or three hundred times what the average worker receives but want to take less accountability. The workers are squeezed from all directions through bullying, low wages, migration and economy drives.

The banking crisis and subsequent crash saw businesses and corporations cut back on their running costs but never did we see senior management or the very people who caused the problems suffer; in fact most grew fatter off the exploitation by using excuses of saving money and cutting waste when still spending (more quite often) on pointless clipboard missions and state of the art office blocks.

Time will tell and often one’s campaign game is totally different to the reality of how things are run or will be managed. This can be said, as an example, about Mr Donald Trump. He delivered a bigoted, brash, ludicrous and offensive campaign but managed to take one of the world’s most responsable  and influenceable jobs. Many will have opinions and fears about this position of president but how many have independently listened to  his game plan after election?

The Hillary Clinton package would have been fine for her rich cronies and powerful counterparts but would have done little to change the lives of the masses. She was caught out and the comeuppance of her actions led to her loss.

The world needs change and needs shaking out of this time-bomb attitude that will have no choice but to explode. We need champions and a different way of looking at how we do things like never before. We need radical ideas and reforms.

This attitude that globalisation is working and is good is the very thing that will see devastation in the not to distant future.

The world cannot carry on with a few commanding the wealth while the rest are left fighting for scraps off the castle floor.

When the average bod cannot afford the next Iphone,  new car, plush sofa, labelled clothes and the holiday abroad what do they think will happen? Demand goes down so less are made. Result, fewer jobs, less profit and subsequently the downward spiral will start as each level will see less and less and casualties will undoubtedly will be left.

The, already, super-rich won’t care because they will sit lording it from their ivory palaces. It’s the new management and work force that will suffer and its this generation that has to roll out change or embrace the new ideas from the brave and, possibly insane, ones who want to do things differently.

Globalisation, corporate ignorance and greed cannot carry on for much longer before the bubble has to burst, but what will be the outcome is anyone’s guess. So before you dismiss Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, Theresa May and such-like names we should give them a chance. The world can’t get much more disastrous than it already is.

I know many will disagree with these words and I have only picked up on a few aspects of the title of the article but these are my opinions today (with hindsight and more information and action I may change my stance) and I am open to other’s views.

Thanks once again for reading if you have got this far.

Recently, my father was in hospital and, although he was in pain and needed tests, his sense of humour and interaction with those around him remained.

What shocked us was the answers he received from one of the lovely nurses that attended his needs.

He asked her what Christmas meant to her and what it celebrated.

Her response was that it was a time of celebrating some winter festival by giving and receiving gifts, serving sumptuous feasts and getting together with friends and family.

“Okay; Have you ever heard of a man called Jesus?”asked dad.

“No, can’t say I have. Why, who was He?” replied the nurse with an expression of confusion played out on her pretty face.

“He was the son of God and Christmas is a celebration of His birthday as he was born on the 25th of December.” dad explained.

Has it got that bad that commercialism, selfishness, overindulgence and overspending have overshadowed the real reason for christmas?

As you all know, or should by now, I love the odd gadget and would love to see one  under the tree (albeit a small felt 9″ affair) on Christmas morning but I also appreciate why this day is special. We should be kind to one another the year round and maybe offer help and treats over the twelve  months too.

It has become  a season of stress, hatefulness, jealousy, selfishness and loathing and with thanks to the marketing departments of businesses and television it has become utterly boring to the point that most are sick to the back teeth of it and can’t wait for it to end.

Every which way you turn there is someone trying to sell you something, give to charity (so the governors can realise a higher bonus), watch a telly repeat or spend money. You’d be safer at a rodeo or at the hands of Dick Turpin.

Once the New Year finally makes and appearance the credit cards are full, the bank accounts empty and the store loans are as high as they can be. Everywhere one goes there is more stress, gloom and despair for trying to impress and outdo as folk come to terms with their stupid choices.

It’s just not worth it when a simple meal, a walk in the park and some good conversation is all that is needed to cheer one up. Maybe some silly hats and jumpers would not go amiss and a small gift that means something would fit the bill.

Being a postie, I see families ordering a plethora of items online. Thats fine but add that to the car loads of goods and things that other companies deliver to them then it does make me stop and think. Thousands of pounds are spent on goods that a few days later lay broken or abandoned. Food is thrown out by the wheelie bin full. Bottle banks groan with the increased amount of empties from stifling parties. Might just as well well set fireto those bank notes and it may have been a little more exciting too.

No one stops to think about the click of a button and what that causes to the hoards of folk employed to deliver the item that was clicked on. No one says even a thank you for getting it to the buyer on time and before the big day.

Push into the queue to grab the last turkey or pair of socks. Gridlock roads so the handbag (that will be in a charity shop a few weeks later) can be bought (on higher purchase).  Curse and swear that a store has run out of cranberry sauce two weeks before the 25th. Be forced to work over-time to ensure that Santa gets a helping hand when they are the ones who also have a life and need to provide but are working to allow others to be sorted first.

Self, self, self. Me, me, me. I’m alright Jack sod everyone else. Thank you? Why should I, its your job!

Okay we all resign and see what happens then. No wine to grace the tasteless crystal, no happy Jonny as there will be no action figure or play station 4, no tree to shed its needles. No nothing and see how you bleat then.

A simple smile and thank you go a long way and make things worthwhile.

I just wonder if all the waste was put into a pile and shared out how many years that pile would last and still give pleasure?

Think about your actions. Can I afford that gift or extra food? Does that child really need 25 presents? Do we actually need the neighbours freezer space for the food for the family meal?

If the answer is no then stop and don’t do it. Honestly, don’t do it.

A much better gift at Christmas and The New Year is to bring happiness, love, fun and a smile to proceedings and a token gesture of something to boot that is affordable and apt is a bonus.

Seasonal Greetings and Happy Christmas to all for 2016 and all the years to come.

But Most Of All Be Amazing And Smile.

I know I spoke about this last week but I thought it worth further exploration as I only really touched on the money and greed side of things.

I am convinced that society wasn’t anywhere near what it is like today and attitudes and behaviour were simpler and less, well less vulgar.

I’m certainly not saying that everyone has changed for the bad. On the contrary. Most people are still fundamentally kind and morally okay. However, it’s the amount of wrong ones that has increased and in some areas has grown out of control.

Everywhere I go, whether walking through town or cycling in the countryside, I see litter. It’s not just a bit that has lost its way by being blown out of a bin or accidentally falling out of a bag or pocket. I talking about wrappers, empty cans, bags, papers and food being deliberately dropped because the owners cannot be bothered to find a bin or take it home. The countryside has become a dumping ground for household waste and its ugly and damaging to the landscape and wildlife. Its lazy, ignorant and downright disgusting, not to mention illegal. It was never as bad as this when I was a younger and if you were seen someone would pull you up for it. Today one can’t say anything in case one is attacked or abused by the culprits.

Where has the discipline gone? Why is this acceptable behaviour to set as examples to the younger generation? When did we become fearful of gently advising others of their anti-social actions? Why isn’t more done to combat this?

We have an ever-increasing amount of surveillance cameras watching our every move so why can’t this be used to catch and stop this mindless damage?

My father was telling me the other day about an incident outside the local library in Rothwell (the Northamptonshire one). Apparently, the kids sit on the wall outside to take advantage of the free WiFi offered by the library. Nothing wrong with that unless it is costing the library money but what I found terrible was the fact that these youths started jostling and shoulder bumping my father as he walked by to go into the building. Now he is quite unsteady on his feet and has to walk with a stick and this act nearly unbalanced him and had him over. Thankfully, one of the lads knew my father and told them to stop. Then, to my father’s horror, the biggest of these youths stood up and squared up into his face and he thought this lad was going to hit him. Fortunately, he just asked if my father was “Doctor Froment” and on hearing that he indeed was turned round and told this group that if he saw anyone of them or their mates touch or say anything bad to the doctor then he would “knock their block off”.

Phew!! All was well and there is some sense of honour and respect. It could have been a different outcome had it not been for the two lads who came to my father’s rescue. A fall at his age could have seriously injured or killed him and no doubt these thugs would have thought it funny.

There is no way I, or my friends to that matter, would have acted like that to the older generation. I hope to think the total opposite and we would have  offered to help.

I see children riding, at a fair distance from their parents, scooters and bicycles on the pavements and if you say anything then you geta mouth full of abuse. It’s dangerous for the kids and the other pedestrians and just imagine if they lost control and skidded into the road and path of an oncoming car or lorry. Why can’t these parents take responsibility for their loved ones and think about their actions. Parks, gardens and proper cycle lanes are there to use not the damned pavements.

Again when I was younger one was taught not to cycle or scooter on the path and if a policeperson saw you then you were for the high-jump.

One of the most aggling thing I see is teenagers and young adults who wear their trousers round their buttocks or lower. Not only does it make them walk like a duck, it shows their pants or worse. It makes you want to either pull them right down or up and buy them a belt. It is just so rubbish.

Oh, and whilst on the subject who thought it a good idea to wear lounge and nightwear in public? Have fashions become so low that one cannot see fit to have some dress sense and code of standard? I’m not saying we have to go around in a suit or dress for dinner but at least show some sense of decorum. Or is this a step too far.

Social behaviour has slipped and technology hasn’t helped but surely not everyone has to be subjected to others selfish ways. For instance; sit on a bus or train and it won’t be long before someone sits down with that tinny sound that is emitted from their headphones. Its meant to be personal not public. Or you get the person who has to shout into the phone whilst it’s on speaker mode so the whole carriage can enjoy the innane conversation. And lets not forget the pink-ponk-plunk from the games that have to be played to wile away the journey. Its crap. NO ITS BEYOND CRAP.Its unnecessary and selfish but it’s now an acceptable part of being in public.

No one talks to each other or gives that quaint greeting or “how-do-you-do?” any more and car driving has become a guessing game amongst some of the more prestigious car owners. They are so up themselves that a simple indication of where they are going seems beneath them or they have to drive like they are attached to the car in front. And don’t get me started on the fact that most of these drivers have bluetooth or hands free but insist on using their mobile phone as it is. Again, any gentle nudge or advise is returned with a barrage or verbal or physical abuse. The police just turn a blind eye to it and so it carries on and at times people are killed by this stupid and pointless action.

Oh dear; I appear to have  had a little or a lottle of a rant there but I am sure I am not alone in my hatred for some things that have crept into our ways of life.

It’s all to do with teaching right from wrong, instilling good moral values, discipline (both at home and at school), suitable punishments and proper education.

As I said at the beginning, it’s not the majority who are at fault, it’s the amount of people who are pulling the rest of us down who are to blame.

The thing is that my grandfather said the same about my father’s generation, my father said a similar thing of my generation and I have gone on to view my grievances about the generation to come. So no doubt they will say the same in the future.

Words spoken, written or sung can do so much good and so much damage and hurt.

I wonder how many people have said  things without thinking only to wish they could have taken them back or never said them aloud in the first place?

Our words can crush one or lift one to places unimaginable. They can create scenes of terror or beauty but can also be taken the wrong way if used poorly or are misinterpreted.

However we use them they can make a difference, at times subtle, at others huge, but a difference they can make.

Often when emotions are running high it’s when words are blurted out in a stream of hot venom or ecstasy and they can have catastrophic results for all, be extremely encouraging or very misleading. That is the power of language and we rely on it for almost everything.

Bullies use it to control, hide behind or be aggressive so as to beat down the other person. Nurses use it to calm and reassure. Advertisers use it to sell the things we don’t actually need but think we do. Teachers use it so others can learn. When lawyers use it it ccan be the difference between jail or freedom. Sat Navs use it to direct. It’s all around us in so many forms and sounds easy to control but is certainly far from that.

I know for one my mind can’t keep up with the thoughts and words I want or try to say. Even when writing I can get things totally out of context or kilter but once  out there they can’t be roped back in like an anchor or  flying kite.

Someone once said, but I can’t remember who at present, “That the pen is mightier than the sword” and it is so true. Yes a sword can maim  and kill but it can’t leave one mentally scarred or high on love or sell you a house or comfort a babe in arms.

We use words for debate and conversation but how many of us actually stop and think about the true meaning of what we say of are intending to say? They just seem to flow like a machine turning out an endless supply of sweets or bullets.

Oh yes its Edward Bulwer-Lytton who said the above quote in the early 1800s. 1839  to be precise.

When I was young I would get so wound up and angry that I couldn’t find the words to express  my state of mind that I would just hold my breath until I went blue and passed out. My brother would run into the house and tell mum “he’s holding his breath again” and mum would rush out and slap my legs.which would make me take a breath. I find it the same today but don’t do the holding of breath thing but having a larger vocabulary means that at times I say what shouldn’t be said or what I don’t actually want to say. Or at least something like that. I’m easily confused and misunderstood.

The two pictures above portray the value of words. Yes the top one for the onlooker can be amusing but the poor chap on the chair is obviously hurting and even his last friend isn’t supportive but luckily its a thought and not a spoken gesture.

Ah, the second is lovely if you like that sort of thing. However, if said in a sighing or gruff manner they could be very anger inducing. “Oh okay then don’t put yourself out or anything..twat!!” or “ah thanks mate that’s nice of you, sorry to keep you.”

So think before you speak, easier said than done I know, and remember that words can have a lifelong effect on others, be it for good or bad.

Thanks again my loyal, mad and weary readers or reader and please feel free to leave your own thoughts.