Discussing politics the bad way

The aftermath of the election was something to behold. As the last few constituency results were trickling in on the morning of May 8 and eyes around the UK were peeking at the BBC News website between Word documents, comments began to overtake social media.

"Best election ever."

"The NHS is doomed."

"I'm really pleased with that result!"

"I'm moving."

With a surprise surge of Tory support across England, a suffering vote for Labour, especially in Scotland, and a devastation for the Liberal Democrats throughout - all in the face of predictions upon predictions of a close race and a potential hung parliament - some people were feeling the need to rant on social media as it became clear that their political views would not be represented in the government for the next five years. And those whose ideals were met would feel the need to reply. 

The problem is that politics is fundamentally divisive. The two ends of the political spectrum have extremely different ideals which at their most basic level slice people into two categories: the rich people and the poor people. While in our daily lives we can coexist with each other without discussing who earns how much, can afford what and is how well off, come election time, everyone's true allegiances come to the fore and a crack begins to form as 'political discussions' commence. 

It is difficult when someone doesn't support your cause. You have a case, you have compelling reasons and you are convinced by them. So why, then, can you not talk your discussion buddy round? Why are they failing to see your point? WHY?! Topics which make people so impassioned, as money and politics do, can't be discussed calmly, it is just prone to arguments. And before you know it, in a large number of cases, the crack has become a chasm and what was a discussion has descended into a mutual exchange of "I'm not someone to tell others what to think, BUT...", "No offence, BUT...", insistence that the other's facts are wrong and belittling of offerings of information. 

I'm not against political discussions. Pick apart what the government is doing, lay it bare and discuss whether it is right or wrong with anyone and everyone. By all means, question authority and hold the ones in charge accountable for what they do. But it's not the same to belittle and patronise people and suggest that others are voting they way they do because they are uninformed. And in the end, it doesn't achieve very much now that votes have been cast for the next five years, apart from high blood pressure and the need to go make yourself a coffee before you shatter your keyboard.

I grew up in Bulgaria with my parents and grandparents teaching me that it is impolite to ask another person who he or she is voting for. It is a personal decision, not to be influenced by guilt or embarrassment or, more unpleasantly, intimidation. People can - and do, oh boy, do they! - discuss politics in Bulgaria, but if they don't say who they're voting for, you shouldn't ask. 

And on this post-election day, when people were sleep-deprived, edgy and feeling especially impassioned, I made a concerted effort to stay out of every political discussion going, however displeased I was with the morning's news, because what's done is done. So, I don't care who started it, I'm finishing it. 

Practise safe scooting

In my travels upon the scooting vessel, I have come across a few pitfalls which I feel I should share in light of my previous post advocating scooting.

I owe it to the faint of heart and to the slightly nervous among you, I owe it to you all...

1. Mobs of kids may heckle you. Yes, kids can say and do the cruelest things. What's more, they're some of the most susceptible groups to mob mentality, and if one 'cool' little squirt decides you're a dork, all the others will laugh and chyme in. Remember, though, they're all about to enter into the spotty, awkward teenage years, and heckles are much less offensive when the heckler's voice cracks as he calls you a loser.
2. Bus stops are an unexpected trap. If this was your driving test's hazard awareness section, bus stops would be the child running after a ball in the street. It is a lottery whether there is a pedestrian in there, and when they come out, they tend to do it like ninjas with their backs to you. 
3. Bus tango. When buses pull over into bus stops as you approach, there are a few pretty solid traps to avoid. If a person is stood waiting to get on, they WILL take a step back first as the bus stops, before getting on it. It's a cosmic force or something, but it's drfinitely a thing. So try to give them a wide birth. The second thing is that people who get off the bus don't tend to look both ways like they're crossing a road, because they don't expect you there. So they will just emerge in front of you and saunter without looking back, so give them a wide birth too. Or slow down. Or stop and walk your scooter, glaring at them. 
4. Tall kerbs. Both times I was nearly launched myself off my scooter, there was a person there, looking. Both times saw me shoot towards a slightly raised kerb or manhole cover, see it last second and just as the front wheel hit the edge, I would do what I call the fall-off-kind-of-and-run-a-bit-with-scooter-awkwardly. It's a bit embarrassing, but just scoot on without looking back until you're an awesome speck in the distance. They are easy to miss, but just keep your eye on your terrain. 
5. People can hear you. Much like you may do in a car, only to later notice that the windows are all down, you might comment or make noises that you may usually avoid if you are acutely aware you are in public. On the scooter, these might include sighing, grunting and sputtering as you tackle slight inclines, commenting on how such a small person can take up the entire pavement, singing along to your music, etc. You may think you're gone in such a flash that no one will hear you, but don't be fooled, people will stare even more if you're belting out "I'm bringing scooty back, go 'head and tell them walkin' b*tches that" as you glide along next to them.

Now that the warnings are in place, I feel I should reiterate the points, that it is fast and good for you and free and fun and that everyone should try it! 

Scoot responsibly! 

Serious scootering

As may be apparent, one of my New Year's resolutions was definitely not to write more blog posts. I haven't even managed one per month. One per quarter maybe?

However, something I did decide to try and do was to scoot to work. Bear with me.

About seven months ago, I decided I wanted a scooter for adults - one which is bigger and can take my weight. My friend got given one for her birthday and I decided that it was awesome and I must have one. I ordered mine - a Cox Swain - and when it arrived, I took it out a total of five times in the summer and then retired its services as the temperatures dropped.

Mainly, I forgot about it and my other half pulled a trick my mum does - he put it away to see if I would notice it was gone. My mum's strategy is to throw away the object if it has not been asked after in a defined amount of time - maybe a year?

So, as a means of bettering my life several-fold, I decided to buff its wheels and tighten its screws and use it to glide into work with the wind in my hair and the good, exercise ache in my thighs. It would mean paying ZERO English pounds to get to work, it would mean getting up five minutes AFTER I would be doing to walk to, take, and walk from the train to my office, and it would mean an hour's exercise every weekday, which I promised myself I wouldn't overcompensate for by eating an extra couple of daily meals and believing they're justified.

So, new year - new start. All of January, except one snowy Thursday, I scooted through wind and rain, hail and ice to get to work. Frankly, I'm surprised with my perseverance and I think it's actually my frugal nature and my desire to prove something to myself that has been the driver behind this venture.

Just in case there is anyone out there even a little bit inclined to take up the art of scooting to work - or to wherever - I would like to wholeheartedly support your decision and offer a couple of words of experience. Over the last month, I have discovered a few interesting phenomena:

1. People are surprisingly supportive. I feel a little bit like I'm entering my office each day with a rare bird on my shoulder. Everyone looks at it with intrigue and amusement and asks cautiously about it. People secretly want a go but don't know if they're rude to ask. Twice now, my managing director has seen me scoot home and the second time, he shouted "Go on, Kami!" as I flew past him, oblivious, with Meghan Trainor blasting loudly in my ears. Aside from this, I have had a man in a knitted hat and a high vis jacket in a van beep, stare with delight and wave, and I have had a couple of "Nice scooter!"s from random strangers, alongside numerous stares. I'm choosing to hear no sarcasm in people's voices and remind myself that I will probably be home before they get to wherever they're going.
2. It bloody hurts. Steely thighs to follow. The smallest incline begins to feel like you're jogging up K2 after a short while.
3. It is pretty unnerving when you see kids on their own regular-sized scooters. Just because it's a toy doesn't mean it can't be a serious vehicle. Right?
4. A set of tools might be necessary for when the scooter's handlebars begin to move independently of the wheel they're supposed to be controlling. But I'm sure they will iron out little glitches like this when the scooter becomes universally accepted as a means of travel.
5. It's surprisingly easy to kick dirt and mud (from seemingly dirtless and mudless pavements) onto the backs of your legs.
6. It's advantages over a bike are that it folds up so it's easy to carry or take onto trains/buses/taxis and it can be ridden on the pavement rather than trying to squeeze yourself among the huge metal giants on the road. 
7. Get one!