‘Not long to go now…’
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We hear a lot about ‘the nanny state’, and if some of the policies of the new government are to be understood, I feel very favourable towards nanny at present. If she can reduce the amount of sugar and ultra processed foods in children’s diets, and ensure that proper tooth brushing habits are developed, we could be looking at future generations of people who are not super-sized and have a full set of teeth. This of course will also mean that they are much less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, not to mention all the other health-related problems connected with obesity. And without appearing too gruesome, we will be looking at far fewer amputations of lower limbs due to diabetes-related neuropathy resulting in loss of sensation and movement of feet and legs– and basically rotting away.
If I have put you off your cornflakes I crave your apology. What doesn’t seem to get a similar focus is the ‘nanny sales team’. It seems that just about every producer of goods and services has no faith in my ability to remember anything about what I have purchased from them. This is in effect a sibling blog to the one I wrote deploring being asked to rate and score everything I acquire, from boxes of chocolates to fridge freezers.
Now while I can see great value in a hands-on approach regarding nutrition, health and dental care, I am heartily sick of being constantly reminded by text and email about a purchase I have made and when it will be delivered to my door. Equally, if I have booked theatre tickets, for example, I have it noted in my diary and will have kept the email with the ticket information. I also have something called a memory, which still serves me pretty well and is a common feature of all of us. What I do not need is repeated communications in the period leading up to the event/delivery of purchase along the lines of ‘Only 5 days till you travel’ or ‘Your package is on its way’ or, worse still, ‘Feeling excited about your visit to….?’.
Enough already, as they say. There was a time not that long ago when you committed certain information to memory; I am sure all that rote learning of times tables helped, and note this still goes in primary schools, despite having been rebranded as ‘Times Tables Rock Stars’. If anyone can see an obvious connection between rock stars and the answer to 12 x 8 please send in a postcard. But the point is how much people used to keep retained in their head. I had to learn poems by heart when at school, but I am not sure if that still goes on. Perhaps a rebranding is also needed here; how about ‘Poems for kittycats’?
I have just read William Dalrymple’s excellent The Age of Kali, one of the many books he has written about the Indian subcontinent. Just one of the myriad of astonishing facts and explanations included describes how the local rulers in India would as a matter of course commit to memory much of the detail of the areas they were governing. You can be sure they didn’t get daily reminders in any shape or form.
Oh yes Barbara…I know exactly what you mean.
What about messages from hotels from staff who ‘cannot wait to see you’ ? They are so excited about your visit. (They manage to curb their enthusiasm when you actually arrive.)
The idea of the local Indian rulers committing to memory details of the community they serve is an exciting one. Our leaders should follow the example!
Hi Joyce. As well as hotels, let’s not forget restaurants – desperate to get your bum on their seats, yet can’t find a menu once you have arrived!