I have just received two identical letters from my gas and electricity supplier SSE (or, SSE Energy Supply Ltd and Southern Electric Gas Ltd, to give the separate companies their proper legal names). The letters begin: “When it comes to customer service, Southern Electric believe you should be treated as we’d like to be treated […]
Month: November 2013
Time to stop this nonsense of milk or water first in tea
“What came first, the chicken or the egg?” That’s a question that has baffled scientists for years (answer: the chicken). Another equally taxing question, judging by the endless discussion on the subject, is this: when making a cup of tea, do you put the milk or water into the cup first? I’ve never understood the […]
Not News: Miley Cyrus’ latest PR stunt
I’ve worked in media relations. Like many hacks I crossed the journalistic river and sold out to the bigger rewards available in PR. But a couple of years ago I did a U-turn and crossed the river again to work once more as a journalist. I understand the need for brands, products, events, whatever, to […]
Steps: some words of wisdom from Nazareth
There are lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of steps in Nazareth. But it seems somebody has a more positive view of them than me:
The sound of heaven in Jerusalem
The Old City of Jerusalem sounds pretty much like any Middle-Eastern city: the sound of market traders in a crowded suq competing with incessant tour guides – some amplified – over the Adhan, or call to prayer. Jerusalem is different, of course, and depending upon which part of the Old City you’re in you will […]