Life isn't all bad

RE: Life isn't all bad

Stephen Pointing — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:40:40 GMT

You're probably right. Thank goodness ships can't think for themselves. I think the reason ships are thought of as being female is that they are responsible for everyone sailing in them - so if the ship stays afloat then the lives of all who depend on its seaworthiness all stay safe - the analogy being with a mother caring for her children. Personally I find that a very a rather charming analogy. Mind you with some of the recent child abuse cases I'm beginning to realise that not all mothers have that caring instinct.

RE: Life isn't all bad

Julie Innes — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:30:47 GMT

In this day in age, surely a ship can be a He, She or They, according to him/her/ their wishes??

RE: Life isn't all bad

Stephen Pointing — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:22:29 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30107/life-isn-t-all-bad/234404#234404"]Hopefully the cat we exported recently arrived safely in Stanley!![/quote]

Not sure which cat you are referring to Bob. Generally they arrive looking very well. They are usually allocated a cabin all to themselves on the voyage down and a crew member to to look after them. I've been in to a few cabins which are absolutely covered in cat hair (3 weeks on board) - they must require a very thorough cleaning afterwards. Dogs come down on deck in converted air conditioned containers. They also seem to travel very well. I think it is normal practice for them to be awarded a certificate for crossing the equator on the way down.

RE: Life isn't all bad

Bob Russell — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:05:15 GMT

Hopefully the cat we exported recently arrived safely in Stanley!!

My guess is that life is a bit like that on the smaller Scottish Islands but without BBC Scotland!

RE: Life isn't all bad

Stephen Pointing — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 14:00:08 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30107/life-isn-t-all-bad/234372#234372"]Would have loved to see the Sir David.[/quote]

Here we go.

Note how blue the sky is. Not always raining or snowing down here.

Photo on the helicopter deck.

Visited the ship with our local harbour master. She and the captain of the SDA are old friends from Hampshire and both sail at the "Slipper Club" in Emsworth - hence the photo of them holding up the Slipper club flag.

RE: Life isn't all bad

Arlo Guthrie — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 09:22:36 GMT

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30107/life-isn-t-all-bad/234357#234357"] I had to do a gender double take for just a moment there ;)[/quote]

Me too.

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30107/life-isn-t-all-bad"]We are currently being visited by the RRS Sir David Attenborough[/quote]

Stephen Pointing - I wish I could persuade 'our man in the Falklands' to post a photo or two. Would have loved to see the Sir David. Actually, would love to have a flavour of what life in general is like down there!

RE: Life isn't all bad

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 19:23:44 GMT

A ship is "she".

For unknown reasons all the meeja seem to have decided to make ships "its" in their style guides. It jars and irritates every time I see a ship referred to as "it".

Offended? Oh yes, there will be someone who claims to be. Stuff 'em.

RE: Life isn't all bad

Clive Ansell — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 15:39:10 GMT

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30107/life-isn-t-all-bad/234362#234362"]I suppose in this day and age they should definitely be gender neutral but I think i'll continue with the old usage - surely no one can find it offensive, can they?[/quote]

I wouldn't count on it, I'm sure there is some poor oversensitive soul somewhere that will.

Surely there must be male ships too, otherwise how would they create new baby ships?

Mountains are often considered female too for some reason. If all mountains became gender neutral, what would we call Lord Hereford's knob?

RE: Life isn't all bad

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 15:05:21 GMT

Sounds really fascinating!

I agree ... Life isn't all bad. This happened this week:

Meet Bracken.

RE: Life isn't all bad

Stephen Pointing — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:41:21 GMT

Unusually for English I think ships are usually considered to be feminine. I suppose in this day and age they should definitely be gender neutral but I think i'll continue with the old usage - surely no one can find it offensive, can they?

RE: Life isn't all bad

Jill Butterworth — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 20:23:56 GMT

Sounds fab. I had to do a gender double take for just a moment there ;)