A cautionary tale

Re: A cautionary tale

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:00:24 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"](her - remember Fleetwood Mac?) [/quote]

Remember them? I still listen to them

[/quote]

Me too. A blues band. No ladies or women in it.

Re: A cautionary tale

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:19:55 GMT

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"](her - remember Fleetwood Mac?) [/quote]

Remember them? I still listen to them

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"]What a waste of time and effort, because if only they had.......[/quote]

Yes, fair point in business, but on this forum there should be no confusion because members tend to use unique display names, and if not, profiles help differentiate.

Re: A cautionary tale

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:07:17 GMT

Try being in practice this side of the border, and Mr Jones phones up and expects you to know who Blackie is

Wynne

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:49:13 GMT

Dear Errr Arlo,

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]I think the continued use of Mr in a relatively informal forum such as this can start to look a bit contrived[/quote]

We've had an email report from a client called Steve about his dog "Cassie" this morning. Nobody knows who this is and my staff are like elephants. We can't even guess from his (her - remember Fleetwood Mac?) email address who this is so I have taken a command decision and ordered the senior elephant to ask who they are. What a waste of time and effort, because if only they had.......

Regs

JGW

Re: A cautionary tale

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:52:22 GMT

If it hadn't been for my dad's inconvenient elder brother, I'd have been a Baronet by now. I used to toy with the idea of getting round that by calling any son I had 'Lord'.

'Duke' would have been a couple more rungs up the social climbing ladder, but doesn't work so well at the introductions :)

Re: A cautionary tale

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:41:59 GMT

Reminds me of one time when I walked into the waiting room, and found 3 dogs there . The owners were all plain Mr and Mrs, but the actual patients-Prince, Duke, and Lady.!!!!!!!! This story is true by the way .

Wynne

Re: A cautionary tale

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:21:27 GMT

Laughed out loud.

Can one name drop without naming?

I don't mean to suggest that my entire social circle is comprised of Lords, Ladies, Dames, Duchesses, Baronets etc. Far from it. Just bump into one occasionally, and find that these days they tend to play down any title.

Re: A cautionary tale

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:53:28 GMT

Re: A cautionary tale

Martin Jones — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:51:22 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

Actually, I rarely call a Sir (or Lord) 'Sir' any more, though that is largely because most no longer use their handles.

[/quote]

Sorry, Arlo - I think you dropped this name on the floor, right where people might fall over it. Let me pick it up for you............

Re: A cautionary tale

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:47:59 GMT

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"] Until a stranger has invited me to use their familiar monicker I make no assumptions about them.[/quote]

Dear Mr Wray,

I invite you to call me by my familiar monicker: Arlo. I hope you won't mind my doing likewise.

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"]How can anyone be prickly because of formality?[/quote]

I think the continued use of Mr in a relatively informal forum such as this can start to look a bit contrived, particularly when replying to someone who has signed off using their first name, which can safely be taken as an indication of how they wish to be addressed.

But it is an interesting point. I know I find it teeth-suckingly maddening when I ring Sky TV to book a movie:

'Your name?'

'Alexander Guthrie'

'Can I call you Alex, Alex?'

'NO'.

I don't call older men 'Sir' any more, partly because I am getting older myself, and partly because the world has become a more informal place. Actually, I rarely call a Sir (or Lord) 'Sir' any more, though that is largely because most no longer use their handles.

Re: A cautionary tale

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:43:19 GMT

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"]PS Experiences of husband and wife teams as bosses, now there's a festival of pain worth discussing.[/quote]

Go ahead and discuss. I have worked for a husband and wife team without any problems. As for what it is like to work for us....we have a low staff turnover rate.....beyond that you'd have to ask the staff....

Re: A cautionary tale

Ian Mostyn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:05:51 GMT

We all make little typos - even you and I actually went to school with a Jonathan Bray. I have never addressed anyone as sir; I find Mr, Dr , Mrs or Miss suffice. Dr can be an awkward one - who is the doctor, man or wife or both??? I actually find it awkward referring to any client by their first name, even when invited to do so. As to what people call me, everyone calls me Ian even my bank manager. Anyone who rings for Mr Mostyn is generally trying to sell me something

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:23:08 GMT

Dear Mr Mostyn,

There are a number of vets called Jonathan Bray in the register, but only two Jonathan Wray. That little typo could have confused. Still the B and W on a QWERTY keyboard is separated by two rows. Anyone could have done it.

Until a stranger has invited me to use their familiar monicker I make no assumptions about them. How can anyone be prickly because of formality?

I check how my clients want to be addressed, and throw in the odd "sir" with older men - don't you?

Regs

JGW

Re: A cautionary tale

Ian Mostyn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:02:09 GMT

I had assumed that you made a deliberate mistake with her name. I now realise that it was deliberate and that you are changing quotes from previous posts. I have no interest in continuing any conversation with someone who is looking for an argument by any means.

Good day and good bye Mr Wrae,

Ian

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:13:22 GMT

Dear Mr Bostyn,

[quote user="Ian Mostyn"]I believe that she [your sister-in-law or wife?] was confused (as I am) as to the point of one of your posts but after discussion and further reflection, this is now clear to both of us.[/quote]

Good-oh

[quote user="Ian Mostyn"]Not worrying is a bit of a mantra for me. If you can do something about a problem, do it rather than worrying and if you can't do anything about a problem, what is the point in worrying? [/quote]

Lovely

Regs

JGW

PS Experiences of husband and wife teams as bosses, now there's a festival of pain worth discussing. Mr and Mrs Ness could be the future.

Re: A cautionary tale

Ian Mostyn — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:27:52 GMT

Dear Mr Bray,

I believe that MRS Mostyn was trying to say please ignore her previous post as it was no longer relevant after she had re-read your post. I believe that she was confused (as I am) as to the point of one of your posts but after discussion and further reflection, this is now clear to both of us.

Ian

PS Not worrying is a bit of a mantra for me. If you can do something about a problem, do it rather than worrying and if you can't do anything about a problem, what is the point in worrying?

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:30:27 GMT

Dear Ms Mostyn

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Don't worry about it[/quote]

Eh?

Regs

JGW

Re: A cautionary tale

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:32:43 GMT

my mistake. Just struggling to see what you meant. Don't worry about it.

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:52:26 GMT

Dear Ms Mostyn,

You are answering a question with a question. What are you unclear about?

Regs

JGW

PS I have asked for some feedback on another topic about practice performance. Are there some crossed wires here?

Re: A cautionary tale

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:40:45 GMT

[quote user="Jonathan Wray"]Anyone else have any questions? I'm happy to give direct and where possible unequivocal answers.[/quote]

About what exactly? Are you wanting advice?

Re: A cautionary tale

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:50:57 GMT

I would agree with Jonathan Get the best possible legal advice-it will be cheap in the long run, but as I've said b4, awful situation for both practice owners, and law-abiding staff members

Wynne

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:20:03 GMT

Dear All,

Anyone else have any questions? I'm happy to give direct and where possible unequivocal answers.

I would also recommend SPVS, BVA Legal Helpline, Solicitors, HR companies, H&S companies, bank managers, accountants, veterinary management consultants and much as it grieves me, RCVS in these matters. There is a cost for each of these however.

Regs

JGW

Re: A cautionary tale

katja wagner — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:09:04 GMT

Mr. Wray,

i have just written a long response but then decieded to to delete my post makes no sense to discuss this further.

kind regards

katja wagner

Re: A cautionary tale

J G Wray — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:20:18 GMT

dear ms wagner,

[quote user="katja wagner"]lapsed rcvs registration is of course bad but i guess this can happen or was it done on purpose?[/quote]

it is illegal to practice without a current rcvs registration.

[quote user="katja wagner"]crashing a car in an accident equally bad was this done on purpose aswell?[/quote]

it's not illegal, but it is costly and disruptive, not for the departing member of staff, but for the practice they are leaving.

[quote user="katja wagner"]why doese it matter with whom the assistant went on holiday[/quote]

the assistant involved was given priority over others in the timing of their holiday and time off for preparations, because they were getting married. no one believes that they had a last minute change of heart. that is for hollywood.

[quote user="katja wagner"]if somebody descovers to be gay than better before the wedding then afterwards i guess?![/quote]

true, until their private life impinges on the practice.

[quote user="katja wagner"]may i ask why the nurse was made redundant ?[/quote]

to cut costs and improve profitability. you'll hear more of this from others in the coming year.

regs

jgw

Re: A cautionary tale

katja wagner — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:50:58 GMT

sorry , the above post was addressed to Mr. Wray!