Build on the flanks of Etna where the sullen smoke-puffs float
-Or bathe in tropic waters where the lean fin dogs the boat
- Cock the gun that is not loaded, cook the frozen dynamite
- But oh, beware my Country, when my Country grows polite!
http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/et_dona_ferentes.html
"I don't know if this still applies, but Kipling considered Britain to be most dangerous when it was most polite."
Absolutely. Although an EastEnder will speak his mind whether you want him to or not. The upside is that you don't have to guess where he stands on any sort of topic, IF, you can understand what he is saying.
I would guess that the East End has changed a bit since I was last there. My cousins have moved out to Teddington, Slough, etc. Their Mother was a Richmond girl (not an East Ender). She always reminded me of a Pearly Queen. One glass of sherry and she starting belting out those risque burlesque songs ("Its the rich what gets the pleasure, and the poor what gets the blame").
Still applicable! The Brits' only problem is restraining their former English-Speaking colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA, etc.).
They're very polite and diplomatic, but once the ducks are in-a-row, the shooting will begin.
I think the schedule calls for an April 6th to the 9th kickoff. We'll all talk until then ................. FRegards