LukeJ

@georgie congratulations on your gift. I would love that myself, I bet you were feeling fantastic after that. And to know it was so appreciated is even better. You couldn't post the poem to us on here, or was it a one off that went right to the captain?

You'd be surprised at how silly men can get, and don't let age tell you otherwise ha ha. I sometimes find myself doing something and think why did I do that, knowing it would drive my wife crazy. Maybe that's the buzz, to keep her on her toes 

Everyone is different in what they like in their bosses. Some love their boss to be hard-nosed, know what they want and demand results. I guess that's what keeps them in line. Others like the nicer approach, where they get a pat on the back and a more subtle approach. So I understand how there is not a complete right way to manage someone. Same as cruise ships, some people like how some ships are different to the other ships. It's all how you perceived things I guess. 

Some people just do things for the sake of it. Simply because they thinks it's funny. However in this case, I tend to agree with you and think he was totally intoxicated 

I used to be a boss in some restaurants, and I'd like to think that I was fair. Everyone was treated the same, I would never ask someone to do something I myself wouldnt do. I'd give someone a perk before I would give myself that same privilege and that was anyone can see I was totally fair. I myself wouldnt never demand respect, I would have to earn it, as well as their trust. 

If everything is given to you, how do you expect to learn. Knowledge is the best tool a person can have. I can tell you that it won't work several times, but unless you learn from that yourself, you won't know. I coach the children in sports and I'm always encouraging them just to go for it. I don't want to see anyone fail, however, you have choices. You can keep going the same way and keep failing. You can try and better that another way, or you can try another way

The first drink after the night before is the hardest to swallow. But trust me, once you force yourself through that, and the end of that drink you will already start feeling a lot better. I wondered the same about the guest trying to enter Japan. I wonder if he actually remembered or was sober enough to know what he was doing.

I don't understand how some people's minds work sometimes. If that's the time the ship is leaving, then that's the time it's leaving. I hear daily people and their attitude, well they will have to wait because I'm doing this. No, sorry, the world shouldn't work like that. We have been given a time for a reason, and if you don't abide with that, then I will smugly be waving at you as you stand on the port. Too many entitled personalities in the world today. No manners or care. If I arranged to meet someone, I'd rather be an hour early than 10 minutes late. It's bad manners.

@Kendall James-Vargas thank you for your kind words. It's true though about making mistakes. At the time it's not nice or fun when you do make one, but it's a positive thing to as you now know in future I won't make that mistake again which ultimately could sway you to make a better decision in the long run. I love hearing and reading about successful people that have made it from starting from the beginning. That takes dedication, a lot of bottle, commitment and luck along the way. I worked long hours when I had businesses because if I hadn't done that work, then nothing would get done because nothing just comes to you, you have to go and get that. Couldn't afford to employ someone else as I started out, so you would dedicate your life in building something.

@3Sisters drinking plenty of water after drinking is a good way, and when you wake up you're not dehydrated, which is where headache occur. And another way that works best for me is the hair of the dog. Whatever you were drinking the following day/night, then have that again , it helps me no end.

No the captain is certainly not at fault, he has an itinerary of his own to stick to and should t be dictated by the lateness of passengers. People are aware of the times that is required to be back on board,and if they miss that time, whether it's their fault or not, then that's not the captain's problem. We are all responsible adults and shouldn't be pushing your luck when it comes to the time. If we are due to leave by 3:00, then personally I'd like to be going on board the ship 2:20 the latest to give myself plenty of allowance.

This is what creates an experienced business person. Everyone makes mistakes, and anyone who says different is a liar. Nobody knows what the market or the business is going to do one week from the next. You can either try and manipulate it to go your way, or you can get lucky and jump on and continue. 

@PaulB I'm lucky in retrospect that I can be self employed and invoice people accordingly and get paid that way. There is also pro and cons for that too. As long as you keep the work rolling, it will always cover you in that. But I totally agree with you on salaried jobs, they will take advantage of you in no uncertain terms. 

@Kendall James-Vargas thank you, very kind words. It is hard, and you don't have time to have doubts. I guess the secret is if you make a decision, stick with it regardless because you won't have the time or finances to keep altering it. But the biggest secret for me is not to think you are right at every opportunity, that big headedness will be your downfall in my opinion. I seek advice, to people with more experience than myself and listen to staff advice.

It all depends on your perspective really, and that's why a lot of employers get away with it. Instead of hourly rates, many offer salaries. So if you're under the impression of earning £1200 per month salaried as advertised, then 35/40 hours per week works out as £7.50 per hour. Because you are salaried, they try to make you work longer, so even an extra 10 hours would put your pay down to £6. If they were advised as per hour for £10 per hour, then the same hours would pay you £1600 for 40 hour week, and 50 hour is £2000, so employers would save £800 per worker per month 

Thank you and running a good business is probably not as hard as people think. It's the same as most things, as if you are organised and on top of things, then it's easier than if you leave it all pile up. Being a chef, I thrive on preparation. As long as everything is ready, it can be as busy as you want it, getting into a rhythm makes it simpler. The biggest buzz is building your company, knowing that this once was an idea and it's a reality living out.

Yes, I know it is in the UK. There is no obligation to tip anything if we don't want to. I always was under the impression that Americans tip 20% anytime. Whenever I go to France, to work in the hospitality industry is a big deal. They look proud in what they do, and serve in a quick, organised manner.

You only have the one mother, and once she's gone, that's it. So she may drive me insane at times, and I do to her probably, but she's all I got. So it puts things into perspective in that point of view.

My businesses I've had a photography studio and owned a local cafe which I thoroughly enjoyed. I sold them for a good profit, but sometimes I do miss running it. I would love to own a small restaurant, but not sure if that would ever happen now.

Yes and it sounds like such a cool way of travelling via tram. That would be fantastic for the kids as they seem to love such a way of travelling. But the way you have described the dangers, I'm surprised if it won't be discontinued soon maybe. Our numbers taxes are a disgrace in the UK in my opinion. It's disgusting the amount that they keep taking off us at every opportunity. They even charge us for extra rooms in your house. The tax comes from our local council who are untrustworthy at the best of times. The price keeps going up each year, yet nothing gets done around the towns and cities.

@Kendall James-Vargas I can see the issue now you've explained. I wouldn't want to go aboard a tram at night either if that is what you're subjected to. It can be quite intimidating I guess. In the UK, we pay very high taxes too for absolutely nothing. The money we get taken from us to pay towards things that we supposed to pay towards is squandered and hardly anything gets done which is frustrating as we can't do a thing about it. It keeps rising 5% every year, but the problems keep arising and we wonder where it all goes.

I've always changed jobs. My wife despairs of it, but it's what keeps me interested. I do get not only bored in work, but also unfulfilled. A lot of managers or owners I've worked for are self absorbed and they don't treat their workers right, hence the high volume of staff. A lot have ripped me and others off with wages, and they find that fine to do. My outlook to that is that I've been on time each day, smartly dressed, hygienic, done the job that is expected of me and more, and always the last to leave as I like to oversee everything and make sure it's done all correctly before I leave. And in return sometimes I get them purposely undercutting my money hoping I won't notice, just to save them a bit. When that happens, I've checked out mentally and no longer wish to work for them anymore 

@PaulBmy thoughts exactly there. I don't see why we should tip if the service isn't there. I realise different culture affects different people. The US are renowned for tipping, where in the UK people do tip, and more than welcome have over the years, however I don't see why we should if things go wrong. If service was poor or even mediocre, and the food took too long and was wrong etc, there is no way I'd leave a tip for that as it wouldn't mean anything. If someone did their job and did it well, then I'd be happy to leave them something. But then nobody leaves me a tip for doing my work.

Why is the tram so unsafe at night @Kendall James-Vargas? I've never been on one so wouldn't know the dangers. Or do you mean alone at night? In today's world, safety is paramount, and I'm saddened that it has come to this. 

I agree that it would be a fantastic job and a great opportunity for a single person to take. To see the world, and be part of something is quite an exciting thing. If I could have my time all over again, it would be something I would to do. I ran two businesses, and I loved every minute of it. I loved the buzz and the excitement of doing something and creating my own thing and always being on the move. I highly recommend it to anyone. 

It all depends on how you look at it, taking the car does have its perks, as it's safe in the knowledge that you have transport guaranteed and you are safe that you are in your vehicle. We always tend to drive up the day before and stay in a hotel closer to the port. Saves any nasty surprises the next day in case we get stuck in traffic and panic about reaching the cruise or the ferry, so staying the night before relaxes everyone. Sure the financial implications are.more, but for peace and mind I believe it's totally worth it. Yes we do tend to sail from Southampton if we can, it's just familiar and we are happy to use the same ships.