Things I didn't know......and confusion.

[oldtom]

Because I have never paid much attention to it, I have never been able to remember the date of Fathers' Day in the UK. As with Easter, it seems Fathers' Day is a moveable feast and just to add to my confusion, rather like the Queen's birthday, I have to deal with two celebratory occasions marking the event because Spain retains the traditional date in March while in the UK, it occurs in June.

Thankfully, I happened across an article in a regional newspaper, probably familiar to the forum 'Brexit' commentator, 'OG', so my thanks go to that organ for illuminating the matter and making my confusion understandable.

what-date-is-fathers-day-1581625

Tom

 

[flecc]

I refuse to acknowledge any of these days so no problem for me. They are blatantly commercially inspired and promoted.

They'd try brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles days if they thought it would pay. Not to mention pets day.
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[Gubbins]

The only time I become aware of fathers day is when a bottle of whiskey turns up and as I like whiskey I don't argue about it!

 

[grldtnr]

Yes ,Flecc ,blatant commercial probity!
I blame them obsequious sentilmental yanks who saw a pile of dollars with Mother's day, when it should be Mothering Sunday, as celebrated by the church in Britain.
Mothering Sunday is different ,with recognition given to mother's.

Mother's Day, Hallmark cards see piles of dollars as well as most businesses around the World.

 

[Jimod]

The only time I become aware of fathers day is when a bottle of whiskey turns up and as I like whiskey I don't argue about it!

So you prefer the Irish stuff do you?

 

[mike killay]

I find the idea of Mother's Day as opposed to the religious festival of Mothering Sunday repugnant.
Although not religious, I fully respect the right of those that are to celebrate their church's festivals.
The commercial invention of Father's day (and I refuse to accept any other explanation dragged up by Americans to gild the lily) should be seen for what it is, and ignored.

 

[Gubbins]

So you prefer the Irish stuff do you?

I had an Irish and a scotch at crimbo.. Didn't care for the Irish until I was half way through it which just proves that you can get used to anything! On Aldi's own at the mo.. supposed to rank highly.. Kids say I am easy to buy for. Wife says I am an alky. But, back to things I didn't know "E" eck! you learn something new every day!

 

[Nealh]

To add to the above two more that are solely promoted for money making, Valentines and Halloween AFAIC bolh totally b******s.

 

[anotherkiwi]

To add to the above two more that are solely promoted for money making, Valentines and Halloween AFAIC bolh totally b******s.

Don't get me started on xmas...

 

[flecc]

To add to the above two more that are solely promoted for money making, Valentines and Halloween AFAIC bolh totally b******s.

Halloween is American anyway, never was a British thing.
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[oldtom]

As a lover of fine malt whisky, although I only have an occasional pint dram, I keep receiving various malts as presents on my birthday and Christmas (they don't know what to buy for an old fart like me!)

On a very sad note, I am probably the only man on the planet who has ever dropped a bottle of 25yo Macallan just moments after receiving it from an in-law, on to a hard surface with unsurprising results.

That aside, 'Fathers' Day' - stuff it!

Tom

 

[daveboy]

I love Fathers day, It gives the kids the chance to tell me I'm "The best dad in the world" and I now have a keyring, mug and pint glass to prove it.
Some of you remind me of Victor Meldrew.

 

[grldtnr]

I love Fathers day, It gives the kids the chance to tell me I'm "The best dad in the world" and I now have a keyring, mug and pint glass to prove it.
Some of you remind me of Victor Meldrew.

Now ,a Victor Meldrew day, i can relate to that!!!!!

 

[Gubbins]

Now ,a Victor Meldrew day, i can relate to that!!!!!

I am often referred to as grumpy grandad!

 

[Danidl]

Halloween is American anyway, never was a British thing.
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No no no !!. Halloween is a Celtic possibly even scandanivian linked very much with the Irish. It went of with the Irish to the States and got notions above its station. The original is Oiche Samhnain .. the night of of Samhnain. Based on the autumnal equinox , its about the spirits of the dead being able to roam the earth on one night, before being put back in their place by rituals the next day.
The Christian modification was to assign it as All Hallows Eve ,the day before All Saints Day. Halloween is a corruption of the word All Hallows .
The traditional light to light the way for the wandering spirits was a candle in a turnip, which the US converted into a Pumpkin.

 

[flecc]

No no no !!. Halloween is a Celtic possibly even scandanivian linked very much with the Irish. It went of with the Irish to the States and got notions above its station. The original is Oiche Samhnain .. the night of of Samhnain. Based on the autumnal equinox , its about the spirits of the dead being able to roam the earth on one night, before being put back in their place by rituals the next day.
The Christian modification was to assign it as All Hallows Eve ,the day before All Saints Day. Halloween is a corruption of the word All Hallows .
The traditional light to light the way for the wandering spirits was a candle in a turnip, which the US converted into a Pumpkin.

Agreed. I was posting about the way it's celebrated in modern times, by Americans as an American institution, pumpkins, trick or treat and all that. Which as you say they brought from this side of the pond long ago of course.
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[Gubbins]

Agreed. I was posting about the way it's celebrated in modern times, by Americans as an American institution, pumpkins, trick or treat and all that. Which as you say they brought from this side of the pond long ago of course.
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Do the Americans have anything that isn't "borrowed"?

 

[flecc]

Do the Americans have anything that isn't "borrowed"?

Pumpkins. They are North American in origin.

Of course the true original brown skinned Americans had loads of original things, like totem poles and tepees. But they then suffered from uncontrolled immigration of economic migrants coming across the sea, seeking a better life.
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[tommie]

But they then suffered from uncontrolled immigration of economic migrants coming across the sea, seeking a better life.
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True, but aren`t we all immigrants ourselves?

if you go back far enough?

 

[flecc]

True, but aren`t we all immigrants ourselves?

if you go back far enough?

Indeed, science tells us that we all came from Africa seeking a better life, making opposition to what is happening now somewhat irrational.
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