Beach, have you done some research on the subject, urinals, toilet bowls etc, you seem to be rather knowledgeable on that score. Were you possibly a Janitorial Engineer in a past life?

I also want to protest on behalf of an ex-digger, I'll call him Fred. not his real name. if I called him Bill you would all know who I'm talking about, so we'll protect his good name, what's left of it, by calling him Fred. Fred it seems has a problem with the high cost of Incontinence pads. Fred, has been admonished by club management on several occasions for not using the urinal, not even using the bowl, but instead Fred prefers to use a unisex chair in the clubs main lounge! When fronted all Fred could offer as an excuse was "I keep the pads for bowls on Saturday!"
p/s Fred can get around okay, its not a lack of mobility is the problem. Fred will freely admit he's a bit lazy at times. Any opinions?

p/s Help is needed urgently, the club is fast running out of chairs. Shortly it could be standing room only!

o sung wu,

What an experience that must have been - I imagine many gents would have visited Harrods just to go to the loo. It makes me wonder what the Ladies would have been like....just as luxurious I expect.

I worked at David Jones in my first job after leaving school - in Perth. It was a lovely old store in the centre of St George's Terrace. It still had an old-fashioned lift with that sort of latticed cagey thing in front of the doors. I'd like to think it had a lift operator too, but I can't remember properly although I think there may have been a suitable little man doing that important job.

It was a kind of old-school type of establishnent...I remember when the Queen drove down the Terrace in 1977 we were all allowed to leave our post so we could go out on the sidewalk and wave to her.

But it was the end of an era for that type of store - closed the following year.

Paul1405,

It has been noted before on OLO and it is worth saying again, that you do Otto (A fish called Wanda) far better than talented Kevin Kline ever could.

But then Kevin Kline had to act the part, whereas that comes naturally for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5IQnQhzMSI

Your cue to say something really stupid and you never let the forum down.

o sung wu, Poirot,

I may be wrong but I was given the impression that businesses like David Jones saw it as their duty as good corporate citizens to train and employ older veterans and people with disabilities in simpler but necessary roles such as lift drivers. There were others in loading docks, welcoming customers to floors and so on.

I was also told that the management didn't brook any rudeness to those employees either. Anyone who did that was quietly shown the door. Public rudeness would have been rare back then though.

Good evening POIROT...

Not unlike DJ'S here in Sydney in the fifties and sixties I expect? Indeed the lifts always had an attendant to drive it and to announce the various floors, and what those floors contained in the way of merchandise.

I recall being taken into DJ'S in Elizabeth Street (Sydney) in the forties and early fifties by my Mother and Grandmother for afternoon tea, consisting of a snowy white table cloth, together with superb crockery and tableware. Whereas I had to sit very quietly on my best behaviour, in order to have a piece of cake and a glass of lemonade. Have those times changed sadly. All this reminiscing is not good for you, so I've been reliably informed?

In later years, I'd occasionally think back on those days and lament their passing, particularly as I did my duty as a young uniformed copper, listening and witnessing all the atrocious and utterly filthy language and behaviour, that passes as acceptable for today? By golly we've sure slipped down the totem poll, of what is considered appropriate conduct in public places and venues in our community these days? It's all quite sad really, don't you think POIROT ?

Hi there ONTHEBEACH...

You're perfectly correct when you say that some jobs were only made available to veterans, particular those who'd lost a limb in war service. Lift drivers, and the old NSW Parking Police, were only available to veterans, and it was common sight to see a Vet. writing out a parking ticket for someone illegally parked, missing a leg or an arm. And they were all well respected by the public as well!

Take it easy there ol' mate !