In reply to pneame:
> (In reply to jon)
> I have the feeling that this wildness, some might say irresponsibility, has almost completely disappeared from the world, largely due to the complete absence of a sense of humor among our lords and masters and their minions.
I think you're spot on with this assessment and I'm in total agreement. For example, after a relatively sedate LUMC dinner at the Erw Fair in Llanberis during the mid 1970s, with everyone milling outside on the High Street, an inspired soul produced a climbing rope and suggested a tug-of-war competition. So, at about 12.30am on a Sunday morning, two teams were quickly organised and competition began. Somehow or other I ended up as the ref. After a few less-than-quietly-conducted pulls, I noticed the presence of 2 uniformed police officers standing amongst the spectators. I caught the eye of one, a sargeant, and during a lull in the 'competition', he walked over, filling me with dread as he did. "Are you in charge of this lot?" he enquired. I vaguely nodded. "OK", he said,smiling broadly, "it's after 1am now, so shall we have the best of three to finish and then I think you all need to go home."
What could have been an extremely difficult situation was instantly and amicably defused. We'd had our fun and that was that.... I'm sure that such irresponsible behaviour wouldn't be tolerated at all by the police today.
Do 'rock' stars throw TVs out of hotel windows, drive Bentleys into swimming pools etc these days?
No, progress is not always good.