Confessions of a travelling non-dom

Max

Dear oh dear, the Speccie really is scraping the barrel during August. I wonder if the stories gained or lost in the re-telling? Whichever, I can understand why the writer was bored.

CharlieRay15

I would be interested to learn more about pigeon Italian, particularly because I was under the impression that the Italians blast anything feathered out of the sky as soon as it enters their airspace.

David Short

Very dull. Who commissions these dimwitted young lady 'writers' who have plagued the Spectator over the last couple of years?

Holden

A very well written piece, I've experienced a few of these "frequent flier hazards" myself. I got a very good laugh out of it, good way to start the day.

Interesting to see how quickly people like "David Short" criticize writers considering most of these people wouldn't get anything they've ever written printed in a Grade School newspaper, the witless pillocks to a man that they are.

David Short

Holden, I think, is a Spectator hidie.

He knows I am a hugely successful international publisher, editor and international diplomat.

He can't even be bothered to make his contribution make sense.

Phew!

Any chance that he might have the courage to give his identity, as I have?

David Short

Who 'starts the day' at three minutes before in the afternoon?

Tell us who you are, Holden.

I don't hide, why do you?

D Short

Dumb, dumb,dumb, dumb,dumb

Commissioned by an old Scottish bachelor.

Joe Camel

Being a dom or non-dom or anything else doesn't seem to have much to do with it. Nevertheless, I look forward one day, who knows, to being placed next to Ms. Pali on a flight to somewhere or other.

prinkipo71

Good lord first Venetia Thompson and now this rubbish? Please can we keep these vacuous airhead witterings out of the magazine.

Alex

Very funny.

Who are all these pathetic people wasting time out of their day to criticize the article with their pseudo-intellectual comments?

Get a life kiddies, let the adults speak.

Paul M

Ha ha. I tend to get the Pseudo-philosophers. Maybe it is because I am a boring Business-type...

D Short

Is it coincidence that 'Holden' and 'Alex' who both defend the 'writer', also use the word 'critize' in their text, and use the OED correct version with a 'z'?

Are they the same person?

This took 20 seconds to write.

Not much 'wasted time'.

Anon

Very witty piece by Ms Pali. I particularly like the characterisation of the types of neighbour the travel guru comes across. Hopefully we will be seeing more from this writer.

Anon

Very witty piece by Ms Pali. I particularly like the characterisation of the types of neighbour the travel guru comes across. I hope we will be seeing more from this writer.

Seb

Just got off a plane this morning and was told by a colleague to read this piece by the new Spec contributor. I think it is a very funny and well written piece and don't understand what all the fuss is about from some of these postings, unless it is part of the usual hazing offered to new female contributors. Chin up sweetheart, you have talent!

Kirsty B

Refreshing to read something that is not about Obama for a change. And definitely more relevant to my summer!

Karen

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. Goes to show we need more women writers at the Specie. Wonderful article.

Karen

PS: I can see why Ms. Pali stopped eating mangos... x

D Short

Now that I am middle-aged and no longer wish to pick up young women on planes, I never speak a word to my neighbour.

Hideo

Funny Article. Some one attempted to speak Japanese to me on a flight to Chicago. I couldn't call it pigeon Japanese, since the Pigeon would've done better.

Also, Mr. Short, you couldn't pick up women.. plane or not. Who is that annoying rambling toddler anyway?

Helly

I think I have met the mango dude...
Or maybe the people we meet on planes really do tell the same stories?? Fun piece in any case.

Brian63

Good piece. One of the reasons why I subscribe to the Spectator is that it manages to combine serious opinion pieces (handy as amunition to debate the politicos I work with!), with fun light-hearted articles like this one. The Economist or the daily press do not cater to that need. Way to go Specy and good luck Ms. Pali!

David Short

Hideo, I don't know if I could pick up young women on planes any more, because I don't want to.

I used to do it quite often, I can assure you, when I wanted to.

I did it on trains and boats too.

I'd have to chase middle-aged women now, and I don't think I'd want to do that.

George H

A well written and entertaining piece. Will we be seeing more of Ms. Pali?

Alice

You go away for one week and you miss all the fun. Hysterical piece! Just got off a plane last night and completely understand her! I agree with Holden a great way to start the day,

Ms Pali has a great sense of humour. I wonder if she can top this?

Alan Hall

I'm afraid I do agree with the criticism of O'ar Pali's article; I could have written it without ever having sat in an aeroplane. Did she never sit next to a woman (or Female, as she might say)? or anyone who might have anything interesting to say to her? This piece seems to say more about Ms. Pali than her travelling companions. Please let's not have more in the same vein in the Spectator.

Anatole

What a fun piece! Very witty and carefully observed.
And, by the way, this is a funny article, not a statistical analysis of passenger types. I know I could not have written this which is why I am grateful to the professionals who can liven up even a 'serious' magazine like the Specy. Go Ms Pali!

David Short

Is it part of the contract of Speccie employees to counter negative criticism from readers with wholly unconvincing applause for a weak piece?

If this article is funny, so is colon cancer.

The only funny woman writer is Deborah Ross.

And I mean of all women journos, not just those who appear in the Spectator.

Anatole

David:
Don't want to get involved in a protracted debate as I have better things to do (you don't seem to have that problem).
But I do NOT work for the Spectator - they don't pay enough.
Your comment about "all women journos" should disqualify your opinion outright, irrespective of what you think. Perhaps it will do you good to read more articles by Ms Pali and other talented women authors.
Not least, you might improve the level of your own prose which at the moment is not fit for anything other than anonymous message boards (you clearly don't work for the Spectator).

Kirsty B

Totally agree with Anatole. David's misogyny is disgusting. Unbelievable that women journalists have to suffer people like this...

ibk

Those who can't write, criticise. As true today as it has ever been.
Good article O'ar Pali. Maybe you should also write about the sorts of neighbours one gets on a cruise ship?! Just spent two full weeks of mind-numbing dinners at a table full of accountants on board an over-priced ferry. Brr...

JohnAnt

Humour is of course a very personal matter. Personally I find it unamusing and trivial to the point of banal: boring airline reading for those bored 'high net worth individuals' that Luxury Publishing purports to aim at. I'm profoundly thankful that I've discontinued my Speccie subscription.

C Hart

Nobody has ever sketched me on a plane :( Ms Pali - could you post a copy of the product please?
Funny piece though. Great bath tub reading (like the rest of the Spectator of course).

Jon McHale

Mr Pali,

I enjoyed your article very much, and love the take on different characters.

I've written various posts which are based on either my commuting or holiday experiences - usually which centre on comical human behaviour, you can find them on http://mo-stoneskin.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy them.