Messing about in Bratislava

Oh come, come. The lad was just having alaugh. There's a difference between high spirits and intimidation

Patti McCracken

I live in Hainburg, Austria--just across the border from Bratislava--and lived in Bratislava for about a year before moving here.
I agree wholeheartedly with you--that what's tolerated, more or less, in London, is not in Bratislava. Just trying to imagine someone jumping around in that fountain outside the embassy--which is across from the opera house, vis-a-vis the secuirty-conscious Ritz Carlton, and fronting a very quiet and rather upscale parklike setting-- well, I can't imagine it. Furthermore, the Slovaks struggled for more than a dozen years to regentrify that area, so I would think the Slovaks viewed this as more of a threat than highjinks--and it's understandable why in another way, too-- Slovaks don't behave this way in public. And when they do, the police arrest.

Toby Belch

Isn;t this just national self-loathing? These antics are just part of who we are and why we've never been conquered since 1066

Disraeli's ghost

Oh come off it Mr. Belch. It is just yobbery and bad manners. We didn't win the war by getting drunk, strippin off and jumping into fountains

Anon

So what did you do on your stag night, Stephen? A man is entitled to a little fun on his last night of freedom

simonh

Maybe I'm hard hearted but serve him right

Anon

Simonh, the issue is that the punishment is disproportionate. A fine and a night in the nick would have been sufficient

Umbongo

Oh yes it's all just high jinks and the punishment is "disproportionate" but, you know, it's very unlikely to be repeated by any further yobs from the UK. Maybe some "disproportionate" punishments here would allow those who aren't yobs to use public spaces after 10:00 pm. Toby Belch "we've never been conquered since 1066" On the contrary: " . . England, that was wont to conquer others, Hath made a shameful conquest of itself. . "

Marc Chmielewski

The man is an embarrassment to the country. The yobbish culture is now appearing abroad. If we choose to darken our reputations, let's please at least do it at home. It is no wonder that we are hated amongst those on the continent. Let him sit in jail for two months. That is the law in the country which he performed this foolish act, let him face the consequences.

Michael

2 months and a missed wedding. Oh dear, how sad, never mind. Are we learning yet?

Anon

What wasn't mentioned is that the aforementioned Mr.Mallone was apparently masturbating in the fountain infront of passing ladies. Whether that is done in Slovakia or here in the UK, that sort of behaviour is for yobs, sadly the sort of people who ensure that those from the UK get labeled yobbos from others in Europe. If you want the full story, check what the slovaks actually wrote - http://www.sme.sk/c/3318422/V-jednej-z-bratislavskych-fontan-sa-kupal-nahy-turista.html and there comments there as well. You will have to learn Slovak of course, but to say they were less than impressed says it all.