Corbyn declines to meet the Queen.

Yes we've asked the poor woman to shake hands with some evil types who have blood on their hands for the sake of trade and diplomacy.

I can't say JC because this is someone else for me
anniebach I was calling him JBC for short to differentiate.

Using a surname is fine just longer to type! it's what they used to do in school; however it always makes me feel uncomfortable to hear women referred to by just their surnames.

I know that is probably a sexist remark but it's just how I feel.
So carry on if you would use a surname for a man or woman, I will just grrrr quietly to myself

The last was not just to anniebach it was a general thought.

eg, can't stand to hear 'Thatcher', 'Harman', 'May', 'Cooper' etc.

What matters, surely, is that we all know to whom we are referring. Does anyone know any other Corbyns, because I do not.

.rosequartz, I doubt I would refer to a woman by her surname, I do with Thatcher but even the media refer to the Thatcher years and I can't be bothered with typing Margaret Thatcher, sorry if you grrrrr but try to allow me this one

That's OK, I will just grrr away to myself

At least you didn't call me 'Quartz'

But it would differentiate you from roses. That's an idea!

OK, I did suggest 'quartzie' at one point when posters kept muddling us up.

Time for a name change

I'm not changing RQ, but if you are happy to.....?I always call you RQ anyway, so maybe others could?

Stay as sweet as you are rosesarered
I will have a think about it
It might be a good idea anyway .....
(always in the shit mire, only the depth varies)

Although shit manure is very good for roses, isn't it?

Roses only like to mingle with other roses, they detest anything else planted around them, and go easy with the shit manure!

Are you a clique of two?

Perhaps I should change my name to Roseana!

That was my great-grandmother!!

It's true about roses Ana, they should be planted alone or with other roses,
But do change your name to Roseana, as we need more confusion on here.

My roses are interplanted with lavender and seem quite happy

But I'm all for confusion. Perhaps I could become Roseanya?

Perhaps I'll come back as Lavender

[thinks]

Anya.... Have you actually asked your rose if it's happy? mmn, I Think not.
yes Roseanya sounds good, we could have utter confusion in the ranks, what fun!

A rose by any other name would as sweet

OMG Roses are you saying I don't know my own roses? That I make sweeping generalisations without establishing the facts? Let me tell you I worked with unhappy and socially deprived roses for years.

Well, Anya, I think your rose needs a bit of it's own personal space to truly discover itself.Lavender is all very well, but it does tend to take over and
Leach all the good stuff from around it.Roses put up with it, but it does affect them, they are more frail and vulnerable than you may think, and could go into a decline.I think my roses had better have a quiet word with your roses, just to be sure.

Annie you are quite right, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet
( although if a rose were called a Muglion or a Wartaria, would we like it as much?)

Anya, calm down we are all rose-lovers here (although some, of course, are more compassionate than others). We all try to do our bit for the good of all roses, but sometimes our motives are questioned and disparaged....sigh!