The FOC thread.

[citizen_maine]

I can't remember too much about teaching methods at primary school but I do recall them making a big effort to get us taught about decimilisation. So fair dues to those teachers who got us unrully kids to learn about giving up our threepenny bits.

I still like thrupenny bits

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

I remember saying I'd give up if they ever got to £1 for twenty. I roll my own these days but I believe these days they're now almost £1 EACH !! I often wonder how much tax I've paid for tobacco over the years.....

I worked out that I'd spent the equivalent on fags that would have bought me one of the old style Minis!

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

My pipe and a tin of St Bruno is still under our bed.

I think that if yer paid a little extra yer could get St. Bruno in the bed.

 

[yerwot?]

I still like thrupenny bits

cockney rhyming slang...

 

[yerwot?]

I was 11 and remember it well but it was a bit confusing at first, 240 pennies to a pound down to 100, the retailers made the most of it by rounding up prices. It was part of the language of our youth, half penny, penny, threepenny bit tanner, florin, half a crown, (two and a kick), 5 bob, ten bob note and those green one pound notes. I don’t remember the white fivers that used to get mentioned but a fiver was a lot of money to a kid in those days.

Think it was two shillings to get in Maine Road as a junior around that time, I’ve still got my season ticket from the 75/76 season and the receipt is for £4.50 for 21 games (blagged a junior ticket!)

12 of those white fivers, to buy a 12" tele, 1956. Had to wait a few years for the box that could receive ITV, Didn't need a remote as there were only 2channels. 12 bob for delivering newspapers morning and evening and sunday, 5 bob butchers errand boy...

 

[Newman Noggs]

Don't remember getting the decimal coin set, but I've still got my 1965 Churchill commemorative crown which primary school children received when he died.

 

[Ho Chi Man City]

12 of those white fivers, to buy a 12" tele, 1956. Had to wait a few years for the box that could receive ITV, Didn't need a remote as there were only 2channels. 12 bob for delivering newspapers morning and evening and sunday, 5 bob butchers errand boy...

I had a paper round but it had gone to Decimal by then, 60p for six mornings and 7p for Friday night Reporter deliveries.

 

[Vienna_70]

I was 11 and remember it well but it was a bit confusing at first, 240 pennies to a pound down to 100, the retailers made the most of it by rounding up prices. It was part of the language of our youth, half penny, penny, threepenny bit tanner, florin, half a crown, (two and a kick), 5 bob, ten bob note and those green one pound notes. I don’t remember the white fivers that used to get mentioned but a fiver was a lot of money to a kid in those days.

Think it was two shillings to get in Maine Road as a junior around that time, I’ve still got my season ticket from the 75/76 season and the receipt is for £4.50 for 21 games (blagged a junior ticket!)

I was nearly 7 1/2 on D-Day, hence the remark about very few younger than me being able to remember it.

I think it had been drummed into us at school, and I don’t remember any confusion between the two currencies at all.

 

[Ho Chi Man City]

I was nearly 7 1/2 on D-Day, hence the remark about very few younger than me being able to remember it.

I think it had been drummed into us at school, and I don’t remember any confusion between the two currencies at all.

It was the way retailers pushed the prices up that was confusing, trying to work out that a 4d chocolate bar was up to 10p in price but was in reality 9.6p (9 pennies and a half should have been the price but nothing went down after D day!)

Like you we were well versed in the transitional currencies but not used to being diddled!

 

[KS55]

I was 23 on D day, but I don’t remember any of it. The Mary Jane was good, though.

 

[Penfold the Duke]

It was the way retailers pushed the prices up that was confusing, trying to work out that a 4d chocolate bar was up to 10p in price but was in reality 9.6p (9 pennies and a half should have been the price but nothing went down after D day!)

Like you we were well versed in the transitional currencies but not used to being diddled!

Exactly this! And as a youngster who was decent at maths can remember telling our newsagents (remember them!) he’d got his sums wrong!!

 

[i kne albert davy]

It was the way retailers pushed the prices up that was confusing, trying to work out that a 4d chocolate bar was up to 10p in price but was in reality 9.6p (9 pennies and a half should have been the price but nothing went down after D day!)

Like you we were well versed in the transitional currencies but not used to being diddled!

Day before D Day you got 12 things off penny tray for a shilling Day after you got 10 for your 5p, to a young me that was a massive rip off ;-)

 

[NPBlue]

Day before D Day you got 12 things off penny tray for a shilling Day after you got 10 for your 5p, to a young me that was a massive rip off ;-)

I went into a sweet shop a few days after D-Day to buy a chocolate bar or something. The shop owner tried ripping me off with the change. I can't remember the exact numbers, it was a mix of old and new money in his counting, but I wasn't easily fooled and he gave me a withering look when I pointed out his 'mistake'.

I think, as kids, and I was 13 at the time, we adapted much faster to the new system than older people. We found it a very easy transition, as I recall.

 

[roach3]

If you are a male FOC with an enlarged prostate, read on. Otherwise ignore this, it gets messy.
I take Tamsulosin which is a muscle relaxant commonly used to relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
Before I took it I was waking up three or four times a night requiring a pee. Once prescribed, that became once per night which was acceptable..
Then the frequency increased and I was back at three times per night..
I decided to take a double dose of Tamsulosin. Not only did it work but it had an interesting side effect. Along with my prostrate trouble I suffered from constipation and bloating. After the double dose, I defecated five times in 24 hours. All normal, everything seemed to flow out of me, the bloating disappeared and I felt empty for the first time in ages. It seems the muscles relaxed and just let everything go. Great result. All still good a week later. Obvs I cannot recommend you do the same. It’s up to you.

Funnily enough I’ve just been prescribed these fuckers, I’ll go easy for a while but if no change I’ll give your method a go.

 

[roach3]

There is no normal.
I can do 5 before noon most days.
It’s changes in habits that flag up concerns.

5 before noon ? I’m on codein for collapsed discs you’d be lucky to do 5 in 2 weeks

 

[roach3]

View attachment 183781

Remember I think it’s the scaffold doing little one line songs advising us what to do with our old money.
The one I definitely remember was
“ use your old pennies in sixpenny lots”

Or is my memory just gone and I’m making this up.

 

[NPBlue]

Remember I think it’s the scaffold doing little one line songs advising us what to do with our old money.
The one I definitely remember was
“ use your old pennies in sixpenny lots”

Or is my memory just gone and I’m making this up.

 

[Ho Chi Man City]

Exactly this! And as a youngster who was decent at maths can remember telling our newsagents (remember them!) he’d got his sums wrong!!

It was very convenient but nothing compared to the disingenuous reasons why retailers, especially supermarkets, have ripped us off after they had huge profits during Covid and now continue to fleece us to keep profits at a maximum.

 

[crublue1]

I've started shoplifting to make up the difference between pre covid pricing and now.
Nothing major, just the odd item popped down the elasticated waistband.
Dress smartly and be confident, no one bats an eyelid.

 

[Penfold the Duke]

It was very convenient but nothing compared to the disingenuous reasons why retailers, especially supermarkets, have ripped us off after they had huge profits during Covid and now continue to fleece us to keep profits at a maximum.

I do believe it's now as simple as price fixing, with the major supermarkets and their suppliers acting as a cartel. Mostly shop in Aldi where possible but have a small list of items (branded stuff) that we have to use the big supermarkets for.
There is no competition between them so my Clubcard does the best job available.
We now refuse to buy some things. Nothing to upset us too much, but out of spite to the bastards! :-)
Also the smaller retailers like B & M, Farmfoods etc are no longer any cheaper it seems to me.
When aslke why I do it most people seem oblivious to the fact that we are just subsidising huge salaries and bonuses for Directors and shareholders. Staff don't get looked after and are disposable, they HATE customers - just a necessary evil.
I regard it as a game now - "How are these thieving bastards trying to thieve off me today?" and how do I stop them?
Every little win gives me a bit more satisfaction.
Oh, and loyalty cards. IF they are so clever can they not see that almost everything I buy from them using the card is not at full price? Should ban me really.........:-)