The closing ceremony for the olympics would have portrayed England and London far better if the bus was dirty and late, the windows scratched with graffiti,the peolple waiting for it should have been throwing rubbish all over the place,then include a few dozen hoodies harassing passers by and stabbing each other,that would have given the world a far more accurate picture than that fiasco they showed the other day.

Not sure what nationality you are Avronb.
I'm proud to be British though!
I would have to disagree with your 'tounge-in-cheek' opinion of everyday Britain which believe me is far from your opinion. I would like to add I am proud of the achievements for team GB, thank John Major for starting the lottery, condemn China for its abysmal Human Rights record and for an over lavish opening and closing ceremony which seems now to be international one upmanship and a waste of money.I hope in 2012 ceremonies are scaled down too!

Well, 22 years after the Tories deregulated our buses, I'm inclined to agree with you.

in answer to your questions>
1 Shropshire born and bred
2 i am also proud of team GB
3 I thank J.M. for the lottery,originally for good causes,that as been diluted somewhat over the years.
4 lets wind our necks in over China,what they do is their own business not ours.
5 'everyday britain',saw a glimpse of that on tv during the Nottinghill carnival/riots.

Your opinions must be a bit mixed up Avronb! Asking people to 'wind their necks in about China, you started a thread about Russia the other day!

What would you think would happen if everyone minded their own business in general? You can wind your neck in as much as you like an even bury your head in the sand if you like. The more people make a noise about China and its terrible human rights record the better.

If you also look at large gatherings around the world especially with drunk young people involved they can get out of hand there were estimated one million people at the Notting Hill carnival and this 'rioting' is certainly not everyday Britian surely?

I was in fact asking why Russia was being criticised for daring to get uptight about NATO missiles being set up a few miles from its borders.

Come on now, Avronb - Just have a look at this wonderful celebration of diversity and see what us poor culturally deprived Shropshire folk are missing out on. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=y7zTc5U2a-U&feature=email

I think it would be if i donned some rose tinted spectacles,but fortunately mine are crystal clear,so i feel that is to my advantage.It does seem that most opticians in this county now seem to prescribe the rose tinted ones which must be heavily subsidised by this government.