I was away from home on Friday evening & saw on my home security camera a man loitering around my house & looking through my bin & other storage boxes I have. He left, then 10 minutes later came back again & did the same. I felt sick, worrying that my cat was home alone & that he’d attempt to get inside overnight. I couldn’t get home until the next morning.

I was initially horrified I couldn’t get back to protect my home/cat but then it dawned on me, if I WAS home, what would I actually do? I’m a single female in her early 40s. How would I actually protect myself against a young male determined to harm/enter?

After a brief research we legally cannot have ANY item that’s purposely used to protect ourselves in our own home. I am just utterly baffled by this! Is there anything that could be used (a grey area)?

20% Cocoa Solids + Palm Oil for Dairy Milk vs Tesco with 31% Cocoa Solids and No Palm Oil - what on earth is going on with Cadbury?

Let's say that you can get a room in a 4* hotel for £80 per night (so £2,400 per month). This would be a room for one person with a large bed, desk, big TV, wardrobe, small fridge, kettle, bathroom, shower, etc.

The water, electricity, and broadband are included in the price as is regular cleaning.

If something breaks then the hotel should fix it. No need to call a plumber or electrician.

Many hotels have reward schemes with a 2% or 3% discount on prices for regular users.

Apparently, VAT is not payable on hotel rooms from day 29 which will significantly cut costs for an unbroken long stay.

I assume one would get to know the employees and treat them well and, in turn, they could assist you as and when necessary.

The main issues are the lack of space (but many people live in cramped conditions anyhow), minimal places to put purchased objects, and the general impersonal nature of the establishment. However, none of these will be an issue for some people. You could even cheaply rent a storage space for your possessions.

Also, you could not cook. You would eat cold food, order room service, or eat out (which would append to the costs).

Has anyone done this? Is it viable? You could attempt to live in a reasonable area and perhaps pay less than renting a one-bedroom flat. All bills are included and you are not paying for any repairs.

ETA: There was also a "fitness centre" in the basement but I suspect it was not quite the same as a gym.

Thougts?

Honestly quite confused about my interaction with my (ex?) window cleaner today.

He needs me to leave these relatively small windows open in my bedroom for safety (to hold onto the ledge) when cleaning the windows. I gladly oblige but I do work 12 hours shifts two days a week.

I now live in a fairly rural area of Staffordshire but maybe my past 10 years in Manchester have made me paranoid about being burglary ? Eitherway, I don’t think it’s that strange to not want to leave the windows open in your house for 12 hours when you aren’t there.

I’m also paranoid about my cat escaping. She’s indoor.

Edit: just wanna say, thankyou for the laughs. Some of these comments really made me laugh hard and that’s not easy to do. I love English humour. Special thanks for the one asking if the window cleaner was shinning up the drain pipe with a shammie 💀

My wife is travelling to Italy by herself with our young son, so I want to look into doing the above so I can accompany her in the airport and help her out with the little one before she catches her flight.

I am not sure if this is "allowed" and if I would get any any trouble for doing so.

Edit:

Thanks for all the responses so far. I just want to clarify a couple of things. My son is 22 months, it's not that my wife can't look after him by herself, it's more the logistics of doing so. If possible I wanted to help her with this, given they'll be arriving late in Italy and the flight will be undoubtedly stressful at that time of night (usually when my son is sleeping).

There are no issues on language barriers as some suggested.

If I did do this, I would certainly inform the airline for whichever flight I booked that I have decided not to board.

In the first instance, I will get in touch with the airport to see if there are any options or assistance available.

Edit 2:

Again thanks for all of the responses. There's been nearly 500 so I won't be able to respond to them all. The general consensus I am getting is that although it is feasible (people don't board flights all the time) it probably isn't a very sensible thing to do and could have negative impacts on other people (delayed flights, security issues, etc.)

To those asking about my wife's capability looking after our son, I didn't suggest she was incapable, only that I would like to help her if possible. I didn't think it was that unusual to want to help in any way possible, even for an hour and a half before a flight, but lots of people disagree on that.

Thanks.

CLEANED AND UPDATED PICTURES IN COMMENTS

Spilled a whole tin of paint on the way to work so for context it’ll be sat there for about 8 hours when i finally attempt to remove it. What would be the best way to try and attempt to clear it all away?!
Thank you strangers of the internet

EDIT water based, it’s Good Home emulsion (matt) paint

EDIT #2 a lot of you lot are so pessimistic it really shows, nothing that a bit of warm water and carpet cleaner can’t do. updated pictures in comments! the mat is going in the bin but DEFINITELY didnt need to replace the whole damn thing as a lot of you suggested!!

I went to my follow up appointment after some minor surgery and the consultant asked me if I had a girlfriend. I said no I'm gay and he said 'If I'd known that I wouldn't have done the surgery because they're more likely to sue me.' Young me just wanted it all over and done with and didn't have the wherewithal to make a complaint but nowadays I would.

This isn't aimed at the NHS in any way which is full of amazing people who do their best but as in any area of life a bad apple appears once in a while.

So i washed them yesterday, they stink so I rewashed them. Its an emergency. Cant really fork out money for a new pair. Theyre washed and on a heated airer alone with the dehumidifier running and the heating on; itll cost a fortune but I will deal with that later.

I dont have access to a tumble dryer... Sold it when I moved, very mad about it now.

Whats my best option to get these dry by 1230?

Update - you beautiful sexy fuckers. THEYRE DRY! I could kiss you all. Had then on the airer until 1130 as I had to run an errand then came back, hair dryer in each leg for 5 and bish bash bosh. Mostly dry. Just doing yhe waistband now and burning my hand doing it but my jeans will be dry.

For those who wanted to know, running to catch a plane at 1230. And I will be buying more jeans on payday. I do own more jeans but theyre kinda old and are not to be seen by others since theyre crusty! Clean but old and gross.

Context: I (M28) live in the north east. I work in social media marketing within the sporting world. It pays ok. Around 30k p.a. Around average for the area. Yet I'm finding it increasingly hard to support life without a S/O. By life, I mean being able to have your own place, have a car and also be able to, y'know... live.

I had a flat for over a year. Loved it. But I was right on the edge of my finances each month. Often I'd find myself having to rely on my credit card by the time pay week came around. My landlord then upped my rent by almost 200 p/m and left me with little choice but to go and knock on my parents door and ask if they had room for a little one. So here I am, rapidly approaching 30 and back with my folks. It's no real hardship. They're good people. And there's worse things than coming home to a hot meal and your laundry done for you. But still, society does not look keenly on those who live with their parents beyond early 20s.

So, therein lies the question, as a man who is currently single, and probably going to remain so for some time yet, is it possible to find a flat, own a car AND live a life and all on a single salary? Those who do it. Tell me your secrets.

I am ok at managing my finances, but I just feel like no matter how hard I try, my list of outgoings just continues to rise.

Like...absolute garbage that i try to throw away before the kids even see it. How can I (politely) ask them to stop? Edit, because people assume I haven't already spoken to them. I have. I've made it very clear I hate Temu and Shein. But the crap just keeps coming. I'm not asking 'how do I talk to my parents'. I'm asking 'how do I make the boundary stick without being a c**t about it'.

For context;

- SEND school (all pupil/s require 1:1 learning)
- While on playground duty, an agency teacher called a pupil “cheeky bugger”
- This occurred while the pupil was simply and very innocently pulling funny faces
- Another staff member heard this, reported to SLT, more so the staff member in charge of staff recruitment from the agency side of things
- Agency teacher then got asked to collect their belongings and to leave the school premises while being escorted out by HR.

I’d love to know what you guys think, was this unfair dismissal or should’ve the agency worker been more mindful?

Help!

Sat in traffic on my way to my hospital placement as a fourth year medical student.

Yesterday, of the 20 patients I asked to have a chat with (+ take a history of the medical issue), 15 rejected and 5 eagerly accepted. It got me thinking about how members of the public feel about students e.g. medical students coming and asking questions or performing examinations during a hospital stay?

Most importantly, what can the student do to make you feel more comfortable? I always offer at the end to go and get some food (e.g. juice and biscuits) or call a nurse if they need one. I did take a picture for a patient yesterday as they wanted to reveal their now amputated leg to their family.

One of the patients asked why I do it and I began explaining how we have to be signed off on certain skills to progress to the next year of medical school - she said she thought I just did it for practice!

I'm 31. I've never had much of a career mindset; I never knew what I wanted to do when I was younger, so I went to college and got a useless BTEC, and didn't go to university. I was horribly depressed from age 19-25 where I was living day-to-day and didn't think I'd see 30, so I didn't care about progressing my life in that way, so got a job in a call centre just to have money coming on.

Fortunately, I was able to get myself out of my depressive state, but I still haven't figured out what to do about my employment situation. I'm not out here looking to earn £100k - 40-45k would be absolutely perfect, but I have absolutely no idea how to achieve that, or where I should be focusing my attention.

30k just isn't enough to live any kind of good life as a single person. I often feel like I've completely ruined my life, I'm massively behind, and I'm destined to be struggling financially forever.

What would you do if you were me? Do I have any options at this point? I feel like I'm too old to essentially start over.

Would people stay out partying all night? Would pubs be allowed to stay open late? Would nobody turn up to work the next day? Would we really get a bank holiday?

I remember going out to watch the Euro final back in 2024 and I’d never seen anything like it on a Sunday night (before the match even started).

Tell me your (serious) predictions!

I’ll be spending some time in the UK in mid/late October this year, late enough that some folks will presumably be wearing poppies. I’ve always admired how the UK handles its remembrance culture. One of my own great-grandads died in the Normandy landings aged only 22. …the only problem being that he was on the wrong side of things. Would you find it offensive if I wore a poppy?

My ancestors are the ones who caused the whole mess after all. Well, some of them anyway. The 22-year-old didn’t have much say in the matter. I’ve read enough Owen and Graves and Sassoon to know that misery isn’t contained to one side, but I won’t do it if it gives the wrong impression or seems insensitive or darkly ironic to you folks.

I am German and a lot of people in my country say that if talking to Brits (especially middle class or upper middle class) you should be polite instead of honest.

Example: You are not allowed to say “I do not think the solution you came up with for a problem will solve the problem. The solution I came up with is much better, because….“. Instead you say “Great idea but we might also try…“.

Is it true? How to tell if a Brit really thinks your idea is great or just wants to be polite?

13 years old. Year 9. Never had issue's with them since it's a friendly community. Walking to co-op to get a pizza for me and my sister since our mum is extremely busy. On the way, I go across a park. I see 2 guys, probably 15-16 with the average 'roadmen' outfit. I try to avoid them and move fast. As I'm going, they spot me. They start asking questions about my headphones and phone. I just start making shit up, saying that it's broken. They eventually leave me alone, but not before stealing my bottle, chugging it, and giving it back. Terrified. How do I deal with this stuff.

Edit: I do boxing. Its the first time this has happened.

I'm 19 and went to a corner shop to get some drinks. I showed them my ID (drivers licence) and they kept on checking it. I'm used to this as I look much younger than I am. Then they deemed it was a fake because it was really slightly bent. I don't know how this happened, it must've been in my pocket weirdly. The shop was really busy so I didn't want to make a huge fuss but I kept on reiterating that it was real. Then they said they'd call the police if I didn't leave, so I did. Not really sure what to do now. Im going travelling soon for a few months so I kind of need it back before Wednesday.

Theres a house that I drive past from time to time that is usually flying some sort of flag. In the past they've had the Israeli flag, the suffragette flag, and the union jack, amongst others I can't recall.

We've just driven past it and it was flying a flag I didn't recognise but have googled and it's the Baucent which is the flag of the Knights Templar apparently.

I think I can infer what the other flags were supposed to communicate, but I've no idea what the Baucent is supposed to represent. Any ideas?

I am not looking for any sympathy here, just genuine ways to spend money. A year ago, totally out of the blue I was diagnosed with one of the most agressive types of terminal cance (average survival time around a year to 18 months, 5 year survival rate around 8%).

I am 47 years old, have no kids, no brothers or sisters, just me and my dad (he is 85 but very fit and healthy for his age).

I have lots of savings, a critical illness pay out, and a monthly income that is actually better now than when I was working due to a monthly pension, weekly PiP payments and a monthly income protection payment.

Thankfully, a year on I am still fit, healthy and living life as normal but I am aware that could change at any time soon.

I want to enjoy myself and treat myself (and my dad and friends), any suggestions as to what I could do?

Here are a few things I have invested in so far (big and small):

• Hospitality tickets and a few nights in a nice hotel to go and watch football with my dad.
• Regular visits to the city where I studied and have some good friends, with stays in nice AirBnBs and first class train tickets.
• I am thinking of spending January and February in the South of Spain for sunny weather.
• A decent electric blanket
• Monthly coffee subscription

Barriers are the fact I have MRI scans every three months, and the results of them could effect my treatment and make travelling further afield more difficult to plan and more expensive due to insurance costs, especially if I go back on chemo. For instance I recently got refused insurance by two specialist companies for a trip outside of Europe due to my condition. Also I can't drive for two years due to the cancer.

Any suggestions gratefully welcomed!

EDIT: I just wanted to say thank you for all the suggestions, I have been overwhelmed and can't thank you all individually! I have created a bucket list document and incorporated a lot of them!

Just a couple of things,

• I was lucky enough to spend two years travelling the world and have lived in Australia and New Zealand, so I have seen a fair bit of the world, but not enough!
• A couple of people have said why do you need insurance? Well I guess my thought process is I want to be an outlier, I want to be one of the 8% who lives for 5 years of 2% who lives for 10 years. My worry is, if I went somewhere without insurance and ended up needing medical treatment, or needed a flight diverting or repartriating, then essentially I could lose all my savings in one go. I'd like to keep some back so if some new promising treatment because available in a couple of years, and I am still here, that I can pay for it.

Thanks again everyone!

I don’t mean something cultural, but some practical thing that could genuinely be implemented here?

In Bogotá, on Sundays they have a thing called ciclovia, where loads of streets are closed to car traffic, kids play out in the streets, people go for leisurely bike rides; it’s great fun. I’d love to see that in the UK.

In Spain, I was driving through a small town, and there was a speed camera linked to a traffic light, if you went over the limit, the lights would go red. Very simple idea, would be great outside schools.

I have read and heard stories of those

I live 4 hours away from my Dad and his wife (no Mum, she died when I was 10) and I'm back visiting them this weekend. I always knew they were incredibly selfish and self centered but I realised this weekend it's something much deeper. They seem to get great pleasure out of others misfortune, for example, if someone fell over in the street they would openly laugh and ridicule the person. There wouldn't even be a single consideration of helping and asking if they are okay. They love nothing more than discussing the breakdown of a 'friends' marriage or anything else bad that is happening to someone.

I'm glad I live so far away, and also have the best husband who has a kind and loving family who treat me like I've always been part of the family. I can't wait to get home, this weekend has drained me.

Welp, so I had my phone snatched outside Hayes & Harlington Station on Sunday when I was making my way back from Heathrow. I marked it as lost in iCloud within 20 mins, called 101, filed a report and made a statement as requested.

The location updated on Monday at 3 AM, to an address in Tottenham and I've updated the Police, who said that they will attend the property.
It's now Wednesday and they are yet to attend (understandably) due to high priority cases and whatnot.

Should I just go there myself? I'm clinging onto hope right now because my device was last backed up in March (lesson learnt). I also understand that all they can do is knock and ask, they cannot search the property and if it is there.. the perpetrator can just deny it.

What should I do? What would you do?

Side note: This was an incredibly humbling experience. I've never felt so vulnerable and helpless. I've actually spent the past couple of days dazed, reflecting on a lot!

One look across the pond with the partisan polarising news sources makes me appreciate the neutrality and reliability of the BBC?

I’m talking on the whole they’re the most reliable along with the sporting events, radio and other media

Why does it get so much hate?