Across the nation , vast numbers of sagacious elderly men are regularly told to sit on uncomfortable wooden benches near major food outlets while their wives do the shopping . While sitting there , like an obedient canine , you can have some interesting conversations . If your hearing is okay , you may also eavesdrop on others swapping fascinating stories and opinions about a wide range of subjects , such as politics , death , crime .
This wallowing blogger well remembers a conversation he had with another elderly gent in a major northern shopping centre. Guided to the bench , the fellow raised the then 2016 US election that was in full flight .
His prediction of the outcome was grim : If Trump won , there would be war with China ; if Hillary Clinton was victorious, there would be war with Russia . Take your pick .
Revealing an interesting earlier life, the man said he had worked for a Dutch airline , had a Russian wife, and had experience with Chinese. Chinese , subjected to pressure , he declared, tended to "suddenly explode. "
As Trump subsequently won the election with the help of the Russians , indicating the Russkies did not like Clinton , and Donald started the trade war against China , we are indeed living in interesting times . They can also be humorous . At one shopping centre a man caused grins all round when heard tell a regular old friend he and his wife had inquired about buying a grave plot , but checked to make sure it was not in an area known to flood .
