I suspect the Vatican sanctions the position known as "Fixing of a Nail," if only for the metaphor.

Sorry elle, should have given you the credit. And I meant to write "Beatchick" anyway. Something must be distracting my few remaining wits. Maybe I should just go back to the highly travel-related Australia board, where they're talking about the high rate of teenage pregnancies in New Mexico, and hanging chads in Florida. Or try to channel the Pope before I get into serious trouble.

Owwwww, no, if itis't beatchick or elle,is no matter, we want you here and not on the lonely planet.

Aw, shucks! No, I wouldn't think of deserting this stimulating company (although at this rate the editors might relieve me of the decision any old tick of the clock). I meant Fodors Australia/Pacific board, not hanging out with a bunch of sweaty, semi-literate backpackers.

Hey Beatchick, put me on the list for the pub crawl with capo and I'll pretend not to be an Aussie so NealOz will talk to me

We sadly I admit usualy go to the irish bar first if we see one and then grill the barperson for where to go and where not to bother and any nightlife etc. always worked for us. Then we promise ourselves not to stepin for the rest of the trip. Who wants to be the token paddy in an Irish paris pub! I do recall a place called OZ near the Pantheon. We ended up having a drink in the Bombadier (English place with an Irish Barman). Ordered a glass of wine...lovely...and when I asked what it was...Chilean! Then a french girl said behind me that my tag was showing on my jumper(Sweater)..died of embarassment and laughed as I ripped off the Gap tag from my top. Other half was laughing saying I am a classy bird in Paris! If you don't mind me drinking the wrong drinks and overall making a show of myself count me in...it's been a few months since I had a good pub crawl!

What's this 'NeAl', anyway, you guys? Never mind. Toni (mate), I'm more worried about the Scots, if you want to know. A few bad nights with Glaswegians can do that.

But young Aussies in foreign bars can be a worry. I did think of impersonating a New Zealander, but the Kiwis are no better, and nobody can tell the difference between our two flags anyway. As there aren't enough of our little Hobbit cousins from across the Tasman Sea to justify a NZ bar anywhere - outside the eastern suburbs of Sydney, perhaps - they tend to turn up at the Aussie bars anyway and cause fights. Just look at Russell Crowe. When he's a bad boy we let the Kiwis to claim him. It's only when he looks like winning an Oscar that we're prepared to overlook his NZ genes.

I'd try to pass as a Frenchman, but (a) I'm the wrong shape, (b) I don't speak much French, (c) I have no dress sense and (d) I'm trying to give up smoking again. Isn't it a bugger?

Owh no mate, you can pick em, they're the ones with the chip on both shoulders to keep them well balanced - as they say !

"sweaty, semi-literate backpackers"
(snark!) ;)

Neil, Beatgirl/Beatchick, it's all good!

Toni, DONE!

<i>What's this 'NeAl', anyway, you guys?</i>

MEI Culpa.

When coming home from a restaurant in Paris recently I came across the OZ bar and passed by hurriedly. Did I do wrong?

Dommage dommage from Sydney.

Crikey!