Some enterprises believe that the boardroom is an ideal place where to make people wait before an appointment. While this is not the best way to show hospitality, at the same time an observing person may spend the waiting time looking around the boardroom reading any books or publications left there and discovering a few things about the mentality of the place.

Some time ago I found myself in such a situation and I saw some literature placed on a shelf. A quick glance told me that the publications had historical value in a place where dynamic modernism in entrepreneurship and enterprise was the order of the day - and of the year.

One publication meant to promote the establishment had front-page bold-lettered mistakes (and one must really be bold to print such mistakes on the front page of a brochure meant to promote). The colouring used was, even to persons not familiar with artistic publicity, poor in choice, creativity and aesthetics. Some photos used were blurred and this was done on purpose as psycho-graphic effect! The effect was surely there but one of clumsiness. I imagined that thousands of this brochure must have been printed at considerable expense and even sent abroad to impress foreign structures to attract them by our dynamic finesse.

I was called to my appointment. One of the first things I heard was that education and promotion are unrelated! It came to me as a sledgehammer blow, especially since I am trying to organise a conference called Language And Tourism (interested parties are welcome to write to me at the University of Malta) based on my published initiative titled Language And The Modern Economy. So I knew right away that I was wasting my time and I wanted to leave immediately while resisting the urge to throw the brochure at its divine creator's boorishness. Indeed, I managed to get out bruised by the sad glint opposite me, wondering who the heck puts awkward and naïve people in managerial positions.

Visiting Budapest

Many Maltese are travelling to East European cities for a number of reasons. Let us take the example of Budapest. This city is about two hours away from Malta. Flights to Budapest are usually reasonably priced. Good hotels and restaurants are not expensive. There is plenty to see as far as nature, culture and entertainment are concerned. First-class theatre presentations are relatively inexpensive. This city also provides a healthy escapism from the usual Mediterranean and Latin cities. My impression is that Hungarians mind their own business; they don't stare, gossip and find fault with everybody around them. They live and let live.

My assumption is that the Gozitan café-restaurant Jubilee opened premises in this city after having considered many factors including the foregoing. I won't say what their best dishes are but the one I chose was exceptional.

Salt in New York

Following years of research about the bad effects of salt on health, New York City has been promoting an anti-salt campaign. This includes the possibility of eliminating salt "dispensers" from restaurant tables. While I am convinced, from what medical doctors say, that salt is harmful to health, the question comes up as to the extent political administrations have on the right to protect citizens against themselves.

Anti-smoking laws protect the non-smoker against air-polluting smokers. Tobacco is harmful and there is no doubt that taxes paid by non-smokers are used for the healthcare of smokers who harm themselves voluntarily. If the law were to stop people smoking away from innocent bystanders, would this be an exaggerated interference?

Laws controlling the consumption of alcohol are there mainly to protect the sober. A drunk is also harmful to others when driving, walking etc. If a person gets drunk and sits on a public bench drinking more, but disturbing no one, does the law have the duty to control him for harming himself?

Noise laws protect the peaceful against lovers and spreaders of din. But does the state have the right to stop a person who is pouring loud music from earphones at full blast into his ears and damaging his eardrums?

Construction workers must wear safety clothing and car seatbelts are obligatory. In this case, the state is protecting the citizen against himself.

Probably to some extent, a nanny state is necessary.

Politicians and children

The Office of the Prime Minister invited the Leader of the Opposition's children, and the Prime Minister's grandchildren, to meet the Pope. This was a good thing as politics, like education, should be child-centred. Some people disagreed, as if they had a hostility towards children, which they should investigate. They also expect the Pope to disagree with Christ's positive attitude towards children!

Dr Licari teaches psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics.

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