The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 41: Feb/March 2019 | Page 33
IS IT ME?
IS IT ME?
John Davies is a senior corporate partner at leading commercial law
firm Thrings. In each edition of TBE John addresses a topical news or business-related issue.
This time John asks “What does your Christmas present say about you?”
Thrings
@ThringsLaw
www.thrings.com
Happy New Year folks. 2019 already – where
did last year go, eh?
Well, I’m tapping this out on the day of
the ‘meaningful vote’ which the Government
is expected to lose. I listened to various
politicians on the drive into work this
morning and have to admit I’m none the
wiser as to what’s going to happen.
So instead of a commenting on the latest
news, I thought I’d share with you what I got
for Christmas.
I love Christmas, it’s probably my favourite
time of the year. I love the message, the
carols, the colours, the festivities, the magic
that washes over children (and some adults),
the celebration and, of course, putting a
little bit more time and effort into family and
friends. It’s also nice to have a few days away
from the desk, a bit of downtime and raise a
glass or two. Talking of which….
What I got for Christmas then: red
wine, white wine, fizzy wine, port, whiskey,
bourbon, beer, brandy, a coffee liqueur
and some flavoured gin. All in all a very
good haul of beverages which demonstrate
both the flexibility of my palate and the
robustness of my liver.
In the interests of balance, I should also
mention I received a couple of books.
Don’t get me wrong, I was both pleased
and grateful for my Christmas stash. But
it got me thinking about what my presents
say about me. One of the books was Michael
Caine’s latest autobiography. All good there
– I’m always keen to keep up with popular
culture. The other was ‘Heroes’, Stephen
Fry’s latest offering. All good there too – a
little highbrow, but not too much.
But the rest of my stocking was filled with
booze. My friends and family have sat back,
taken some time to think, and assessed
that my perfect present is best delivered in
a bottle. I was a little bit worried about this
to be honest. I like a drink as much as the
next person, but I’m not a daily quaffer of the
good stuff. I usually limit it to the weekend
and special occasions.
I asked a couple of pals what they
got…and the results were similar. So I’m
wondering if it’s more to do with my age.
In my opinion it’s difficult to buy presents
for folks once they reach a certain vintage
because they’ve already got most of what
they need.
I have my essential utensils. Buying
clothes is difficult in terms of taste, size
(especially size) and judgment, and I’m not
big on candles. A bottle of the good stuff is
therefore a great shout - and in case you’re
wondering what to get me for my birthday
this year, very welcome!
One of my pals made a very good point.
Better to be bought a bottle of Shiraz as
a gift than a pack of soap and deodorant.
When questioned further, she said it was
better to be thought of as someone who likes
a tipple now and then than someone who
‘sports a whiff’. A fair point, I guess.
Anyway, have a little think about it. What
did you get for Christmas and what does it
say about you?
And in the meantime Brexit rumbles on.
Never mind. It’ll be Christmas again before
we know it.
John Davies
e: [email protected] t: 01793 412634
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019
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