The front of the stage

World, People, MoneyMay 28, 2009 2:21 pm

What links a tourist who lost 84 kilograms of Bombay mix on holiday with another who had his camera stolen by a monkey? Both are among the more unusual claims received by travel insurance companies. Times Money has trawled through the files of some of the UK’s biggest insurers to bring you the 25 most bizarre travel insurance claims ever. So, here’s the list:

1. One thing you don’t expect when you go on holiday is to be harassed by a monkey. One British traveller in Gibraltar, however, was so besieged by the attentions of an over-friendly primate that he asked his insurer to refund the cost of his trip. The insurer refused but did pay out for his camera, which the monkey had run off with one evening.

2. Monkeys also blighted the romantic getaway of a couple in Malaysia, who foolishly left the window to their chalet open during the day. They returned to find their underwear, clothing and belongings strewn across the resort and neighbouring rainforest. Luckily for the clothes-less couple, their insurer paid the claim.

3. One unlucky pensioner managed to lose his false teeth after throwing up over the side of a cruise ship on the choppy seas of the Bay of Biscay. Thankfully for the squeamish septuagenarian, his misplaced dentures were covered in his travel insurance policy under lost baggage, so his claim was paid.

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UncategorizedMay 26, 2009 2:32 pm

Business, MoneyMay 25, 2009 1:28 pm

1. Only very smart people can earn a lot of money. Wrong! Being smarter might be an advantage, but there are several more important capabilities a person should have to reach this goal. If the awareness of the fact that you’re not a genius deterred you from believing that you could become a millionaire, it is time to forget this prejudice!

2. “Diligence” is the key word. You can be a genius, but if you’re lazy, there’s no chance of getting rich (well, maybe some little chances though). Laziness is the million dollars’ biggest enemy!

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News, Thought out, ScienceMay 22, 2009 8:38 am

People, Thought out, HealthMay 20, 2009 7:07 am

Okay, the people we’re about to discuss may not actually use generic drugs.  That’s between them, their doctors and their pharmacists.  We have no way of knowing whether any of these famous people are managing their high blood pressure with a little help from name brand Lasix or a generic dose of furosemide. 

However, we thought it would be fun to use a few big-name celebrities to illustrate why buying generic drugs makes so much sense—and a few of the challenges that have slowed public acceptance of generics. 

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People, MoneyMay 14, 2009 10:57 am

ITV was fined a record £5.7 million for misleading viewers over the conduct of phone-ins on its flagship programmes this week. But it is not just big companies that have to stump up cash in fine-happy Britain.

With an army of pettifogging bureaucrats policing your every move, you better think twice before you eat, talk, drive and even relax… the list is almost endless. Here we list ten ridiculous but true stories where the authorities have demonstrated their limited grasp of common sense…

Sausage rolls
A picnic in the park turned into an expensive event for Mum Sarah Davies, from Hull. While feeding her four-year-old daughter a piece of sausage roll fell to the ground. The missed-mouth incident was spotted by council wardens and Ms Davies was fined £75, even though pigeons immediately ate the evidence.

What a load of rubbish
With photographic evidence and stab-proof vests, Cumbria council’s bin police confronted Gareth Corkhill with the terrible crime of … putting too much rubbish in his bin. The father of four was given a whopping £210 fine, plus a £15 victim surcharge and he now has a criminal record.

Oops…
Litter lout Christopher Murphy dropped a single crisp packet on Irish soil and ended up in court with a 600 Euro (£480) fine. While the term litterbug is no doubt a bona fide insult, this is an example of where the fine perhaps doesn’t match the crime.

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People, Thought outMay 5, 2009 1:21 pm

“Competitive Salary”
We remain competitive by paying you less than our competition.

“Join our fast-paced company”
We have no time to train you.

“Casual work atmosphere”
We don’t pay enough to expect that you will dress up; a couple of the real daring guys wear earrings.

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