Discussion today has focused on the falling number of new cars being sold in the UK, the story on exercising with your other half can be a nightmare, and why British children’s TV is better than Netflix and YouTube. You’ve also been discussing the country’s coffee cup culture, and whether it’s better to move closer to family or friends in old age.
To join in you can click on the links in the comments below to expand and add your thoughts. We’ll continue to highlight more comments worth reading as the day goes on.
UK car industry demands Brexit clarity after biggest sales fall since 2009 - business live
In today’s live blog on financial and economic news, readers have been discussing the reasons for the drop in UK car sales last year.
‘I’m not replacing my car as my employer is waiting to see what happens with Brexit’
My car needs replacing, it’s going well today but it has done 160,000 miles and it has started costing me money to keep roadworthy.
However, my employer is putting everything on hold until we see what nonsense Brexit brings and dependent upon this we may end up moving ops abroad and shedding jobs.
So, for the time being I am not going to replace my car as I don’t want to spend the money.
Brexit bites.
I am sure I’m not the only one in this position and couple to that the fact that people are poorer this year because of the Brexit currency depreciation.
Nothingnewhere
Why couples should never go running together
Readers have been sharing their experiences on why exercising together doesn’t have to be difficult.
‘If a couple of differing abilities wish to exercise together, get a tandem bicycle’
My wife and I don’t run. We’re cyclists. Many years ago we got separated less than a mile from home whilst still in our village. We knew where we were supposed to be going but not the precise route; I chose one way she the other. That day we decided the only way we could avoid the problem in future was to buy a tandem. Over the intervening 40 or so years we’ve covered many 1000’s of miles together in many countries on our own and in the company of fellow enthusiasts, pedalling happily together.
So my advice is, if a couple of differing abilities wish to enjoy exercising together, seeing this and other countries, don’t run, get a tandem bicycle. It really is like running in an armchair :)
Sadly, old age and injury prevent our covering as amany miles as in our youth (I’m 78 next week ) but we had a lot of fun and have a lot of good memories.
geoff1940
Do British children really need saving from YouTube and Netflix?
Stuart Heritage has written about British TV for children and why we need CBeebies more than ever before.
‘American kids TV has been in something of a renaissance for the last decade or so’
American kids TV has been in something of a renaissance for the last decade or so. The writer should watch more.
It all started in 2005 when the launch of Ben 10 on Cartoon Network finally brought action/adventure cartoons back into mainstream circulation. This was followed with a succession of decent action/adventure kids TV: Generator Rex, Battle Force 5, Young Justice and the Thundercats reboot were all on a lot in my house even before my kids came along! The Star Wars prequels were given a sense of justification with the fantastic Clone Wars series.
Nickelodeon brought the genre to its zenith with Avatar: The Last Airbender, which aside from the greatest action/adventure cartoon ever devised is probably one of the greatest TV shows of all time, full stop.
RadioHedgeFund
Will a 25p charge change Britain’s throwaway coffee cup culture?
With the prospect of a 25p levy on takeaway coffee cups, readers have been discussing alternative ways to deal with disposable packaging.
‘There’s also the issue of the culture of fast food’
It’s actually a much bigger issue than just cardboard coffee cups, it’s the entire convenience culture of fast food.
I see drive through outlets popping up all the time. They are very popular it seems but each visit is a huge paper bag full of throwaway cartons, drinking cups, plastic lids and straws. Then there is all the packaging of fluids, either in card packs that cannot be recycled or plastic bottles.
The issue is a massive, massive challenge to every food retailer out there.
CordTrousers
Should I stay near friends or move close to family in my old age?
For this week’s private lives column, readers have been providing advice to a reader who doesn’t know whether she should move closer to friends or family.
‘There is no right answer to this dilemma’
My mum and dad have stayed in the town where my sister and I were brought up. Meanwhile my sister and I live a long distance away. My dad, who is 82 has had physical and mental health problems and now my mum, who is his carer, is in intensive care on a ventilator and has been in hospital for two months following heart surgery. This has put a big physical and emotional burden on my sister and I am now feeling guilty for not being with my parents when they need me.
However, I have a demanding job and a wife and two children. Mum never wanted to “be a burden” so she and dad stayed where they were, however they don’t have a network of friends or neighbours so now we are in a very difficult situation. There is no right answer to this dilemma, you just have to project the scenarios, make your decision and realise the consequences.
ID0228872
Comments have been edited for length. This article will be updated throughout the day with some of the most interesting ways readers have been participating across the site.
