Embarrassing Moments at Latest e-Meeting – 28 April 2020
No this wasn’t the usual Rotary meeting embarrassments like members accidently passing wind during the meal or falling asleep before the evening’s speaker had finished (no names –no pack drill, but where the cap fits…….!). This was an evening of tales of embarrassing moments experienced at some time in their lives by certain members who weren’t too embarrassed to relate them once again.
Our second e-meeting attracted 31 attendees and went off relatively hitch-free although some folk still had minor difficulties with the technology. Charles Douglas (not renowned for being a shrinking violet) chose to show off his dog rather than himself. John Dunlop once again controlled the show whilst President Ieuan ran us through the usual formalities and Colin Vooght delivered a well-received moment of reflection on the key workers essential contributions during the current virus crisis.
John was also first up with his embarrassing moment which occurred when he happened to be staying in a hotel which was also being used by the English football team. Crediting himself with a good knowledge of football he asked Alan Ball for his autograph, only to discover later that the under-manager at the hotel had been a little bemused at being asked to autograph John’s book.
Not to be outshone, Douglas Haddow made two contributions: one (again in a hotel bar) about eating someone’s discarded fruit pips he’d mistakenly taken for nuts; and another (at Glasgow airport) about climbing a set of out-of-use boarding stairs which he had wrongly assumed led up to his aircraft door. The steward was highly amused.
Colin Vooght told us of the time when, as a very raw, young soldier on the firing range, he had been unable to get his rifle to fire and had turned round to face his comrades to explain that the mechanism was jammed, while still furiously pressing the trigger! He paid his penance in the mess later by being made to run the gauntlet whilst being battered by spoons (must be an old army custom).
Kenneth Dickie related how he had met his future wife at a Saturday dance at the Pavilion. He had asked Marilyn if he could take her home in his sports car (flash man Kenneth even at an early age) but she said she going home with Kenneth’s mate. Surprise, surprise however – when Kenneth went to his car there was Marilyn already sitting in the passenger seat. [not sure if this story has been recorded correctly nor where the embarrassment lies].
Jimmy Begg, as a newish hospital doctor, saw a young farmer patient who had been in an accident (a dyke had collapsed on him). On explaining his diagnosis in very simple terms to the boy’s “father”, Jimmy was put in his place when the “father” interrupted to tell Jimmy that he was the senior consultant.
John Ewing then described a rather unsavoury incident in public toilets in Croatia after being on a yacht for a week in foul weather. Good taste prevents any more detail being recorded here.
President Ieuan concluded with a slap-stick tale of when, on a business trip to Japan and staying in a posh hotel he fell (too much sake?) through a paper screen and into a dining area where folk were enjoying their meals.
