PLAIN ENGLISH

Maureen N. Maratita

After a few weeks in London at the end of last year several impressions that stayed with me. So here are some last-minute New Year’s Resolutions for your consideration, bearing that in mind. …

 

No. 1: Retain a sense of humor – even when there is little to laugh at

Watching Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a December press conference from Downing Street brought a renewed sense of wonder at a politician stating the obvious. “We still have a significant issue with COVID,” he said. Then alongside questions from media came two phone-in questions from the public (vetted I’m sure) — brought to us by Dave from Cheshire and Rachel from Essex. Dave from Cheshire asked what would happen due to Omicron. “I think we’re going to have a national conversation about the way forward,” came the enlightening reply.

 

No. 2: Con­tinue to learn new lessons

You have seen the headshots we use of people we interview. All media run them, and a lot of them are supplied for just that purpose.

Government leaders in London are way beyond that. Release of insightful pseudo-candid shots of politicians during their private time is in vogue — showing them out on a healthy run for example. And some of them get printed, because the photos are very good.

 

No. 3: Be considerate of others

We drove considerable miles on England’s roads. We ruled out public transport this visit with the intent to hopefully avoid anybody with Omicron.

While I appreciate anew the short distances I travel in Guam, it was wonderful to see drivers consistently use their indicators — well before they change lanes or make a turn.

 

No. 4. There’s always room to improve your products and offerings

A day in Dover — which we have never visited was thoroughly enjoyable, despite the cold. We saw the castle, the White Cliffs of Dover and the secret tunnels where the World War II retreat of allied forces by ship from Dunkirk was planned.

But we were early for the strictly guided tour of the four miles of meandering tunnels and a small group of us stood for several minutes in the cold and rain. The guide finally let us in to shelter before the tour. Rules are rules, but good grief, maybe loan out large umbrellas?  …

 

I was so sorry to see England’s lost small businesses, especially in the smaller towns.

 U.S. SBA grants and Guam Economic Development Authority grants have seen criticism due to SBA’s selection of recipients GEDA’s slow distribution.

In England, at least one £25,000 grant for business interruption was awarded to drug dealers, possibly proving that a business background can be useful wherever life takes you, or that grants are awarded to those that can complete the application process.

All our recipients are kosher, right? (But just in case, the Journal will continue to monitor any 2022 grant recipients and list them for you.) …

 

— Maureen N. Maratita is the publisher at Glimpses Media. Publications at Glimpses Media include the Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, The Real Estate Journal, Guam Business Magazine, Beach Road Magazine, Buenas and Drive Guam.