this was not "serious trouble", but I still remember the hard time I had, on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, to get a glass of water !!! Yes, I confess, my accent was (and still is...) really bad, but the fact the waitress thought we were French Canadian did not make the matter any easier... I finally got the glass of water when she understood we "only" were "real" French and her animosity disappeared. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I don't know if that animosity between english- and french-speaking Canadians is still as virulent as it was at that time ... but god, it was quite frightening... <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hi Frenchy,

I live in Montréal and especially when I go out in the west of Montréal, it's now rare when we are served in french, even native french speaker start with english. I believe because of a fall of the birth rate especially in french canadians and with an increase of immigration, the animosity is more about religions such as between jews and muslims and since 911 I think racism has increased. So yes the animosity between the têtes carrées and the frogs was more virulent like 20 years ago. Now with the internet and everything, it's in the interest of young french canadians to learn english. There are still some die hard separatist who blame everything on the english and the americans but they are a minority and shouldn't be taken very seriously.

Frankie

The reason that we English are refered to as "perfide Albion" is that English foreign policy has always been to ally with the smaller European powers, in order to balance the power that France has in Europe. That power comes directly from France's geographical position and size. Along with Germany/Austria. Fortunately France and Germany, have for most of their history been enemy's. Needless to say, the British Foreign Office has always proved quite adept at playing The Great Game in order to preserve the status quo. In other words, that honest, upright chap with the public school accent can be a sneaky devious clever git when the situation calls for it.

Yeah, Leigh, but the REAL question is does that git use red cellophane and rubber band or a machined filter? And which one makes him more clever?

Machined, old boy. Bespoke of course. It's a matter of style. Although the cellophane will do in a pinch. On a more serious note, a lot of our diplomates are ex-Armed Forces. There is a very hard man under the polished exterior. They have been there and done that. If you ever hear a British Diplomat describe the situation as being "A bit tense." Be elsewhere and do it fast.

Ah, the British habit of understatment <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

How in the heck did this thread get off track?!?!

Anyway, Yes I typically have a filter or dedicated red, green or blue light. I prefer Green or Blue because it is easier to read maps with and causes less eye strain while maintaining NV.

The Gerber Recon is an excellent RGB option.

Ah yes. The understatement factor. When I was working in the U.K. (DERA) I remember one lovely time when we are all packed up in the handbasket and the ferryman had been paid. A native (I'm pretty sure he was ex-military) turned to me and said "it's a bit of a struggle." This was said knowing full well that over 500 manhours had already gone into the problem with no effect and that our particular "hell" meant a very large, expensive, and public operation was coming to a complete standstill; leaving hundreds of consultants and employees standing around drinking tea. Yes... "a bit of a struggle" indeed. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

as an affectionado of all that glows and illumninates, the Gerber recon offends me.

Seriouslly, I was very disapointed by the Gerber Recon. It is a poor application of a good idea.

If the Gerber is the headlamp with three separate heads & look's like a prop from Dr Who, then no, it wouldn't be my first choice either. Petzl Tikka with filter please.