Stupid or What!

[MaryN]

I seem to have been living with idiots for the past week or so. I now realise that what I consider to be common sense and general knowledge are not necessarily shared by folks I know. Quite alarming.

I have some friends who are cock-a-hoop about the prospect of buying their first house with (gasp!) open fireplaces. I am sure they have an Ikea-view of brightly burning flames in front of lovely modern furniture and a seamless country life. I suggested that instead of a man-made carpet right up to the fireplaces, they would do better with a decent fireguard and a 100% wool rug or carpet in front of it. I was met with??? On explaining that sparks landing on polypropylene, or any man-made material would leave a lovely charred black hole and the threat of fire breaking out, I was obviously not getting through. I wondered if she had ever seen a sheep burst into flame? Wool only smoulders and goes out - much safer. She didn't appreciate my comments. Ho hum!

Next up was a lovely foreign lady (Singaporean or somewhere in that direction), who on being given a nice freshly pulled bunch of rhubarb, asked if the leaves stir-fried! I was quite shocked - evidently rhubarb lore is not universal! Er no, not the best thing to eat. I took the leaves away for the compost.

Then there was the young woman with youngsters who was standing chatting to me in the field. She should know better, but her nipper was plucking away at fungi. As I had no idea what the fungi were - mushrooms, toadstools?? - and I was willing to bet she had no idea either. I pointed out that her kiddie should be told that fungi were a no-go area. Should know better.

And finally, I had the dubious pleasure of asking a guest not to put STs, wet wipes or cottonwool down the loo as this house has a septic tank. Again, met with?? O.K., she's a townie and I assume it is normal to clog up the drainage system in town, but try that with a septic tank and you are heading for trouble. I might also make you dig it out if the damned thing backs up!