If you make unpleaant or sarcastic comments should you be surprised and upset if you get someone to bite back?

Buddha I suspect she'll enjoy it more than us- but you never know!

And I do hope my children have emotional intelligence too. They seem to be good communicators and I certainly would never judge success by income.

See, small world! Yes we do have VIP tickets but I think nearly everyone does. Does she work for the radio station?

I fully accept it is some peoples dream to be a hairdresser. I said I would happily support my children if that was their dream but only if it was a conscious and well researched choice not if they did it because they hadn't got the qualifications follow their actual dream. Are hairdressers well qualified? I suppose that could be unpicked and it is relative. In uk most hairdressers do a 2 year course at fe college having got some GCSEs they may well do more courses and end up as very well qualified hairdressers but I have rarely met any with good A level/IB results or decent degrees from a Russell group. Academically snobbish? Possibly as I did/do expect my children to leave school with high academic grades, a vision for their future and demonstrable success in extracurricular activities such as music, dance or sport. Probably makes me a bad mother on here!

I really can't imagine Christmas in Dubai is the same as Christmas here. We start with the village nativity play which begins with the vicar in the pub - and a real sheep with Christmas lights on. We sing carols and process up to the church where the play continues and becomes a slightly more serious service - people bring their drinks as the vicar prefers that people attend even if they are under the influence. He very rightly points to the wedding feast of Cannan as evidence that drink and religion are OK, We go back to friends for supper and silly games - all the children get on as they have grown up together. Christmas day is stockings then Mass, drinks at other friend's house and then a walk before Christmas lunch at about 4pm after the Queen. Then we do presents in front of the fire. Boxing day is a walk tor see the hunt leave then a drinks party for our neighbours and friends. Lovely. Dubai I am seeing more swimming than walking and a roaring fire being slightly inappropriate. Smartphones - given them by my work and essential to see all the test results etc I need. Even fairly old people can be IT literate, surprisingly. BR trains - how else do people get to London? Not a pleasure certainly but has to be done. I don't think I insulted hairdressers as I said I was happy for my children to be one if that was what they wanted but I wanted them to make a positive choice about their adult lives not have to do something because they didn't get the grades to follow their dreams. I think some people may be actively seeking offence and looking to create confrontation that in reality doesn't exist. I am about to upset your image of me by telling you I am going to a pop concert tomorrow -although in fairness I have never heard of the acts and I am worried it is a bit loud. My children tell me it is an amazing line up - Years and Years (seems appropriate) Jess Glynne (??) Sigma ( I thought that fraternity house) The Vamps and John Newman (I thought he was a beatified cardinal). No idea what I should wear as I can't see me in micro shorts and a glittery crop top. Any news on how we should accommodate the children and partners in a much smaller (but clearly more acceptable) house? Trouble with sand is it really doesn't hold tent pegs well.