It was alarming and embarrassing in equal measure. Halfway through a posh, international dinner party near London, the woman to my left put it to me bluntly: “You’re a functioning alcoholic.” It was quite an accusation, not least since we’d…
France is my favourite destination on earth. I love the food, culture, history, language — you name it. I adore Paris. But be warned: as with many European countries, if you’re looking for friendly service, it’s imperative to choose restaurants…
She actually patted me on the bottom. Not in an affectionate way. Still less a sexual way. I don’t expect either of those things at my age. No, it was more perfunctory and aggressive than that. She was shooing me…
As a relatively frequent traveler on vacation and business, I think I know how to behave in most international settings. I can usually be relied upon not to choke on the buns at breakfast and to massage the egos of…
Dear Alex, Congratulations! You’re in another World Cup Final. What an achievement for you and Team USA. If, as I fully expect, you win on Sunday, making it four World Cups in total, there will be no question: America rules….
Ever since virtue signaling became a thing, and a sin, on both sides of the Atlantic, I’ve been determined never to indulge. Why? Because it’s the preserve of the needy and weak, and those who are more concerned with talking…
The Chilcot report into Britain’s part in the 2003 Iraq war, which was finally published on Wednesday, is three times the size of the Bible. The executive summary alone runs to 150 pages. It took seven years to write, comprises…
When Britain’s Labour Party elected arch left-winger Jeremy Corbyn as its leader last weekend, it waved goodbye to any hope of forming a government anytime soon. Corbyn’s supporters may have aped President Obama by chanting “Jez we can!” but the…
A charismatic liberal candidate convinces voters to reject the center-right as “uncaring extremists,” and carries the election. The conservatives are confused and demoralized. The party battles internally about whether to blame the defeat on too much ideological purity, or not…
Students returning to Oxford this term after their summer vacation will have a new privilege to enjoy. Although they’ll still have to wear dark, formal academic clothing (called “subfusc”) for taking exams, they will now be permitted to cross-dress. Women…