There is a certain type of business guest or management specialist that always attracts comment. Some scientists too. It's not the content of their report that attracts the attention but the way they begin each sentence. 'So...' It drives many listeners mad but is just the latest manifestation of 'meeting speak' that dreadful way using phrases that are meaningless or plain barmy.
In the old days it was ' going forward'. I tired of pointing out that normal folk never spoke in such a ridiculous way, that the words meant nothing unless you were actually moving 'in a non-backwards direction' (this stuff is catching). I don't know how it started or who is to blame but we're on the case. But songs for MEETINGS AND MANAGEMENT SPEAK might be fun.
So I'm hoping that Helen Mirren is our guest tonight. What a star, what a dame! She's been a star for 4 decades now and she's starring in a new movie called The One Hundred Foot Journey. She plays a chilly French chef who runs a Michelin star restaurant in a village where a new, gaudy Indian restauranthas opened. It's 100 feet away! (I think anyway, I'm seeing the film this morning, I'll let you know).
It's hard work actually...
