Quote Originally Posted by Hamish
As for being eccentric: yes, of course I am -

.....me too, Ham. I remember being told as much by my training Sergeant 17yrs ago. He told me that it was an 'endearing' quality which he liked. He did warn me, however, that there would be some guys in the force who would find my personality hard to handle. Some haven't a clue how to take me sometimes.

To this end, I find it hard to be myself at work. I have to conform. My work environment can be quite hostile and there is great emphasis on image. To this end I tend to be guarded with colleagues unless I know them really really well. They rarely see the real me and I avoid talking about my home life unless I'm sure of the person I'm talking to.

Like you, I will be more myself when I retire. When that day comes, I won't give a damn.

BTW I can't imagine you ever not being 'likeable'. Were you ever that awful?

Al