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Bruce in Bangkok[_8_]

In article ,
says...
Have just been looking at some Utube footage on sailboats, hydroponics
at sea etc.

It seems that every second nautically minded person posting calls
himself "Captain Jack" or Captain someone or other.

Just curious as to how many fellow boatees add the title in front of
their names.

I simply cannot imagine introducing myself as "Captain Peter" or
"Captain Panaengotis". I'm not a professional mariner who has worked
up from 3rd mate to command.

Captain Bruce von Bangkok and Captain Larry or even Captain Vic de la
Kafe don't sound as ridiculous even if a little pompous.

Does the title come with a US boating qualification or is it assumed
with boat ownership as is the weekend boater's cap with "Captain"
emblazoned loudly and the gold leaves of an admiral of the fleet?

If so, I'll adopt the title of Nakoda - means the same but has the
romantic flavour of Joseph Conrad about it - and I'll wear a sarong
and songkok for authenticity.

Any thoughts Larry, Bruce, Captain Vic? - if you can manage to get
your face away from your coffee cup.

BTW, for those with less than perfect teeth. Just got new dentures,
top and bottom - quote in Sydney, Australia - AUD$2,000. My dentist in
Panglima Garang, Malaysia (between Banting and Kelang) who is Sydney
University trained charged RM 700 - AUD $214. I also bought new
eyeglasses for myopia and astigmatism - first pair including tinted
plastic lenses, script and hardening coating - AUD $60. Second pair -
same but bifocals - AUD $40. They are not cheap looking frames and are
made in Japan with sprung hinges.

My dentist had three receptionists/nurses. I offered to buy one of his
women but he wanted too much for each of them.

Work out the price of a holiday to Malaysia with effectively free
dental care (crowns, caps dentures, fillings etc) and eyeglasses.

It may be a developing country but is not third world and is very
safe, even for people who speak poor English with a slow drawl.

cheers
Peter

I have never heard a serious sailor refer to himself as
"Captain". I do know an individual who introduces others as Captain but
it appears to be more of an identification sort of thing. i.e., a Mister
can be anyone but a Captain is somebody on a boat. At least I assume
that is his intent as he has never, in my hearing, referred to himself
as "Captain" although he has been sailing for 50 years or more.

When I lived in Maine I heard people referred to as "Captain" but it was
used more as an honorific then an indication of position. Captain
Chester Carter, for example, was a highly respected boat builder who was
still building boats and fishing lobsters in his 80's, but the guy
running the lobster boat was just "Joe".

I've always considered the use of the term to be rather pretentious,
excepting, of course the captain of anything over 100 feet and the only
time I use the title is when signing paperwork when clearing into or out
of a port.

But I suppose if one's ego needs polishing then it is a valid reason for
using the term.

By the way, the correct term is Bruce Na Bangkok (na in Thai meaning of
or from).

Your teeth sound like a pretty good price. I got mine in Bangkok and the
entire process including pulling the old ones, X-rays, this and that and
the teeth ran me about S$ 600-700, as I remember.

How do you like the tinted lenses? I've had a pair or two and however
they tint the lenses always seems to give things a reddish glow. I
didn't like them at all. Of course I'm cheap and had dyed plastic
lenses.

By the way, I've discovered the "Gravity" a news reader much like Agent
but with better filtering. you can not only put people in the "Bozo
Bin" but you can exclude posts containing any work, name or phrase in
any part of the message. Not just the heading as Agent allows. I never
see certain individuals, or even a reference to them, using the new
reader.

--
Cheers,

Bruce in Bangkok