h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: How to Avoid People You Don't Like - A19257726 Author: Wyatt... [Scout/Sub-Editor] - U1779623 This is the first Flea Market rescue I have done. The original Entry is here: A17147847 and the PR thread is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F5888408?thread=3658369 I've been tinkering around with this and I think it's improved a bit, and I can't think of anything else at the moment, so it's probably ready for PR.

Hi Wyatt - I liked this on it's first outing and I like it even more now. It certainly seems to be more 'finished'.

I'm afraid I'm not great at spotting typo's, but I expect someone who is will be along shortly.

I doubt there are (m)any typos.

I'm glad you like it.

Hello-o-o-ooo.....

Howdeedoodee

I think this is perfect - but I'm rubbish at proof-reading.

Wish I could be more help

Hi Wyatt
I didn't read this all the way through when it was first in PR, so I don't know how many changes you've made, but it looks fine to me.

These aren't errors, by any means, but a few thoughts that occurred to me while I was reading:

"If you are a child living at home with your parents, and they are the PTA, the obvious solution is to shut yourself in your bedroom." My subconscious added the addendum "you might clean it while you're there, reducing your need to avoid your PTA". But this is my own personal observation, and bears no shortcoming on your part.

Disguising yourself in a scarf and oversize sunglasses might also lead casual passers by to assume you are a celebrity and ask for your autograph, or for the paparazzi to snap your picture.

That's a good idea, I'll add to the Entry.

I like it.

One proofreading comment:

and a cereal box held up to the face, supposedly checking the sugar content or allergen information, will provide the perfect excuse for not noticing a PTA.

This construction suggests that the cerial box is doing the checking, which seems to me unlikely.

TRiG.

Hi Wyatt, I've finally managed to have a closer look at this. It's really nice. Here are a few nitpicks:

>> You can do this anywhere you like: in your head, on your computer, mobile phone, hand-held computer or the old fashioned way, a piece of paper. Or even better, a small, portable notebook which you can carry at all times for quick reference. <<
You know, it's just as easy to carry your piece of paper, or even your mobile phone as it is to carry a notebook, so I'd suggest some rewording.


>>Extremely Awkward Situation, << this shouldn't be capitalised imo, you could either use ' ', italicise or mark in bold to stress it.

>>If you are at home, shutting yourself in your room will also be effective, but, as with children, you may have to suffer the intrusive parent.<<

As you mentioned the 'older'person, I thought at first you were talking about one of the parents. Maybe you should say 'older child', or 'older teenager' to make it clearer. And what does the wife/husband do to avoid people they don't want to see, like spouses, kids?


>>are unfortunate enough find yourself in the same checkout line<<
...to find...

Ok, I have taken care of all those. As for the the parents avoiding the kids or each other, I have no clue. There was a short paragraph in the original Entry saying to seperarate or get a divorce, but I removed it because I don't think that's very good advice. Perhaps someone would like to contribute a paragraph or so on the subject?

And speaking of which, someone in the original PR thread suggested something about avoiding at school. This would be a good thing to have in the Entry, but I never went to school, so I couldn't write it, but maybe someone else can.

When I'm avoiding someone (or something) at home, I pretend to be asleep. Granted this is much easier when sitting on the couch in front of the TV than it is while standing over the kitchen sink...

Alternatively one could bury themselves in some kind of housework (laundry, gardening, vacuuming) and discourage interruption. Using tools that make a lot of noise is helpful, too.

Thanks, I added that stuff. I also gave you a credit.

On the disguise front:

Whilst in Sharm-el-sheikh, I found the "pester" level that tourists are subjected to by all the shopkeepers/ bar/ restaurant owners was quite over-whelming. Now, I always carry a pashmina (big scarf) with me, and as the evening was getting cold, I wrapped it around my head. The pester level was noticeably reduced, and I even heard one ask me if I was a Muslim. Note that this technique works best with a long skirt and covered arms - less effective in a bikini and high heels.

On the divorce front:

Whislt this can seem an attractive option, if you have children together, you will not be able to completely avoid each other, and future meetings can continue to be friction points.

Thanks, Wyatt

Anything else?

"If you are at home, shutting yourself in your room will also be effective, but, as with children, you may have to suffer the intrusive parent."
The paragraph that includes this sentence is already directed towards older children, perhaps you should say "but, as with younger children,"

Another option for adults might be to lock yourself in the bathroom and have a nice long bath (in addition to avoidance, this is also a nice stress reliever).

and holding a cereal box held up to your face, >> drop "held"

I really like the last option; reminds me of Spamalot!

I had another thought, what about avoiding other students at school? Like the class bully? Maybe sitting closer to the classroom door would help, so they couldn't wait for you in the hallway at the end of class; keeping your locker organised so you spend less time rummaging in it (and are therefore less likely to be pushed into it); without being obvious about it, staying within sight of a teacher should the odd emergency arise.

If you don't like it, don't feel obligated to use it. I just thought kids might need to avoid people other than their parents.

Dealt with all that stuff, added a paragraph about school. If there's anything else you can think of on that subject let me know: I'm homeschooled so I have no clue....

Yes, I got the quote from The Holy Grail, I think that was sort of a recurring line in the movie. In Spamalot there is actually a song about it. Anyway, I heard that there's a history behind that line. One of the Pythons, maybe Eric Idle, I'm not sure, played football in school, or some sort of sport, I dunno, and 'Run Away' was their back-up defence strategy which they sometimes had to use.

Your school header is a full header, the other locations are subheaders.