Bloody Yanks and their 'regulations'...

[Dowding]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1025964/RAF-fighter-pilot-Afghanistan-ordered-trim-handlebar-moustache--Americans-say-long.html

Pretty cool that this pilot gets to fly F-15s looking like Lord Kitchener! 

[-tronski-]

General Melchett: Something’s the matter. Something sinister and something grotesque. And what’s worse is that it’s going on right here under my very nose.
Blackadder: Sir, your mustache is lovely…


Someone should tell the Yanks the British Empire was borne on the backs of err....moustaches

 Tronsky

[RTHolmes]

BAAAH! 

[wrongwayric]

As long as he follows his countries dress code i don't see what the problem is. I'd think the general would have better things to do with his time than complaining about a mustache.

[moot]

As long as he follows his countries dress code i don't see what the problem is. I'd think the general would have better things to do with his time than complaining about a mustache.

Well, it's a slippery slope, see?

[Dowding]

Nice one Tronski - I'd forgotten how ridiculous Stephen Fry looked as General Melchett.

Well, it's a slippery slope, see?

Yup. Today, unfeasibly large moustaches. Tomorrow, an obsession with tea and an unfathomable desire to play bat and ball based sports over 5 long days.

Beware, Yankees - the Brits are coming? All your F-15s belong to us! Muhahahaha!

[wrongwayric]

Nothing slippery about it, he's not subject to our dress codes. Why that general felt that he had the right to impose our dress code on him is beyond me. Sure it might look strange, but if it's ok with his military/government i fail to see the problem.

When i was an instructor we had to train Iraqi's and they had to pray at certain times of the day. We were forced to change our schedules to conform with their prayer time. I don't believe in the same religion but i respected it and them and did everything i could to allow them that time to pray. It's all about mutual respect IMO.

Shows a lack of judgement on the generals part IMO. He should know what rules and regulations he can and can not enforce regarding foreign troops.

[cpxxx]

There is a long tradition of British officers wearing a moustache. In fact it was obligatory for Officers to wear a moustache in the British army until 1916. Officers were actually court martialled and cashiered from the army for the offence.

[Dowding]

What about Sean Bean in 'Sharpe' and the Duke of Wellington? 'tacheless hounds!

I guess it must have been a rule that came into force with the Victorians. Queen Victoria was fond of a man with a beard.

[Curval]

"There is a long tradition of British officers wearing a moustache."

Sure is...lots of long traditions in the British military.

MT pointed out another to me recently.....the D**k out rule in golf.

This rule began on British military golf courses.

If you did not hit your drive past the ladies tee you would be required to pull out one's wang and walk to your ball with it waving in the wind, ostensibly to prove that you were indeed a man.

I like this...it is better than the way I have had to play it, in which we have to play the next entire hole with it out.

[Shuckins]

Welp, many moons ago, while working on my BA, I took a course on contemporary European history.  My professor made the statement, in the midst of our study of World War I, that, "The best thing that could haven happend for the British Army happened when Lord Kichener drowned."

But....that was just him talking.....I'm sure all you Brits feel differently about the matter....

[cpxxx]

My dear fellow, Sharpe was not a gentleman! And the Duke of Wellington was Irish. What do you expect?

I imagine you're right. I suspect it was incorporated into Queen's regulations during the during the Victorian era.

Edit: A quick Google confirmed it, 1860.

[Shuckins]

Churchill was a great one for coming up with a snappy comeback.  Prior to WW I, when he was spearheading a movement to modernize the Royal Navy, he was accosted by an irate, old-line admiral, who growled, "SAAR!  You are MEDDLING with the TRADITIONS of the ROYAL NAVY!!"

To which Churchill replied;  "Sir, do you know what the traditions of the Royal Navy are?  I can tell you in three words;  rum, sodomy, and the LASH!"

[Maverick]

Much ado about nothing.

[Carrel]

If you did not hit your drive past the ladies tee you would be required to pull out one's wang and walk to your ball with it waving in the wind, ostensibly to prove that you were indeed a man.

I like this...

You do????