.........................

[JesusCappuccino]

................

[????]

...basically, and this isn't meant provocatively , like most people, your 'principles' amount to not a lot when an opportunity for financial or personal gain arises...take it, you know you want to

[char1ie]

I've got three. And an Oscar. And a gold medal that I won at some Olympics.

I wouldn't turn it down if I were you. Then you can change your username to JesusCappucinoOBE.

Charlie

[SeanMacGabhann]

I have always been impressed by those lists of people who HAVE turned it down

Just say NO kids

[TillieTrotter]

Quote by Groucho Marx;

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them, well, I have others!

[paragon]

Although accepting may be an issue - irrespective of whether you do or not i would say a congratulations is in order.

unless your industry is estate agency or cat-snatching of course.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Tillie, one of my fave quotes that. I used it the other week on Lady MacGabhann who hadn't heard it before and she sprayed tea everywhere

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

You'll still be a tosser whether you accept it or not.

This thread also reveals that you have no modesty, are self-aggrandising and have the morality of a dung beetle.

[Keef]

That is an impressive list, but I do feel that several people on it have not turned this down because they have any particular moral objection, but more because they think it makes them look cool.

I would take it if I were you. Why not? You're not, I am guessing, some rich tory who's getting it because you're a rich tory. If they're offering you recognition for something you've done, then good on ya! I'd rather see a normal person getting honoured for doing something useful than a footballer for playing football

[Keef]

Steady on PGC.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'd rather normal people doing good work got paid properly, not have one in a million plucked out arbitrarily for a pat on the back by a long-redundant institution... but that's just me

oooh which reminds me - the over-rated thread......

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I am anti-monarchy, but if I got a chance to sit in the Lords I'd take it. If I was offered any honour (highly unlikely) that didn't come with the access to the political process I'd turn it down.

I'm a pragmatist, but not a total sell-out!

[lozzyloz]

JesusCappuccino why does it matter what we think?

Surely it's down to how you value such recognition and whether it's something you personally want or not? I have no idea what you do, but if it's worthwhile and presumably not coming to an end, then an award like this, as you say, can open more doors and help you continue achieving and helping others. Are there other youngsters in the pipeline that could be helped if you had those three letters after your name?

[Ladygooner]

Take it - your mother will be proud of you!

[*Bob*]

It's all very well declining an honour if you're David Bowie or Alan Bennett. Because everyone will know you've been offered one anyway, which, let's face it, is almost as good.

In your (less newsworthy) case, your best bet is to tell as many people as possible you've been offered one before you turn it down. Or tell as many people as possible that you're thinking of turning it down.. and then accept it.

Either way - you're off to a cracking start.

Ps - even if you do decline it, it still doesn't stop you from telling as many people as possible that you turned it down (because honours don't mean anything to you) over the many years to come.

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

Or you could accept and a year or so later give it back - maximum credo

[Brendan]

I think recognition of achievement is an important thing in any society but I understand that many people have a problem with the way the British honours system is so intrinsically linked to a monarchy which isn?t universally supported by the British public. But none the less it is recognition of an achievement and well done to you.

I say take it.

Although personally I wouldn?t. But that is because she is not my fucking queen and never will be.

[BJL]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I have always been impressed by those lists of

> people who HAVE turned it down

>

> Just say NO kids

What I find most interesting about that list is the number of people who refused an award and then accepted one later - usually one of a "higher rank".

For a supposedly secret process, it's funny how these things leak out, isn't it?

[SeanMacGabhann]

for me it's not even an anti-monarchy thing (although I am)

the sort of awards/recognition in any sphere or society I'm suspicious of

Whether it's the Brit Awards for music, the Oscars/Baftas for film, or OBE/MBEs in British society - I just don't understand what they are for. I don't get the rules for selection and I don't get the rules for deciding on a winner. I know what they are SUPPOSED to be, but I'm suspicious of them all. ( how long before Scorcese got an Oscar for example)

If I make an album, write a book, direct a film, or invent something - that's my choice and my reward comes from the upshot of that - be it sales, kudos, patent or whatever. Absolutely these awards will give an uplift to anyone selected - but why THEM and not anyone else working in that field

It seems to be more about validating the awarder, not the awardee (if those are real words)

[Keef]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'd rather normal people doing good work got paid

> properly, not have one in a million plucked out

> arbitrarily for a pat on the back by a

> long-redundant institution... but that's just me

>

> oooh which reminds me - the over-rated

> thread......

And abolishing the monarchy would mean fair pay for the common man would it? Hmm

[Keef]

By the way, I'm not particularly pro or anti monarchy.

[TillieTrotter]

I'm not anti-monarchy, I think they serve a purpose. I'd take it for sure. Good luck to you, you obviously deserve your day in the sun.

[SeanMacGabhann]

well yes there is that of course - but it is a different argument

The question raised at the start of the thread was about wether an OBE should be accepted, not about pro or anti-monarchy (happy to join in if it kicks off tho!)

(although a part of me suspects that was the intention of the question. Cynical, moi?)

[mockney piers]

I didn't find any manufacturers of devices that turn water into coffee in the new year's honours lists.

Are you being completely straight up with us JC? (ooh, I bet that phrase was used once or twice in the past)

[Jeremy]

Without doubt the Monarchy are an out-dated institution, but I'm not aggressively anti-monarchy. I see them as a fairly harmless bunch, who probably bring in more money to the country via tourism than they consume from our taxes. And I think that they're becoming increasingly aware of how they really fit into modern society. I'd have no moral problem accepting an honour, it would probably be quite fun... sort of.