Bad Workman

We have all heard the phrase "A bad workman blames his tools". In Portuguese they have a phrase with the same meaning, but the words are "A bad dancer blames his trousers". I swear I'd have looked really good up there if it weren't for these damned pantaloons!

I am such a believer in "a bad workman blames his tools" and so critical of my own abilities that it has taken me years to work out that my hacksaw frame is worn out. One of the tension pins is slightly scored so it doesn't pull the blade down firmly on to the platen. The blade wobbles and I blunt it more on one side than the other and end up cutting in circles. I always thought it was my fault.

Better than the Portuguese for "a bad workman..." is the Mandarin symbol for "penguin". Apparently they're a "business goose".

Richard "P-p-p-pick up a b-b-business goose!" B