IN 1947 aged 14 I entered the workforce.

I still remember older workers saying to me: "Nay lad, if I were thee I'd emigrate. This country's finished."

In June 1978 I returned home after eight years in Australia.

I remember a lady saying: "Why on earth did you come back here? This country's finished."

Well, the old girl is taking a bit of finishing off, eh?

I've heard this childish and very predictable remark hundreds of times, always from the same type of moron, the famed "Whingeing Pom".

We've all had 'em – at work, down the pub, on the train and bus, as a neighbour. Isn't it time we shut them up?

Their miserable, pessimistic, negative cynical attitudes are bad for the health. Mostly theirs, but they infect the rest of us too,.

It's a proven fact that these attitudes can cause bad health, eventually death.

Are they worth your time? Give 'em the big brush-off.

Let them whine to themselves. They deserve each other.

And the rest of us, live, love and laugh. They are all good for your health!

Eric Firth