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Original poster

Anyone met Boris Johnson?

130 replies

PraiseBee · 20/04/2022 10:12

What was he like? Was he charismatic/very charming? I feel like very few people would still be ploughing on in his situation and that there must be a certain quality he possesses (other than the fact he had no shame).

OP posts:
Antarcticant · 20/04/2022 10:12

I haven't but interested to hear from anyone who has.

Original poster
PraiseBee · 20/04/2022 10:37

Bump

OP posts:
Antarcticant · 20/04/2022 10:58

No one wants to admit to it, OP. Easter Grin

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Politics
Original poster
PraiseBee · 20/04/2022 11:04

Grin a distinct possibility! Would love a 'I worked with BoJo AMA' thread.

OP posts:
GollyGawsh · 20/04/2022 11:05

I met Gordon Brown once. He said my kids names were brilliant.

Completely misses point of thread

donquixotedelamancha · 20/04/2022 11:06

I once stood in some dog poo, does that count?

PossumSholom · 20/04/2022 11:08

Yes, through work.

Ariela · 20/04/2022 11:12

Yes I've met him when he was younger. Still an idiot now.

BitOutOfPractice · 20/04/2022 11:14

@GollyGawsh i met GB too and found him very charismatic and friendly and just nice.

Soffit · 20/04/2022 11:16

Yes.

donkey86 · 20/04/2022 11:16

Yes, at work when he was Mayor of London. I was in my early twenties at the time. The first time was very brief but the second time we had a longer conversation and he remembered my name, which really flattered me. It’s strange, because he’s no looker, but he was so charming I was smitten. I’ve never met anyone with such strong charisma. Tbh I’d have done anything he wanted! It’s embarrassing to admit that but he just had this way of acting like I mattered, which was novel for me as a junior aide used to being ignored by cabinet ministers etc.

LadyR77 · 20/04/2022 11:18

Yes, when he was Mayor I had several meetings with him through my work. Wasn't impressed then and am even less impressed now.

Soffit · 20/04/2022 11:19

He visited my childhood home when he was dating somebody 'on the quiet'. He was crazily funny and really charismatic. As children, we were quite sad when it fizzled out between them.

MindPalace · 20/04/2022 11:19

Saw him cycling from the car, and didn’t run him over.

dangerrabbit · 20/04/2022 11:22

Yes have, when he was mayor of London. I am a dyed in the wool leftie but I found him very charismatic and charming. I can see how he can have got the media on side and how people more inclined vote Tory could be persuaded by him.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 20/04/2022 11:22

Not met, but about 18 years ago we were in the same pub in Islington. He gave one of my friends the eye. We pulled faces like "No, old man" as he's well over 10 years our senior. And yet now he's married to a woman 10 years younger than we are.

ScrambledSmegs · 20/04/2022 11:23

Back when BJ was the London Mayor DH was cycling to work one morning on his old bike with ear-splitting squeaky brakes, and pulled up behind him at some lights. He says BJ gave him a really dirty look.

I don't think that counts though.

Bewilderbeest · 20/04/2022 11:30

I met him when I was a teenager because he came to speak at my school. I can confirm that he has a talent for making you feel like you’re the only person in the room and giving the impression that he is listening really carefully to everything you’re saying. Unfortunately it seems to be all you need to get ahead - a moral compass isn’t required!

Imabouttoexplode · 20/04/2022 11:30

I honestly don't get the charisma thing. I obviously get the power, the seniority, the authority, status, money thing and I get that people who are funny/twinkle/remember your name/give you attention etc can be seductive too but we've seen Boris Johnson on tv pull all that shit and there's nothing charismatic about it. He just looks like a totally vacuous knob with no substance behind the veneer. It's all lost on me.

I know someone who met Grant Shapps. Said he was perfectly normal, professional, engaged etc. Apologies for the rubbish contribution but it's all I've got 😃

skippy67 · 20/04/2022 11:48

Soffit · 20/04/2022 11:16

Yes.

Insightful comment.

AnnUumellmahaye · 20/04/2022 11:54

Soffit · 20/04/2022 11:19

He visited my childhood home when he was dating somebody 'on the quiet'. He was crazily funny and really charismatic. As children, we were quite sad when it fizzled out between them.

He dated a member of your family ?

CointreauVersial · 20/04/2022 12:04

I "encountered" him at university, but wouldn't go so far as to say I "met" him. He was very well known, even then, and people would point him out and say "that's Boris Johnson". He had a reputation as a bit of an arrogant p*k, and it looks as if nothing has changed over the years.

user75 · 20/04/2022 12:10

Yes, at the Olympics in 2012. He was extremely charming and funny, the full bumbling Boris routine was in force. It was completely transparent as an act. After about 2 mins glad handing (it was a charity thing) he shot a look to an assistant and was gone.

JorisBonson · 20/04/2022 12:31

Very very briefly through work. He's short and scruffy and bumbles his words. So no surprise there then.

On a side note, DH saw Wilf the other day and said his hair was incredible.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 20/04/2022 12:35

Was he charismatic/very charming?

Yes, extremely

Fortunately it cuts very little ice with me, but he's one of those people who can bring a laser-like focus on who he's talking to and probably make them feel they're the only one who matters in that particular moment