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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:
DoubleGauze · 20/04/2022 15:48

I used to bump into him a lot then he was Mayor as he'd visit an official building near my house often.

One time I was walking along and I literally bumped into him , we then did that awkward stepping to the side for each other thing for a few moments before he stood aside for me to pass. He did not come across as decisive and confident at all.

Blossomtoes · 20/04/2022 15:54

Corbyn seemed more interested in talking to the cleaners

If that’s meant to be a criticism, it’s an abject failure.

Neverendingdust · 20/04/2022 16:13

It’s neither a shock nor a surprise that he is charming and likeable, how else would he come to be the PM. He is clearly extremely intelligent and the clown act is a smokescreen, there’s no other way he would have achieved so much in his career without those necessary traits. His astute skills in hoodwinking the electorate will no doubt see him brush off the recent scandals with ease.

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Politics
ZarquonsSandals · 20/04/2022 16:41

donquixotedelamancha · 20/04/2022 11:06

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

It'd do a better job!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/04/2022 16:43

I haven't met him but once had a dream in which he appeared uninvited and very drunk to a family party, insisted on washing his socks in the kitchen sink and then fell asleep under the dining table. It felt incredibly real and believable at the time, and feels even more so now.

If I did meet him, I like to think I'd have the guts and the time to tell him exactly what I think of him.

Corbyn talking to the cleaners impresses me.

MangyInseam · 20/04/2022 23:32

No, but he weirdly appeared on a local radio show in my Canadian town when he was mayor. He was one of the best guests they ever had, incredibly funny and charming. I was surprised because it wasn't what I'd expected.

RedMake88 · 20/04/2022 23:37

His ex wife Marina Wheeler is a QC. An incredibly intelligent woman who bizarrely put up with his affairs. There really must be something about him.

Original poster
PraiseBee · 21/04/2022 20:03

@MangyInseam

No, but he weirdly appeared on a local radio show in my Canadian town when he was mayor. He was one of the best guests they ever had, incredibly funny and charming. I was surprised because it wasn't what I'd expected.
That is a bit random
OP posts:
MadameFantabulosa · 21/04/2022 20:10

Yes, I knew him quite well in a former life. He’s short and as wide as he’s high. He could never remember my name and used to jab his finger at me until I reminded him. I didn’t find him charismatic. He didn’t listen to the person he was talking to, and just used to go off at a random tangent.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 21/04/2022 20:13

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.

But that's what people in power DO to their underlings. Flatter them. Probably how Clinton ended up with whatserface. Someone with dodgy self-esteem would have no chance.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 21/04/2022 20:20

YoungBritishPissArtist · 20/04/2022 15:13

Corbyn wanting to talk to the cleaners is a good thing, no? I’d imagine they’d be practically invisible to a lot of visiting politicians/VIPs.

Show quote history

You don't think that's for show too? "Look at me, talking to the normal people. Really LISTENING to them." Blah blah blah. They're all the same, whichever party.

BunsyGirl · 21/04/2022 20:24

I saw him at the Ritz once…strolling through the restaurant. It was towards the end of his time as mayor.

listsandbudgets · 21/04/2022 20:27

DD did when she was about 5 (she's 16 now) and remembers it really clearly. He had a chat with her teddy bear apparently. Bizarrely I do not remember this although I was there. He was quite charismatic as I recall.

dinosaursroar1 · 21/04/2022 20:29

Yes. But I did work in politics for almost ten years so I’ve had the misfortune to meet most politicians 😂
We used to jokingly rate MP’s on how well they could do a convincing impersonation of a being a normal person. With him you could smell the fake from a mile off. Very faux charming but absolutely nothing of any sincerity there.

AnneKipankitoo · 21/04/2022 20:34

BruceAndNosh · 20/04/2022 15:37

I met him at a few hush hush parties last year...

He did not realise they were parties.

AnneKipankitoo · 21/04/2022 20:38

Not met him but someone I know went to an event where BJ was guest speaker .
He arrived late , bumbling, very funny…
The same person went to another event, BJ guest speaker , exactly the same performance.

seasaltandsunscreen · 21/04/2022 20:40

Yes. When he was MOL. Met him after the riots in a professional capacity. Heard him say "I'm only talking to the press, not the bloody locals" to an aide / assistant. I coughed, he noticed I was there and instantly tried to turn on the charm. Horrendous man. Looks like a shit scarecrow.

Reluctantadult · 21/04/2022 20:48

@dinosaursroar1 , anyone decent out there?!

Gunpowder · 21/04/2022 20:49

I love the tennis balls anecdote. Telling!

OneCup · 21/04/2022 20:52

This is such an interest thread! Afraid I can't add anything of interest although it may be a good thing I never met him!

Clawdy · 21/04/2022 20:56

DD and friends met him when he came to do a talk at their uni. She said he seemed funny and charming, then as he left, spotting photographers outside, he ruffled his hair up so it looked messy.....

breakdown19 · 21/04/2022 21:05

I met him. As per pp at a work related event
He was late and poorly prepared for what he had to do

I also know someone who bought a house from him and former wife when he was "just a journalist"
He was an arsehle about completion
Left the house filthy
And when they went to measure up for furniture etc his pants were all over the floor
🤮

RoseLunarPink · 21/04/2022 21:17

in contrast his successor Alastair Darling queued up with everyone else.

Oh I'm happy to hear that about Alastair Darling! Love him. I used to live near him and see him in the local Tesco's. Once I rounded a corner and there he was putting two bottles of champagne in his basket. I didn't mind that at all but he looked really embarrassed and sheepish (presumably at being a champagne socialist...)

JennyForeigner · 21/04/2022 21:17

Yes. I worked in a school and he inflicted himself on us. I was charged with coordinating the visit.

He just... lied, and about the most random stuff. Pitched up looking weird and out of place like they all do and then went into an art lesson where he swore blind he always wanted to be an artist when he grew up, loved art so much etc etc. Gestured to a print on the wall and said 'like that. Turner, fabulous artist, amazing'

It was a Mondrian.

The good thing I got out of it was that my mate was the photographer and I got him to catch me standing next to Johnson giving him my best WTF loser face. Now that's a picture.

Chilledchablis1 · 21/04/2022 21:22

Through work years ago . He was smaller than I expected . Very charming but I wanted to sort his tie ( I didn’t).

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