In every case, they were seeing a doctor who didn't appreciate the amount of pain they were in, and who dismissed their efforts to try to explain the problem or find some solution.

It opens the conversation, and while many folks will give a short, perfunctory answer, they can say anything and go anywhere with it.

Don't count on a slacker to help.

At any time there are dozens of events where you can party at nightclubs, attend fashion shows and art openings or just play games.

What EU leaders may view as a finely crafted political compromise at the coming meetings could easily be seen by markets as a fudge that does not do the job.