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Over a decade ago, I said I didn’t get the wisdom of poking a frenzied bear in its eye with a sharp stick. A decade on, I still don’t understand it.

You say it’s called resistance. I say it’s called trying the same tactic over and over again, expecting a different outcome.

The first time the frenzied bear went on a rampage in response, you might have been excused for not knowing what would happen. The second time, perhaps the same.

But after the fourth or fifth time, might we conclude that poking a frenzied bear in its eye with a sharp stick is a counterproductive strategy? Especially since each time you do so, its frenzied rage only increases.

Apparently not. The plan is to keep on poking the frenzied bear in its eye until it decides to change its ways. A bit like the civilised Uncle Pastuzo and his nephew Paddington who, as we all know, can muster little more than a Hard Stare these days.