Credit crisis diary: Look at all those beautiful white teeth

Much mirth at SocGen's pre-Christmas drinks at 24, a trendy bar round the back of Carnaby Street. Proudly introducing the French bank's new corporate video, UK md Alain Bataille told revellers how pleased he was that it featured "pictures of our smiling employees". Unfortunately, the TV screens in 24 were still playing the sort of visuals the bar for some reason thinks will relax punters. Cue a platoon of ferocious-looking sharks swimming through the ocean.

O'Leary gives us allan eyeful

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And the Clare Short award for feminism in a postmodern world goes to... Ryanair's Michael O'Leary. The airline boss has repeatedly run into trouble over the Ryanair charity calendar, which features female cabin staff in their swimwear. This year, O'Leary has got his kit off too, and has no time for groups such as the "anti-fun Women's Institute in Spain", which have complained about the calendar. "Loony groups like the various Institutes for Ugly Women are simply jealous of our good-looking girls," he says.

Two ways to negotiate with bosses

The banking union Unite yesterday launched a scathing attack on the greedy bank bosses it believes have plunged the world into recession, leaving its members – and those of every other union – facing massive job losses. Pity that fellow banking union Accord, which represents most staff at HBOS, chose yesterday to announce it was supporting the bank's takeover by Lloyds TSB.

Fight your way through the credit crunch

Former trader Steven Hopwood thinks the financial markets have become such hard going that he's switched career, reports Reuters, becoming a professional cage fighter. Hopwood., somewhat unimaginatively nicknamed Hoppy, won his first fight last month and claims to feel back in charge of his life. "In the financial markets, you've got very little control over what you do," he explains.

An easy target butstill funny

We know it's mean, but this email gag made the diary laugh. Why have real estate agents stopped looking out of the window in the morning? Because otherwise they'd have nothing to do in the afternoon. I thank you...