Cassius

For those on the forum who also come from Devon - do you remember Smokey Joe - the 'gentleman of the road' who lived on the top of Telegraph Hill? I used to love passing him in the car as a child - he used to wave at all and sundry - I remember being very sad when he died.

I use a wineclub - works out cheaper and it's delivered to the door - and sometimes not having the choice makes you drink something that you otherwise wouldn't have drunk - (if you chose a mixed case that is)

I do see your dilemma and to be honest I would be very unhappy if these people were my neighbours - however do you have a PRACTICAL solution other than throw them out - which to be honest I cannot see happening?

I think if I ran a local business I'd rather people complained about poor service, either in person or through such a forum as this than if they reacted by simply not using that business any more. One route gives the opportunity to make amends, and/or to improve the service/rectify mistakes whilst the other simply makes you wonder why customers have voted with their feet.

I haven't had the misfortune to know these people - however I do think that 'tolerance' can go too far. I do not know if these people are indeed under the influence of drink or drugs, whether they have a mental disorder that causes their behaviour or whether they are simply 'having a laugh'. However I can see that this behaviour is causing a lot of fear and unhappiness and with that comes anger, and if we are being persuaded by some to emphasise with the instigators of this situation I also think we should show a bit of empathy with the victims. Personally I don't know how I'd react to being insulted by my neighbours as went about my daily business, probably if it only happened once or twice I'd try and chalk it down to experience, but if it was happening day in and day out and members of my family were being intimidated then just maybe I would come out with strong words on a forum which I felt would be a 'safe haven'. I don't like stereotypes and I don't like victimisation, however I think we must be careful about who actually feels that they are the victims here.

Also a van with a chassis the same size as an ambulance can drive over the cushion ones without slowing down.

NONONONONO WAITROSE........

Watching someone tackle a Phal can be fun......

And they've had problems with their freezers as well.......

Actually I think the Dulwich Supper Club advertised on the EDF as well....... Edited for typo's

Apparently he rang someone at 6.00am - then I'd say 'Do you what f***ing time it is?'

Louisa For once I agree 100% with you..........

Not cheap either - the only pair I looked at were ?110.... I saw a similar pair in Russell and Bromley in New Bond Street for less than that.

But Louisa The people statistically most likely to die young in the same survey were the working classes from the North East where they do eat battered sausages (and smoke more tabs) and that's not even mentioning Scotland........

Sean - and they have longer to live on less money!

Hi Lindylou - like the sound of cleaning for odd jobs - will be in touch after discussion (depending on how odd the jobs are)

But Kel - you work in the arts - outside the remit of 'class'.

Mmmm - you're not going to get a detached house in ED for a ?25,500 income!

But is it REAL enough - guess that doesn't matter as it has a SE21 post code and not SE22!

Ouch Katherine of Russia (wasn't it)

surfbobby - I hope you are paid a flipping fortune for putting up with that! shudder!

Can't remember - best to check on-line

Well you know completely different people to me - in fact I don't recognise anyone that you talk about. My family and friends would be considered terribly middle class (books everywhere, maybe even a piano or two) and all think that consumerism and materialism are rather vulgar. I honestly think you are mixing middle classes and nouveau riche up.

Easy to get to Chancery Lane from Blackfriars - less than 10 minutes walk - so train from Peckham Rye or Denmark Hill.

The middle classes are NOT the ones who live today pay later. The 'real' middle classes are usually very careful with their money - it's the nouveau riche or even the nouveau just a bit riche who are guilty of this - the people who have 'beer incomes' with 'champagne lifestyles'.