*Bob*

No offence Louisa, but taking your old-er relatives to a bar to get fussed over is a bit of a gay tradition in itself. And just like every tourist, you don't exactly get the whole picture. Your notion that "younger gay people tend to want to have nights out in straight venues and the oppurtunity to mix with all types of people" is simply guff. Younger gay people want to go to gay clubs so they can pull, just like younger straight people do in straight clubs. Incidentally, gay clubs have pretty much the widest age range of any clubs and tend not to be a young or old place to go. There are gay bars where everyone and their granny (that means you) are welcomed with open arms. There are gay bars with a majority male entry policy (no sniggering, Ted max). There are gay bars where straight girls pretend to be lesbians to get in (ironic as lots of gay man don't even like lesbians) There are gay bars where it's strictly men only. So there you have it. A full range of experiences from 'come in and have a drink whoever you are' all the way through to 'we don't want your sort around here'.

Louisa, Sorry to disappoint you but; a) I'm 35 b) half my friends are gay c) (as a result of (a) and (b) I go to gay clubs and bars quite a lot. Your idea of 'the Gay scene' as being embodied by G-A-Y at the Astoria is most quaint.

Louisa, Have you been to many gay clubs then Louisa? Obviously not. Some of them don't even allow women in.

je ne sais pas

Essentially, it doesn't mean anything, Keef. It's just a load of shit. But then that's what most jobs are. Just a load of shit. If they ask you about it, just say "Don't worry, my ability to develop, review and implement objectives for direct reports is second to none."

Why not dispense with snooping around for circumstantial evidence and just snitch on them, Dulwichdahlia. You know you're dying to..

I think this 'one' has already been done to death on a number of occasions. Essentially, The Rye is already 'it', or it is 'it' as much as it needs to be, which isn't much. I don't think there's a market on Lordship Lane for a Jocks and Boots night with a darkroom and a free packet of Boys Own. not just yet anyway.

Seriously Matt, if you moved here for a racy life-experience, you ought to have had a better look around first. Unless you moved here from Norfolk or something.

Hugenot Tell us about all the other places you upped-sticks and relocated to when cash wasn't involved? You know.. the times when you just went for 'the experience'?

Nobody reads the Guardian. They just buy it for the telly guide on a Saturday and use the rest to get the fire going.

Couldn't you just lean it up the side wall of the nearest student house? That would seem to be de rigeur in South London.

Hence 'finally' and 'resentful'.

Oh, I dunno. What could be better than spending your day and night pointlessly angling on the 'banks' of a dirty puddle by a busy main road before (finally) trudging home to face your resentful partner?

Are they connected with the fishing? Now that's funny. You might as well be fishing in a bucket.

A hessian-style reusable shopping bag with 'I love East Dulwich' on it, a cope of The Guardian and a loaf of organic bread poking out the top?

That's not fair, Sean. I'm sure there's an absolutely kickin' corporate/executive/expat scene. And then there's the golf, of course..

Papooses may look a little sniggery, but not as stupid as carrying something the size of three bags of sugar in a pram that could sleep six, has suspension and a towbar for a caravan. I suspect that half the 'real men' who aint gonna wear no papoose are also the sorts who 'don't do nappies, luv'.

Leicester Square would have to pay me to get me in there on a Saturday night, on account of it being HELL ON EARTH

You're right, Macroban. In addition, I was only born in 1973 so wouldn't have been able to see over the counter to order my beverage.

Addison Lee all great. Their cars are all really nice. They all have SatNav. They text you when the cab is en route. They text you when the cab is waiting outside and give you the registration number. They arrive on time. The fares are set on the phone and the drivers don't hassle you for en extra quid because 'they didn't know it was that end of the street' etc etc It's true they do cost more though. But I get so sick of sitting in crappy minicab drivers and arguing about the fare that it's well worth it.

I got charged ?52.20 for a thimbleful of cherryade at The Harvester. And that was back in 1974! Disgusted of SE22

Hurrah for common sense / the bleeding obvious!

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly sure (say.. around 100% sure) that Dulwich Park Fairy's intimation that Beej deserves to come to physical harm for ordering an orange and lemonade is just a bit of fun.

Beej doesn't seem too insulted. Beej seems in fine humour. Does anyone really want to have a 'serious' discussion about the price of an orange and lemonade in the EDT?

I hope you've got a receipt for that copper, Sean?