Louisa

I don't think there is anything remotely narcissistic about my behaviour on this forum, I just say what I observe. Unlike the explicit narcissism expressed by some restaurant goers. I have observed people being seated in very public places with one of those 'follow me' faces, looking out for people to talk about them or mention the venue they happen to be sat in/outside. Lots of people do it, and I genuinely don't think they go to these places to enjoy the food or drink, it's more about a sort of voyeurism, almost like a modern day 'peep show' into someone's personal space to encourage jealousy and want. As I say, some people may not even be aware they are doing this. Others however, are doing so for social media purposes or just to 'be seen' by friends or whoever which keeps their imagined status going. Oh well, I'm happy ordering a take away, I don't need to be sat in/outside a restaurant to fill an attention seeking void in my life. Louisa.

Robert Poste's Child Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What's the 'part of the furniture brigade' - how > do you know when you see it? You just do RPC. Often they can't be distinguished from the rest of us, but every so often you'll just notice when they're around and about. A good example would be the 'types' personally invited to grand openings before the rest of us. Or even worse, the 'friend of a friend' out of towners who jump transport to the grand opening of a place they only found out about yesterday via a pretentious friend who has connections. Louisa.

titch juicy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Louisa Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I'm not trying to wind anyone up! I'm simply > > trying to make the point, however peculiar it > may > > seem to some on here, that people eating out to > be > > 'seen', isn't some odd thing I've made up on > here. > > Some people, particularly the 'cool kids', or > > 'part of the furniture' brigade, do indeed get > a > > kick out of eating/drinking/socialising in new > > venues because it gives them some sort of ego > > boost, or feeds some undertone of attention > > seeking. I'm not saying this is what you do > Sue, > > and I'm not saying everyone who eats in a new > > venue is doing so for that reason, BUT to deny > > that it does happen is ridiculous! > > > > Louisa. > > What's happened to make you think this? > > Most peculiar. It's not just me who thinks this though, other perfectly rational locals on this very forum have reported back on this peculiar phenomenon. I think Foxy as an example has mentioned it before too. Louisa.

I'm not trying to wind anyone up! I'm simply trying to make the point, however peculiar it may seem to some on here, that people eating out to be 'seen', isn't some odd thing I've made up on here. Some people, particularly the 'cool kids', or 'part of the furniture' brigade, do indeed get a kick out of eating/drinking/socialising in new venues because it gives them some sort of ego boost, or feeds some undertone of attention seeking. I'm not saying this is what you do Sue, and I'm not saying everyone who eats in a new venue is doing so for that reason, BUT to deny that it does happen is ridiculous! Louisa.

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > > > WTF? > > We had a choice of seats and we chose the window > seats for reasons I have explained above. The view > is irrelevant. We usually see people we know in > Lordship Lane. > > I spent some of the time reading a sewing machine > catalogue. Really cool. > > And of course we bloody went there because we > wanted to try it. > > I was in old clothes, unwashed hair and glasses. > Hardly what I'd wear to "be seen". > > You really do seem to have very strange ideas, and > I'd prefer it if they didn't involve telling me > why I do things. > > Thanks. Sue you've made me point for me. You said you wanted to be seated by the window so you could see if people you knew walked by? If you are going for a meal why would you be interested in seeing people, or communicating with people you may know outIde of the restaurant? Forgive me here, but what a peculiar thing to want to do? Why would you want to do that? Doesn't this make my point for me? Not saying that's why you did it, but it hardly backs up the idea of why people eat in restaurants to enjoy the food! Louisa.

Sue I know you have the best intentions when you say you like to "look out the window", but honestly, did you go the ML because you were curious to try it, or because you wanted to be seen sat there by the window, so people could see you sat there? Did you request the window seats? I am genuinely curious how people's minds work. I just don't see why anyone would want to sit in the window of a restaurant with a view of a bus stop, busy junction and not much else. It's hardly the hanging gardens of Babylon you're facing out onto. I do think some people enjoy that risqu? aspect of being part of the crowd, seen in certain places. It's almost a mild form of attention seeking. Some may not even realise they're doing it, or want to confess. Louisa.

Jeremy, granted Peckham possibly fits more comfortably into the 'be seen' category than ED does these days, but that doesn't mean some people still don't enjoy the 'all eyes on me' mentality when on a night out. Why else would ML put seats in the window so people can be stared at whilst they eat? The Palmerston also has that vibe of stare at me whilst I'm sat outside drinking wine, as does Franklins, and any number of restaurants dotted along the lane. You don't even need a restaurant or bar for this, walk along the GG path any day this summer with the sun out and the 'in set' can be seen exposing body parts, drinking prosecco and eating sandwiches amongst the dog mess, just to be 'seen' doing it. Odd behaviour. Louisa.

DaveR Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "Some people though, do actively go to certain > places to be seen, and unfortunately ED seems to > have said people in abundance." > > Are those people anything like people who post > provocative nonsense on their local internet > forum, with a constant undertone of "look at me, > look at me"? Here we go again, let's have a pop at Louisa for saying something constructive. Louisa.

You can of course act how you like titch juicy, that's everyone's prerogative. I do however think that people should use their own judgment as to how it looks to others when entering a certain environment/establishment. Personally, I would be imagining in my own mind what others may think of me, and vice versa. I can't personally imagine my grandfather coming back and dancing around a club on a Saturday night for example. Just as many younger types ad nauseam reminded me and my ilk on here some years ago, that Le Moulin was dated and aimed at a certain demographic, I feel the same about some of these newer restaurants and bars. Louisa.

Jeremy I'm not bad mouthing the place, yes some people will be curious to try a new place, as I was, but they managed to get in and I didn't, maybe they're happy with the offering they got. I didn't get that opportunity, so can only judge based on my experience. Some people though, do actively go to certain places to be seen, and unfortunately ED seems to have said people in abundance. Louisa.

TheCat I was disappointed because the space seems to have shrunk in this reimagining of that retail unit.mit looks more like an adventure bar type place rather than an eatery. ???? is there a Harvester in Beckenham? I didn't get to eat there and I'm sure many others have felt disappointed too by that, but never mind I had a lovely take away from the Chinese so I wasn't overly bothered. It did strike me that this place was aimed at specific 'types' (eg under 40, or one of those old timers who tries to act under 40). It looked a bit informal, and having not tried the food I cannot judge that aspect, but the ambience certainly appeared to be aimed at a younger crowd. I'm sure once the trendy crowd have had their pretentious mitts all over it for long enough, the fad will die down a bit aka Franco Manca, and as Foxy suggests, the ED 'set' will move on to the next 'go to' "let everyone stare at me because im in here whether I like the food or not" place that pops up on the lane. I may get a take away from here in the future, I may not. They won't be missing my custom I'm sure. Yet another addition to LL aimed at new intake ED'ers, I presume. Louisa.

Couldn't get seated, staff didn't seem overly interested in us as we were waiting around for a bit beforehand. Seemed to be empty seats too which was confusing. Didn't bother me too much because it looked cramped and the music was too loud for me. We went and got a take away up the road instead. I will be heading to Beckenham next time I want a meal out. Louisa.

Anthea Turner sat outside Picturehouse about an hour ago. Louisa.

I am going tonight with Mr L. Will report back tomorrow. Informal dress code? Anyone? Louisa.

I saw this too. Whoever makes these shows needs to do their geography homework. They're talking about east dulwich and showing clips of Sydenham, crystal palace and penge. Why? Louisa.

numbers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I wish I'd 'discovered' frozen bags of ice cubes > much sooner. Why did I ever bother with those > bloody stupid novelty pineapple, elephant and > flamingo shaped trays as those @#$%& never come > out no matter how hard you try. > > You can get 'artisan' frozen ice cubes Louisa - > why have bog standard filtered water ice cubes > when you can have posh mineral water ice cubes in > niche sizes for ?2 quid a pop instead of a pound > eh? I have since been informed my last useable shop along the lane for day to day essentials at reasonable prices also partakes in this novelty fad of selling ice cubes in a bag. I'm not sure if that was tongue in cheek from said poster just to press my buttons unnecessarily, but I will be checking in Londis tomorrow to see if this indeed is the case. Louisa.

What a shame such a perfect couple. I hope the kids don't suffer. They've both done a lot for the world of showbiz and we should be proud of their contribution as a couple. Louisa.

I've never seen ice cubes for sale in Londis and I am a pretty well known face in that shop, everyone knows me behind the counter. Friendly, lovely people. If they do sell ice cubes I would be shocked, as their frozen food selection is limited to potato waffles frozen peas and frying chips. I think the M&S fad has worn off for me. I may pop in Friday morning for a nice Malbec if it's a chilly cloudy afternoon like today. Louisa.

Evidently not. I'm still waiting for the rude sod who stole my parking space outside Plough end Sainsbury's the other day to mouth off about me on here. It was a stand off for near on 5 minutes until I did the right thing and got a better space further along the road. Louisa.

Well done anelia for trying your best for these two puppies. Please do be careful who you allow access to adopt them though, and as said above going via the rspca or battersea cats & dogs home to find a new owner might be the best route as they have the resources to match the correct people with their animals. As for the comments above, ignore. And alice stop trolling please. Louisa.

How bizarre that people feel the need to shove notes through doors regarding noise. Back in my day, if someone didn't have the courtesy to knock on the door and notify before a party, perhaps offer an invite, I would have just opened the nearest window and screamed at them until they shut up. This Basil Fawlty style of odd diplomacy is so terribly middle class haha. I must admit, the volume of ignorant neighbours who seems incapable of communicating planned parties has increase ten fold in recent years. Most of them are relatively harmless, but socially ignorant. A good old fashioned barney out the window soon scares them back into their gentile Home Counties shells though. Louisa.

Sue you are indeed correct, I have no idea why *Bob* is so obsessed with M&S, he just keeps on talking about it, it's only a supermarket! Get over it! Louisa.

The Co-op was dead this afternoon. Even the big issue guy out the front has moved to M&S. I bought a thick sliced white loaf and some milk, something I'm not usually able to do here because they constantly run out of red top. Still overpriced, but for now at least, a pleasant experience. Louisa.

It's a yes from me. Always. Louisa.

Now we have no Mexican eateries whatsoever. Deplorable state of affairs. Is Val no longer in Emmerdale? I loved her character. Louisa.