citizenED

*sits in lotus position by drinc-nic* *nods a thank-you to Bagpuss* *grimaces at pain in knees* *angles curly straw into Pimms*

The smiling-at-a-lass-if-you-are-a-bloke thing is a good point, Nero. I'm pretty circumspect about it, ie try to judge whether a cheerful hello would be welcome or not. However, the best solution is to go around with baby or toddler. I guess most women do not find a man-with-child a threat in the same way as they might a single chap. citizen

*on to third yard* *dreaming of going "the whole nine yards"* *someone, (other than PP. thanks BTW) help me, help me, please*

forget Gallup - Hugepiers plc rule for all consumer surveys. love the in-depth analysis, still trying to decipher what it all means. This is sure to run and run. You guys are the best. cheers, citizen.

*aahhhh...timmy taylors....you bet, ya*

Anterior Trading on Northcross has a Closing Down sale. Anyone know if it's really closing down? Shame if it does - i always liked that place. citizen

hi to all, Peckham-Perkster: like your spirit, i also say hi to groups of yout and usually find them pretty civil. Beneath the sulky, moody exterior is a timid little bwoy trying to find his way in life. When you say hi you remind him that he is just a friendly soul like you - the posing is all for his bredren. Not quite so sure about the mums with prams though. Sometimes, yes - but then sometimes a MWP is having a very stressy afternoon having had a totally tetchy morning. Forgive them. As a DWP I always offer a cheerful hi. (dear Bald-Marauder I am out there in solidarity with you, so keep it up. Together we can get through to all the grumpy Dads.) When it comes to greeting people in general, i tend not to do it so much after dusk - the rules of the street seem to change a bit by then - oh, and if people are serious about this, please take off your sunglasses! OK so you look dead cool and all that but you also look incredibly aloof and unfriendly and if i say hi to you i cannot tell if you are looking at me or giving me the evil eye. And whilst we are on this, the Draconian side of me says sod the mobile phone ban for drivers - let's BAN mobile phones for pedestrians - it's so rude to walk along the street conversing with a disembodied spirit. citizen

Des res wish list: smart pad in Fitzrovia. House in Dumfries and Galloway. Loft apartment in NYC. that'll do for starters... citizen

*a stray, i reckon* *bombardment of peanuts chased him away* *Puts up feet - lines up a half dozen lines of ale* *any takers?*

*sighs* *sips Pinot Grigio* *flicks peanut at owl* *wonders: why is the drinks trolley lurching at that angle?*

*hello, hello, hi, hi there, good afternoon, hello, hello, hi...* *sod this greeting people malarky, makes b-line for Tillie's Chablis, grumpily pushing Mockney, Jah and Huguenot aside* 8feels lush*

The chain called Somerfield - which was itself an amalgamation of lots of old supermarkets (anyone remember gateway?) was bought a couple of years ago by an investment company. Rumours started straight away that they would sell off some locations for development ie flats and perhaps shift the best stores to another retailer. Hence all the rumours re M + S on LL? not sure what the picture is now though I actually like our Market Fresh. Wondered about that sign coming down. citizen

I was out agian this morning - Goose Green swings all the way to Petitou and Review bookshop and back to Dulwich Library end of LL. Said hi to majority of people and mixed response. Most people polite enough. Almost certain that I didn't pass anyone who's contributed to this thread. Like the points being made here. I think Dulwichmum is right re Welsh villages, though i doubt it is restricted to there - has not anyone seen the scene in American Werewolf when the guys go into the village pub. Classic. I also think that some parts of the media perpetuate this view that all "strangers" are a danger. This has us in some completley irrational grip. We fear the mad-looking guy, the loud person on the bus and the much maligned "teenager" or hoody because in the back of our minds we vaguely remember the story of the chip-flicking murderer on the bus or some other heinous but incredibly rare event. The Guardian, for all it's liberal credentials, is guilty of this especially when middle class people (PLU) are attacked by working class people. The Daily Mail is plain awful in this respect. Say hello to someone around ED today and i would pretty much guarantee that they are not a weirdo or a thug, or any such devilish thing. If they don't respond, no harm done (it might be Keef having another bad morning) but plenty to be gained. citizen

Not yet. citizen

Hi all, Several posts on this forum have recognised that East Dulwich is a friendly place. Must say that I generally say hello to people i pass in the street and my impression is that i get a reply more often than not. Last Sunday I thought i'd make a mental note of the responses as i walked from the Plough end of LL down into East Dulwich Central. I said Hi, did they respond? Here's the result: Passerby 1: Black guy in track suit - no Passerby 2: Old white guy carrying jute bag, listening to i-pod - yes Passerby 3: young mixed race guy, cool looking - yes Passerby 4: Very old, shuffling red faced man - yes Passersby 5: trendy couple, shades - yes Passersby 6 Old white couple at bus stop - yes Passerby 7: Regular bloke, News of the World, smoking - yes Passerby 8: Old shuffling Chinese man with shopping trolley - no Passerby 9: Mum with pushchair - no by this time i'd got to Budgens and the foot traffic was getting heavy (and I was in desperate for a coffee).... so that was 6 out of 9 in this strictly non-scientific survey which can't be too bad. Still, have to that say no-one actually said hello to me first (if you see what I mean). so c'mon East Dulwich, say hello on the street. citizen

listening to Wilco, Preston School of Industry, Radiohead and PJ Harvey (songs form the City..). Love music but only listen sparingly. Going by my playlist any suggestions gratefully received. citizen

*chortles* *ignores animals, baggy and otherwise* *quaffs double Famous Grouse*

*passes DM nivea hand cream - poor DM all that manual labour!* *impressed by no. of owls - Quiet Room good place for the noturnal* *expects badger soon*

I've clocked James Thornton, who was in Red Cap and Between the Sheets, a couple of times in these parts, once by Sainsbury's once walking along East Dulwich Road.

Mr O'er the Hill, welcome to this place. from up the Lane wid the Southsides Man Dem. citizen

*enters with a flourish, waves to Sir Barry of Road* *cracks open can of Newcastle Brown* *gets out notebook and pen* *starts novel - finishes novel* *gets it published*

Thanks for the nod Fuschia, I do use the Bread of Life cafe - it is great and my lil' boy loves it too. However it is not open weekends as you point out. It would be nice to have a decent cafe up this end of the Lane and i'm sure there is plenty of demand. citizen

*for starter, devours far too many chocolates from Sean's extravagant selection* *next, swigs cider from flaggon* *moves on to family sized portion of chips* *notices they are wrapped in 'yesterday's' paper* *is that really Mockney's photo of DM?*

*rummages in pocket* *finds: golf tee (red plastic), two pound coin (plastic), pencil sharpener (metal)... oh, and ltr bottle on Absolut* *now we're talking*

When Dulwichmum had a book launch