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Since everyone’s* burbling about change in that usual frantic new year kind of way I thought I’d join in. Not in the personal development sort of change narrative – that always makes me reach for the axe – but looking at the things that need to change (other than West Ham’s league position) to make living in England slightly less annoying and irritating. Here’s a few (feel free to add your own!):
1. We need to give kids a little more space and a little more understanding. Let’s stop and remember what it was like to be a teenager – perhaps that will put an end to the description of mild annoyance as “anti-social behaviour”
2. The cartel that is the big PubCos needs sorting out – stopping them dictating drink suppliers and prices would be a good start. We should also take the alcohol license off supermarkets. And please god, we’ll stop this ridiculous blaming of licensed premises for the behaviour of a few drunks
3. A little less pious piffle from “faith communities” would be welcome – why on earth do we give them a privileged position in our society? If they want schools, TV programmes, newspapers and fancy buildings that’s fine. But not with my money, thanks
4. More trust – quite rightly I have never been asked for ID in a shop. In fact no-one should have to carry ID just to get served. That way we might get a little common sense from those serving. Shopkeepers you don’t have to serve anyone – why hide behind ID cards?
5. And a great deal more fun – more festival lights, bands playing in parks, farmers markets, street vendors, buskers, jugglers, open air theatre, pavement art and village galas. Put less into opera houses and fancy London theatres and more into accessible popular art that really makes places fun
6. Oh, and please, less tutting!
*by everyone I of course mean a couple of people on twitter
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2 comments:
Having been out of UK for so many years, I can't identify with some of these, but I totally agree with number one.
As someone who lives amongst the Spanish, but often meets English kids visiting the island, I can see a huge difference in the way kids are treated and in the way they behave. And it's one that has grown frighteningly over the last few years.
Local youngsters here are so much more confident, worldly, engaging, respectful and socially mature than their Brit counterparts.
And observing them, I think it stems from the fact that Spanish parents almost always include their kids socially and treat them with respect and maturity.
Anyway, a long winded way of saying I agree with your first point, and am concerned about it.
I've enjoyed reading your blog, Simon, and the chats we have via Twitter. Looking forward to more of the same in 2010.
Well, yes, I agree with all your points - except 6. To paraphrase a famous quote 'You stop Tutting if you want to, this lady's all for Tutting'! ;)
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