Hat tip to John for this little gem. A “think-tank” called Demos wants to rescue the community spirit of the suburbs according to this Grauniad piece:
This week, however, the think-tank Demos will launch a “save the suburbs” campaign, seeking to revitalise pleasantville by re-embracing the traditional pastimes of the ‘burbs: car-washing, Tupperware parties, communal gardens and the Women’s Institute.
Oh, puuuhleeeese! I live in what they quaintly call the suburbs. I know a couple of my neighbours by name. Sufficiently, that is, to pass the time of day with. I don’t know what they do for a living nor what their interests are. Their knowledge of me is similarly scant – and that’s the way I intend to keep it. Anyway, this from the Demos press release:
The blue print for suburbia makes a number of recommendations to ‘save suburbia’ including more communal spaces for Ramsay Street-style barbecues and setting up car-washing circles.
Hasn’t anyone told these people that Ramsay Street isn’t in the UK and isn’t real? “Neighbours” is just a story; these are not real people with real lives, living in the UK suburbs. What colour is the sky on the planet inhabited by this think-tank? It sure ain’t the same one I’m living on. :dry: This mythical community spirit is just that; mythical. Okay, in adversity, people might start spontaneously talking to complete strangers, but, by and large, the British are a nation of conservative introverts. We just don’t “do” community spirit. Neighbours are people who happen to live in the same vicinity – it is all down to chance. Friends are the people with whom we will actively socialise; are those with whom we have an affinity and we choose to share their company. The two are not necessarily the same. Unless you believe the tacky Neghbours theme tune…
“Neighbours… Should be there for one-another… That’s when good neighbours become good friends”
Sick bag, please…
We keep to ourselves and mind our own business. So, if Demos thinks we will all spontaneously indulge in community car washing circles, communal gardens or the terminally terrible Tupperware parties, they are onto a loser before they start. Any attempt to drag us screaming and kicking into such community activities is doomed, thankfully, to abject failure.
What is it with these people who seem so determined to busybody about in our lives? The suburbs are what they are – why not just leave them alone? :dry:
Nothing wrong with knowing (or wanting to know) who your neighbours are. That doesn’t mean you have to be best friends with them, though, ’cause that would be a bit creepy.