NatashaD

I believe that suburban types lead a far more exciting life than me. How I wish I had time to wash my 4x4 on a Sunday outside my semi-detached mock Tudor or Barrett home, and then spend the afternoon twitching my net curtains so I can see what John and Sheila are up to next door. Rumour has it that some suburbanites often indulge in such deviant activities as swinging, god forbid, Sidcup or East Dulwich? Hm. Much as I moan about ED, the mix, choice and variety of inner London is unsurpassed as are its very high quality green open spaces. I respect anyone who can handle living in the quiet desperation of the suburbs but they scare the life out of me! Give me a few yellow police boards to the hum drum nature of Sidcup or Surbiton any day.

It must be very exciting living in suburbia, Tony. (Natasha stifles a yawn).

"Would it be ok then, for my wife and I to come into a bar that you frequent, and kiss...touch hands perhaps, without being looked at as though we were commiting a crime? Or would we be welcomed with open arms?" It would make me want to vomit whether you are gay or straight snogging in a public place. FFS. It's pathetic snogging in bars - unless you're 14, which is the last time I did it. You have asked me to elaborate as to why I don't want a gay bar in my area. Have you ever passed through Kennington/Vauxhall and seen a bunch of stereotypically looking gay men hanging outside a certain bar? It would lower the tone in Dulwich. Gay bars are about as inclusive as white only or black only bars. Plus I don't want to be looking at men with bulging biceps, extremely tight T-shirts, shaven heads, not to mention the mincing walk, in my neck of the woods. Thank you. Natasha.

I used to live in livelier parts of London, and they were fine. I loved living in Chelsea and Earls Court as they were vibrant and buzzing, with fab shops. The same cannot be said for Dulwich - in particular the 'village'. God, it is beyond boring there. However, now I've got kids, and am pretty skint, I am OK with living in ED. Once they're off my hands I will downsize and move more centrally in London. Anyway, Matt is entitled to his viewpoint without all you lot jumping down his throat. I wonder if he will get banned for being so 'contraversial'?

I would not want a gay bar in Dulwich thank you.

I can see where matt is coming from, ED is rather boring and bland - but obviously many of the forumites will take an opinion of an area personally. Sigh. It's pleasant here though, but I will probably have a change within the next 12 months and rent my house out, which is off 'trendy' (note the saracasm) Northcross Rd.

..and you always seem to read what I write too, SeanMacGabhann.....sigh....

I am surprised that nobody picks you up when you say the B word Bob. They do everyone else.

Actually Jay Lush has got a point. I used to live on a Camberwell council estate and loads of 'intimidating looking youths' used to hang out in the stairwell. At first I teetered by them eyes glued to the floor, but when I started saying 'hello' they were actually quite polite. They were unlucky in not having gardens like some people, and the flats were pokey and small. I was lucky. I got out. I feel sorry for people who have to permanently live in council blocks. They're awful places. Really depressing.

I can't abide Iceland.

What do these youths look like? Over the last few months I've had 'issues' with a gang of youths hanging around near my house in the night time. They 'looked' intimidating. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I rang the police (so had neighbours) when they chose to smoke weed by one of my neightbour's front door (they're away). They were a gang of white, black and mixed race youths. It was a bit frightening when they started shouting 'bang bang' and seemingly running riot, especially as I was on my own in the house. The next day, about 4PM, these guys had returned. They were talking to my other neighbour, so I walked up. It transpires that they had come to apologise. Their mums wouldn't let them hang out at home and they had nowhere to go. I said to them surely they could see that sloping into people's gardens was unacceptable, but they begged to be allowed. I replied with a firm NO. I told them couldn't they go on Goose Green instead? No, it was 'too open' they claimed, and all the parks were closed. My neighbour asked them if they didn't have anything better to do; were they working etc? They said they were at college but it was the summer hols. In the end I felt a bit sorry for them, and no they didn't return. They weren't at all intimidating in the light of day.

What has their skin colour got to do with it? Trust someone to play the race card. The skin colour was a description. Would anyone have protested if you'd said a gang of white guys? I doubt it. FFS. Anyway, this Sainsburys is the most lucrative in the country. It makes more money than any of the others. Rich pickings for unsavoury types who want to rob someone I'd have thought. I'll stick to Morrisons.

I do not like the way Gillian McKeith misleadingly calls herself a dcotor, which many interpret as a medical doctor - which she definitely is not. I read in the Guardian she got qualified by correspondence course from a non-accredited American college. Ms Mckeith has also not been able to cure her back problems with complementary medicine either, and as I said, I think she looks decades older than she is. If, indeed, she is 45, as she says she is.....I mean Nigella and Madonna are older than 'Dr' McKeith. I share your dislike of this irritating woman, Sean. But for all my loathing of her, I think she has done the field of nutrition a good service, especially for the nutritionally ignorant people within society - namely those big fat oafs who have to be told that scoffing and guzzling saturated fats and all manner of junk aint good for 'em.

Dear Sean I would not dream of dipping my quill in any more astringent vitriol on the topic. What I will say though Sean, is that yes, much of western medicine DOES quell the symptoms, but at what cost in terms of side effects? Often it is worth suffering the illness than falling prey to any one of the odious side effects listed on prescribed drugs. But, of course, not all 'complementary' medicine is effective. But a lot is. You mention Gillian McKeith. I'm not a fan, although she does speak some sense. It's not rocket science what she comes up with. However, she is not a good example of one who espouses 'healthy living'. I read she is in her early 40s, yet to me she looks in her 70s.

Monica" but i have come to the conclusion that this forum is a carte blanche for a pop at someone or something." I have come to that conclusion too, Monica. Jamma's flippant comments have been very arrogant: 'I am right; you are wrong'. For instance Jamma says "I find science and facts lend themselves to being straight". Pah. How many times have medicine and science been proven wrong? Many times. Complementary health is not all hocus pocus. Some therapies work for some people and others don't. Who are we to say that our 'science' and medicine, not to mention nutrition, are always superior to other cultures who rely on more complementary ways of doing things?

LOL VBC. Couldn't agree more.

There isn't a single shop in the area that I would deem 'good taste', so Davina Boutique fits into the area well. I saw 4 'Dulwich Daddies' running about in their Crocs today, which was enough to make me storm out of the park in a fit of pique. At least one of the men, who was chasing his toddler around and talking ghastly 'parentese', had a beige pair on...fairly inconspicuous. On topic - good luck to Davina Boutique. She has presumably done some research on the area before opening up shop. I've thought over the years several shops would go bust, and they seemingly never have. I would not be so impertinent as to state why I think this is.

*bob* "I'm not sure why fellas are to be chastised for wearing a baby sling. That's just bollocks." I am chastising them for wearing yellow crocs WITH the baby sling. And rightly so. HonaloochieB - yes...but what a waste of ?2.99.

Incidentally, I bought a ?2.99 pair from Lidl today for my son. He insisted. They look bloody awful on him.

I don't know Keef. Do they not realise how dreadful they look? It beggars belief really. I suppose, in a deluded sort of way, these 'Dulwich Dads' think they look cool. They don't.

...actually they make me want to puke, the namby pambies that they are. Shame on 'em.

All the 'Dulwich Dads' clad with a baby in a sling, wearing yellow crocs look ultra revolting.

Ithink Jamma is being very rude to Monica.

Sean I am not being provocative in saying I would like a Wagamamas. The portions are large and I have a huge appetite.

Dunno if it's been said but a Wagamamas would be nice