The view from my window

The view from my window
The view from my window

Friday 10 August 2018

Mickey Flanagan Peeping (or Neighbours part deux)!

So thinking the other day about our relationships with our neighbours (we were weren't we?), I decided to post Mickey Flanagan's "peeping" solution to the eternally British problem of how many times a day do you have to say "good morning" to your neighbours?  I apologize in advance for any non-Brits who find him hard to understand - he does get a little easier as it goes on! But this is brilliant.

Anyway, the reason all this came up was because I was chatting to Steve on Wednesday night, discussing my trip to the UK next week where I will be flying "up North" to see him. He was saying how funny he found it that my neighbours just pop in and out of my house (some have keys) and how we seem to be so much more friendly over here (in France) than in Britain - less reserved - who knows. He said he has lived in his place for 18 years and while he says "good morning" à la Mickey Flanagan, he doesn't know most of his neighbours' names and has never been in any of their homes!!! I just find that stunning since we routinely get together for drinks/apéros on our little island and, as I have mentioned before, a group of 16 of us hold board game evenings in each other's homes roughly once a month - it's my turn next, on 1 September!

My theory has always been that in hot countries people sit outside more and chat, whereas in colder countries (and let's face it, England is usually cold and wet) people don't have that option. Well, that's my theory anyway, but for those of you who are of a somewhat more reserved nature, I give you Mickey F's solution!

6 comments:

  1. Brilliant. I am sad to say that with the multiple turnover of families over the years, the original cluster of neighbors on our cul de sac where we were friends and neighbors, had get together and such, is no more.

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    1. That's a factor too of course, but we have been lucky with the "incoming" families too!

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  2. Replies
    1. I think it's a very true observation on the Brits actually.

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  3. That was hilarious! I know I've said some of the same things when I run into the same person multiple times!

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