179 replies to this topic

[Christian U]

It's settled then. David is cute.

[Robert B]

Thanks Adam!

Tonight I'll probably be watching the Celtics and drinking beer but tomorrow we're going to see Santigold in concert for the occasion. Good times!

[Russell H]

England, and the rest of Great Britain aren't really on the continent.

Yeah, we're that little island next to the E in Europe. The continent of Europe is that big lump nearby - we're not on it.

[David Meadows]

Seriously? That has to be the post that starts the new thread?

[stephanie familiar]

we take it back, little meadow. we think you're hideous! you repel us!

[David Meadows]

Thank you!



Wait...

[njerry]

No, David, what Stephanie meant was "you rappel us"; she's inviting you to go rock-climbing!

[Arjan Dirkse]

England is not part of the continent. it is therefore incontinent.

[David Meadows]

That explains the rain.

[Christian U]

I have never been rappelling.


Have I failed in life?

btw, the French word "rappeler" means "to remember". Make of that what you will.

[David Meadows]

I have never been rappelling.


Have I failed in life?

btw, the French word "rappeler" means "to remember". Make of that what you will.

Weird, because I thought the English word came from the French word for "rope".

[Robert B]

I thought this was a good article in the Guardian today:

http://www.guardian....ho-wont-grow-up

Shocking stat from it: according the US Census Bureau, almost 19% of men aged 25-34 live with their parents. 19%!!!!!! For women it's under 10%. So glad I'm not a single woman. So nervous that my son is going to live with me until he's 40.

[Christian U]

Which would make sense, as a lot of English words come from the French, but I don't think so... quick look at a dictionary doesn't suggest any French rope words sounding like that, either...

I thought this was a good article in the Guardian today:

http://www.guardian....ho-wont-grow-up

Shocking stat from it: according the US Census Bureau, almost 19% of men aged 25-34 live with their parents. 19%!!!!!! For women it's under 10%. So glad I'm not a single woman. So nervous that my son is going to live with me until he's 40.

I'll throw him out when he's eighteen and that'll be that.

[Robert B]

Oh, I lived with my parents maybe from age 21 to 22. I moved to LA after college where I racked up a ton of debt and realized I didn't want to stay there, so I moved back east and back in with my parents, worked 2 jobs to pay off my credit card and save money to move the heck back out again. It was hard but helpful.

I guess while that stat jumped out at me I was more interested in how men are portrayed in media. I've also been fascinated with the theory that the "rise" of women has led to the "fall" of men, and really the particular way in which men have "fallen" (i.e., remaining age 12 forever in terms of interests and emotional maturity, something I have been guilty of myself at times).

[garjones]

Shocking stat from it: according the US Census Bureau, almost 19% of men aged 25-34 live with their parents. 19%!!!!!! For women it's under 10%. So glad I'm not a single woman. So nervous that my son is going to live with me until he's 40.

I've been in Asia too long where they'd be in tears if any son wanted to leave home before they were married.

I've recited the story a few times over here where I was chatted up by a girl in work (she made all the moves) and she dropped me like a lead balloon when she found out I was still living with my mother. They just don't understand her stance, I was the guy dumped and I thought she had a fair point (and got my own place 6 months later).

There's a fascinating economic point across the board because I've said before that management salaries in this part of the world aren't significantly below the west, the entry level jobs are really cheap, and they are cheap because all those guys (anbd girls to be fair) live at home. Them choosing a western view like Christian's of 'kick them out at 18' would have a bigger shift than any currency movements or trade tariffs.

[Christian U]

I was glad to get the hell out of there with eighteen. While there can obviously be financial necessities (which didn't matter to me because our year of mandatory civil service paid okay, and after that we didn't pay fees for universities back then), I don't really understand people staying at home for lack of impulse.

[Jim Ohara]

I don't understand anyone who wants to live with their parents. It's hell being an adult and living with your folks - parents struggle not to treat you like you're 12. And how the hell do you have sex? Are all these men basically content to jerk off in their bedrooms all their lives?

The media needs a kick in the pants in how they portray men. They pander to the young and single, telling them how awesome they are (I guess because they're the ones with the most disposable cash). If you're married you're either a fat lazy fool, or you've lost your manhood and your dreams disappeared. I can't think of very many positive husband role models on TV. There should be a small violin for married guys though, because their lives are generally pretty great.

[Christian U]

The media needs a kick in the pants in how they portray men. They pander to the young and single, telling them how awesome they are (I guess because they're the ones with the most disposable cash). If you're married you're either a fat lazy fool, or you've lost your manhood and your dreams disappeared. I can't think of very many positive husband role models on TV. There should be a small violin for married guys though, because their lives are generally pretty great.

To be fair, a lot of that is down to TV shows depending on some kind of romantic tension, which is difficult with married leads.

[garjones]

I don't understand anyone who wants to live with their parents.

Neither do I but when college costs a fucking fortune it isn't shocking it happens. I left higher education when loans were just being introduced, my debt was 900 quid, my brother at 3 years older got to claim the dole in his summer break and got a grant for rent and food.

Now someone in England has a minimum, before living costs, of 27,000 pounds in fees.

[brucegray666]

Man, I love my parents but the thought of living with them is a big no no. I've lived away from home for almost 12 years now and moving back into my M and P's house would drive my absolutely crazy. I'd get a second job or something to avoid it.

Now someone in England has a minimum, before living costs, of 27,000 pounds in fees.

Is that per year or oveer the course of say a four year under grad?