66 year old Retired male from Maidstone

Question 1. Give your reasons and analyse your motives for living in the district where you do live.

In 1984 we thought that there was a social (three older children recently adopted) and financial incentive to move from The London Borough of Bexley. We wanted to get the children away from what we perceived as the local anti-social and 'drug' culture by moving to somewhere where it was not so prevalent. Oh innocent us. It did not take too long for that theory to be dispelled. We needed a larger house and felt Bexley prices were too high. The financial theory also fell apart as salary levels boomed immediately we moved. At the time we looked at a wide range of locations around the south-east but were drawn to staying in Kent by family considerations of aging parents. However none of us regret the move 25 years on. The town has served us well meeting our work and social needs.

Question 2. In what ways do you consider yourself different from your neighbours?

I dont.

Question 3. When you go into pubs, which bar do you use and why?

Most pubs do not differentiate today. At least the ones I frequent do not. A sign of the times as pubs cater for eating to make a profit. In my younger days it as the public or saloon bar according to where the dart board was.

Question 4. What priced seats do you use at the cinema and why?

Whatever is available. In todays multi-screen cinemas each is too small to matter where you sit.

Question 5. What forms of food, drink or amusement are thought “infra dig”* or not quite the things in your circles?

Nothing is 'infra dig' as far as food and drink are concerned although there are things that I have no taste for or desire to try. As to amusement this is just a cultural issue where personnal preferences come in to play. Plenty that I would not get involved with but each to his own choice. Never have understood the mentality of those enslaved by a 'computer' games and social networking sites.

Question 6. Are you sensitive on the subject of accent and have you made any attempt to change your own?

No sensitivity. A couple though are a strain on the ear when it comes to actually understanding what is being said. No attempt to change my own although having worked around the UK the edges have been worn down by other regional influences.

Question 7. Do you make a habit of using the following words and phrases? If not, what is your reaction when they are used by others?

Use cheerio, bye-bye, okay, ta but none of the rest. 'Mate' is a conversational pet hate of mine when it is used by lets say the under 30s. Many think it appropriate to address someone as 'mate' despite not even knowing the person they are addressing. Call centre employees who use this form of address receive a short explanation that they are not my 'mate' followed by a ringing off. Pal and chum would fall in to the same category if used the same way. 'See you later' is another expression that grates,