Room 101 - what single aspect of modern life should be consigned to oblivion?

[Richard Tarleton]

Did anyone remonstrate with him? In my experience of Quiet coaches people usually do.

I always do. And I'd have remonstrated with Sir V if I'd overheard his personal stereo/MP3 player - you're not supposed to use those either in quiet carriages. The thump thump of electronic bass is usually clearly audible, I haven't seen a "classical music only" sign in First Great Western.

[Serial_Apologist]

I always do. And I'd have remonstrated with Sir V if I'd overheard his personal stereo/MP3 player - you're not supposed to use those either in quiet carriages. The thump thump of electronic bass is usually clearly audible, I haven't seen a "classical music only" sign in First Great Western.

Then you should come to Brixton tube sometime, RT, where nothing other than classical music is ever played over the tannoy. It has been kept going for a good 3 years now, so it must be having the desired effect of scaring off the little starlings...

[Richard Tarleton]

Excellent, I'll pay it a visit next time I'm up!

[Sir Velo]

I always do. And I'd have remonstrated with Sir V if I'd overheard his personal stereo/MP3 player - The thump thump of electronic bass is usually clearly audible

Electronic bass in Tippett?

[Richard Tarleton]

Electronic bass in Tippett?

No - just that personal stereos are usually clearly audible to your neighbours, and with popular music what you mainly hear is the thump of the bass. I can't imagine what muffled Tippett sounds like. The wording of the signage/announcements varies even on FGW trains, but generally you're asked not to use personal stereos in the quiet carriage.

[Sir Velo]

No - just that personal stereos are usually clearly audible to your neighbours

Not my personal stereo. I consider my neighbours. Moreover, I think there were four of us in the carriage, equally spread out.

I can't imagine what muffled Tippett sounds like. The wording of the signage/announcements varies even on FGW trains, but generally you're asked not to use personal stereos in the quiet carriage.

You would have had to have been sitting in my lap to have heard it - something I think neither of us would have wanted.

[Serial_Apologist]

Electronic bass in Tippett?

In the opera New Year.

[Old Grumpy]

You would have had to have been sitting in my lap to have heard it - something I think neither of us would have wanted.

[Anna]

Me too, but rather than mobile phones themselves (used sparingly), I'd give the push to texting. I've never felt the need to use it myself, and it's a pathetic sight to see all those saddos on the train poking about in an apparent trance when they could be listening to a Mozart piano concerto on their MP3 player.

Actually, when sittig behind avid texters on a train, peering between the seats, it's really very interesting to see their social life exposed! Which is quite cruel, I guess. I often get the Swansea to Manchester train, it's funny to see the reaction of English passengers who try to eavesdrop on conversations conducted in Welsh!
I nearly got knocked over by a 20 something the other day, walking towards me texting, totally oblivious to his surroundings. So, for me, mobile phones.

[mangerton]

Actually, when sittig behind avid texters on a train, peering between the seats, it's really very interesting to see their social life exposed! Which is quite cruel, I guess. I often get the Swansea to Manchester train, it's funny to see the reaction of English passengers who try to eavesdrop on conversations conducted in Welsh!
I nearly got knocked over by a 20 something the other day, walking towards me texting, totally oblivious to his surroundings. So, for me, mobile phones.

When I visited Porthmadog a few years ago, I found it rather un-nerving to sit in the hotel bar with my small lime-juice and hear Welsh being spoken all around.

[Anna]

When I visited Porthmadog a few years ago, I found it rather un-nerving to sit in the hotel bar with my small lime-juice and hear Welsh being spoken all around.

Mangerton, you found it unnerving being in Wales and hearing Welsh spoken all around. My Goodness, suppose you had gone to Italy ......... and heard Italian being spoken!!
Why a small lime-juice, did you think that a pint of Rev. James might force you into being a Methodist?

[mangerton]

Mangerton, you found it unnerving being in Wales and hearing Welsh spoken all around. My Goodness, suppose you had gone to Italy ......... and heard Italian being spoken!!
Why a small lime-juice, did you think that a pint of Rev. James might force you into being a Methodist?

Yes, I know, and this may sound odd, but in a foreign country I didn't find it strange because I expected it. I suppose I regarded Wales as being "this country", which of course it is in one sense, but not in another.

When I was in S Wales in the 70s and 80s (tinplate business) I don't think I heard much Welsh being spoken.

Errm.... the "small lime-juice" is poetic licence. It was really a pint or so of good Welsh ale.

[Thropplenoggin]

Yes, I know, and this may sound odd, but in a foreign country I didn't find it strange because I expected it. I suppose I regarded Wales as being "this country", which of course it is in one sense, but not in another.

When I was in S Wales in the 70s and 80s (tinplate business) I don't think I heard much Welsh being spoken.

Errm.... the "small lime-juice" is poetic licence. It was really a pint or so of good Welsh ale.

You probably wouldn't have got on very well with RS Thomas.

[Anna]

Errm.... the "small lime-juice" is poetic licence. It was really a pint or so of good Welsh ale.

I reckon it was a shot of Penderyn Welsh whisky but he dare not admit!

[Thropplenoggin]

I reckon it was a shot of Penderyn Welsh whisky but he dare not admit!

I've read about this. How is it? I see there is also now a Brecon gin. As the name suggests, Thropplenoggin's like gin. My favourite to date is Tanqueray 10. (http://www.theginblog.co.uk/home/tag/tanqueray-10/)