weird things of the past

[Rjk]

I was explaining to my kids the other day how occasionally of an evening you used to get a knock at the door, and standing there would be a Frenchman, or at least someone pretending to be French and they would have a string with onions tied to it around their neck like a scarf, or draped over their bicycle and they would try to sell you onions, door to door.
As the words were leaving my mouth I realised how weird this was.
this did happen right? I haven't imagined it?
what other things seemed normal at the time, but looking back, or try to explain to a younger generation and it seems completely mental.

[Dorcus]

Re: weird things of the past

I was explaining to my kids the other day how occasionally of an evening you used to get a knock at the door, and standing there would be a Frenchman, or at least someone pretending to be French and they would have a string with onions tied to it around their neck like a scarf, or draped over their bicycle and they would try to sell you onions, door to door.
As the words were leaving my mouth I realised how weird this was.
this did happen right? I haven't imagined it?
what other things seemed normal at the time, but looking back, or try to explain to a younger generation and it seems completely mental.

Using a telephone box

[Jordi Culé]

Re: weird things of the past

I was explaining to my kids the other day how occasionally of an evening you used to get a knock at the door, and standing there would be a Frenchman, or at least someone pretending to be French and they would have a string with onions tied to it around their neck like a scarf, or draped over their bicycle and they would try to sell you onions, door to door.
As the words were leaving my mouth I realised how weird this was.
this did happen right? I haven't imagined it?
what other things seemed normal at the time, but looking back, or try to explain to a younger generation and it seems completely mental.

Known as Sioni Wynwns (Shoni Onions) men.

Nope not a dream.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: weird things of the past

Newspaper hanging on a nail in the outside privy - and not in the interest of catching up with the news.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: weird things of the past

Finding a sixpence in your Christmas pudding and custard.

[Wales-Bales]

Re: weird things of the past

I remember when some people were actually tactically voting the current prime minister into office which seems completely mental in hindsight!

[splott parker]

Re: weird things of the past

Talking in class when the teacher had his back to you writing on the blackboard. Him spinning around and a board rubber flying past your lughole, if you were lucky, bouncing of your bonce if you weren’t.

[tforturton]

Re: weird things of the past

Kids walking to school

[tforturton]

Re: weird things of the past

I was explaining to my kids the other day how occasionally of an evening you used to get a knock at the door, and standing there would be a Frenchman, or at least someone pretending to be French and they would have a string with onions tied to it around their neck like a scarf, or draped over their bicycle and they would try to sell you onions, door to door.
As the words were leaving my mouth I realised how weird this was.
this did happen right? I haven't imagined it?
what other things seemed normal at the time, but looking back, or try to explain to a younger generation and it seems completely mental.

They were still coming round Penylan, not that many years ago. I remember the last time, he wanted Ł8 for a string of about twelve onions - not exactly a bargain. When I questioned the price, he said they’d come all the way from France. Okay.

[insider]

Re: weird things of the past

I was explaining to my kids the other day how occasionally of an evening you used to get a knock at the door, and standing there would be a Frenchman, or at least someone pretending to be French and they would have a string with onions tied to it around their neck like a scarf, or draped over their bicycle and they would try to sell you onions, door to door.
As the words were leaving my mouth I realised how weird this was.
this did happen right? I haven't imagined it?
what other things seemed normal at the time, but looking back, or try to explain to a younger generation and it seems completely mental.

My French mate Didier did this in Cardiff until about 2000.
He's back working in France now he used to drink in Canton with us and occasionally come down the City with us.

[lincoln blue]

Re: weird things of the past

Newspaper hanging on a nail in the outside privy - and not in the interest of catching up with the news.

And your "arris" as black as the headmasters chalk board!

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: weird things of the past

'Police-use only' phone boxes. There was one near the Gabalfa library where I lived.
Blue in colour (naturally), they were designed a bit differently to the familiar red public phone boxes.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: weird things of the past

The sound of freight trains at night, braking and causing a domino effect as the wagons shunted into each other. Then came the advent of brake air-hose couplings.

[NYCBlue]

Re: weird things of the past

Rag and bone men. Dustbins without bags, full of rubbish being emptied on to the back of small lorry. Milkmen with horse-drawn carts. Waiting outside a phone box for someone to phone you at a pre arranged time. Loose sweets. Bars of chocolate being wrapped up in tin-foil and paper. Getting a clip 'round the ear when you did something wrong. And then being in the doghouse all weekend. And of course, the legendary white dog shit.

[cantonboy]

Re: weird things of the past

Getting the bus to Sloper Road depot for a penny when City had a night fixture.
Getting dad to make you a soapbox from all sorts of bits and pieces then realizing you had no slope near you.
DiMascio's ice cream kiosk coming around being pulled by a horse.
7" singles at 6shillings and 8 pennies each (3 for a pound you know!)
Thinking nothing of riding a bike to Barry Island.
1 penny bar of Cadbury's chocolate.
Thinking going to a Chinese restaurant was exotic.