Do you consider yourself 'cultured' ?

[wavingfuriously]

I used to be an active film buff going to loads of screenings if some critic said the film was half decent and really enjoyed that, also read the newspapers avidly - ok that is a bit pathetic but there are some really interesting articles in them. Also visited art galleries and exhibitions...

Arrival of covid and then cost of living problems has changed all that and I'm lucky to splash out on a streaming service now and again 🙄 Living in the capital and with all the opportunities available I feel bit disappointed that chances for a bit of culture have almost slipped entirely from my grasp..
Why does all that matter you might think ?! well it's not the be all and end all but as i'm on my own and unsuccessful in other aspects of life getting a regular dose of the arts scene was important to me..

Really don't want to end up as a couch potato for rest of my life !😕

Also I forgot to say for those who want affordable opera, they do screen opera live in cinema quite frequently from the Royal Opera House.

My Mother was on stage when she was young so we had a string of theatrical types coming through the house and I grew up with Mother quoting Shakespeare. She took me to the ballet a number of times as a child. I worked in academic libraries for most of my career including a fine art library and hang out with other librarians and academics, DH is an academic. I spent some time translating documents in to modern English, have visited museums, libraries and galleries in various countries.

@RampantIvy I am lucky I have had the chance to work in an environment and know people in the spheres that I have. One of my closest friends is a political biographer and journalist and my niece is also on stage like my Mother. But I also like TV and my lifelong love of history was spurred on by an amazing documentary series about the American Civil war when I was a teenager as was my friend that became the political biographer, the very same tv series and also Ladybird books.

My choir conductor was recommending Central Tickets https://www.centraltickets.co.uk/ - apparently they have 'seat filler' tickets which provide super cheap tickets for shows that aren't sold out, so that could be good for getting out.

Also look for fringe theatre shows, they can be inexpensive and good.

When it’s on look out for Pay What You Wish scheme at National Gallery. I recently saw Franz Hald there for price of booking fee and this is the second time they’re doing this.

so many brilliant suggestions and feedback guys! keep it coming please..😊

thanks @leminoe which seat filler website please?

It depends what you mean by “culture”
whose culture?
white middle class culture?
working class culture ?
ethnic culture?
How are you defining culture?

@Meniscus no substitute for reading a good book ! imho..

Yes, in that we enjoy what are considered “cultural” events/activities.

@Monkeyfloor that does sound a bit sad🙂can't you take yourself off for one evening away from children duties and get back to real life culture vulturing ?

@Monkeyfloor agree about tube journeys...our nearest line has to be the noisiest in london... & takes a certain amount of energy to negotiate getting across the capital ..

When I was younger I lived in London and regularly visited museums, exhibitions etc.

im much older and no where near a big city now. So I just content myself with reading very widely and watching either well reviewed films or documentaries

Its enough for me now, but it’s hardly culture

love Front Row..

OP, a well as all the free stuff, you could consider volunteering at a theatre, gallery, museum or local arts centre - that will make you feel really connected to the city's cultural life.
And I hope you get over your dislike of the Tube - you are so lucky to live in London and to have all of this wonderful culture virtually on your doorstep.

I used to be but now I'm more into nature.

Yes.

Does anyone else consider me "cultured" is a different question.

You don't have to be of any particular class or ethnicity to appreciate a Monet or a Namatjira.

Totally agree @LeefsPrings but “culture” has a very wide definition
It’s the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. So culture depends on context really.
interesting thread though.

Placemarking for later

I thought of something else for you over the weekend. I picked up the Times on Saturday and was reading the Review section, which covered various cultural events. There is a similar section in the Sunday Times. You could get either one now and then and read the Arts coverage to get an idea as to what is on at the moment.

@TheSquareMile agree thanks, sunday times review section v good