to wonder what happened to all the eccentrics?

[MomsNatter]

I'm sure there used to be more of them when I was a child.

I am almost 100% middle of the road, so are most of the people I know but when I was growing up I knew all manner of odd people: like the bloke who practically filled his house with newspapers, the woman who had sideburns and DIDN'T CARE and the man on the market who spent more time singing than he did actually selling anything.

I miss those people.

Even on here, the font of all reasonableness, if someone has behaved in a way that is even slightly odd, you can almost guarantee that someone, at some point, will say:

Do you think he/she might have 'Aspergers'?

Has the media turned us all into neat, depilated, boring people or do I need to get out more?

The bearded lady of guildford is a wonder. I love it when she goes into house of fraser and asks the women on the YSL or Dior beauty counters for advice. My best moment ever was watching a poor bewildered youbg woman stand there wondering where the hell to colour match her foundation

My guess is the eccentrics have even driven inside. It takes guts and a certain 'fuck you' to cope with the levels of mockery and hostility you experience when outside what is considered normal.
And eccentric men are generally considered pedophiles and sex offenders. Just read mn.

We have several eccentrics round here. In fact, I saw a chap merrily talking to himself and dancing a jig across the road this morning.

I think it might be the moors......

totally agree Momsnatter, not enough suitable accommodation hence why I suggest local authority estates get a fair share of very vulnerable mentally ill people who otherwise should be getting services.. apologies didn't really express myself very well! did really assume you were talking about 'oddball's' too just followed another comment.

Jenny Josephs poeml- 'Warning' springs to mind...

I secretly covert being old and eccentric myself.

We have a lovely man who often wears a Tu-tu and white sling backs, he catches the bus.
Also a man who never wears shoes 'Fred the Foot'.

Where I live, we have a Facebook group dedicated to the town's eccentrics - it's called Falmouth Legends. When I first saw it it was funny how many of them I recognised, and when one guy died, the facebook group got together to celebrate his life, which I thought was lovely. I'm hoping that my dad makes it on there :)

I love traffic-directing eccentrics - their determination to 'lend a hand' is both endearing and admirable.

There was a fabulous chap who used to direct on a large roundabout north of Worthing; he'd arrive on his old black Dutch-style bicycle and station himself for a morning's business.

He wore a straw boater, an immaculate striped blazer, white gloves and spats over his shoes. He had wire-rimmed spectacles and a clipped, waxed moustache. His movements were elegant and precise - a bit like the

Another I saw in just a fleeting snapshot a few years ago. As we drove slowly, in busy late-evening rush hour, through a town somewhere in the Midlands, I spied a bent-over old gent in pyjamas, tank top and slippers; he was waving the traffic on in large, enthusiastic sweeps of both arms; a soppy grin on his face.

50 yards further up the road we passed a nurse tearing down the road as fast as her legs would carry her. The dear old chap's escape had obviously been discovered at the nursing home - his happy little excursion soon to be brought to an end.

I found this thread whilst researching the Guildford bearded lady and I found it really interesting www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&f=141&t=562250&mid=0&i=0&nmt=Strangest+thing+you%27ve+seen+in+your+town%3F%3F&mid=0

Some lovely tales of eccentrics there, long may they live among us boring conforming types

There are lots of eccentrics where I live. My favourite is a bearded old man who always wear a fishing hat and a backpack full of balloons, he gets on the bus and and hands out the balloons. Parents look absolutely horrified if he tries to give a balloon to their child, it makes me sad, he's harmless and the little ones absolutely love him!

Usually the people who seem the most straight-laced are the most interesting when you get to know them IMO. Whereas people who are all "I'm MAD, I am MAD I TELL YOU! I'M SO F**ING BUBBLY!" are dullsville.

Definitely agree. People who point out how eccentric they are, well, they aren't. You have to be unaware and think you are 'normal' to be eccentric.

"I remember there used to be tramps as well. Actual tramps, in the countryside"

Oh God yes! I remember a tramp coming to our door and my Mum being all of a twitter but making him a sandwich and a cup of tea and putting a chair outside so he could eat in the bck garden. But she was very nervous till he had gone.

I lived in a small village and there were a few people who, looking back, were decidedly odd but in a small community their little ways were just sort of accepted.

Now I want to visit Guildford

there are still a few of us about. but mainly, we hide or people attack us.

This guy is a classic English eccentric. I've met him, it is not put on!
www.fitzhigham.com/inthebath

We have a monk who has been walking through here for years. Actually there's a new one too but he looks a bit like an old wino, dead ringer for Jack from Father Ted, and was being followed by 2 police last week - somehow he's not as bone fide as the real one.

And an old chap who walks around with a sandwich board " the end is nigh".

Edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Says it all.

I work in a little cafe, down at the boardwalk, and we have some very interesting characters here!
We have an outspoken older lady, who sits very quietly, and then randomly interrupts other peoples conversations to chastise them if they are rude! She is so bold, I love it when she is in.
We have a lovely tranny, who keeps his voice very high (as in I'm a laaaaaaydeee) except when he forgets, and then it is quite deep
And one who appears to be a sweet old lady, but as I have got to know her, I found out that many years ago she busted her hand laying out a drunken ex, dumped him on the jetty, and took off in his sailboat and didn't come back for 2 years! Quite appropriately, she flies the jolly roger on the back of her power chair

They all live in my village.

I saw a programme the other week about London and there was a very short snapshot bit in it of the chap who used to walk around Oxford Circus with a placard exhorting people to eat less protein so that they would have less "passion," and intoning his warnings in a loud flat monotone. Remember him? He used to wear dark grey sort of Mao suit and cap. Apparently he was a really nice guy. I used to feel sorry for him because he worked so hard trying to spread his message yet if anyone took him seriously they would probably do the opposite to try to improve their sex drive.

I lived in Guildford for years & never saw the bearded lady
Still there's plenty of eccentrics in Brighton although I can't think of a single one right now!

I don't think there are any less. Life is much faster- you have to slow down and have time to stand and stare and then you see them. I am working up to it- I intend to be eccentric when old. (my DCs say that I am now)

I used to see this man around when I was growing up, he was ace.

There's a good share of them in glastonbury

There are a few round here, where I live isn't too gentrified. Maybe that helps?

There was a man around here when I was a teen who always cycled everywhere wearing an old style Brownie Guide uniform - he used to come to church jumble sales I was helping at and seemed harmless enough, very shy and sweet.

I saw him a year or so ago and he was now dressed in a very average way. I did wonder if he was subject to attacks so had to change but that is supposition on my part.

medication
community teams
community treatment orders
all people are doubleplus happy (thats the govt line anyhoo)

there used to be the big dishevelled jakie in queen street stn he long gone. in reality plenty eccentrics still out there.and difference is good, be dull if everyone was same