Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

[Spearmint Rhino]

I just overheard builders on the scaffolding outside discussing William Of Orange, the Hanoverian succession and arguing over the date of the Battle Of Agincourt.

The beauty of the British education system, right there.

[Spearmint Rhino]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

I dunno whether to be pleased at how well-educated builders are, or depressed that someone who paid attention in school is now a builder.

[cantagalo]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

They were probably Polish.

[Lucia Lanigan]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

I expect to spot a faculty of History professors shouting "Awight darlin'?" at passersby when I stroll by UCL later today.

[pebblethefish]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

I once heard a lady on a bus threaten her very annoying kid with "If you don't sit still and shut up I'll put jam behind your knees!" This was about fifteen years ago and it still worries me.

[Cavalry Trouser Tips]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Kenneth Branagh in Henry V was on BBC2 yesterday afternoon.

[Spearmint Rhino]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Lucia Lanigan wrote:

I expect to spot a faculty of History professors shouting "Awight darlin'?" at passersby when I stroll by UCL later today.

Yeah, but you get that everywhere you go, LL.

[delicatemoth]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Walking past a woman chatting on her mobile phone, to overhear her say "Anyway, you remember that ratcatcher I was seeing?"

[The Exploding Vole]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Waiting to cross Lothian Road one afternoon a year or so ago, I found myself stood next to a tall, well-dressed woman talking on her mobile phone, quietly but without any apparent discretion: "Are you going to tie me up? I like it when you tie me up. (Pause.) No, the ones that you used last time. (Pause.) Over the bed. (Giggle.) As tight as you like."

I must admit, this thought has been hard to erase from my memory.

[Taylor]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

SR - basically you saw a version of this hilarious bit of class hatred.

[Taylor]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

double post...

[Spearmint Rhino]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Taylor wrote:

SR - basically you saw a version of this hilarious bit of class hatred.

Hah. Indeed, which was presumably the inspiration for this.

Christ, those Monty Python blokes were rubbish at Welsh accents...

[Lucia Lanigan]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Spearmint Rhino wrote:

Lucia Lanigan wrote:

I expect to spot a faculty of History professors shouting "Awight darlin'?" at passersby when I stroll by UCL later today.

Yeah, but you get that everywhere you go, LL.

In South London they just shout "Jarvis!"

[Taylor]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Spearmint Rhino wrote:

Christ, those Monty Python blokes were rubbish at Welsh accents...

Yeah, and weirdly, the worst one of all is Terry Jones, who's from Colwyn Bay. Then again, maybe a North Walian trying to do a South Walian accent is like someone from Middlesbrough playing a cockney. He should have just used his normal voice - as if anyone could have told the difference! Har har!

[Etienne]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Very disappointing they didn't know when Agincourt was. It used to be one of the most memorable dates in English history. Standards are dropping.

[Incandenza]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Well, if you really want to be disappointed, I don't remember what Agincourt is. I mean, I know it's a battle, but I don't remember from what war or why it's important.

[ursus arctos]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

But you're not English.

It would be roughly comparable to your not remembering the date of the California Gold Rush (though I guess that there aren't any football teams called the Fifteeners).

[Etienne]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

War? Hundred Years War
Importance? In the cosmic sense, probably nil.

[Incandenza]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

ursus arctos wrote:

But you're not English.

I know, but it's one of those things you hear about often, and know that it's important, so you feel you should know about it.

Etienne wrote:

War? Hundred Years War

Er...15th century?

[Etienne]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Yes. Which of course lasted 117 years (the Hundred Years War, not the 15th Century).

[WOM]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

Incandenza wrote:

I know, but it's one of those things you hear about often, and know that it's important, so you feel you should know about it.

You gotta stop livin' in the past, man.

[Er Liquidatore]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

I dunno whether to be pleased at how well-educated builders are, or depressed that someone who paid attention in school is now a builder.

The first.

[The Purple Cow]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

This thread reminds me of this from the excellent Overheard in London website.

American teen from California: "OHMYGOD! Are those baby horses!?"

Tour Guide: "No. Those would be sheep."

Overheard by Meg, Stonehenge
posted Monday, 19th November 2007

Amused me, anyway.

[Sundeporino]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

A builder writes: Ive worked alongside Oxbridge graduates, RADA trained thespians, ex professional footballers, DJ's, bouncers, male escorts, convicted football hoolies,uni students on hols, musicians, medical students, former pub managers, ex madame tussauds management!!!, trained chefs, teacher trainees, freelance journalists, croupiers, various ex armed forces and a whole lot more besides. All human life is on a scaffold somewhere in the world.
The construction industry was one of the few avenues for people who happen to need money and are lucky enough to be physically fit enough to earn it that requires no qualifications. Not now though as sweeping, fetching and carrying requires an exam to be passed before site entry is allowed.

SR never struck me being "occupationalist".

[ursus arctos]

Eavesdropping 'WTF?' Moments

The original "Overheard" site.