Little Things that Irk You: Episode V

[toythatkills]

Also, why do all lefty parades have to have jugglers and fire spinners, etc.? If you're into 'circus skills', whatever they might be, and you don't work in a circus, it's a good indicator you're probably a twat.

Juggling is fun

[endo]

I know, I'm playing devil's advocate a bit-I can juggle. But on 'political' protests, just no. Usually being practised by some unwashed-looking white twerp with dreadlocks.

[endo]

This genius tries to justify taking part and gets short shrift, and this is on the Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/28/cereal-killer-cafe-protest-gentrification-poverty?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Facebook

There are various other videos floating around of the 'protesters' and I certainly didn't spot the 'diverse crowd' mentioned in this prick's article in them. Looked more like a mob of boozed up idiots to me.

Still wouldn't have been right, but why didn't they go after Tesco and Pret round the corner, instead of the small, independent business? Cowards and idiots.

[Dogg Thang]

Yep, your last paragraph is spot on.

[fuse]

Completely agree. Made me angry when I saw it yesterday too.

[Colin]

I had to go have a look to see what you were all on about. It's stuff like this that makes me glad I left London.

[randombs]

I'm a bit torn over this cereal cafe issue and I wonder if part of the hatred comes down to the fact you really can make a bowl of cereal at home to the same level because there doesn't appear to be much artistry involved and no special equipment is needed.

When push comes to shove, you're unlikely to be able to whip up a gingerbread latte like they'll serve at Starbucks or make a lasagna as decent as the one at an expensive restaurant so you accept the mark-up due to the work involved despite not necessarily enjoying it. Even if you can do those things, they take time and effort. Pouring cereal and milk into a bowl takes no effort at all.

I think that helps to make CKC an easy target. Strip everything away - the decor, the imported cereals, the various toppings and mixing possibilities, the hipster/social aspect - and it's literally just cereal in a bowl. However, strip away the gubbins in a typical fancy restaurant to its bare minimum and you're still left with a chef with years of experience and training and a lasagna that's not going to make itself.

These protesters aren't stupid. They won't mash up a Tesco or a Pret because they won't bite the hands that feed them. They don't need a cereal restaurant: Tesco forces local businesses out but their bread is cheap and clubcard points are great(you'll get more for your money at Tesco than your local grocery shop); Pret means you can buy a coffee and sandwich instead of making them yourself which is nigh-on impossible on account of your high-stress, fast-paced Londoner lifestyle.

[endo]

These protesters aren't stupid.

They are.

The fact you can buy cereal yourself and eat it at home is irrelevant. Yes, the concept is frivolous and a bit daft, but the bottom line is if you don't like it, don't go. And although what they do takes no skill - they do serve coffee and stuff too though, so who knows, maybe they make a good coffee and that does take skill - they have rates, bills, rent and wages to pay, like any business. I didn't know this before either, but apparently they also run a breakfast club for local kids. I don't see Pret and Tesco doing that.

Pret means you can buy a coffee and sandwich instead of making them yourself which is nigh-on impossible on account of your high-stress, fast-paced Londoner lifestyle.

LOL. Yeah, 'anarchist' protestors don't attack Pret because, while it may be emblematic of the homogenisation of London's streets, it is handy for a sarnie and a coffee for the average squatter-about-town, chronically unemployed 'activist' and idealist trustfund wanker on the go. With their busy lives they simply don't have the time to prepare anything at home.

[gunrock]

Didn't see the Cereal bar protests, but my opposition to the gentrification of London is that creating ghettos of well-heeled upwardly mobile types whilst pushing out the less well off is a dick move that causes friction. Why must all of London look like Docklands? Deptford in Southeast London a good case in point. It's been underdeveloped for years but has a good market and shops, restaurants and a theatre that serve it's largely African and West Indian communities pretty well. Yeah, it's grubby and earthy but there is no need to turf out everybody, level the place and move in the more solvent. Where do all those people that make up those communities go?

[fuse]

I don't think anyone's talking about being pro-gentrification though, the issue is that the people supposedly protesting against gentrification are going after an independent business run by a couple of 'hipsters' (*shudder*). If anything they're making their cause look like bullies rather than anyone with an actual cause.

[buster_broon]

isn't it really down to people actually buying stuff from them, it states in that report that there are queues out the door for what they offer, personally I grudge paying ?6 for an imported box of cereal

the most expensive bowl of cereal they do is called something like mint choc chipster at ?4.70, but hey the milk is free unless you want some sort of crazy milk

[toythatkills]

I'm a bit torn over this cereal cafe issue and I wonder if part of the hatred comes down to the fact you really can make a bowl of cereal at home to the same level because there doesn't appear to be much artistry involved and no special equipment is needed.

When push comes to shove, you're unlikely to be able to whip up a gingerbread latte like they'll serve at Starbucks or make a lasagna as decent as the one at an expensive restaurant so you accept the mark-up due to the work involved despite not necessarily enjoying it. Even if you can do those things, they take time and effort. Pouring cereal and milk into a bowl takes no effort at all.

I think that helps to make CKC an easy target. Strip everything away - the decor, the imported cereals, the various toppings and mixing possibilities, the hipster/social aspect - and it's literally just cereal in a bowl. However, strip away the gubbins in a typical fancy restaurant to its bare minimum and you're still left with a chef with years of experience and training and a lasagna that's not going to make itself.

You've got a good point there mate. It doesn't take any effort to whack some beer into a glass either, could do that at home for a fraction of the price tbh.

I'm going to go burn down a pub, bloody scum.

[QualityChimp]

I think if these "protesters" were honest with themselves, they're probably just jealous they didn't think of the idea of a cereal cafe first.

[Dogg Thang]

Yep. It's like the old modern art thing: I could do that. Yeah, well you didn't and you're free to complain about it all you like but good for them for pulling it off.

But that's not really related to gentrification so targeting them is pure hypocrisy. They're not pushing out the local small businesses with character. They are a local small business with character.

[Asura]

I think if these "protesters" were honest with themselves, they're probably just jealous they didn't think of the idea of a cereal cafe first.

To be fair, "jealousy" always comes up in anti-capitalism debates, and I do think it can be part of the reason. It's the same as all the people knocking PewDiePie. Yeah, I dislike his material but he's found a market and deserves to make money from it. Someone a while back became super-wealthy by writing crap, abusive Twilight erotic fan-fiction and publishing it with the names changed.

Disney made millions by creating films about comic book characters. Can you imagine?

In seriousness though, it just seems a daft business to fixate on. Go throw bricks at Starbucks if you really must.