Rosie Millard isn't old style (did we guess this already?)

cathybird

nickyhutch wrote:

Who is the right type of person, though? I suspect most contributors to this board would want it to be someone who embraces the OS way of life wholeheartedly and without question

this is possibly true! I think what I would have liked to see in her article is more of an attempt to understand the book's approach - you just get the feeling she hasn't tried to get it really, she's just passed over it quite superficially. My boyfriend insists that she's the "right person" to write about thrifty living in the Independent because someone who lives by (to use his term) "hairshirt frugality" would be boring to read, whereas someone who keeps failing to do it, as she does, is more entertaining. Well maybe. But you need someone who at least tries to grasp the issues.

moggins

nickyhutch wrote:

Who is the right type of person, though? I suspect most contributors to this board would want it to be someone who embraces the OS way of life wholeheartedly and without question, advocating that it become recommended reading for all GSCE English courses, and included in every political party's manifesto. You're so hooked on this lifestlye, some of you, you're almost evangelical!


Re-reading that, I sound too critical, I'm sorry. At work and rushing.

I'm sorry but for someone who doesn't rouse easily this post has really got me biting (perhaps that's what you were aiming for anyway?) If we were evangelical then we'd never have bought our breadmakers etc etc. None of us would be using Stardrops, microfibre cloths and the rest.

What has been said is that someone who owns millions in property, is 40K in debt with credit cards and still goes on expensive holidays and boasts about her expensive face creams is never going to "get it".

Someone who embraces the OS life is not right either, they have no changes they need to make in their life - what is needed is someone with an open mind who can see the possibilities.

P.s. You also seem to have missed the point of OS. Yes it can be a saviour for some who need to cut back somewhere but what is the point in saving for the future when without making changes in all our lifestyles there may not be a future, if not for us then for future generations. OS isn't about counting the pennies, it's about counting the cost to the world.

nickyhutch

I DO get OS, but I don't do it all, like a lot of people. I do what I can, like a lot of people. My opinion (just that) is that some people take this whole thing to extremes that I couldn't go to, but that's up to them, just as where I draw my line is up to me. I'm sorry if you feel I've provoked you, it certainly wasn't intentional. I don't understand why having a breadmaker stops you from being evangelical, though.

I don't know that Rosie is saying she does "get it" either, though. I'll have to buy the Independent (oops, pinch a left over one off the train) and have a proper look. I was really talking about your defensive (and some slightly offensive) responses to her comments, rather than her take on OS, though.

moggins

What I mean is that if we were all truly evangelical we would be out there with our grinding stones making our own flour, then kneading by hand for hours instead of sticking it in a thoroughly modern machine!

Quote "I was really talking about your defensive (and some slightly offensive) responses to her comments, rather than her take on OS, though."

Sorry? I'm only aware that I said she really didn't get OS?

nickyhutch

Not you personally, the whole gist of this board.

buxtonrabbitgreen

Yes she was a bit harsh, but did say it was engaging reading though. So not alll bad I suppose

gerretl

The thing about OS is that if I have a question - what to do with a bit of chicken for instance- I know someone will give me a suggestion within a few minutes. I guess Rosie would look through a dozen volumes of Nigella Lawson, and then decide to do the Nigella Lawson method (Go down to your local free range farmers market, pick the finest hand picked vegetables, negotiate with the seller, and spend two hours over your AGA reading the Guardian.)
Fortunately, I live on the planet Essex, where a bargain is Tesco yellow label, but we work for a living.

Blairweech

I haven't actually read the Thrifty Ways book yet (I thought I ordered it for myself for Christmas, but actually didnt ). Anyway, the thing about sticking carpet samples together with gaffer tape - I think that was one of the first things I posted on this board. I'm not in the book though, am I?

competitionscafe

nicki wrote:

What a load of rubbish! :mad: I also notice, that short of emailing them which will obviously remain private unless they decide to divulge it, there is no way of responding to this article and voicing an opinion!

You can write/email for the letters to the editor page which might get published?

Lillibet_2

Blairweech wrote:

I haven't actually read the Thrifty Ways book yet (I thought I ordered it for myself for Christmas, but actually didnt ). Anyway, the thing about sticking carpet samples together with gaffer tape - I think that was one of the first things I posted on this board. I'm not in the book though, am I?

Yep, page 117:D