Thank you very much. Right, we'll start the interview bit (pause) So if we could just start off with you telling me a little bit of basic stuff like, your names, your ages, occupations, where you live, and where you grew up? (pause) Either one of you go first.

Right, my name's (NAME) (NAME), I'm thirty five years old, em I grew up in Newcastle (pause) em I'm a retail manager (pause) em what else did you want to [realized as 'wanna'] know?

I think that's about it.

That about it?

I'm (NAME) (NAME), grew up in Blyth, Northumberland, twenty-nine-year-old and I'm a hospitality manager.

Em what -- where did your parents and your grandparents, where were they born and raised?

Em (pause) in Newcastle as well. Em (pause) my mum was brought up in Newcastle and as far as I know my grandparents were too.

My grandparents are of all different

(laughter)

backgrounds

(laughter)

I'm quarter Jewish, quarter Scottish, quarter Welsh, and quarter English.

(cough)

Although they did all grow up in South East Northumberland, and [realized with elongated pronunciation] my parents (pause) are both (pause) Blyth and Ashington.

Ok (pause) em, tell me a little bit about where you work, what you have to do there, what you like and you dislike about it, how long you've been working there? Em you know, just general.

Em, I've worked in my current position for f- coming up to five years, em, it's within women's fashion retail. It's (pause) generally quite boring

(laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter) (pause) day to day stuff (pause) Em, I work with a team of relatively young people, mainly students, em which makes the job bearable

(laughter)

just! Em (pause) the majority of the job's customer-service, dealing with the public, obviously s- tending to their every whim.

(laughter) You sound happy about that! [laughter ends]

Yeah (unclear) em, th- the worst part of the job difficult customers and the best part of it is as I say the team of people that I work with are all (pause) young, fun (pause) full of life.

(laughter) What's the most difficult customer you've ever (pause) encountered?

Ah oh God (pause) I can't say one in particular, it's just generally em middle-aged women shopping with their daughters are probably the most difficult (pause) that they have in mind what they expect their daughter to purchase which obviously doesn't tie in what what the daughter actually does want to buy. So it's a battle between the two of them. Em, I would say that's probably the diff- the most difficult ty- category of customer but I can't really pin-point because pretty much all of them are a bit of a pain.

(laughter) Fair enough! And em, a little bit about your job?

Em I'm a manager for Costa coffee, em I've worked for them for nearly four months now. Em (pause) I enjoy it, I enjoy meeting the regular customers and [realized with elongated pronunciation] (pause) again I work with (pause) a good team. Em (pause) mine's more mixed though, I've got more (pause) of a -- a young crowd of a weekend and through the week it's a more mature (pause) group of staff. Em [realized with extended pronunciation] (pause) that's about it really!

Ok brilliant! Em tell me a little bit about when you first left school, what were your first jobs? Em how did you find them (pause) and did you like them? Or (pause) did they lead to where you are now?

Em when I first left school I worked for em Dolcis Shoes, which is kind of full-circle 'cause it's shoes that I'm working with now (pause) but again when I first left school it was just, it was I wanted cash in my pocket and (pause) I enjoyed work because of the people I was working with (pause) I'd never been with uh I had a social life with people of mixed ages before it was always just people uh my own age but um going in there at sixteen and obviously working with people who were older w- we had uh a strong social circle from that, drinking and stuff after work and (pause) that sort of [realized as 'sorta'] thing. So em (pause) yeah, it was over all a good experience em but mainly due to the social aspect of it rather than the actual mundane day to day stuff at work.

When I first left school I worked in a little (pause) cinema in Blyth, em just three screens, and it was an absolute hoot!

(laughter)

Because it was owned by gays, and run by gays, and (pause)

(laughter)

it was just very gay!

(laughter)

The place was painted pink which was marvellous!

(laughter)

But similarly it was (pause) the social aspect of it, working with people 'cause once the pictures actually start, and people are in their seats, you just run riot and (pause) have a laugh and a carry-on basically! Em

Sounds pretty good!

It was.

Ok, er, tell me a little bit about where you live now 'cause obviously you live together, don't you? What kind of house is it? Who chose how it got decorated? How long have you lived there? Why did you want to [realized as 'wanna'] live there? That kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing.

Em (pause) we live in Blyth in Northumberland, we live i- em on a new build estate, it's a three bedroom semi. Em (pause) I'm pretty much, it's pretty much down to me as far as the way the place is decorated and stuff 'cause I think that I've got more taste than Iain!

(laughter)

Em (pause) it's all very neutral and

(laughter)

modern. Em (pause) we've been living there for about three -- just coming up to three years but we're actually in the process of moving because (pause) well again it was me that made the decision to move there and pushed (pause) to live in the house that we do, and then as soon as I got there I decided I didn't really like it

(laughter)

and it'd been a bit of a mistake and it's took three years to get him round to my way of thinking to move! So (pause) yeah.

You pretty much make all the decisions when it

Well um

comes to (laughter)

well

houses?

i- as far as (pause) yeah, as far anything to do with the house really 'cause I'm more (pause) I'm more of a gay in that respect than he is, but (pause) obviously he overtakes in other areas.

Ok, em do you live near your friends and family? Or are you going to be nearer to them i- where you're moving now?

We're moving in th- within the same area. We live beside (NAME)'s em family, em (pause) my family's all in Newcastle but his is all (pause) based in Blyth pretty much. But wha- our circle of friends is probably more spli- well, it's more Newcastle than -- than Blyth. So our friends are in Newcastle, Iain's family's in Blyth.

Do you get on with any of your neighbours that you live near?

We used to. We used to get on really really well with the lady that lived next door who had the little boy.

Yeah she

But she moved! (laughter) And I think that's why I've come round to the idea of moving!

(laughter)

Because (pause) ah (pause) we've got a cross-dresser next door now.

Yeah, we think he's a bit of a tranny!

(laughter)

We call him princess.

(laughter) Does he know you call him princess?

N- No.

He

But uh he has a -- he's got a -- he wears -- he wears his wi- wife's pyjama-bottoms quite a bit and little

(interruption) Crop-tops.

his wife's little crop-tops and he has a massive key-ring on his car keys that says princess.

(laughter)

So that's where his name comes from. And they have a one of them rats on a string dogs like a

Like a

furry ball

like what Britney has, (interruption) you know them

(interruption) that they call

little fluffy things.

that they call Daisy and he goes [informant does impression] oh uh Daisy! Shouting for her.

[informant does impression] come on Daisy!

And he's got big Hollywood teeth.

(laughter) He sounds great!

Yeah.

Oh yeah.

Yeah, proper Hollywood smile.

(cough) But if it was down to me we wouldn't talk to any of the neighbours 'cause

(laughter)

I just keep my head down and it's him that like

He's very antisocial!

(laughter)

You end up with we end up with old women on the drive at like ten o'clock at night come to take the dog for a walk and stuff. If it was down to me we wouldn't even know who that old woman was!

(laughter) So, about living in Newcastle in general, do you like it? Like, what's the best thing and worst thing about it? Would you rather live anywhere else except Newcastle?

Em [realized with extended pronunciation] well

Amsterdam

(laughter)

I love Amsterdam! I've always loved Amsterdam since before I even knew (NAME) I loved Amsterdam, and I would quite happily move there tomorrow!

Why? What do you like about it so much?

It's just so free and easy and laid-back and

Drugs!

(laughter)

There's [with plural referent] drugs

(laughter)

and there's an endless supply of cock if you want it

(laughter)

and just all that sort of [realized as 'sorta'] thing and it's

(cough)

it's very fun!

(laughter)

It's a fun, free liberal city and people just don't give a damn what you do, or where you do it really!

Sounds pretty fun!

You don't have to worry about the neighbours!

(laughter) [background sound of someone making a cup of coffee]

At all, so

But I do kind of [realized as 'kinda'] uh em I lived in London for ten years so I chose to come back em and I do kind of [realized as 'kinda'] like it. It's just because it's home I [background sound of someone making a cup of coffee] suppose. The worst part of it's all the charvs (pause) definitely.

I've always said

And we're kind of ten years behind any other major city in -- in England I think, which is a bit scary.

I've always thought we're quite lucky that being in like, in Newcastle or the surrounding area, you're really lucky that you can be in the countryside in half an hour, you can be at the coast in half an hour, or you can be in the centre of town in half an hour. I mean, we're thirteen miles out (pause) and we're right on the coast (pause) and when we move we'll be able to like, smell the sea we'll be that close!

(laughter)

Which is a bit scary (interruption) because (unclear)

(interruption) Which obviously with we being such an active couple and

(laughter)

doing all that windsurfing and things like that, then it'll just be an absolute boon!

(laughter)

But we are lucky for where we are

Yeah.

'cause it is accessible for the country, for the city, (pause) rail links, plane links, do you know what I mean?

Mm.

There's nothing that we're really lacking, other than Harvey Nichols.

No.

Is there?

But it's like anywhere you live, you get sick to th- get sick of the sight of it, don't you? So

Yeah.

Ah do you [realized as 'd'ya'] know what I did in Harvey Nichols in Manchester?

What? (laughter)

(laughter) We were browsing round upstairs right, in the food hall bit.

Yeah.

And I went (pause) that bloke over there's just nicked that gold pen, right?

A gold pen?

A gold pen (pause) a proper (interruption) reet posh

(interruption) Saw him put -- saw him putting this gold pen into his pocket.

Inside pocket.

He didn't actually see -- see him taking it from a shelf considering we're in a food hall anyway!

But he was putting it into the inside pocket of his jacket right, and I went he's just nicked that! Turned out to be James Martin doing a book-signing!

(laughter)

And he was going to

I was

tell the bloke at the till!

I was just about to grass him up for

(laughter)

(unclear) [possible reading: chalking] this pen! (laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter)

(cough)

Guessing you managed to stop him then, yeah?

Yeah, just in the knick of time!

Are you a bit of an embarrassment to take out?

He whe- I'm barred from lots of McDonalds

[creaky voice] (laughter) Why?

Well there's one right, right on the side of the A19 right, and when (pause) McFlurrys first came out right, you know how they had the posters up in the windows and everything and big full pots of McFlurrys? And I ordered two and he put them down on the counter, so I put a pound down, and he went ah they're ninety nine each, I went I know but they're only half full!

[creaky voice] (laughter)

So when you fill them up, I'll put the other pound down!

[creaky voice] (laughter)

Right, and he was going no, but that's how that's like the measure you get. I went well that's not the same as that poster!

(laughter)

Right, so I started arguing (pause) and then the manager came over to see what the problem was and in the end he went, get out my restaurant! I went restaurant? It's like a fucking transport cafe man!

(laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter) It's not a restaurant I can assure you!

(cough)

So he barred us.

By which point I've usually left the building.

(laughter)

He -- he knows

And gone stood by the car, it's just like

When it's coming

Ah fuck, here we go!

(laughter)

He senses me about to kick off and he's like (pause) away!

(laughter)

And I'm left to kick off by myself!

I don't do confrontation, where it's like a hobby for him.

(laughter)

Yes, I do like a good argument.

So that's not the only place you've been barred from?

Ah no I -- I go all -- all over me, and I just like, kick off randomly.

But if you need a refund on anything, it's tops!

Oh aye, I get refunds like that!

(laughter)

As well as compensation!

(laughter)

Easily.

Talking about difficult customers, would you probably reckon you would be a difficult (laughter) c- customer?

Definitely yeah, 'cause he's (pause) i-

(laughter)

I'd be the sort of [realized as 'sorta'] customer you would just give anything you want to, just to get us out the shop! [informant does impression] yes go on (pause) no problem (pause) yes!

(laughter)

Just leave!

Right, I'm going to [realized as 'gonna'] talk a little bit about your childhood now. Em (pause) if you just, you know (pause) tell me general stuff about your relationships with your parents and your siblings, if you've got any, em what kind of [realized as 'kinda'] childhood you had in general, what kind of [realized as 'kinda'] child you were (pause) that kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing.

Well, I'm an only child.

Aww!

And the product of a broken home. Em

Ish.

Well, er my mum and dad were divorced when I was about three. Em I didn't really have any (pause) contact with my biological father (pause) em ever really, em he then died when I was about sixteen so I didn't if I'd wanted to have the opportunity to -- to get to know him I didn't anyway. Em my mum has been with (NAME) who's my st- well I say step-dad, they're still not married but he's been round since I was about seven or eight (pause) and I've got quite a good relationship with him (pause) and a good relationship with my mum to a degree. I mean, it was me and mum for a lot of [realized as 'lotta'] years and it was just kind of, [realized as 'kinda'] she kind of [realized as 'kinda'] lived for me an- and, made sure I was ok and stuff which

And your nana.

And I had my nana at the time which was my mam's mam. I had a s- close relationship with her until she died. Em (pause) as I say, me and -- me and my mum were really close and obviously that -- that had it's own problems in that, when it come round to (pause) ge- to get away, and that was like a whole other kettle of fish. But over all, never had any (pause) massive fights with my parents or anything or (pause) you know, big fallings -- fallings out. Just generally pretty -- pretty quiet really. I was quite a quiet kid at -- I w- never caused any bother, never brought the police to the door or anything like that, until I was about eighteen and then when I discovered alcohol and stuff things changed a bit, but (pause) I was pretty good. I was good at school, I didn't cause any -- I wasn't a bad kid, my mother was never called to see the teachers or anything so just pretty boring really!

(laughter)

Whereas!

(laughter)

(laughter) Here we go!

Well (pause) my mum and dad split up when I was eight. My mam had an affair, [creaky voice] dirty dirty dirty!

(laughter)

Had an affair at, well, sh- she's not married to my step-dad either but he's been round since I was eight and my dad remarried (pause) er (NAME). Never got on with Vicky until I came out when I was sixteen. Em (pause) as a kid I was an absolute little bastard! Em got suspended from school for drinking whisky in English (pause) em used to (pause) batter the hell out of people when they started, but but but [repetition for emphasis, not a false start] I got bullied big time right through school, and you used to be able to like, set your watch by my beatings (pause) so it was just like, beating back if you know what I mean? Em 'cause they used to do it in a group whereas I would get them one by one (pause) and beat them back. Em (pause) I've got an older sister, she's four years older than us. Absolute bitch!

(laughter)

Don't like her in the slightest. Only reason I still speak to her now is for my nephew. Em (pause) er (pause) what can I think of? Er, I was -- I was quite academic at school (pause) but that was mainly because I didn't have any friends 'cause they used to bully us (pause) so you've got nowt else to do, have you?

Ju- all the swotty kids are though, aren't they? They've nowt got any mates.

Yeah.

Like, really intelligent ones. Unless, you know, you're -- you go to a posh school and you, like you're

Where all the kids are rahs.

surrounded -- surrounded by educated children.

Yeah.

Where in comps, if you're clever you're a bit of a no mark, aren't you really?

Yeah.

Friends wise.

Yeah.

(laughter)

I used to get the kids at school that were threatening to beat us up after school into trouble in the class (pause) 'cause teachers never believed that it would be me doing it (pause) 'cause I was such a goody-goody, you see?

(laughter)

So I would do things to get them into bother so they'd get detention so I'd get home safely!

(laughter)

It was very cunning.

That is quite cunning.

Yes, like, I would do fart noises

(laughter)

and the teacher would go (NAME), who was it? (laughter)

(laughter)

So not only was he disliked for being a poof, he was disliked 'cause he was a grass!

(laughter)

Yeah -- yeah but I had a really close -- I grew up with (pause) my sister and three female cousins and (pause) my sister and my oldest cousin (NAME) are the same age, and then me and (NAME) are the same age, and then (NAME)'s the bairn. And so I've got a ah well, until recently (pause) I had a really close relationship with (NAME), and me and her were more like sisters, well

Brother and

(laughter)

brother and sister shall -- (laughter) you know what I mean! Em (pause) than what me and my sister ever were. But (pause) my (pause) dad's parents (laughter) right, get this right! When my dad was sixteen he found out that his mother and father were actually his grandparents (pause) right, and that his mother was his sister (pause) do you know what I mean?

What?

His sister was his real mother but she'd been in

But the grandparents had brought them up as theirs.

They'd adopted them.

Like on Hollyoaks?

That sort of scenario, yeah.

Yeah.

'Cause his gran was a slut!

(laughter)

She was! And she i- i- she was white but reminded us very much of Tina Turner, you know the -- you know the dance? The monkey leg dance?

(laughter)

Well (NAME) used to do that! But she shagged an American airman during the war (pause) and that's how my dad was conceived. That's where the Jew comes from.

Ah I see!

Ah you see? And (pause) we didn't find out until we were eleven so we grew up with our granny as wor [equivalent to Standard English 'our'] auntie (pause) do you know what I mean?

I see, yeah.

But ee who we thought were wor [equivalent to Standard English 'our'] our actual nana and grandad died when we were quite young, then my (pause) mam's dad died when I was two (pause) and my mam's mam went into hospital with Alzheimer's when I was really young and so like, we didn't really have grandparents growing up. So my sister was really jealous of the relationship I had with my great (pause) aunt and uncles, right?

(laughter)

And my mam's aunties and uncles 'cause I had a really good relationship with them 'cause she was a really like, introverted, sour, little, meek little (pause) bitch,

(laughter)

and I was like, just me! (laughter) And so like, that's why me and my sister don't get on I think, 'cause she's always been jealous!

It's quite complicated, your family, isn't it?

Yeah (unclear)

I can see what you meant.

It's nearly incest, it's revolting!

(laughter)

Well we -- our oldest Blyth marriage Blyth, you see?

(laughter)

That's the problem.

Web-feeted freaks! (laughter)

Right, I'm going to [realized as 'gonna'] move on 'cause it's come up a couple of times now, about (pause) how and when you realised that you were gay, and how you came out, and how you told your family, and how they reacted, and you know, the whole shabang I'm sure you've told about twenty times! (laughter)

Well the realisation that you're gay and -- and to the point that I told my parents anyway that I was gay, 'cause uh it was a it was a huge gap. I've always known I was gay (pause) from knowing what gay was, as far as what those feelings are that you're having. Em (pause) but telling -- when I actually told my mum that I was gay, she was initially she was brilliant, she was really good. I probably didn't choose the best place, I told her on her lunch break whilst in whilst in Hay- Haymarket Metro station! (laughter) And initially she was fine with it. She said she'd known for a long time, and (pause) she wanted to meet (NAME)'s parents, and see where I was living, and all the rest of it, and was great about it. Then she went home and I went back to work, and I told them at work, oh my God I've just told my mother and she was great! Because in -- I'd -- I always thought (pause) she's going to [realized as 'gonna'] go schitz when I tell her 'cause she's not the greatest person with anything out of the ordinary. Em (pause) and I was really surprised at the response and then I cau- I rang her when I got home from work (pause) and (pause) the situation had totally changed. She'd obviously gone home, had a gay porn movie run through her head and decided that I was the spawn of Satan!

(laughter)

Ahem she was like, she was a lunatic. She was like (pause) she wasn't going to [realized as 'gonna'] tell (NAME) my step- well, who's like an eh acting step-dad. She didn't want him to know, she didn't want anyone to know, she didn't want to [realized as 'wanna'] meet (NAME), she didn't want anything to do with us. She didn't want to [realized as 'wanna'] see where I was living, if that's the way I wanted to lead my life (pause) fair enough (pause) but she didn't want anything to do with it. She was like a crazy -- total crazy person. Everybody tried to talk to her, (NAME)'s mum tried to speak to her, my best friend at the time, (NAME), she tried to call her and tried to calm her down and stuff and she was just, she was having none of it. Er it got to -- it was it was so bad at like, in the -- within the first week that (NAME)'s job at the time he used to work for a family business and he was a driver, like a courier, that we were coming back down from, I can't even remember, somewhere like Berwick or somewhere up on the borders

It was Edinburgh.

and we were coming down this country road and he had to -- I was talking to my mam on the phone and she was being so (pause) hideous on the phone that he had to pull over for us to get out the car and be sick (pause) because of what she was saying it was, that's how, you know the

And it was bleaching the snow.

It was, she implied that I would be -- that I would get ill and die and you know, it was all -- it was really like (pause) I knew it was -- I always knew that the reaction wasn't going to [realized as 'gonna'] be good but I never ever thought that I would hear things come out my mother's mouth that did. And it probably change -- it's probably has changed my relationship to what we were th- we'll never ever be the same. She's fine with it now (pause) well to a degree she's fine with it, in that she gets on really well with (NAME). She comes to the house and stuff and, you know

She decorates for us.

She decorates for us, she cleans for us

(laughter)

and all the things that mums generally do. But as far as the rest of my family knowing, they don't (pause) you know. And I haven't pressed that 'cause that's -- she -- she sees them all the time, I don't. I don't have anything to do with the like, extended family and stuff. So (pause) in that respect it's kind of, it still like, bubbles away under the surface that (pause) yeah she's fine with it, but she's not really, you know? It's kind of, she's all right with -- with us and when it's on our territory

Mm.

but if we went and knocked on her door, and went into her house, she'd be on hot-bricks in case somebody knocked on the door and she had to explain who (NAME) was or

Yeah.

You know, so it's all a bit superficial in that respect.

I've only ever been to the house four times in seven years.

So it's a bit -- it's a bit weird 'cause, more so when I talk like in situations like this. [sound of fireworks in the background] When I actually talk about it, I talk to somebody new about it (pause) that you -- you -- you when you [sound of fireworks in the background] actually hear yourself say it you think, you know, why the hell do I put up with that? Kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing but (pause) like I say, it doesn't [sound of fireworks in the background] affect my life as far as what -- if she wants to lie to all and sundry that's -- that's her business. I don't see them so I don't have to be put in that position. But (pause) initially she was like a lunatic so (pause) uh I take thanks in the fact that she's actually all right with us and I haven't had to give up my relationship with my mother which initially I thought, it -- it's going to [realized as 'gonna'] go to the point where we don't see each other, you know, and if it hadn't been for (NAME) calming her down kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing and (pause) he came in one night and found her crying and

Yeah.

it all came out with what it was, and he -- he reacted fine to it which I don't think she was expecting. So that kind of er, made her think oh God, may -- you know, maybe I am being a bit ridiculous. But now when she's -- I mean, when she's around we you wouldn't think there was -- that there was an issue, but I'm sure when she goes home there's probably -- it's maybe more said than (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) Do you think it's more -- do you think it's got anything to do with like, the generation gap? Do you reckon it's any easier to come out as someone younger in this day and age, as opposed to like, when you had to do it?

I think people probably are a bit er it probably is a bit easier (pause) but

He only did it six year ago!

I was -- I was -- I was twenty eight when I -- when I told her and I mean, my mum was a hairdresser, it wasn't like she wasn't used to being

Around the poofs!

[creaky voice] (laughter)

around gay people, you know, she er and if there was ever a ge- eh growing up, if there was ever a gay character on TV or on a soap or anything, that was the character that she loved, you know? And you'd think, oh God you know, it probably would be ok. But I never put myself in that position, I went to live in London for ten years so she didn't have any connection with like, my social life or my circle of friends so she didn't need to know, and it was just bot- constantly bottling out and it wasn't till I met (NAME) and (pause) I mean, we -- we met -- we met one night, he dropped me off home w- and then the second night (pause) we went out and then went back to his and I never went home, you know? I -- I lived there from like the second day I knew him. And I used to (pause) carry a bag back and forwards to my flat 'cause my mum used (unclear) [possible reading: to] come and clean for us on a Sunday. He used to drop us off at eleven o'clock and my mum would come at quarter past eleven, clean a flat that I didn't live in, take my washing away from me -- for me, she'd leave at about half twelve at which point he'd done the shopping in Asda, and would come and pick me up, you know? And this went -- that went on for about

Years!

Well, not years.

(laughter)

It went on for about seven months (pause) and I made a New Year's resolution, I'd said on New Year's Eve I'm going to [realized as 'gonna'] tell her this year and I told -- that was on the New Year's Eve, and I told her on the fifth of January of that year wha- you know, the -- what the situation was.

So at least he stuck to it!

And it's -- so I did stick to it but I think, as far as the generation gap goes, I don't think it's -- I think parents are probably more -- (pause) they've got more idea about stuff now, and they're probably a bit more clued-up, but I still think it (sigh) (pause) I think people are expected to be better about it now, so they've got that pressure of (pause) you know, I've

I think

I've got to react in a positive way. But it can't be easy to hear (pause) especially if you're from a working-class family in an area like this you know, it's -- which is probably stereotyping as well but

I think a lot of it's to do with, oh my God, I'm never going to [realized as 'gonna'] be a granny!

Yeah, I was -- with us being an only child as well, that's the fact that she's never going to [realized as 'gonna'] have grandkids from me. (NAME)'s got a daughter who -- (pause) years ago there was a big bust-up in the family, and (pause) (NAME) who use- she used to live with us, she walked out and went back to her -- her real mum and really hurt (NAME) in the fact that she did that, because he'd brought her up as a kid. And my mam had said, she'll never get across my door again! And my mother's a right cow, she'll stick to her guns. And she hasn't, she's never -- she's never gone back and (NAME) doesn't really talk about -- he's got three grandkids but doesn't dare talk about them 'cause my mother's a lunatic and she'll not have it mentioned, you know? So she's cutting her nose off to spite her face in the respect that she could have grandkids, but she's choosing not to.

Mm.

So that -- because of the way she's reacted over all of that, I think it's probably made it more difficult for her as well.

Yeah.

To think, well you've got to [realized as 'gotta'] be accepting of my son now that he's turned out to be gay. And she's shot herself in the foot for mouthing off about (pause) other people's kids, you know?

Yeah.

So I think al- there was [with plural referent] a lot of like, contributing factors that (pause) had to do with her reaction, but I mean his mother was a psycho as well so.

(laughter)

What happened when you did?

Well

(laughter) Here we go!

He was a right screamer as well though, so it wasn't as big a surprise for him. Nobody knew that I was gay.

Fuck off! (pause) No, right, I worked at the pictures in Blyth right, the (unclear)

The pink one.

Aye yeah, the Pink Palace right, and obviously everyone was gay there and I said to my mam, oh I'm going out clubbing with the lads from work, and she was like, why do you [realized as 'd'ya'] want to [realized as 'wanna'] go out clubbing with them? They're all poofs! And this like, and this was in the middle of my GCSE exams right, and this escalated and escalated and escalated into a huge argument, and in the end I just went [informant does impression of shouting] 'cause I'm a fucking poof!

(laughter)

And it was the middle of the summer (pause) and all the windows were open, and all the neighbours were in their gardens, and (pause) it was lovely! And (pause) I left home (pause) em 'cause she said that she wouldn't let us be, that there was no way that a son of her's was going to [realized as 'gonna'] be a poof and (pause) similar to (NAME)'s my mam worked at the airport on security for years and years and years, and was geet best friends with all the poofs on the airline, all the trolley dollies, you -- you name it, she loved them (cough) but not her's, not her own, no way. Right, and my sister was exactly the same, em my step-dad was just like, oh it doesn't matter son, whatever. Do you know what I mean? Em so I walked out and I went to my dad's and that's when I became friendly with my step-mother. Em and my step-dad's from (pause) a proper rough area of Ashington (pause) worked down the pits for years, proper blokey bloke and he just went eh well, it's not what I wanted for you but so what?

Mm.

And I was like, ah right, 'cause I expected the reaction to be totally the opposite way round.

Yeah.

Em (pause) I stayed there for three days, then I (pause) went to live in (pause) North Shields 'cause I was going to [realized as 'gonna'] go to college in Tynemouth (pause) moved in with a lad I was doing my -- (pause) that I was on one of my courses with, and didn't speak to my mam for two years, and (pause) lived with -- and it wasn't until I was getting friendly with my mam again (pause) that I found out how much of a twat he was, because my Auntie (NAME) who had been (pause) like my surrogate nana, had died just before I came out of cancer (pause) and he (pause) always wore a cap, always always [repetition is for emphasis, not a false start] wore a cap, and he told us that he'd had cancer and that's why he wore a cap 'cause his hair hadn't grown back in properly from the chemo and stuff.

Mm.

And when you're sixteen and (pause) you just believe it, do you know what I mean? You don't doubt it for a minute and (cough) em (pause) and I went to my mam's for Mother's day the year that we were getting friendly, and came back and caught him in bed with a lad who was my best friend at college at the time, em (pause) and ended up moving back home. After putting them on the street naked I may add!

(laughter)

They didn't get away with it, I can tell you!

(laughter)

So be warned, right! Em moved back home (pause) wasn't at home long then went away to uni for six months (pause) but when I moved home it was like, on the condition that she accepted who I was, and instead of posters of Kylie on the wall it would be posters of who I wanted on the wall and so there was [with plural referent] like, semi-clad men all over the place which my step-dad's mother, who was (pause) like my grandma (pause) couldn't understand when she was putting my washing away for us one day!

(laughter)

My mam was like, ah he just really likes er Mission Impossible, that's why he's got Tom Cruise on his wall! (laughter)

(laughter)

Really loves the film.

Not 'cause he fancies the pants off him! (laughter)

Yeah, not that he wants to bum him or anything! (laughter) Do you know what I mean?

(laughter)

(laughter) (cough)

Em I was working at the cinema again as well so she like, brushed it off as like, oh they're movie posters.

Ah clever!

Ah she -- ah she was very very [repetition is for emphasis, not a false start] devious my mother. Yes (pause) I get a lot from her! Em (pause) and then (pause) she's all right totally really now, isn't she?

Yeah.

Other than when my friend (NAME) who I went to college with, when she was getting married my mam always had it in her head that it was always a phase, [informant does impression of mother] always a phase. Mother, I was living with (NAME) for two years! [informant does impression of mother] It's just a phase!

(laughter)

Do you know what I mean? Em and she always thought that me and (NAME) would get together.

Mm.

And then when (NAME) got married (pause) even though I was with (NAME) at the time, I think (pause) when (NAME) got married that was (pause) like (pause) when it finally dawned on her, oh my God (NAME)! But not because while I was with (NAME) she was still thinking (pause) that it was a phase or anything, but

Yeah.

just because she'd had this girl in her head for who I would marry eventually, like

Now she was gone.

Now she was totally gone, oh my God!

Yeah.

It was like a final realisation for her.

Yeah, it's understandable. Did all your friends react ok?

Yeah fine, I mean em (pause) I never actually came I (sigh) I don't (unclear) [possible reading: think] I've came out to any of my friends. At the time that nobody knew, my best friend she asked me (pause) em on a night out and I reacted in a way of like, no! You know, how very dare you!

(unclear)

Em and she was like, oh my God I'm really sorry and like, brushed it off like that and then she mentioned it again later in the night and it's a -- and apologised for asking us, and at that point I just thought oh I can't fucking let her apologise, and I was like it should -- it should be me apologising because I am. And she was over the moon you know, she was chuffed to bits. But the reason she'd asked because we were so close that it would've been (pause) why hadn't anything else happened other than we being really good friends? So (pause) she was really fine with it. The only bad reaction I had was another really good friend who was a girl as well at the time, she was pissed off that she wasn't the first to know. She reacted in a really bizarre way but it wasn't a negative reaction to being gay, but not being the first to be told.

Mm.

But that's the only negative thing, and the girl that I used to live with when I li- when I first moved to London, who I was girl- boyfriend and girlfriend with (pause) she knows now and she's been up and you know, visited us at our house and stuff and is fine with (NAME) and, at the ti- like now she says ah I always knew you know, but at the time well, I did try and avoid sex as much as possible!

[creaky voice] (laughter)

Obviously never without alcohol (pause) being involved.

You haven't said that to her have you?

Yeah! (laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter)

That's not the nicest thing for a girl to hear!

(laughter)

I know but what you've (interruption) got to [realized as 'gotta'] remember is

(interruption) I had to be pissed off my face to have sex with you!

(laughter)

(laughter)

(cough)

It's like, I've known a -- like, before I went to Costa I worked at Asda and there was a lass there, her husband -- her sister's husband came out (pause) and she was saying ee (NAME) I -- she said I just don't know what to say to her, and I says well (pause) for starters there's no way she can compete (pause) do you know what I mean? If it was another woman (pause) there's more of a reason for you to get upset or (pause) try and compete, but you're dealing with someone who wants cock!

[creaky voice] (laughter)

[creaky voice] (laughter)

They don't want a gash, you know what I mean? S- it's like, no, but do you [realized as 'd'ya'] know what I mean? It's like

I know what you mean, yeah.

There was a long time between me and (NAME) being girlfriend and boyfriend though, and her actually finding out.

Yeah.

It was a long -- there was a long period, we -- it was about seven years in between and we were we were still really good -- we're still really good friends now, she's my oldest friend em

(cough)

and I suppose in that length of time -- when that length of time's passed in between you know, it makes things a little easier to deal with.

Mm.

But never had any bad reaction.

Aye.

And since like, my past two jobs I've never -- ah I've went in and

Been gay (interruption) from the start.

(interruption) Been gay from the start.

Mm.

So more or less hasn't been an issue at work either really, so

When you first started like, dating and stuff, how was that? Like, is it easy?

You mean dating each other (interruption) or dating anyone else?

(interruption) No, not each other. Like, in general, 'cause obviously you're more limited kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing.

You would think!

Well I suppose (interruption) I (unclear)

(interruption) Because when I worked at Asda, the amount of men

(laughter)

I served on them tills that I knew from Newcastle, and they're stood holding hands with their wives and talking to their kids. It's scary, I'm telling you!

People you've seen out and stuff?

Mm-mm.

Honest, that's -- I get that now in the shop, you know.

(gasp)

And girls come in with their boyfriends and

You know very well

some of them some of them know as well, that they know your face, 'cause you can see them double-take

Mm.

and you think, until the penny drops and it's shit, I've seen them in the club! You know?

Mm.

And it's -- (pause) eh you can see them like, hurrying to get out

[creaky voice] (laughter)

and stuff but s- it does happen a lot where you see people and you know their boyfriend's (pause) regularly wandering round the (pause) round the club on a Saturday night, that's probably told her that he's out with his mates and probably told his mates that he was rat-arsed and doesn't know where he ended up.

Yeah.

So I suppose it does go on. Dating wise though, I was never big on dating particularly, I wasn't a big dater.

Whereas I was!

(laughter)

Whereas he was, he he's had more relationships than

Well after, no, after (NAME), I mean (NAME) screwed me up big time for a long time (pause) and (pause) I just went through a series of three month relationships and it would get to the point where you know, like when you -- you hit that like two three month stage

Mm.

and you -- you know that there potentially could be feelings there

Mm.

and you go, no [realized as 'nah'] (pause) not doing that no! [realized as 'nah']

(laughter) Let's move on!

See you (pause) next!

(laughter)

Like that's -- but Newcastle's -- (pause) because Newcastle gay scene is so small in comparison to the likes of Manchester and London and that, everyone knows everyone, and everyone's shagged everyone, and a lot of people like, when I first met (NAME) he -- (pause) you found it quite difficult at first, the fact that a lot of my friends

Were exes.

were exes.

I didn't (interruption) get that at all.

(interruption) And that's how we -- that's how you in -- on -- on a small gay scene like Newcastle's got, that's how a lot of people become friends

Mm.

'cause they've had a one night stand with them.

Yeah.

And, do you know what I mean? It's like, how many nightclubs is there [with plural referent] that you can go to in Newcastle,

Yeah.

and have a night out, and never see the lad that you shagged last week?

Yeah.

Whereas (pause) we've got one club!

(laughter) Wha- where -- 'cause I don't know about the gay scene in Newcastle like, where (pause) do you go? Where -- where is it?

Times Square, you know the Centre for Life?

Down by Central Station.

Where Digital is?

Yeah, well Digital used to be Powerhouse that used to be the gay club.

Oh yeah!

And it's now moved to just

Round the corner.

Along -- along the road where Sugar used to be

Yeah.

you know, so

You know the Jurys Inn?

No.

You know if you come out of Digital and instead of turning right

Mm.

go straight across

If you were getting the hundred bus to the Metro-Centre, you go over a bridge. The bridge that you go over, Jurys Inn's on the corner of it.

Oh right.

And that's (interruption) where you see the start.

(interruption) And that's the scene from there.

Yeah.

And it comes like, round in a big circle.

But I mean, it's like, it's twice the size it was like ten years ago. It's like, it's -- it's up and coming as far as gay scenes go, but it's still very

But it's shit compared to what -- I mean I've been on the scene (pause) on -- on my birthday next month I'll have been on the scene fifteen years, and (pause) the amount of change that's gone on in those fifteen years is incredible, but it was better then (pause) than it is now, because there's been money put into it and (pause) it's -- and because of the generation change as well (pause) like, I was quite unique at the time that I was so young and out, you know? And now kids come out at fifteen sixteen and no-one bats an eyelid.

Mm.

So the bars are full of screamers!

They're full of young, prissy, mincey little faggots

(laughter)

who I have -- I really -- I was I was I wa- put my hands up and yes, I was like that at the time,

(laughter)

when I was fifteen sixteen I never went out without something tied round my waist so I could accentuate my hip swishes!

(laughter)

(laughter)

But I haven't got time for them now (pause) and the difference

That's just 'cause we're (interruption) old farts now, isn't it? [realized as 'innit']

(interruption) Yeah I know, but the size of Newcastle isn't (pause) big enough

(cough)

to have like, a mature scene as well. Whereas (interruption) if you go somewhere like Manchester

(interruption) Everybody goes to the same club and

Yeah, if you go somewhere like Manchester you've got the variety of (pause) like, you've got the young, prissy scene and then you've got the older, mature scene and

Do you go out there a lot or do you tend to stick to Newcastle?

No, but we will be on the end of the month because Sonia's on in the Powerhouse and I can't wait

She'll not even know who Sonia is!

Who is Sonia?

She represented Eurovision in nineteen ninety three and I canny wait!

She's a little, fat

Ginger.

ginger, Scouse freak!

(laughter)

Ask your mam, she'll know who she is!

(laughter)

[informant singing] You'll never stop me from loving you

Oh I do know that song!

You see? Well that's Sonia.

I never said I liked it, I just said I knew it! (laughter)

But it's -- er it's -- I mean it's -- it's all right, isn't it? If we go out -- if we go we -- we don't go clubbing in straight clubs unless it would be an occasion where it was somebody's birthday or something, or a Christmas party and that sort of [realized as 'sorta'] thing, just for the fact that, you know

I want to [realized as 'wanna'] be able to feel comfortable enough to be able to hold his hand, or give him a kiss when we're out.

Is that a problem in straight clubs?

Mm.

Yes.

Massively!

Wha- have you ever had any trouble or anything through it?

Well no, but (interruption) you wouldn't dare!

(interruption) No 'cause you don't take the risk.

Is it really that bad?

Depends what sort of [realized as 'sorta'] straight club, we -- if we went into somewhere like Blu Blamb- Blu Bambu, yeah it

You'd be pinned! [creaky voice] (laughter)

would be an issue. If you were in Digital on a Saturday night, probably not as much 'cause everybody's off their tits and loving everyone!

[creaky voice] (laughter)

And it -- (pause) again it's a different scene, it -- uh you know

I mean, when it's

I mean, when it's more of a dance scene it's -- I think it's a different thing because a lot of gay people would go to that anyway, but if you went to somewhere (pause) Liquid or (pause) Blu Bambu or Baja, yeah it would be an issue 'cause it's full of charvs and it would be, you know, you would be targeted.

Mm.

You just wouldn't put yourself in that position.

It's better to just stay away sort of [realized as 'sorta'] thing?

Yeah, plus it's a- I mean it's more of a s-

It's a safety.

Wha- w- you know, when we go on a -- a night out and if we go clubbing, it is a laugh and you know, loads of straight people (pause) go to the gay scene now because it's -- because of the environment it is. It's friendly and it's, you know, it's a mixture of different types of music and stuff. And everything is more liberal in the fact that nobody gives a shit and obviously there's -- there's [with plural referent] builders in dresses down there so it's

A laugh!

Nobody -- nobody -- nobody cares kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing, you know? The scene's always been a place as well where, years ago in Newcastle you couldn't get into a club with trainers on until Digital arrived really, you were -- you are expected to have a pair of nasty

Brogues.

Ben Sherman loafers on and a shirt and a pair of dress pants. Where you could always get in a club in a pair of jeans and a pair of trainers, and it wasn't a

Yeah.

big deal. So it's kind of, it's -- it's not just the fact that it's gay, it's the fact that it's relaxed as well I think, that (pause) we choose to drink there and not elsewhere.

And it seems to be drug friendly, always a bonus!

(laughter)

Because he's a proper pill-head!

(laughter)

He thinks they're fucking Smarties, I swear to God.

But again, this was something that never entered my head until I got into a relationship with (NAME). I'd never took drugs, well I had, I'd had speed once.

Yes thanks.

But I'd never ever taken pills (pause) and until one -- one Christmas night out, I was out with work, and then went to meet him and his mates in a club and at the time he was geet -- it was re- it was a fab night. He was in a great mood and all this, we got home and then he told us that he'd had a pill and it was the biggest issue you've seen in your life! I was like a lunatic! [informant does impression of shouting] How dare you tell me you love me and you're off your tits on that? It's just that making you say that! And -- and then I was like, oh go on I'll have a try! Like the like the (interruption) hypocrite that I am, yeah!

(interruption) Easily persuaded then! (laughter)

But if we go

And he's never looked back!

but if we go clubbing we don't we don't drink, he drives, so it's generally

I don't take pills when I'm driving I might add, well I don't take pills at all (pause) I'm a speed boy!

(laughter)

Always have been, always will be but

(laughter) What -- like tell me about the funniest thing that's ever happened (pause) on one of these nights out.

(sigh)

Before I met (NAME) I nearly em (pause) got barred from the Powerhouse.

[creaky voice] (laughter) again, barred!

Yeah! Because Hazel Dean, who you'll not remember either right, was doing a PA at the Powerhouse and it was on my birthday night out, and I was off my tree and er (pause) years and years ago when Kylie first started, she did a track on her first album called Turned Into Love and at the time, Hazel Dean was a bigger star than her, and she turned around to the people and said I'm going to [realized as 'gonna'] release that as a single, and they went oh right then. So they let her release it as a single, so (pause) she's on the stage in the Powerhouse singing Turned Into Love and I'm up on the seats screaming [informant does impression of himself screaming] you're not fucking Kylie!

(laughter)

Get off! And they had to drag me out kicking and screaming!

(laughter)

I don't do anything really funny on drugs on a night out. I've -- I've been led out the club a few times like Stevie Wonder 'cause I haven't been able to see and

He's had to get in the car and put shades on

I've had to put sunglasses on and

to drive home.

drive home 'cause the street lights have all been streaming and stuff, and I've been ralfing on people's drive-ways and stuff when we've dropped friends off and things.

The strangest thing you've ever done was (pause) we were taking (NAME) home one night after clubbing, and we got -- he used to live at Royal Quays, right

Mm.

and we got to the big roundabout at the top of Royal Quays, which is about a mile from his house, and he went you're going to [realized as 'gonna'] have to stop and let us out. So we pulled over, let him out, and he said I'll just walk down (pause) the road behind you, if I'm not down in ten minutes (pause) just come and get us, right? Ok, so we pulled up at (NAME)'s, just opened the door and he was there! And we were like, how've you get here this quick?

I must have ran down the street like Forrest fucking Gump!

(laughter)

Honestly it was fucking

(laughter)

You've got no idea!

(laughter)

W- We had a bad, well it wasn't a fu- well it was quite funny looking back but it wasn't at the time! We went to Amsterdam, first time we went to Amsterdam

Mm.

and

First time we went to Amsterdam together.

First time we went to Amsterdam together, we went out and we -- we (pause) when you're out in Amsterdam on a night time there's [with plural referent] loads of people all the time passing you drugs.

[informant doing impression] E cocaine (pause) and coca cola.

Black -- black guys trying to sell you drugs.

Proper dreads.

And we were like, right we're going to [realized as 'gonna'] buy some pills. So we went up this back alley with this black guy and bought some pills.

No the best bit was, it was under the arch of the Amsterdam Diamond Centre, you know, geet posh building like, millions of pounds worth in the window and we're there like, going like this in the corner like, exchanging euros!

So we were went bought these bought these pills and went in this club and it was fucking boiling. This massive big tall building but really really [repetition is for emphasis, not a false start] small -- it was like tiny little floors, wasn't it?

Mm.

And he was like, I really need to go the toilet. And I was like, go the toilet then. No, I need to go the toilet, [informant quietens voice] needed a shit (pause) he said I can't go in here the cubicles are, like they were literally like, on the side of the dance-floor

Like on a corridor.

These on a corridor just these

With a gap! (laughter)

two cubicles with a gap in the bottom.

(laughter) Nice!

He was like, we're going to [realized as 'gonna'] have to go back to the hotel, and the hotel we were staying in was bloody miles away. So we got in a taxi

And I'm nipping my cheeks! (laughter)

(laughter)

Got in a taxi, got in the hotel got in the hotel, he was like ugh, dying on the toilet. He was like, they -- they were laxatives, they were laxatives, they so were laxatives. And I was like, no I'm fine I'm fine, I'm off me nut! Two seconds later I was like, [informant does impression of urgency] get off the toilet!

(laughter)

(laughter) So not only the embarrassment of having to leave a club to have a crap, but I thought I was off me nuts -- nut on ah some sort of (pause) bloody Senokot!

(laughter)

But (pause) just a quick wap- a quick wash and we were back out clubbing!

(laughter) Always hardcore to the end!

And he vomited all over some guy in the club once.

Ee aye (pause) that was really bad!

Em 'cause that was when you did take pills but you didn't react very well with them. And we went through -- used to go through one -- open one door then

No no we were in the little booth first.

Yeah, he was being sick in the booth and I managed to get him to the doors of the toilets, opened one door fine, opened the second door by about six inches, and he just projectile vomited through the gap and covered this guy from head to toe like (pause) in sick, he was

Proper camp, screaming faggot and all!

It was dripping off his face!

(laughter)

Thank (pause) the lord this guy was also off his tits and didn't have a problem, [informant does impression] ah don't worry about it mate! He just washed it off, took his top off, tied it round his waist and away he went!

(laughter)

It was quite awful, quite awful

It was! (laughter)

Gay scene does sound a bit more relaxed if you can just go and puke on people! (laughter)

(laughter) It is yeah! [laughter ends]

(unclear)

Everything goes in slow motion

(laughter) And it's fine [laughter ends]

and it's like shit, [realized with elongated vowel pronunciation] we're going to [realized as 'gonna'] get killed! (laughter) So it all went quite well.

Yeah, it wasn't bad.

Right, I'll just move on to the end now (pause) and just ask you (pause) a couple of questions about the way you speak.

Uh!

(laughter) (cough)

Sorry to change the subject so dramatically! Em (pause) like, do you consider yourselves to have strong accents?

I think he's got a stronger accent than me.

I (sigh)

And he doesn't.

I -- I don't in the grand scheme of things in Newcastle when you do hear some people who are really really [repetition is for emphasis, not a false start] broad.

Yeah.

But obviously in comparison to you, obviously [informant does a posh impression] yes, I'm very common indeed! (laughter) Em (pause) when I when I lived in London a lot of [realized as 'lotta'] people used to say, are you are you Welsh? You know

Ah I -- I get -- I got that when I was in Preston.

Ee I s- s- there was one I -- I used to work for Signa Group, which is like H Samuel and Ernest Jones jewellers and stuff, and we had to go to this meeting at De Vere's the diamond-merchants, and they were really really posh and I was totally out of my depth, and this woman who was there was in it -- was half way through the meeting and in it, just across the table full of people, she was like [informant does posh impression] tell me, are you Welsh? I can't understand a bloody word you're saying! And she was like -- and I was like, eh oh thanks I feel like a right retard now!

(laughter)

But in the -- generally day to day I don't think I'm -- I'm that broad, but I probably am 'cause obviously you don't hear the way you speak. I never ever want to hear this

(laughter)

back 'cause I would die! Em yeah, I suppose I am quite (pause) but not as broad as if you were doing this interview in Byker.

Although he is from really close to Byker! (laughter)

(laughter)

But far enough away to not be!

So do you like, know i- within Newcastle, if you listen to people you know whereabouts they're from?

Yeah, oh yeah.

Yeah, you can you can hear people who definitely -- who are South of the Tyne even if it's just Gateshead (pause) that it's -- it's slightly different, and if people are from (pause) like you say Byker, Walker, those sort of areas, that were very like, ship-building and hard in- hard industry, there's more -- not so much the dialect but there's different words that they use

Yeah.

that are -- are more related to industry and stuff from years ago that ah that you can pick up on.

Mm.

But it's generally older people that you hear it from (pause) and where he's from i- it's

Worse again.

it's worse again, you know?

'Cause like, you've got

The further out you go

you've got Blyth, Bedlington, Ashington, em Morpeth and Newbiggin are all really, they're all within say (pause) six seven miles of each other but they're all big mining towns. And Blyth accent is totally different to Bedlington, and Bedlington is like (pause) a mile away, and then Bedlington's totally different to Ashington (pause) like, in Ashington they say they (unclear) for a wag up the road, do you [realized as 'd'ya'] know what I mean? Whereas in Blyth [informant does posh impression] we just don't!

(laughter)

But it's

Em

where he's from as well, for years people like, they didn't leave the street did they?

No.

Th- they married within, well, within their families almost, didn't they? So

(laughter)

Well yes.

So I suppose that's why there's quite

But Blyth you stayed in. If you lived in Blyth, you lived in Blyth, you shopped in Blyth, you worked in Blyth,

You drank there (pause) so it was

You drank there, you married there, you know?

Mm.

Em and [realized with elongated pronunciation] eh there's [with plural referent] a lot of words similarly that (pause) because everyone's come from mining, 'cause that was the only industry, there's [with plural referent] a lot of [realized as 'lotta'] words that (pause) my mam's generation and my grandparent's generation use, that we wouldn't dream of using.

Like what kind of [realized as 'kinda'] thing?

Like marra.

What's that for?

For mate, friend (pause) and it's s- the first time -- uh my step-dad's got a friend called em ee, what's he called?

I don't know, [realized as 'dunno'] but he's got really bad teeth!

Yeah he has.

(laughter)

Anyway!

And he used to -- 'cause my step-dad's got coaches, and he used to drive for him

Yeah.

and (pause) he was at my mam's one day and he was like, jabbering away and we came out and he went, what the fuck was he saying? He went, I didn't understand a single word he said! But yet I was having a full conversation with him, you know? And it was just like, [informant does impression of the Geordie man] well marra and mirri and ma rah rah rah! And (pause) they tend to, the further into the sticks you get, the more they tend to roll their 'r's and everything as well.

Yeah.

But it's s- even down to like, am- when you started working in Newcastle you must've found (pause) you know, some of the things that we say (pause) and the way tha- ah I think the speed in which we speak as well is -- it's a lot faster. It's certainly the further North you get, it gets worse. I mean Scot- Scotland's worse again with the speed that they speak.

Mm.

Mm.

In comparison to down South it's -- it's a lot faster.

I mean, there's a -- I work in Morpeth now, and there's [with plural referent] a lot of people in Morpeth that have got the Scottish twang to their accent even though they live in Morpeth and they're born and bred in Morpeth.

Mm.

And that's only twenty miles north of Newcastle

Mm.

but that -- that like, because there's nothing really between Morpeth and Scotland, it's just sort of [realized as 'sorta'] like, drifted in.

Mm.

You know? It's -- I remember my French teacher saying to me at school that we were in a really good position to learn French because of a lot of the ways Northumbrians (pause) speak, and (pause) the way that they roll their 'r's and that sort of [realized as 'sorta'] thing is really well fitted for speaking French.

Oh right!

Which is really weird, isn't it?

Yeah, that is really weird. Do you find you use (pause) dialect words that other people might not understand? If like, the -- say me for example, if you were talking to me?

Canny.

Like canny.

Canny is, 'cause

Canny's (unclear)

people from outside of the area, they come in and they go, what does canny mean? And you cannot explain what canny means. But having a conversation with someone else who (pause) is from here, I could sit here and go, oh she's dead canny, and he would know exactly what I meant.

Mm.

But then

But it just means quite really I suppose, doesn't it? Or she's

Well no, not really.

Well, because canny nice, she's quite nice or a -- well yeah, I suppose it is.

Or she's dead canny.

Dead canny, she's really nice or she's really

But then you could refer it to someone that you thought was fit and attractive.

Mm.

And say, oh they're dead canny.

Mm.

And it just -- it's just depends on where you go.

And the people who use it

Yeah.

know how to use it?

Yeah.

Yeah, how to take what they're saying.

But that's probably the only one, I would think.

That's eh, it's a really big one 'cause (pause) anyone that's from outside the area comes in and they go, well what does canny mean? And you go, er I don't know, I can't tell you!

We don't -- we don't really use it but yem is another one, isn't it? I'm -- I'm going -- I'm ganen yem, like going

Yeah.

going home. But it's not something we use much, but that's a really Geordie thing to say.

Mm, but I think there's a lot of Norwegian in what we speak as well.

Why?

If you

Some of the words are

Yeah.

are derived from that, aren't they?

Yeah.

Yem is 'cause it means home over there, doesn't it?

But if you (pause) like watching Norwegian documentaries right, which you know

(laughter) As I do!

They're always on channel four, they're on every night for God's sake! You just watch one right, but just listen to them (pause) don't like, try and understand but just listen to it and everything about it (pause) just sounds North Eastern.

Yeah (pause) I've never actually noticed that.

Well you just take note.

I will!

Next time you're talking to a Norwegian

You're the one teaching me now!

(laughter)

You can hear people coming in the shop and you know they've come off the -- off the ferries and

Yeah.

becau- if you don't (pause) if you can't actually hear the conversation you can k- keep hearing in- inflections that could be Geordie but uh, when you listen a bit harder you realise that it's, you know, they're Norwegian or they're, well it's Norwegian me- mainly

Mm.

isn't it, that comes over?

Mm.

That does a lot of the twang that's very similar.

Have you (pause) ever heard of a comedian called Bobby Thompson?

No.

Right (pause) go to Windows in the arcade right, and get Bobby Thompson The Little Waster DVD or cassette or CD.

He's like, a really old old [repetition for emphasis, not a false start] Geordie comedian

Right, but his accent

with a strong accent, that's a Geordie accent.

That is like, proper Geordie accent.

So you -- you're -- you think of yourselves on like, a scale like, he's top?

He's, well yeah, he's real old

Proper Geordie.

Geordie where I can't understand a lot of [realized as 'lorra'] what he's saying.

Mm.

You know, and a lot of [realized as 'lorra'] the words he uses are more what I was on about as far as years ago when it was when it was really heavy industry. It's [with plural referent] that kind of (pause) guys who work in

(unclear)

factories or who work on the docks. It's that it's that kind of [realized as 'kinda'] dialect and it's that's really really strong and I can't understand wha- at all what he's saying.

Yeah.

Well I can't anyway.

Do you find ever that you'd change the way you speak according

Yeah.

to stereotypes and like, who you're talking to?

Totally, yeah.

Like, what (interruption) kind of situation?

(interruption) I -- I talk well, I worked at BT for about six months at Longbenton and because you're talking to people all over the country, you've got to refine your accent there. But at Costa, because Morpeth's quite well to do now, and because a lot of the -- I mean we get kids coming in right, they'll come in before school with a twenty pound note and they come into school -- after school with a twenty pound note, and these are like, twelve-year-old kids, and they come in and they're like [informant does posh impression] em I'll have an Americano with an extra shot and no milk (pause) to take out, and you're like, fucking hell man get a grip!

(laughter)

(laughter)

(cough)

And it -- but because I'm (pause) having to serve that type of person, and we get all the mum- yummy-mummies in as well.

Mm.

You know, and because I'm having to serve those sort of [realized as 'sorta'] people

How would you change what you say or how you say it?

I'm just really careful about -- and I -- a lot of (pause) I have to slow myself down because we -- we have to up-sell at the till so like, you take their drink order but then you have to ask them if they want a cake (pause) and it's like, [informant puts on a stronger Geordie accent] want any cakes today?

(laughter)

(laughter)

And they're like, [informant adopts posh voice] er excuse me, what did you just say? (laughter)

(laughter)

And you have to

It's more the speed in which you speak

Yeah.

I think, more than anything, and words that you know sound different, er we say film [realized as 'filum']

Mm.

for film, you know?

Yeah.

We do add extra letters.

So -- so when -- when I was I was always conscious of that, if I was saying we went to see a film last night, and where up here ah we went to see a film [realized as 'filum'] and things. Er if

Pictures.

When I -- when I moved to London it was, are we going to [realized as 'gonna'] get a taxi there? And they would say (pause) a cab so ah that's -- they were things that ma- mainly things that people commented on initially, that you go -- that they were the things that you'd change.

They'd make you con- like, more conscious?

Yeah, you were more conscious of that and -- but I would say the speed thing's the m- the biggest difference that you -- you slow it down.

Mm-mm.

Mainly 'cause you see people looking at you in such a blank manner. (laughter)

Yeah! (laughter)

Right, I think we're done! I'm just going to [realized as 'gonna'] check with (NAME) how I turn this off without ruining it.

(laughter)

(NAME)?

Yeah?

Do I just press stop?

Yeah!

Thank you!