Archive Interview: Y07i009

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Speaker 1:

interviewerY07i009

Speaker 2:

informantY07i009a

Age Group:

21-30

Gender:

Male

Residence:

Tyneside - Newcastle (born in Morpeth, Northumberland)

Education:

Higher Education

Occupation:

Postgraduate Student

Speaker 3:

informantY07i009b

Age Group:

21-30

Gender:

Female

Residence:

Northumberland - Morpeth

Education:

Higher Education

Occupation:

Postgraduate Student

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  Interview Transcript

Speaker 1:

Well, (NAME). Can I just ask you to introduce yourself really just so, you know, say your name and

Speaker 2:

So I have to use my real name, do I?

Speaker 1:

Yes, please.

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

It will be obviously taken out if the interview is ever (interruption) used so don't worry (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) Oh okay, it will be.

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

Oh okay. I'm (NAME).

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

Eh, I am from Morpeth in Northumberland originally eh (pause) lived there till I was eighteen and went to university in York, did Archaeology for three years. Em, and I've had a year out living back in Morpeth eh worked in a bar em and now I am living in Heaton in Newcastle em doing my Masters in Town Planning eh do you wan- do you want to know about my personal life?

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

em not really, not yet, but I am sure we will get into that, but (pause) So who do you who do you live with eh now? (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

Em som- some idiots.

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) ta

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

What, it's with friends?

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 1:

yes

Speaker 2:

well yes, they are. They're friends now

Speaker 1:

all right (interruption) okay (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) they weren't when I moved in. We met up at a postgraduate weekend. So I live with (NAME) who is doing a PhD in Bio Chemical Engineering and (NAME) from Denmark who is doing Linguistics in English?

Speaker 1:

yes, something like that

Speaker 2:

some- something like that anyway

Speaker 1:

(laughter) all right, and how old are you now?

Speaker 2:

I'm twenty-two

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 2:

nearly twenty-three

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh very good

Speaker 2:

(interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(tut) em so (pause) you lived in York?

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 1:

yes and that was for?

Speaker 2:

w- three years

Speaker 1:

three years right okay. And where are your parents from?

Speaker 2:

em (tut) well (pause) Well my dad is from Morpeth and mum was, she's from Bedlington originally I think

Speaker 1:

all right but that is the North East as well

Speaker 2:

but also the Nor bo both from the North East

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

and their parents are both well, from the North East as well

Speaker 1:

right okay

Speaker 2:

from just that area really

Speaker 1:

all right, very good

Speaker 2:

(unclear)

Speaker 1:

and what do your parents do?

Speaker 2:

(tut) em my dad is now retired em but he is a vicar at a local church as well he -- he was a don't know exactly what he did he worked for Northern Electric

Speaker 3:

(unclear)

Speaker 2:

well, he was an electrical engineer but by the time he finished he was

Speaker 3:

project manager (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) yeah he's doing project management, there you go

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) all right okay, very good (pause) em right, so

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

eh thank you (NAME). (NAME) could you introduce yourself, please?

Speaker 3:

the same (interruption) where I've lived (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) just the same, yes please

Speaker 3:

I'm (NAME) (pause) em I (pause) live in Morpeth in Northumberland em and I originally lived there till I was nineteen and then I moved to Preston for three years in the North West and after that I lived in Manchester for mm eighteen months or two years about and then I moved to Australia for a year and lived in Perth, Western Australia and then I came back to Morpeth briefly before I went to live in Qingdao in China for a year and then I've come back to the North East to study at Newcastle University so I'm living in Morpeth again. I've been there for just over a year.

Speaker 1:

right, very good. So you live with your family?

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 1:

so just -- just your mum and dad?

Speaker 3:

em well, I lived with my brother for a year (laughter) but now he's moved out and left me and it is just me and my parents, yes

Speaker 1:

okay then, and how old are you?

Speaker 3:

twenty-seven

Speaker 1:

okay em (pause) (tut) right and obviously well you are brother and sister

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) yes we are

Speaker 1:

(laughter) very good. Okay then (pause) so eh (NAME), obviously you said you do Town Planning

Speaker 2:

I do

Speaker 1:

yes, what kind of modules do you have?

Speaker 2:

oh goodness

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

you don't want to hear about this, it is not interesting em (pause) modules. Well, this term I've got six. One's called Planning Frameworks which is what you'd think you'd get from a Town Planning degree so you learn how the system works and then there's an economics bit there's em (pause) (tut) eh a module about (cough) writing a dissertation em (pause) what else have we got em, there is a theory course which is really -- really -- really hard and there is a -- a self-reflexive course which is about ethics and things and em (pause) (tut) there's something else isn't there? How many is that? Five (pause) anyway there's the -- oh and there's that landscape planning thing as well

Speaker 1:

right

Speaker 2:

which is quite interesting because we're going to Kielder tomorrow for that

Speaker 1:

yeah is that your favourite? (interruption) Or

Speaker 2:

(interruption) em er (pause) I guess so. Yes, I suppose it is 'cause it is the most we've only been doing it for five weeks

Speaker 1:

right

Speaker 2:

but I guess the landscape is the most interesting one 'cause it is a bit more -- it is a bit different -- it is a bit more abstract and that's -- that's a lot it is more interesting basically than just doing standards and generation (interruption) of a town

Speaker 1:

(interruption) and economics (laughter)

Speaker 2:

and economics and things just is a bit dull

Speaker 1:

all right okay. And (NAME), what about you? What do you study and what kind of modules do you have and

Speaker 3:

em I study gender research and I am doing it part-time so I had em half a course last year and half of it this year but em (pause) all my modules that were specifically on gender were last year and em this year I am with other s- not just sociology students actually 'cause I just did a group work with some someone who was doing politics, someone who was doing law, and somebody who is doing I think environmental law or something like that em yes so (pause) otherwise I would be on my own. I think I am the only person doing gender research at the moment. Em, so this year it is more about sort of research skills and how to write a dissertation and how to do qualitative and quantitative (interruption) research yes.

Speaker 1:

(interruption) uh (laughter) very good, okay and so what's your do you have a favourite module then (interruption) or favourite part?

Speaker 3:

(interruption) em (pause) Well, last year it was interesting learning about gender and the different sort of meanings associated with it and em about feminist research and so that was, I think, that was more interesting and that this year is just the research skills, which I suppose I have to do, but also it is quite good 'cause I get to meet a lot of other people 'cause most of my lectures last year there was just two of us in the class so eh (pause) I guess it is good for that

Speaker 1:

yeah right, and is that at Newcastle as well?

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

yes very good. Okay so (NAME), you have a you said you're part-time so you work as well

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

yeah what do you do?

Speaker 3:

eh at the moment I am working at the library at Northumbria Uni

Speaker 1:

right

Speaker 3:

eh I am temping there for two-and-a-half days a week

Speaker 1:

and what do you have to do?

Speaker 3:

(sigh)

Speaker 1:

(sigh)

Speaker 3:

eh well, when I first started I was on the welcome desk. It was when all the new students were coming so I was issuing them their smart cards and em help -- like telling them where to go for different things and em (pause) I was working on the issue desk quite a lot, just taking people's money for fines and eh giving them reservations and helping them use the self-issue machines but at the moment I am in the back office like withdrawing books and projects from previous years

Speaker 1:

yeah, so not much fun or?

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 1:

no right (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

what about you (NAME)? You working?

Speaker 3:

(cough)

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 1:

no

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

no, not at the moment. I might run out of money but em (pause) I em yeah I can't really, I think I am going to run out of time to start. It's going to get more and more (interruption) difficult to work, I think

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah yeah well what about what do you -- what do you do in your spare time? Sports, hobbies?

Speaker 2:

em (laughter) I've taken up climbing (interruption) recently, this year

Speaker 1:

(interruption) ah

Speaker 2:

eh well, I started in the summer with my sister went to Sunderland eh learni- learning the ropes quite -- quite lit- quite literally and I've been going to the wall in Newcastle. I've been there now for a few weeks

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

and I've managed to get a few injuries and everything

Speaker 1:

(laughter) well done

Speaker 2:

that is pretty much (pause) the only fun I do (laughter) anything interesting other than going out or hanging around with friends, I think

Speaker 1:

all right okay, and (NAME). So do you still do climbing?

Speaker 3:

em I haven't done it since (pause) em since our training course. I have not really had a chance, I am quite busy doing other stuff at the moment (laughter)

Speaker 1:

okay, but do you do any other sports or activities, hobbies?

Speaker 3:

eh (pause) eh I have been going to a Pilates class but that has just finished recently

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 3:

so I am sort of yeah I want to do something else but that was on a Friday night so (interruption) it wasn't very

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh not brilliant

Speaker 3:

eh and you had to pay in advance for the classes and when I couldn't go to half of them I just (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah was that back in Morpeth?

Speaker 3:

yeah

Speaker 1:

yeah right

Speaker 3:

em (pause) I cycle

Speaker 1:

yeah?

Speaker 3:

not a lot. Usually on a Sunday to get the paper. I did this morning

Speaker 1:

(laughter) that is good

Speaker 2:

(laughter) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

(laughter) all right em (pause) so what about internet and TV? Does that take up a lot of your time? (laughter) Like, spending a lot of time online?

Speaker 2:

I'd say i- it takes about ninety per cent of my life

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) right

Speaker 2:

on Facebook or the internet

Speaker 1:

right Facebook. So what do you do when you are on? What do you do when you are online?

Speaker 2:

(tut) em well (pause) eh a lot of times I am on like forums and things, just looking at links and stupid pictures basically

Speaker 1:

(laughter) (interruption) random stuff

Speaker 2:

(interruption) stupid -- stupid stuff I can't really explain. Obviously, you can't -- can't make excuses for something so silly but eh yeah just doing that looking at silly sites (interruption) basically

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah YouTube

Speaker 2:

YouTube (interruption) a lot of videos and

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah seeing videos

Speaker 2:

yeah eh yeah that is about it really (pause) (interruption) Just random sites.

Speaker 1:

(interruption) okay (NAME) (pause) (NAME) are you online a lot as well?

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

what do you do? (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

em I -- I have to check my e-mails about twenty times

Speaker 1:

oh yeah oh I am like that (laughter)

Speaker 3:

an hour em (laughter) yeah even -- even when I am at work I try to check my e-mails em and also I use it a lot for -- for research for my course

Speaker 1:

oh sure

Speaker 2:

I do that too (laughter) (interruption) (unclear) I've got loads it is good for just downloading journals and things.

Speaker 3:

(interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) You can do that online now (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) (laughter) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

I've also got a sort of part-time job working for the Gender and Disaster Network and so I am trying to find things online content for their website so I am supposed to be doing that (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

ah (interruption) yes

Speaker 1:

(interruption) okay. So what about like, you're both on Facebook. What do you think about all of these different groups and networks and that you can sign up for and different things?

Speaker 2:

It is irritating after a while isn't it? When you get on too many things (pause) like MySpace I just about just deleted mysp- my MySpace page 'cause it's just it -- it is dangerous for info- giving out information emp- I hear employers are starting to look (pause) i- it comes down to o- obviously it (pause) it has to be at like a later interview stage whatever they might try and look you up on the internet. It could s- be a bit dodgy if they find videos of you you know drunk with a coat on your head or something so you got to be careful I think with stuff like that

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 3:

but that was why MySpace was better though because it was more anonymous or most people didn't use their real name and it is more creative and it is such a shame it is just all things like that are popular and then -- (interruption) then you think

Speaker 2:

(interruption) but anyone can look at your thing on MySpace

Speaker 3:

no, you can make it so just your -- just your friends can

Speaker 2:

oh you can I suppose yeah

Speaker 3:

and you don't have to go on with your real name. I -- I -- I Facebook is just

Speaker 1:

but you can make (interruption) (unclear) as well

Speaker 3:

(interruption) for really unimaginative people (laughter)

Speaker 2:

people are just

Speaker 3:

they just want to stalk people they went to school with

Speaker 2:

people ah (pause) it's all those application things you can add (interruption) as well which is ridiculous em

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah yeah (pause) vampires

Speaker 2:

oh God

Speaker 3:

I have got so many (interruption) invitations to be a vampire

Speaker 2:

(interruption) oh always being attacked by vampires or werewolves. So annoying. Oh I have to show you, someone I know from school, who I hardly spoke to, added me 'cause she does seem to add everyone (interruption) 'cause she must be an idiot

Speaker 3:

(interruption) mm-mm (pause) there are lots of people like that

Speaker 2:

em but every time you go on there is the news feed and she's added another application or something. So you look at her webpage and it's just I mean if it was in real life it is so long, like three metres long, and you scroll down the page and it is all just       . Just loads of pictures of just like hunk of the day and all that stuff that people have on. I think it is just ridiculous. oh God I hate that sort of thing, really gets on my nerves.

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

but you are still signed up for it

Speaker 2:

I am signed up I just -- I don't speak to her. I don't (interruption) know (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh right

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I -- I found some people I went to uni with I'd lost touch with so for that it is kind of good

Speaker 2:

yeah it is. There's loads of people from our holiday when, in the summer. There are loads of people on there now. There is a big group with loads of videos and people obviously put their pictures on there. Obviously you touch as most of them are from Australia. So it is useful for things like that. There are loads of random people from school I kind of (pause) I do talk to and from work when I worked at the Alnwick Gardens. I talk to some of them now as well which is nice. 'Cause we were good friends but you just you do lose contact. It is an easier way. It is easier than ringing someone up or (pause) even e- e-mail is sort of less personal or (interruption) you simply can't do it so it is good

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah that's right

Speaker 3:

I thought it was quite good for initially finding people but none of my friends really use the computer very much, so I -- I'll be like 'hello' and then they'll say 'hello' and then. I find on Facebook there is like a three message maximum for people you don't know very well. It doesn't matter if it is you or the other person that sends the third message you'll never hear from them again (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

that is interesting

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

might have to do some research on that (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah it sounds interesting

Speaker 1:

all right okay, but what about videogames then?

Speaker 3:

no (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) all right (NAME)?

Speaker 2:

I do. No- Not as much as I used to actually. I get kind of bored of them and em (pause) I'm ti- I try not to buy any new ones at the moment because I've got work to do. If I buy Football Manager I won't have a life anymore. I'll be trying to win the Champions League with Newcastle.

Speaker 1:

okay, so do you like football games a lot?

Speaker 2:

yes I do. There's I'm gon- I will buy one when it comes out but it is not for a few months. I already know when it is coming out it is in March I just can't wait

Speaker 1:

very good. Okay then, but what about films then? Do you watch a lot of films? Old films or?

Speaker 3:

mm (pause) I am a lot more into films now. When I lived in China I watched loads of films

Speaker 1:

yeah?

Speaker 3:

and eh but it is quite expensive to go to the cinema here. I can watch stuff online but recent stuff the quality is not very good and (pause) so I've not I've not watched half as many since I've been back but I did go and see Stardust the other week and I loved it (laughter)

Speaker 1:

very good

Speaker 3:

I'd go see that again

Speaker 2:

really? (interruption) Is it that good?

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes, I really liked it

Speaker 1:

oh, we'll have to go then

Speaker 3:

I can't wait for the DVD to come out

Speaker 2:

I know. I haven't been to the cinema (pause) I can't remember that last time I went to the cinema (pause) I think it was when I was in America in the summer (pause) That is a long time ago. I haven't been for ages 'cause we don't go. We were going to go here but (NAME)'s always been busy. We've got to drive really. (interruption) So

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah would be nice.

Speaker 3:

what Silverlink? You could go in town. You could go to The Gate.

Speaker 2:

we could, I suppose (pause) it's all -- yeah (pause) I just always thought The Gate as being quite expensive (interruption) but

Speaker 3:

(interruption) no what? it isn't (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) you can get student discount

Speaker 3:

Orange Wednesdays. You're the one who told me about that

Speaker 2:

yeah I know but (pause) eh yeah well, we should just haven't been able to recently. I'd like to yeah

Speaker 3:

I can be your fourth person on an Orange Wednesday I've got Orange

Speaker 2:

yeah we could

Speaker 1:

(laughter) very good

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

so what is that deal, Orange Wednesday?

Speaker 3:

I don't know. Is it buy one get one free? buy one get one

Speaker 2:

yeah two for one, that is the number you text as well two four one but -- but it's yeah but you don't get your student discount so. It is cheaper but it is only like a couple of quid (interruption) cheaper

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes you don't get a lot off with student discount, do you? It is just a pound or something, I think

Speaker 2:

um something like that. But it doesn't work out as being (pause) but you think yeah anyway

Speaker 3:

if you go early on, I don't know. In Manchester if you go early on a Sunday morning it is only like two quid or something

Speaker 2:

(interruption) really?

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh wow

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

but you wouldn't really want to go (interruption) on a Sunday morning (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) but I didn't know it was going to be but I got dragged once and then I was like 'ah two pound'

Speaker 2:

um it is always a bit expensive now at the cinema (pause) but yeah yeah (pause) two for one is not bad (pause) definitely going to have to go. I don't know if there is anything on (interruption) at the moment

Speaker 3:

(interruption) no. Stardust

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

I don't want to see a kids's film

Speaker 3:

it's not. It isn't a kids's film

Speaker 2:

well

Speaker 3:

it's not (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) it's not

Speaker 3:

it is like a fairytale for grown-ups

Speaker 2:

a fairytale for grown ups

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

okay. Anything with fairytale in

Speaker 3:

well i- it

Speaker 2:

it is a girl film then

Speaker 3:

Moulin Rouge (pause) that was for adults and that was like a fairytale

Speaker 2:

it was just bizarre, wasn't it?

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

I know -- I know not my sort of film

Speaker 3:

maybe it is more a girlie film but (pause) I -- I still think it is good em what is his name Robert de Niro is so funny (laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah mum was saying that. She was on the phone

Speaker 3:

yes she was laughing so loud (laughter)

Speaker 2:

really?

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

it's not like her, is it? you know she seemed really she -- she loved that. When was I on the phone to her? I can't remember, I think I had woken her up (pause) I'd rung the house fax and she rang back. She was really really happy

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh right yes good

Speaker 1:

(interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) (unclear) after seeing that

Speaker 1:

very good, we'll have to do that

Speaker 2:

yes, we've got to go

Speaker 1:

okay. So what about TV. Are you following any of the soaps?

Speaker 2:

(interruption) no

Speaker 3:

(interruption) not so much

Speaker 1:

no?

Speaker 2:

no never. Well I'll watch Eastenders but I don't like it (laughter)

Speaker 1:

oh (interruption) sorry (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I watch it yeah, I watch it 'cause it is on. That was what it was like when I lived in York. We all used to watch it but it was only 'cause we kind of (pause) we all got together to watch it. It was kind of like a house thing and we used to bitch about (interruption) Eastenders topics

Speaker 1:

(interruption) okay. So what do you like to watch then?

Speaker 2:

em (tut) I don't know. Comedy sort of things really (pause) The mighty Boosh is back on in two weeks which I can't wait for. Things like that really, what else? Top Gear. Oh, that is on tonight. (interruption) Excellent. Top Gear is on tonight, watch that. Something else as well, oh eh The Long Way Down. I watched that last week that was very -- very good

Speaker 1:

(interruption) it is

Speaker 3:

that is on tonight as well, isn't it? Yes, I saw the end of it 'cause something else is on at that time. I think Wife Swap The Aftermath is on to -- (interruption) to the first half

Speaker 2:

(interruption) oh no, that is something I don't watch

Speaker 1:

do you like watching that sort of stuff?

Speaker 3:

yes. Well no, not that sort of stuff

Speaker 1:

well, what (interruption) sort of stuff?

Speaker 3:

(interruption) not like reality or anything, but I think it is like, you know, it's it's not as good as it has been in the past. It used to be really like explosive. Not that that is good but I think it is really interesting the way people live different lifestyles and feel they have to really defend theirs sometimes em and my excuse for watching is like it is sociology really (interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh it is

Speaker 3:

but em that one in particular because I am doing gender and it is always like the female that swaps and like, the role in the family, I always think that is interesting. But the this series they've all been pretty similar where one of them does a lot of housework and the other one doesn't really whereas before that people had different religious views and like people on vastly different incomes and things like that and -- and I don't know, I think that makes it (interruption) more interesting

Speaker 2:

(interruption) did you not see the one, the celebrity one that was

Speaker 3:

Pete Burns

Speaker 2:

yeah, (interruption) the footballer

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah

Speaker 2:

I watched that

Speaker 3:

who was that one again, I can't remember

Speaker 2:

the footballer

Speaker 3:

oh yes, him. I don't really know (interruption) him

Speaker 2:

(interruption) Neil Ruddock. Everyone called him Razor

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

kind of fat

Speaker 3:

he came out all right. Pete Burns came out all right

Speaker 2:

yeah considering

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

often -- often the people who come out best in the initial programme in the aftermath come off worse. I don't know why. I think some people must just be able to sort of control themselves when they think about it and other people are more natural. I don't know, but anyway eh I think that

Speaker 1:

(tut) okay, that's a good programme

Speaker 3:

Sex and the City that is good. The film is coming out next year. I can't wait (interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh is it? oh

Speaker 2:

is it?

Speaker 3:

yeah, but I keep seeing pictures of it in magazines (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) oh yeah

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh yeah

Speaker 3:

and I don't want to see what happens. (interruption) I don't want to know

Speaker 1:

(interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 2:

oh God

Speaker 3:

I can't wait (laughter)

Speaker 1:

very good. We must go and see that then

Speaker 2:

yeah I've done -- I've seen where all the bits were filmed in New York. Well, not the film the TV show. That was (pause) a fun day driving around in a bus full with (interruption) lots of women going to dodgy shops and things. Lots of excited ladies.

Speaker 3:

(interruption) (laughter) I love that

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah. Well, I know where Carrie lives

Speaker 3:

mm but you didn't sit on her step

Speaker 2:

I didn't. (NAME) did. There is a picture of her sitting on the step.

Speaker 3:

Well, I don't want a picture of her sitting on the step

Speaker 2:

no. You don't want a picture of me sitting on her step.

Speaker 3:

because there's a (pause) you could have done a photocopy of my face and then you could have sat there

Speaker 2:

well, I could put it on (pause) it would be more (pause) realistic if it was on her body, wouldn't it, 'cause she is a girl

Speaker 3:

yes, but (pause) I am probably as similar to her in figure as I am to you (laughter)

Speaker 2:

all right. Okay. Pointless argument (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter) anyway

Speaker 1:

(laughter) okay should we be moving on

Speaker 2:

moving on swiftly

Speaker 1:

(laughter) okay. Well, music then. What kind of music are you into?

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

I like lots if stuff. I like anything live em, I saw a band recently at -- at the Union em oh, I can't remember what they were called now eh Los Campesinos I think it was

Speaker 1:

oh right

Speaker 3:

em yeah. I went with my cousin. I hadn't really heard of them before but I did recognise some of their songs and there was like three supporting acts as well and they were all really young but they were really good and like really good energy em and then I am going to a couple of gigs in December

Speaker 1:

oh right

Speaker 3:

em or November. I don't really know how to describe the music actually CSS and MIA

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) sounds like government citations

Speaker 3:

(laughter) I know. Yes em but eh yes, I think they'll be good I've not been to a gig before that since the beginning of the year

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 3:

I love going to see live music and I really wanted to go to a festival but I just, it just never happened this year

Speaker 1:

oh right yeah

Speaker 2:

it's expensive, isn't it?

Speaker 1:

yes

Speaker 3:

mm

Speaker 2:

I don't like festivals

Speaker 1:

you don't like festivals?

Speaker 2:

no. Wen- I went to Leeds twice

Speaker 3:

(laughter) too dirty for you

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

yes, yes it is minging. It is minging and you can't sleep unless you get wasted. And I couldn't be I don't want to do that

Speaker 3:

you don't need to sleep (unclear)

Speaker 2:

I did (pause) I was up for three nights or whatever by the end, and I was just like I just wanted to die. I was so tired. I just couldn't be bothered. I couldn't even enjoy anything 'cause I just wanted to go to sleep all the time

Speaker 3:

oh right. See, if I am tired I can sleep anywhere

Speaker 2:

yeah exactly. I couldn't -- I didn't have a pillow and it was just noise all night and then the last night when you know all the kids just go mad and start burning things

Speaker 3:

yes. I know. I have to clear it all up

Speaker 2:

well (pause) (interruption) did

Speaker 3:

(interruption) well I did (laughter)

Speaker 2:

isn't not like it's a permanent job. (laughter) It isn't in your garden you know

Speaker 3:

but when I was at festivals also I was in a secure camp-site because I was working there so

Speaker 2:

yeah you didn't have gas canisters exploding and fires next to your flammable tent all night

Speaker 3:

no. Yeah it wasn't really like that

Speaker 2:

it is horrible (pause) (interruption) you get (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) but you can em rent posh em like tents and things now and camper vans so you know (interruption) you can you can do it in a clean way if you really had to

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yeah pretty expensive

Speaker 2:

yeah if you had to

Speaker 3:

if you go with lots of people, like a big group of people, I think you'd feel safer

Speaker 2:

yeah. Well, we went with lots of people but I didn't know them. Didn't really like them very much (pause) so it wasn't very nice (unclear)

Speaker 3:

I can't really seem to get a group of people together to go to one. None of my friends are really into that

Speaker 2:

there's loads of people sort of from school, I think, so I wasn't (pause) You can't really do that now. (unclear) Get up people from school. You don't know that many people

Speaker 3:

what do you mean?

Speaker 2:

to get that many people to go with you, it is pretty difficult if you're not at school

Speaker 3:

what? A big group of people?

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you've still got friends

Speaker 2:

yeah but not a massive group. You can't just go with your like, the whole of sixth-form. Say (interruption) 'we're all going'

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I know but like you can go with your friends and they could ask their friends. You could get a fair-sized group

Speaker 2:

I suppose, but people -- people (pause) I don't know why it is like that but I guess it is just difficult

Speaker 3:

yes, it is more difficult but I wouldn't want to go with the whole of sixth-form

Speaker 2:

Well, no. Not now but (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I don't need a group that big, just think like ten or so people would be nice

Speaker 2:

Yeah. It is just awful got to get to festivals (interruption) (unclear) it is just awful

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I just don't think you're that kind of person (laughter) you're the kind of person who goes travelling in America

Speaker 2:

Yeah on a bus

Speaker 3:

(laughter) yes

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

but I never even, I never called it travelling. It is just a bit odd but it was good

Speaker 1:

Well, what is the best concert that you've been to? Is there one that you remember?

Speaker 2:

em (pause) eh oh what was the one (unclear) oh, I can't remember ju- went to see Jurassic Five. That was years ago

Speaker 3:

oh yeah

Speaker 2:

that was amazing. That was one of the first gigs I've been to, I think

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 3:

I was in the toilets looking after my friend for most of that gig so I don't really remember

Speaker 2:

just kept being like nearly head-butted by your weird friend

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

he was sort of dancing the one (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) the dentist?

Speaker 2:

I don't know. He was just, he was just dancing (interruption) like this (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh, was he?

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

all -- all night. Just behind me

Speaker 1:

(laughter) I should have had a video camera

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

and em he just -- just always stood behind me doing this

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

this was to hip hop as well, not like dance music or anything. It was just (pause) I don't know

Speaker 1:

Right

Speaker 2:

trying to think of other gigs I -- I've been to. I we -- I have been to a few. I don't go very often but they kind of build up.

Speaker 1:

mm (pause) Can you remember any (NAME)?

Speaker 3:

eh I went to see Regina Spektor in February and that was really good. She was amazing like, her recent stuff is a bit commercial and not as interesting as it used to be but she did some older stuff and I (pause) She did my favourite song and I just loved it and I was just dancing around on my own as well. (laughter) It was really hot at that gig. It was at the Northumbria Union and people started collapsing towards the end and, 'cause I was on my own, I thought 'if I collapse there is no-one here to pick me up' (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

God (unclear) just get left on the floor. People stamping on you and (unclear)

Speaker 3:

eh yeah, so that was that was pretty good. Also, I saw eh at a festival once Zero Seven and I w- w- were they ones, I hadn't really, I think maybe I hadn't heard of them before (pause) They were really good

Speaker 1:

mm very good

Speaker 2:

mm yeah I went to see the Foo Fighters. That was in the arena, though, so it was a bit big but it was really good

Speaker 1:

Yeah

Speaker 3:

I did catch the end of Kelis once when she was in the dance tent at V and she was doing a cover of a of a Nirvana song and everyone's going mental and (interruption) yeah

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah

Speaker 3:

but that -- that was really good. But I only got the last couple of songs off her but that was quite good 'cause I knew those so (pause) yes, that was good

Speaker 2:

(unclear)

Speaker 1:

very good. What about at home then? Do you like listening to music at home?

Speaker 3:

eh (pause) I can't really where I am at the moment 'cause my -- my dad has a room, a study next to my bedroom so if I put music on I get told to turn it down and I can't listen to music quietly, it is not in (interruption) my nature

Speaker 1:

(interruption) no

Speaker 2:

(interruption) can you not get headphones? put some

Speaker 3:

em well, I mean like, when I am getting dressed or when I am in my room I like to have music on em. So generally now I listen to it on my i-Pod or on the radio on the way into town to work and on the way home that is when I listen to music the most, or in the car. But em, when I have lived on my own, I always have music on like and it cov- eh when I am getting ready to go out I'll have really like cheesy pop on and things like that (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

it is nice to have music on before you go out, get you in the mood

Speaker 3:

yes, and it is nice to have it just before you go to sleep but eh

Speaker 2:

I don't like that

Speaker 3:

if you're living with someone that it is a bit hard to do but in China I had that. And then I used to have my i-Pod on as my em alarm

Speaker 1:

oh yeah

Speaker 3:

so I had music on in the morning too yes

Speaker 2:

you sleep with your head phones in your ears?

Speaker 3:

do I?

Speaker 2:

Yeah

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

Oh (pause) was it on your little oh your little s- speaker thing?

Speaker 3:

yes oh yes, I had my i-Pod on a little speaker thing (unclear)

Speaker 1:

oh right (laughter)

Speaker 2:

it is nice to have music on but before you go to sleep but then you've got to switch it off

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 3:

well

Speaker 2:

(interruption) (unclear) it's not so good for you to (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) em I used to have a way to time it or something so it goes off

Speaker 1:

mm you can get timers (interruption) you know

Speaker 3:

(interruption) if you put an album on it will go off afterwards

Speaker 2:

I suppose

Speaker 3:

when I am (interruption) cooking I like to have music on

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I wouldn't know, but I would still like, it wouldn't switch itself off properly

Speaker 1:

oh no, (interruption) and you wouldn't be able to sleep

Speaker 2:

(interruption) and would annoy me and that would get on my nerves. And if you listen to like if you've got a set -- set time before you go to sleep. Sometimes you want to get you'll know how long you've been trying to get to sleep for, and I don't like knowing how long I've been trying to get to sleep for (pause) 'cause it makes me think 'oh I am not going to sleep' and it is really annoying. You don't think? Maybe it is just me that is a (interruption) bit weird

Speaker 3:

(interruption) you have to hide all do you have to hide ticking clocks?

Speaker 2:

(laughter) I don't have a ticking clock

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

you can't see (interruption) you can't see a ticking clock

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I used to go out with someone who couldn't have a ticking clock in the bedroom. He had to it had to be put in the cupboard at night

Speaker 1:

(laughter) oh God

Speaker 2:

(interruption) ticking (unclear) I would have thought

Speaker 3:

(interruption) you say that you say that that's a bit weird but I think your 'I know how long I've been trying to get to sleep for' is a bit weird

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

eh yeah well, it is the same sort of thing. I don't you would (interruption) (unclear) ticking clock (unclear) what's going to happen if (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) well (pause) I do have a clock, actually, that sometimes (pause) ah eh (pause) I don't think it's not next to my bed at the moment 'cause I threw it cross across the room because one night (laughter) the ticking really got to me but not every night

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

right

Speaker 3:

it can it can be a bit annoying but I have heard that it is like a sym- not a symptom eh, you know like people who are quite insane can't they can't have ticking clocks (laughter)

Speaker 1:

oh aye (laughter)

Speaker 2:

people who are insane

Speaker 3:

(laughter) yes

Speaker 1:

(unclear) (cough) fair enough. What about (pause) what about when you are studying then? (NAME), do you have music on when you study?

Speaker 2:

sometimes but only when I am really n- bored of studying

Speaker 1:

(laughter) oh aye

Speaker 2:

you shouldn't really. I can't I can't do productive good work if I've got music on so if I've been, I do it all the time. I'll just put the TV on or something and think I can work and put the TV on but basically you do that to stop working. So it is hard. I do sometimes if I am really annoyed or something or mind is working too much. You put some em (pause) like relaxing music on. There is loads of weird classical music on my computer from, long story. I had to like record vinyl on to an mp3 player for someone else (pause) 'cause she was going into hospital for a while. And em sh- she had all of these vinyl which she wanted to listen to obviously (cough) while she was stuck in hospital so I had to record them all, so they are all on my computer so I put them on sometimes. It is quite nice. It was like, I have some chill-out albums on there as well so it is quite nice sometimes 'cause it has to be something with no words so that you can do work and stuff, it is quite good.

Speaker 1:

yeah very good. What about you know (NAME), you said having like your music on your i-Pod or whatever. You know when you are on a bus and there is someone who has an i-Pod and it's really loud (pause) and you can listen to them, have you ever had that?

Speaker 2:

ah yeah there's loads of people (interruption) do that all the time

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah (pause) what (interruption) do you think of that?

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I usually turn my music up so I can't hear (interruption) them

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yeah I have to put my music on

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh right

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I mean

Speaker 1:

(interruption) so you always wear music when you wear music (laughter) listen to music on the bus?

Speaker 3:

pretty much these days yes

Speaker 2:

I used, as soon as I leave the house, I put my radio on. I have my radio that is obviously music, I suppose. I put that on and I have that on till I get where I am going (pause) Yeah all the time now, actually. Just so you don't have to think about people (laughter) on the bus (pause) (interruption) Yeah well, I'll read the paper (pause) good old Metro.

Speaker 1:

(interruption) making noise

Speaker 1:

okay. So what about clubbing? Can we talk about clubbing, going out? Do you go out a lot?

Speaker 2:

not as much as I'd like (laughter) I can't now, really. I suppose. I've got work to do and things

Speaker 3:

but you live in town

Speaker 2:

I know. But if I go out properly on a night out I'll not do any work the next day (pause) and it just writes it off, basically. And it's not easy (pause) it is not, well, you still have to get a taxi back but I suppose it is pretty cheap (cough)

Speaker 3:

mm-mm

Speaker 1:

oh compared with (laughter)

Speaker 2:

compared if you have to get a taxi back to Morpeth. It is a little a -- a little steep

Speaker 3:

yeah. We I started going out on a Saturday in town but we have to get the bus back 'cause we just can't afford the taxi so (pause) like last night we were having a really good time and then we had to run for the bus (pause) em but I don't really go out. If I had found somewhere really good to go later on I probably would stay out once in a while but I haven't found anywhere that is worth paying to get in, where it is actually going to be quite good, and where it'll be worth me paying for a taxi (interruption) back afterwards

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah

Speaker 2:

yeah I had a great time at Liquid the other week. It was amazing

Speaker 3:

I don't know where Liquid is

Speaker 2:

(cough) it used to be something else

Speaker 3:

Icon? Did it used to be Icon? (interruption) Is it near the Laing?

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I think so (pause) Yes (unclear) that is sort of the blue carpet bit or whatever

Speaker 3:

does it still have laser-shows and rude things (interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I don't know. I was wasted. I was too busy dancing

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

oh right oh right so

Speaker 1:

so do you dance a lot then, (NAME), when you are out?

Speaker 2:

when I am really drunk like, when I am sober, don't care about dancing, really embarrassing. But when I get really drunk I have to do it (pause) or I go mad. I have to I have to do it otherwise I get really annoyed. It is like a waste of my entire night

Speaker 1:

and will you just dance on your own?

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 1:

okay

Speaker 2:

as long as there is a sort of vague person I am there with I'll be fine, but not really taking much notice

Speaker 1:

all right. And what about you (NAME)? Or, do you drink or do you dance when you are out?

Speaker 3:

do I drink or dance?

Speaker 2:

(interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah or, do you drink first and then dance afterwards?

Speaker 3:

eh I don't really dance very much. I don't really go to places where you can dance at the moment and (pause) eh when I used to go out with the boys in China they used to drag me on the dance floor

Speaker 2:

really?

Speaker 3:

yes, but I -- I would leave quite soon, I don't know. It depends on what kind of music (interruption) it is

Speaker 1:

(interruption) sure

Speaker 3:

if you get in a good mood and there is kind of (pause) I think I can really only dance to sort of quite cheesy music now

Speaker 1:

(laughter) like what? What is cheesy music?

Speaker 3:

like Britney or something like that

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

it has to be something you recognise

Speaker 3:

yeah

Speaker 2:

I've been to I went to a proper nightclub once in Leeds. It was like, I don't know what you call it (pause) It was house (pause) proper house, hardcore house or whatever (pause) hard- house, that's it and eh it was just horrendous.

Speaker 3:

yes, I don't (interruption) really like that

Speaker 2:

(interruption) it was just awful and there were loads of people doing all that. Loads of people asking if you had any pills and stuff (cough) it was just n- just mindless beats and (unclear) you got to know you got to sort of (interruption) recognise (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes, I've been somewhere like that. People dancing with oven-gloves on and things

Speaker 1:

(laughter) what?

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(unclear)

Speaker 3:

they were all sort of wide-eyed and drinking water and not -- not wearing very much clothes. Not my kind of place (laughter)

Speaker 2:

sort of luminous bands and glow sticks and things. It is awful, absolutely awful. I hate things (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes. I like indie music and indie people don't dance so much

Speaker 1:

(interruption) okay

Speaker 2:

(interruption) no unless you go to Love Stoned but I've never been to that. (interruption) I think it gets really busy

Speaker 3:

(interruption) no, I haven't. It doesn't start till half ten

Speaker 2:

yeah you'd have to, you couldn't just go there 'cause there'd be no-one there right about till (pause) it'll be        till after twelve

Speaker 3:

yeah (pause) I'll have to stay here one time

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

you can sleep on the floor yeah (interruption) you sleep on the sofa

Speaker 1:

(interruption) there's the sofa but I think the -- the floor is probably more comfortable (laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah (pause) I mean, yeah, that is the problem that's (unclear) sure you can stay here one time

Speaker 1:

have you ever been out together then?

Speaker 2:

no, not properly

Speaker 3:

um no

Speaker 2:

it would be weird

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

would it be weird?

Speaker 3:

um yes. He won't go out with me and also because sometimes I smoke and he doesn't like to see that, do you?

Speaker 2:

I don't care

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

to be honest, I -- I don't like people smoking

Speaker 3:

no well, you can't do it in bars now (interruption) really

Speaker 2:

(interruption) no you can't (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh, it smells so bad now you can't, though

Speaker 2:

yeah I'd rather smell the feet than smoke, though, (pause) 'cause that doesn't give you cancer

Speaker 1:

(laughter) oh, hopefully

Speaker 3:

well (interruption) (laughter) (unclear) study

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yeah I am sure I -- I said that the other day. I come out with stuff you see. Bacon can give you cancer I think so BO probably can.

Speaker 1:

(laughter) yeah

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

right. Well, what do you wear when you go out?

Speaker 3:

em (pause) it depends on what mood I am in before I leave the house

Speaker 1:

oh right

Speaker 2:

yeah (pause) (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) are you into that? I mean, do you care about you wear and what other people are wearing or?

Speaker 3:

mm

Speaker 2:

(unclear) if it is really posh I'll put some shoes on instead of my trainers but that is about it. Anyway, jeans and a polo shirt is generally all I ever wear so (unclear) when I am out to be honest

Speaker 1:

(unclear)

Speaker 3:

I quite like wearing heels and I always wear make-up. Sometimes I wear a skirt. It just depends

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

I do spend -- I do think about what I am going to wear and I'll do my hair for longer but I'll look exactly the same

Speaker 1:

(laughter) okay

Speaker 2:

(interruption) but you (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah. Boys can't do as much, really. They smell a bit stronger

Speaker 2:

(unclear) yeah exactly. I'll put some smelly stuff on as well (pause) but that is about it

Speaker 1:

okay. (laughter) What, so are you so you're not so conscious maybe about what you wear? Just always the same?

Speaker 2:

more or less I think. I like I li- I li- I like to wear nice things, I suppose, but I don't really care too much about it. I like to look smartish but I don't (pause) I wouldn't say I am vain. I wouldn't say I cared very much at all

Speaker 3:

I wouldn't say for a girl I do that much

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 1:

okay (laughter) so do you ever

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) be glad it is not a video

Speaker 2:

yeah

Speaker 1:

(laughter) no sorry

Speaker 3:

(laughter) oh, I would go and brush my hair if there was a camera

Speaker 1:

(laughter) well, do you so are you conscious about what you wear? I mean

Speaker 3:

every day or just when I go out?

Speaker 1:

well, every day and when you go out

Speaker 3:

sometimes, sort of, obviously (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

not in front of people I know

Speaker 1:

okay

Speaker 3:

em

Speaker 1:

but like, you try making a statement like with what you wear or?

Speaker 3:

em well, I don't wear leather

Speaker 1:

(laughter) okay

Speaker 2:

I don't think that is a statement. (interruption) You walk down the street 'oh my God she is not wearing leather'.

Speaker 1:

(interruption) what I thought

Speaker 3:

it is a statement, though, it is

Speaker 1:

it is

Speaker 3:

it is making a

Speaker 2:

(unclear) yeah (unclear)

Speaker 1:

well, that is only because we know that you are vegetarian

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 1:

'cause not wearing leather could also just mean (laughter) that you are not in to motorcycles

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

but I don't wear leather shoes or anything (interruption) like that

Speaker 1:

(interruption) yeah okay

Speaker 3:

I think I wear well, not necessarily natural clothes but (pause) yeah I thin I am (pause) not very smart. People often think I am a lot younger because of what I wear

Speaker 1:

(laughter) all right

Speaker 3:

(laughter) yes and I wear trainers to work and things I am not really

Speaker 2:

you need Trinny and Susannah I think

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

yes, probably

Speaker 1:

all right okay. So you do, I mean, but it is sort of a statement then (pause) not wearing leather or anything, (interruption) I mean, but it is sort of an implicit one

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes and I don't wear any makeup during the day

Speaker 1:

no makeup during the day

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 1:

and why?

Speaker 3:

it's sort of just

Speaker 2:

can't be bothered

Speaker 1:

beca- and yeah (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(unclear)

Speaker 3:

I can't be bothered but also (pause) I just, I don't think it is very good for your skin and also I am not just, you know, making, I don't know. There is something about dolling yourself up how some people do and I just don't think you need to and I don't think it is really appropriate for work (pause) don't kn-

Speaker 1:

why 'cause you're working in a library that is

Speaker 3:

(interruption) well

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yeah it depends obviously

Speaker 3:

I mean, I probably do wear a little bit of make up when I go to an interview if I've got an interview. But (pause) I -- I don't know I think I'd be more conscious if I was wearing it, having to touch it up and I rub my eyes a lot and things and I just (pause) I just think it's, I don't know

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

I'm a feminist, we don't need to wear make up

Speaker 1:

(laughter) good for you (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

all right. Well, what about travelling. Shall we talk about travelling? You've both been travelling a lot, I know

Speaker 3:

not really

Speaker 2:

you yeah

Speaker 3:

not travelling travelling

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh well, you have lived abroad I mean that counts

Speaker 2:

(interruption) you've lived abroad. You've done quite a bit

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

yeah

Speaker 1:

so tell me about it. So where have you been?

Speaker 2:

you can go first 'cause mine don't take very long

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

em (pause) ever?

Speaker 1:

yeah (interruption) (cough)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) or to live?

Speaker 1:

(interruption) well, both

Speaker 2:

(interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

well, like outside Britain then

Speaker 3:

em (pause) I went to France a few times when I was at school

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 3:

we used to go with the family every year actually till we moved

Speaker 2:

yeah

Speaker 3:

to the new house (pause) but to so until the age about (pause) oh well, maybe it was (pause) seven or eight maybe I was when we stopped going

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

seems like we went a lot more than that

Speaker 2:

yeah it was longer than that 'cause I was I remember going

Speaker 3:

you went after I stopped going, though

Speaker 2:

yeah well, not when you -- you didn't stop going when you were eight though

Speaker 3:

no, but I don't think that much (unclear) anyway

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

em and I yes I went skiing once with the school and eh I went on a French exchange and an American exchange (pause) and em after school (pause) I lived in Australia that time (pause) what was the question?

Speaker 1:

(laughter) just where you've been. Where you've been travelling

Speaker 3:

but I didn't really go much around Australia at all like eh

Speaker 1:

right

Speaker 3:

we decided to go on a holiday and we were going to go over to the east coast but we went to Hong Kong instead

Speaker 1:

(interruption) okay

Speaker 3:

(interruption) have I talked too long?

Speaker 1:

no -- no -- no. Not at all

Speaker 3:

em and then, I did do a bit of travelling around China when I was there (pause) eh down -- down to the south and a bit up to the north for the ice festival. That was good, and I -- I did want to come back through like Tibet and Nepal and possibly India on the way back but I had to come back a bit earlier than planned. I didn't really have much money so I didn't do that but I did get to go visit my friend in Sri Lanka for a bit

Speaker 1:

very good

Speaker 3:

yeah

Speaker 2:

very interesting

Speaker 1:

okay. So (NAME), where have you been?

Speaker 2:

ah not very far (pause) Went to France obviously when I was little. And em how old was I -- I guess like thirt- or fourteen or something when I went, eh that was boring

Speaker 3:

what with the family?

Speaker 2:

yeah well, no, just mum and dad 'cause you didn't go

Speaker 3:

oh right

Speaker 2:

oh, we can probably work it (pause) oh no (unclear)

Speaker 3:

we went to Euro Disney that time

Speaker 2:

I must have been sixteen maybe. That was        (pause) em

Speaker 3:

it was for their anniversary and I was a moody teen at the time and I did not enjoy it at all and I just ruined it for everyone

Speaker 1:

(laughter) oh no

Speaker 2:

I enjoyed myself (unclear) we didn't get to go to Space Mountain. I was gutted about that. Anyway eh my time my time. Eh well, I went to Rome. That was fun. That was only for a few days. That was with school actually. That was good. Went skiing with school to Norway

Speaker 3:

did you? Norway?

Speaker 2:

yeah that was in year six or something. Eh and then went to America in the summer which was really -- really good. It's not proper travelling -- travelling (unclear) go backpacking and they (interruption) don't sleep

Speaker 1:

(interruption) no not

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

is that how you define travelling?

Speaker 2:

yeah when people say 'oh, I've been (interruption) travelling' it means in hostels and things, really.

Speaker 3:

(interruption) a bit dirty (pause) a bit below (unclear)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) They've been travelling, you know

Speaker 1:

(interruption) well (pause) I don't think so

Speaker 2:

like -- like a gap year travelling sort of thing rather than on holiday. Em well, that was amazing, going to America. I'd love to so there are a few places I'd love to go back to. Obviously, it is so big, America. It's got it bad points and stuff. It is quite scary, actually. There is a lot of poverty, you didn't really expect

Speaker 3:

mm you don't think that really

Speaker 2:

no, you don't. But there is a lot more than in this country, a lot more (pause) em anyway, yeah (pause) so that's that's all I've been. But we went all the way across America. That was good. I'd like to do something like that again (cough) like travelling, like it was on a coach with a lot of people the same age and stuff. It was really good. I'd like to go to New Zealand, I think

Speaker 1:

yeah what about you (NAME)? Are there places you'd like to go?

Speaker 3:

I'd like to go to Iceland

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 3:

em I've always wanted to go there and it just seems a little bit magical and (laughter) and like na- the nature there

Speaker 2:

I -- I am sure lots of them believe in gn- is it gnomes (interruption) or something? Loads of them believe in gnomes (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes, something like that

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

yes, the little people

Speaker 2:

like quite a weird percentage. Like really high. (interruption) You wouldn't think

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I -- I just I think it would be a really interesting place and I'd love to go to India

Speaker 1:

(tut) yeah

Speaker 3:

em, I would've I really wanted to go to Tibet but eh, I don't want to go there now because I just feel (pause) like their (pause) culture is being er- eroded and I wouldn't help that by going there now, just to, you know, look at them

Speaker 1:

mm

Speaker 3:

em but I'd love to go to the Himalayas but Himalayas

Speaker 2:

mm yeah, their real name

Speaker 3:

yeah em but I'd like to go back to Sri Lanka as well 'cause I only just went there for a couple of days and I loved it (pause) so yes, and probably (pause) probably somewhere in Africa. I quite wanted to go and work in Senegal for a bit. They did a- an teaching English thing there

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 3:

so maybe, yes, at some point

Speaker 1:

yes, that'd be good. So you went on holiday a lot together?

Speaker 3:

when we were younger we did

Speaker 2:

yeah when we were younger I barely remember those things

Speaker 3:

mm

Speaker 1:

and so, was it always France?

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

it was, wasn't it?

Speaker 3:

yes, always the North of France, Falaise often (laughter)

Speaker 2:

Falaise, yeah and just around Normandy and that

Speaker 1:

right. So any favourite place there? Anything that you fondly remember?

Speaker 2:

I -- I enjoyed it but

Speaker 3:

I -- I didn't

Speaker 2:

'cause I was younger, obviously, so it was just kind of in- more interesting. I wouldn't, you know, an older teenager or whatever who doesn't want to be with their parents, who is just generally really moody all the time (interruption) like (NAME) was

Speaker 3:

(interruption) (laughter) also, I am not interested in the same things as mum and dad but you are more

Speaker 2:

yeah exactly. I like going to museums and learning about the history and stuff 'cause it was interesting in Falaise 'cause it was like William the Conqueror's castle

Speaker 3:

and we found out about granddad when we were there

Speaker 2:

we did? When was

Speaker 3:

in Falaise

Speaker 2:

what about? Which bit?

Speaker 3:

when we rang home and said 'we're in Falaise' and granddad said (laughter) 'oh yes, that was where I was captured by the Germans' and he had never told anyone before

Speaker 1:

(interruption) (laughter) wow

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yeah -- yeah like fifty years later it just comes out just -- just as if he -- he's told he said it years ago

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

yeah that was quite interesting

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter) I remember there was a little boy that looked well, little, he b- he was older than me, I think, but probably about like thirteen but he looked really like Michael Jackson

Speaker 2:

I remember you saying that. I remember that -- that holiday that was good, quite exciting

Speaker 3:

but we stayed in that camp-site the whole time

Speaker 2:

yeah, like three weeks. Yeah, that was pretty boring after a while but eh

Speaker 3:

our parents like to do the same thing

Speaker 2:

yeah we (unclear) we went to lots of chateaus and things. I quite enjoyed it to be honest. It is a lovely place, France, really (pause) apart from you know the French. No

Speaker 3:

well, if you can speak a bit of French. We do it at school so it is (pause) you can ask for things in shops and that

Speaker 2:

well, I couldn't at the time 'cause I was only like six or something

Speaker 3:

oh (interruption) well, I could

Speaker 2:

(interruption) but it didn't matter 'cause you always, your parents would be there (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh and we'd go to the croissant tree and practice our French before we went

Speaker 2:

yeah -- yeah the croissant tree. That's not going to make any sense on the tape. It's not quite 'you know the croissant tree'

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) everyone knows croissants grow on trees

Speaker 2:

yeah it was called that because we went there to practice French. Not like we went there to practice French because it was a croissant tree. 'No we may as well go there, it is French'

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

so, lots of good memories then? (pause) and some bad?

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

and some bad (unclear) I really I enjoyed it at the time. It was along time ago, I was only little, but I did enjoy it

Speaker 3:

I met some Belgians once that made me some earrings out of cherries. That was quite good

Speaker 1:

wow (laughter)

Speaker 2:

out of cherries? Are you sure that actually happened?

Speaker 3:

(laughter) yes, I think there might be photos

Speaker 2:

I'd like to see that. I don't quite believe that that's true

Speaker 3:

and I had this obsession with finding em speakers in trees. You know on camp-sites, they have these speakers so they can make announcements and I was really good at finding them

Speaker 1:

wow

Speaker 2:

you just listened. You like (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(laughter) (interruption) I could see them in the trees

Speaker 2:

good

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) all right. So well, so now we are talking about your childhood and growing up. What was it like growing up in Morpeth?

Speaker 3:

boring

Speaker 2:

yeah

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah there wasn't much you could do, was there? Until you got to a certain age, you could just go to Newcastle at the weekends

Speaker 3:

but even then it was expensive

Speaker 2:

no, it was 50p for us to get there. We had like connections cards

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh, we never went

Speaker 2:

(interruption) like a kids student card things. So it was only fifty pee to get to Newcastle which was amazing, so we just did that every weekend. We'd just go to Newcastle, sit somewhere. (laughter) We didn't do anything but it was good fun

Speaker 3:

what how old? Teenagers?

Speaker 2:

eh teenagers. That was that was high school, yeah, maybe year ten, year nine, yes, just like fourteen, fifteen (pause) yeah (interruption) Morpeth

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes, we just went to coffee shops in Morpeth. I can't remember that we were going through to town that much

Speaker 2:

we didn't live near anybody, like, all my friends didn't live anywhere near where we did so it was kind of (pause) sort of boring

Speaker 3:

mm like, we used to live on this estate first of all and eh, I had there were loads of young people there, and the school was there and everything, and I was only like seven or eight when we moved and it was a, it wasn't far at all but it was over a big main road and I wasn't allowed to cross it, so I couldn't hang out with people as much then

Speaker 2:

yeah it wasn't quite as good there

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

no, but it was nice. It is a lovely place though

Speaker 3:

so I had to amuse myself by dressing you up as a woman (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) that only happened once, didn't it?

Speaker 3:

(laughter) I've got the photos

Speaker 1:

(laughter) well, so did you do a lot of that stuff, like? Or did you get in to fights a lot or did you get on really well?

Speaker 3:

yeah, (interruption) we did fight a lot over the telly, didn't we? That was our major falling out over what who could control the television

Speaker 2:

(interruption) oh constant, yeah (pause) It was awful really. We never got on ever when we lived together. Ever

Speaker 3:

no, last year was all right. Do you mean when we were little?

Speaker 2:

yeah, before we sort before you went to university I and stopped seeing you. It was better after that. No, we always used to fight

Speaker 1:

right. Did you blame each other for something the other one had done?

Speaker 2:

yeah, I think so

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

surely

Speaker 3:

I -- I can't lie at all. I would never have done that

Speaker 2:

I don't well

Speaker 1:

(NAME) (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

I don't think I would have said. If I had done something I wouldn't have said (NAME) did it. I would I wouldn't have said I did though, probably, I'd just you know it's (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) (NAME) had an imaginary friend when he was little and he used to say Gook did it and he would get away with things

Speaker 2:

I can't believe (pause) you can't say Gook, though really. Gook's like

Speaker 3:

is it a bad word?

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

I don't know what it means that was, you came up with it. (laughter) My doll was called Ziggy (unclear) and she was real

Speaker 2:

she wasn't alive

Speaker 3:

she was (laughter)

Speaker 2:

no, it was what the Americans called the Vietcong

Speaker 3:

where did you get it from then?

Speaker 2:

gooks

Speaker 1:

oh yeah Gook

Speaker 2:

I don't know if it is racist but it is not very nice (unclear) yeah I don't know if I ma -- I think I made it up

Speaker 3:

yeah (interruption) just like, the sound

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I don't think (pause) I -- I was very young. I don't think I'd seen any Vietnam war films at the time, would be a bit harrowing. I don't think I would have. Yeah, I just used to blame if s- I did something I would say that Gook did it and they were like 'all right'

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

why, you would just get away with stuff

Speaker 2:

it's like it's like 'great'. I didn't even, he wasn't like my imaginary friend, I just (pause) I thought I should have an imaginary friend so I just said it, really, and blamed him for things and it worked, so why not? (interruption) It's not my fault it's my parents' fault

Speaker 1:

(interruption) (laughter) very good

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

but what -- what -- what are your parents like then? Like your dad and your mum, what are they like?

Speaker 2:

well, (NAME) and dad don't really get on

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 2:

at all (pause) but I get on pretty well with them. I always have really (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I definitely getter on even better when I don't live there

Speaker 2:

yeah I just, I don't know. You -- you learn how to cope with your parents

Speaker 1:

yeah yeah sure well I (unclear)

Speaker 2:

well if I'm in a bad mood I just hide. (interruption) Or (unclear) not hide, not in a cupboard, but like in my room. I'd just stay in my room and hear when they'd gone and then I go and do whatever. It is easier

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes, you're really good at that (laughter)

Speaker 1:

God (pause) But are they like, your dad. Is he like really strict or something or?

Speaker 3:

he used to be when we were little

Speaker 2:

when we were (interruption) very little

Speaker 3:

(interruption) with me not so much with you

Speaker 2:

no, they were never strict with me, really, on anything

Speaker 3:

no, (interruption) but you've never tried to rebel or anything either

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh so (unclear)

Speaker 2:

no, I didn't bother

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

Just got on with my life

Speaker 1:

yeah. So did they treat you differently, (interruption) do you think?

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah definitely (laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah quite a lot I think

Speaker 3:

they won't admit that though, will they?

Speaker 2:

no, but they

Speaker 3:

like they forced me to go to church till I was about sixteen and said I wasn't old enough to make up my own mind, but (NAME) never had to go

Speaker 2:

I did. I wouldn't say I neve- I never had to

Speaker 3:

you weren't forced to go every week like I was

Speaker 2:

till a certain age I was

Speaker 3:

not till sixteen

Speaker 2:

not till sixteen, no

Speaker 3:

no, and I used to get grounded all the time, especially when here was a school disco on and you didn't

Speaker 2:

I never got grounded. I've never been grounded in my life

Speaker 1:

oh

Speaker 3:

and stupidly, I was the one that told them what grounding meant and then they grounded me all the time (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

so that is punishment for you for being so stupid (interruption) to tell them what it was

Speaker 3:

(interruption) (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) oh right

Speaker 2:

(cough) (laughter)

Speaker 1:

so would you so (NAME), if you didn't really get on with your parents maybe or your dad I mean, so would you like keep secrets from your parents then or together no

Speaker 3:

no, I can't keep secrets at all. If mum asks me anything I'll probably tell the exact truth and more (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

I can't I can't keep secrets at all. I don't think there is anything my parents don't know of what I have done (laughter)

Speaker 1:

okay

Speaker 3:

if mum asks me I'll tell her

Speaker 2:

I -- I don't think I'd do anything worthy of telling

Speaker 1:

all right

Speaker 2:

not like had keeping from them. I don't know

Speaker 1:

but would you like tell your parents first or each other first? Like, if you either met someone or had a problem?

Speaker 3:

depends on what sort it is, really. I'll tell everyone everything

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah well, I wouldn't, no I don't. I wouldn't ha- I wouldn't tell mum (interruption) an- any like intimate whatever.

Speaker 3:

(interruption) you don't only

Speaker 2:

I wouldn't.

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

It is not that sort of relationship I don't think.

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

(interruption) It is more girl -- girl -- girls and mums

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I would ask you if you had something, if there was something, someone. I would ask you questions if you, I don't know if you always (interruption) tell me the truth

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I don't

Speaker 3:

but I ask you

Speaker 2:

well, I wouldn't tell you anything about a girl because I don't (pause) you don't (laughter) think the way normal girls do, I don't think

Speaker 3:

(laughter) what do you mean?

Speaker 2:

(laughter) I don't know 'cause you're not very (pause) like I -- I think (pause) I don't know what the word is what is the word I am looking for

Speaker 3:

these are the revelations you wanted

Speaker 2:

like (pause) a lot of girls are more quite superficial more than men I don't think you're very superficial about things

Speaker 3:

oh right

Speaker 1:

he saved it there (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) (laughter) well worded, well sorted out

Speaker 2:

(interruption) (unclear) that is genuinely what -- what I mean. I don't know if you think the same as a lot of girls (pause) (interruption) about boys and things so I don't know

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh right, that is very interesting

Speaker 2:

I would ask your advice though (interruption) on things

Speaker 3:

(interruption) texting. We did talk about the -- the etiquette of texting 'cause we were both kind of new to that recently. We've been in we've both have had relationships really since kind of before phones were a big thing and then being single and the whole texting thing

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

yeah, it is confusing

Speaker 1:

yeah but you talk, obviously texting, it's not something your parents would know about either, is it?

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

but even if it was I wouldn't I'd never ask them about anything like that

Speaker 3:

I ask my grandma. She gives me advice about boys

Speaker 1:

oh that's good (laughter) very good. What about pets? Are there any pets in the house still?

Speaker 3:

yeah I've got a dog

Speaker 1:

yeah?

Speaker 3:

mm-mm

Speaker 1:

is it an old dog or?

Speaker 2:

she is getting old, (interruption) she is not old

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah she is. She has not been very well recently

Speaker 2:

has she not? (interruption) She always looks a bit down when I see her

Speaker 3:

(interruption) no (pause) yes she sleeps a lot now

Speaker 1:

oh

Speaker 2:

yeah poor thing

Speaker 3:

but everyone loves her. She is the nicest dog ever

Speaker 2:

yeah quite right

Speaker 1:

how long have you had her? How long has she been in the family?

Speaker 3:

about ten years or something

Speaker 2:

about that I guess. A long time. She how -- how old (pause) she wasn't a -- she wasn't a -- well, she was a puppy

Speaker 3:

but not (interruption) a puppy puppy

Speaker 2:

(interruption) but not a puppy puppy

Speaker 1:

okay (laughter)

Speaker 2:

she was a very young dog but she wasn't really small

Speaker 1:

(interruption) okay

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah and we had another one and there was the two of them. Oh they got on. They were they were really different characters but eh Breeze really missed Trudy when she went

Speaker 2:

yeah she was really depressed. (interruption) She was definitely depressed. No, she has never been the same since Trudy died

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah never been the same

Speaker 1:

what a shame

Speaker 2:

it is it is really horrible

Speaker 3:

and then she had granddad (interruption) and then she didn't have him either

Speaker 2:

(interruption) oh yeah (pause) she has had a hard life

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

and then she had to have all her teeth taken out. Was it last year or earlier this year?

Speaker 2:

yeah oh God. But she was happier after that happened though (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah. She nearly threw herself out of the boot when she had been drugged

Speaker 2:

yeah oh, it was funny when she had to start eating biscuits for the first time, eating food when she didn't have any teeth

Speaker 1:

oh God (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

and everything she ate (pause) she couldn't chew at the back. She's fine. She is better. It does happen to a lot of dogs apparently, that kind of dogs

Speaker 1:

so did you ever teach them any tricks and stuff when you were little?

Speaker 2:

well no, when I was little we had we had Trudy up before we had Breeze and she was really grumpy and she wouldn't learn anything she was just, she was very much her own

Speaker 3:

yeah Meg (pause) she was all right. (interruption) Do you remember Meg?

Speaker 2:

(interruption) but I don't really remember Meg you see, I was too young. Breeze was very clever

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 3:

yeah

Speaker 2:

I'd I'd never taught her anything but dad

Speaker 3:

and granddad

Speaker 2:

granddad. They went to her when she's dirty, I told you told you this the other day, when she is dirty when she has been lying in a stream or whatever and she is full of mud they'll get the hose out. As soon as they get the hose out she'll jump up unto the bench and just wait to be hosed down

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

she is like that when you get the brush out as well to brush her and she'll turn around so you can do the other side

Speaker 1:

oh clever

Speaker 2:

yeah she knows (unclear)

Speaker 3:

and you can walk her and she'll stay on your left side b- w- (pause) I can get her to go on the right and she'll do that but em, and she'll stay right by you. If you walk along the main road and people are coming the other way, she doesn't really like it when people come up, she will start to bark now, but if you like stroke her head gently she doesn't (laughter)

Speaker 1:

uh, very well trained

Speaker 3:

(interruption) she is

Speaker 2:

(interruption) she is absolutely

Speaker 3:

you can take her to the beach. She is a bit, as she gets older, she is a bit (tut) eh, I don't know if she can't hear or if she just ignores you a bit more but, like, you could take her to the beach and if there were other dogs you just shout her name and she'll come back. She is very good like that

Speaker 1:

very good uh uh

Speaker 2:

ah yeah (laughter)

Speaker 3:

everyone loves her, don't they?

Speaker 2:

yeah

Speaker 1:

excellent. Right okay. So, this is actually, we're coming up to more or less the -- the end bit, just asking you about language questions (pause) em generally, just how many language do you know or speak or have ever you know taken?

Speaker 3:

English

Speaker 2:

yeah

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

I've done French at school but only to GCSE (pause) I was never very (pause) I didn't like it. I didn't like it at the time really (pause) and I got a (pause) did I get an A?

Speaker 3:

did you?

Speaker 2:

I got quite a I got quite good mark somehow. No, it was a B, I think, but I don't know how I got a B 'cause all my coursework was just rubbish. I was never I was never very good at it but I did quite enjoy it. But I can't really speak it now. If I went there and had a phrasebook I'd be able to get by, I suppose

Speaker 3:

it comes back to you

Speaker 2:

yeah (pause) but eh (pause) very basic really I can't I wouldn't I don't know any tenses or anything and I couldn't do the grammar now just phrases and things that's it

Speaker 1:

yeah, what about you (NAME)?

Speaker 3:

em I did French till A-Level

Speaker 1:

yeah?

Speaker 3:

and em I am sort of doing an intermediate course at the moment to sort of try and refresh it. Em, I learnt a bit of eh Mandarin when I was in China but not very much (laughter) really basic words and eh I am learning Arabic

Speaker 1:

yes

Speaker 3:

basic Arabic

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

and there is this really annoying girl in the class who makes it really hard for everyone else to learn. She is like a linguist or something (laughter) and she knows everything

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) really annoyed (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) oh thanks for that. I'll erase that you know

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

all right. Em, has anyone ever, so just em talking about not speaking foreign languages but just when you talk English, has anyone ever told you that you like sound different like when you lived like down Manchester or something?

Speaker 3:

I em (pause) what I was what I was going to say, I em know that in the North East we sound quite different to most people and even in Morpeth (pause) em yesterday for example I was on the bus, and em I just seemed to be the only person on the bus who didn't seem to have a really broad Geordie accent, and my phone went off and em like the text message is a really loud like choo-choo noise and it is really loud and then (unclear) in the back of the bus are going 'choo-choo Thomas' and like making fun of me, but I couldn't speak because I -- I hate people call me posh and I hate speaking out and (pause) I really feel like my accent does stand out quite a lot sometimes em, when I am with people who have got very broad accents and so I tend just not to speak so I don't draw attention to it (pause) 'Cause I've been people have made fun of me or had assumptions about me before because of that so now I -- I try just not to talk 'cause I -- I am not the kind of person who would put on a Geordie accent which my friends from school who speak quite similar to me but in certain social situations they really put on a Geordie accent and I hate that. I think it is so fake so I'd rather just not talk (laughter)

Speaker 1:

but that's not actually people have like told you you sound different but because you sound more standard? or more you know yeah

Speaker 3:

yeah em (pause) when I've met other people em around the country well, m- most people can't tell where I am from from my accent, which I find a bit annoying really (pause) em a -- but when I met people in China, I don't know if it was because they were students, oh I don't know what I mean by that, but they could tell where I was from and I really liked that. And -- and I they -- they did actually make fun of a person in our group that had the poshest accent but for a change it wasn't me. It was someone who had lived down south and gone to private school and she had quite a posh accent, but actually I didn't really notice, but everyone else used to make fun of her quite a lot about that (pause) um imitate her accent and em I went out with someone from the North West for a few years, and he'd used to make fun of certain (pause) the odd word I'd say and I don't really say that much which would mark me as from the north but yeah, he used to like, make fun of the words that I'd said

Speaker 1:

(laughter) right

Speaker 2:

but he was a        though

Speaker 3:

(laughter) yeah

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) yeah

Speaker 1:

okay then. What about you (NAME)?

Speaker 2:

I know it is weird. We've talked about this before and I think, obviously, we speak similarly in terms of accent or not accent

Speaker 3:

I think I speak posher than you. I wonder if it made any difference going our with (NAME) 'cause she had quite an accent

Speaker 2:

yeah she had (pause) not really though. I don- may- maybe a little a little bit more than me, but not really

Speaker 3:

really? I think she did

Speaker 2:

no, I don't think so

Speaker 3:

hm

Speaker 2:

em (pause) but I've never had that experience that (NAME)'s had, about feeling different. I think that everyone I went to school with, a- all my friends at school, they had a sort of similar kind of middle class background or whatever em (pause) when (unclear) I think I just talk the same as everyone else to be honest. Or more or less. So I guess in middle school, before I had those friends, I did eh (pause) yeah there were a lot of people there (pause) who weren't (pause) they'd have stronger accents. Sometimes you'd get called Poshy by but only by proper rough people

Speaker 1:

right okay

Speaker 3:

I -- I know I have definitely changed two like two words I say differently now because, in first school, I used to say master and like plaster because (pause) actually a lot of northern people do even though there's, you know, there is like other words they say like grass instead of grass or whatever but -- but the, mum and dad do say plaster and master. It is a northern thing but because I've got such a posh accent it made me sound even posher so I've ch- I rem- I think I remember thinking 'I'll never I'll never say that again' like when I was in first school and so I say master and plaster now but actually that sounds quite out place in the North (pause) yeah (unclear)

Speaker 1:

oh that is a good point. But do you think you speak differently em like when you're at uni, here or when you are at home with your parents or your hanging out with people from like who maybe speak more dialect than you do?

Speaker 3:

I don't swear in front of mum and dad. I don't swear in front of any sort of adult

Speaker 1:

right (laughter)

Speaker 3:

like friends' parents and things. Although some of them do and so you might sort of slip into in but I am really conscious about not doing that (interruption) in front of mum and dad

Speaker 1:

(interruption) mm

Speaker 2:

yeah I suppose so. I would eh yeah (pause) which I guess means you probably talk differently in other ways. You don't notice it. I guess you don't really, I don't notice that I talk differently

Speaker 3:

but you don't swear in front of mum and dad either

Speaker 2:

no -- no no doubt, I wouldn't (pause) eh (pause) situations I don't know

Speaker 1:

but do your parents speak differently from you then? Or do you think you speak (pause) like are there certain expressions they use that you wouldn't say? I mean you were on about this master and plaster thing

Speaker 2:

oh I've never noticed anything 'cause they're from quite

Speaker 3:

yeah they've got phrases. Mum say yonks

Speaker 1:

oh right

Speaker 2:

yonks

Speaker 3:

mum has got a few things like that. What else does she say? She says something (pause) 'it is from yonks ago'

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

I don't (unclear)

Speaker 3:

she has got another one. Oh what is it? What is it?

Speaker 1:

(laughter) maybe it'll come back (interruption) later

Speaker 2:

(interruption) well, they don't really have strong accents either. Considering like, fairly working class background I suppose (pause) really, in the North East

Speaker 3:

well, when you think about their parents though. Nana and granddad didn't really have much of an accent

Speaker 2:

No, they talked -- they talked -- they're from Northumberland, I suppose, but not strong

Speaker 3:

but granddad (NAME)

Speaker 2:

granddad (NAME) oh right yeah

Speaker 3:

grandma's natural accent is a bit Geordie but she (pause) when the you know the doilies and that come out it goes (laughter)

Speaker 2:

yeah exactly (pause) quite (pause) I -- she's -- yeah (unclear) I suppose it might be a class (pause) their sort of wanting to move away from a class. (interruption) Sort of that middle class aspiration or whatever (unclear) she's probably changed from when she was younger

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah I just I remember thinking that (pause) I think that is more common (unclear) yeah oh God I -- I like to think I -- I am just me but maybe that's 'cause I think I sound a bit posher than you maybe

Speaker 2:

people (pause) I don't I don't think I have got an accent at all but I've said that to people before and they say (interruption) 'I can tell I can tell you are from the North East' or whatever. Apparently people can. It is not strong. I don't well, I don't I kind of don't notice it, but I guess you don't notice yourself, do you?

Speaker 1:

(interruption) oh you do

Speaker 1:

no

Speaker 3:

I've just s- like em (laughter) when I am on the bus and I say to mum and dad about getting off at the end of the lane, I would always say lane to mum and dad, but when I am on the bus I say road (laughter) 'cause I think lane sounds posh

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

you worry far too much

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

you're really though, really attentive to this sort of stuff, aren't you?

Speaker 2:

yeah I couldn't care less

Speaker 3:

I hate I hate speaking on the phone, so I must change then in certain situations. I don't really think I do but I hate people phoning me when I am in a (pause) like on a bus or on a train, I am really sort of

Speaker 2:

I don't like talking when people can hear me on the phone so much but not 'cause of an accent (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah because (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(interruption) because it is private or (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yeah it is just a bit embarrassing, isn't it? Everyone can hear what you're saying if it is a quiet train or something, but it is nothing to do, with me it wouldn't be anything to do with that (unclear)

Speaker 1:

so Kate, you would change (pause) or you don't like speaking because you think you sound too posh?

Speaker 3:

yeah eh yeah, in like on the train especially if you're going like back to Newcastle and you can hear everyone talking on their phone and they've got like northern accents I (laughter) (unclear) that I don't

Speaker 2:

I've never really thought about it

Speaker 3:

oh really?

Speaker 1:

what are your perceptions then, I mean of like dialect speakers or people who speak like really Geordie? What do you think of them? when you meet them or when you listen to them on the train?

Speaker 3:

I think I get a bit jealous really 'cause you can tell where they're from and I sort of wish that you could tell where I was from from my accent

Speaker 1:

yeah

Speaker 2:

yeah. I mean it depends, I suppose (pause) it can, it depends on what kind of no- like even Geordie accent 'cause obviously it changes (pause) and it can be, I don't know, sometimes people sound common or something you know it sounds kind of snobby I suppose, but if they got say certain things you think I just don't like them (unclear) not don't like them but (interruption) I mean, yeah (pause) but not if they had (pause) it is not necessarily the strength of an accent it is kind of what it sounds like

Speaker 1:

(interruption) I know. But that is a very sort of common thing

Speaker 3:

what they say and the terms they use (interruption) I suppose

Speaker 2:

(interruption) well yeah exactly. Just being really horrible. I -- I can't really think of examples

Speaker 1:

Okay. So would you actually think that maybe, when you do listen to someone who speaks you know whatever Geordie dialect or another, would you actually sort of judge them a bit on that even if you don't know them?

Speaker 2:

yeah, I guess you do

Speaker 1:

Like first impressions

Speaker 2:

I think I think you can't help it. I don't think (pause) I don't think you judge, you just probably think where they've come from or what they do or class they are, but I wouldn't

Speaker 3:

(interruption) it goes together with what they say

Speaker 2:

(interruption) I -- I don't know if I'd have like any positive or negative connotations. You just sort of think of that but then I don't think I (pause) if it turned out you know, if they had a strong accent and then it turned out they were a rich business person or something, it wouldn't be surprising

Speaker 3:

no but like you look at what they wear and things like that so

Speaker 1:

Yeah -- yeah -- yeah it is the same, isn't it? Yeah okay (pause) em but obviously (NAME), you definitely think that the way that you sound (pause) so if you think that the way you perceive others based on their dialect, do you assume that then people think that maybe you're posh when they listen to you speak

Speaker 3:

yeah I think I think that more than I think about other people I think what they think about me (laughter)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) I think I got that

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 1:

Okay yeah do you think the same (NAME) or?

Speaker 2:

what was the question?

Speaker 1:

About, you know, do you think that the way you sound plays a role in how other people perceive you?

Speaker 2:

yeah prob- I think so. In -- in I don't know what circumstances

Speaker 3:

I think if in -- in an academic setting, I feel really kind of bad oh (laughter) I just sound really neurotic but like, I think people might (pause) think I am more intelligent than I am 'cause of my accent and I feel that that puts a bit of pressure on me to sound intelligent 'cause I don't articulate myself very well

Speaker 1:

Okay well, you're doing all right (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter) but eh, when I am with sort of people I feel inferior to intellectually I -- I really yeah oh (laughter) I just em (pause) yeah, I am aware that people might think that I am more intelligent than I am

Speaker 1:

Because you sound posher

Speaker 3:

(laughter) yeah

Speaker 1:

okay. So is that implicitly saying that people who speak with a dialect are probably more stupid if people think that if you speak with a posh accent you are more intelligent?

Speaker 3:

I don't know. I think, probably (pause) I think people do think that. I never. Like my grandma's always said oh you know 'you've got a nice accent you'll be able to get a job' and things like that

Speaker 1:

right

Speaker 2:

people do judge, don't they? People -- people do, I think. I don't know, (interruption) but you do

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah it's -- it's you know, when you think of like really -- really posh accents, they say some really stupid things

Speaker 1:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

if someone's really -- really posh, I wouldn't think they were intelligent

Speaker 3:

no I

Speaker 2:

sort of middlely posh you might think that (interruption) (unclear) but if they're really posh you think then they're just like old money and they just kind of

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yeah

Speaker 2:

(interruption) we've got the royal family. The royal family aren't always very intelligent and you can't get much more posh than that (pause) kind of horsey toffs or whatever

Speaker 3:

(interruption) you got (unclear)

Speaker 1:

(laughter) very good. Okay. Is there anything else you'd like to eh to say at the end here?

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 1:

is there anything you've been holding back? (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) no -- no, I think I've said everything I wanted to

Speaker 1:

yeah? (pause) very good.

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