I had a very bizarre encounter tonight at work… and I *hope* it was just random.
A woman in about her 50s, white, possibly ‘middle class,’ came in (cafe-bar), not apparently a buying customer. I’m not sure if she’d just been in and eaten, was leaving, or was just using the loo or what – she comes straight up to me and asks, “Do you work here?” I say yes, and she asks, “Do you know who’s responsible for putting up all these flags along this street?”
I’m immediately on the back foot—’Am I being set up?’ She chooses ME to come and ask that?? I find myself looking past her, over her shoulder, to see if there’s someone filming from a distance, etc. Like a certain racist YouTuber who lives in the area. And I feel it best I be careful how I respond—I’m at work.
“I don’t know who, but I am aware of it, yes. As I understand it, the British flag in and of itself isn’t offensive, but their motives for putting them on all the lamp posts might be a bit more… questionable.” I explain that it isn’t just in Southbourne but apparently is happening all over the UK. I don’t elaborate – she doesn’t need to know the minute details, and I’m beginning to see she is visibly emotional, quite upset. I do say that I’d like to know HOW they did it, because I can’t get my head around how you can go along Southbourne Grove with a ladder, putting flags on all the lamp posts, without being confronted by the police rolling by and asking what you’re up to. If it’s late at night, even more so – you could be a burglar. And as far as I know, it isn’t something sanctioned by the council.
It’s a seaside town, so I suppose a few Union flags tied to lamp posts isn’t a completely unusual sight, and most of the public would assume it’s for some sort of street party, and you’d have it done before anyone asked any questions? (I didn’t say all that to her; this is just with hindsight a couple hours later.)
“I hate this country,” she says … “I feel like I’m living in Nazi Germany…” and she begins to sob. Obviously I’m in agreement, but I don’t let on too much. I then state clearly that it’s a political matter and it’s probably best I don’t get involved in a conversation like that while on duty at work. I ask if she’s ok and offer her a glass of water, but she leaves…
So there you go—IF she was genuine and random, that’s what the general public thinks of it.
If it was some sort of test, I think I passed.
Mike
