Are You Being Served!

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Wifi has been off for over twenty four hours now, so I have come to Zest to get some blogging done.  I have deadlines to meet.  There is nothing like sitting in the sun and writing.  It adds to inspiration.  I wanted to write a bit about one of my favourite programmes, 'Are You Being Served'.  

Yesterday I was sat at home with Jamie watching this comedy sitcom of the seventies and eighties. We haven’t done that in a while, not since we arrived in Gran Alacant, to be exact, nearly six months ago. To be honest I am not blogging live, while I am writing this, as the internet has been down all day, which is the reason I am watching ‘Are You Being Served!’ Darrell and Jamie are just off to the Bank to collect my card. Yes in Spain you can collect someone’s card for them. We are quite well known in these here parts anyway now, so they are well aware that we are all related as it were, some strange alternative family, if you like!

With no internet all day and a few hours before I return to work after siesta, Jamie has just put on the film of ‘Are You Being Served’ for me. I have written about this fabulous sitcom before, and I can’t say how much this television programme cheers me up. In the film, the staff of Grace Brothers travel to The Costa Plonka, for a works holiday. Acting like typical Brits abroad, the shenanigans that follow are hilarious.

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​This was my favourite comedy, when I was growing up. It was the first time I became aware of my sexuality also. Mr Humphries was a role model for me, as strange as that may seem today. Apparently he is not PC enough, and we should forget his character, ever existed, what absolute nonsense. You see back then and now, I had no problems, or did not take offence by the way John Inman portrayed a gay man, far from it. In fact his portrayal was absolutely great, and a wonderful reminder of the times. Social history, preserved on film that should never be forgotten, wiped under the carpet or hidden from anyone! It documents a time in Britain and the World when social change, as it stands today was in its infancy. The only people who are offended are those that do not have a sense of humour, or can not relate to the comedic value of this show. Take it from me, as a gay man I was never upset or shocked, embarrassed or disgusted by any part of this cult TV show! 

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Of course as most readers of my blog know, Mollie Sugden was my comedy hero. One of the funniest actresses of her generation, her stern matronly persona, full of character, was always a joy to watch. From body language, facial expressions and posh Northern tones, Mollie played the archetypal Yorkshire lass, who had delusions of grandeur, well above her station, looking down her nose at the lower class maintenance department. She was a girl, who had worked her way to the dizzy heights of Head of Ladies Wear, was head hunted by harrods, took elocution lessons to project an air of authority, whilst hiding a nip of gin in the perfume bottles on the counter, in her department, drinking with Mrs Axelby in the local hostelry and a bit of a man eater on the quiet. The character of Mrs Slocombe was so successful because everyone of us who watched her on the television, knew someone like her and could quite easily relate to her. Mrs Slocome in reality was as vulnerable and fallible as us all, but she was just able to be herself, keep a stiff upper lip and hide the real person she was. In one of the episodes, the only one, her first name was spoken of. None of the staff who she worked with knew her full name, because Mrs Slocombe was a very private person.

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There was something quite sad about Mrs Slocombe, living alone, with her pussy, no husband, few friends and her very private life, which is why everyone of us could see a part of us in her in some way. Betty Slocombe used to remind me of my Gran. Her perfectly coffered hair, which like my Gran, changed colour often, back combed and set, nails, painted and high heel shoes, all perfect, all matching. I used to think Mrs Slocombe was extremely glamorous, just like my Gran. In fact I still do!

The seventies and eighties was a time of strong women, and Mrs Slocome was no exception. As the late 1970s rolled into the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in Britain and Mrs Slocombe’s roll in ‘Are You Being Served’ changed to that of a more self assured, powerful person. She still had her insecurities but she evolved into a much more authoratative figure, able to do all the things that the so called men she worked with could not do. Her famous catch phrase ‘Weak as Water’, was a term used to describe her male colleagues, who never seemed to be up to the job, unable or unwilling to take on responsibility. Slocombe was a doer, not a thinker or procrastinator. As a strong Northerner, she always jumped in head first, thinking later, whatever the consequences. Her most famous catch phrase was ‘I am unanimous in this’. It was the strongest indicator as to her role in the comedy series. She was the matriarch and in reality she was running the show, while the weak men at the top merely thought they were. This great Lady of the TV Screen was the one in control, just like all the women in my life. The women on both my fathers and Mothers side were extremely strong minded Ladies. I always saw women as the stronger sex and Mrs S was a reinforcement of that view.

​I have lived abroad before in Australia and now in Spain.  I do miss The UK, not all the time, just some of the time.  In Australia, when I missed home I would watch ‘Are You Being Served’ on HBO and today I also watch it, as a reminder of my roots, but on a dodgy box from a guy in the pub.  The biggest factor in me staying in Spain this time and not returning to The UK, is having access to home, wherever I am.  For me technology has stopped the home sickness and allowed me to feel comfortable with where I am.  The biggest fear when one moves abroad is isolation.  Having access to ones old life at the touch of a button is important!

‘Are You Being Served’ has always played a big part in my life.  It has always been the tonic I needed to cheer me up, when I am feeling down.  It played a massive part in my childhood and plays a big part in my adulthood.  Certain programmes touch the heart strings, trigger long forgotten memories or just take us back to better times Are You Being Served, does that for me!

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