This new thread brings together some issues I have posted on at lengh in other threads and also introduces some new ones. The reason for this is because I think they fit together into a whole.

I am suggesting that a great deal more could be done to make our city centre clubs and bars much more pleasant and inviting places. Here are some suggestions:

SMOKING - In order to protect people from passive smoking make bars and clubs non-smoking.

ILLEGAL DRUGS - Get much tougher on illegal drugs of all kinds. Plain clothes police officers to be in clubs/bars to detect any drug pushing/taking. The penelties for drugs offences to be considerably increased.

BINGE DRINKING - a) A 'smart card' system introduced. Anyone buying alcoholic drinks in a bar/club would need to first produce his/her card. The cards would be swiped each time drinks are bought and this info registered on the card. There would be nightly limits on each card and once that limit is reached no more alcoholic drinks could be bought. The card would be operable in all venues to avoid people just going from place to place and drinking in each one. There would be no limit on non-alcoholic drinks. Cards would be available free of charge.

b) An end to all promotions which encourage excessive drinking.

c) A signifigant reduction in price for all non-alcoholic drinks and free drinking water in all establishments.

VIOLENCE - a) A greatly increased police presence on the streets with sufficient uniformed officers outside each venue.

b) Greaty increased sentences for those convicted of violent offences.

c) More bouncers in clubs/bars

MUSIC LEVELS - A stutary limit on how loud music could be played inside clubs/bars to avoid damage to people's ears.


For those who think this all sound a bit authoriterian and restricive it is designed to be exactly the opposite. This is the most important point of all: LESS FREEDOM FOR SOME WILL MEAN MORE FREEDOM FOR OTHERS. This is aimed at making our club/bars places where more people (not less) can go to and have a genuinely good time. These measures would increase freedom for the people who want to go out to enjoy themselves and not cause trouble.

So, what does everybody think?

Agree apart from the smoking ban in ALL pubs. Some pubs, sure no problem with that but all pubs would have to be a no no.

(Please no come backs from non-smokers on this one unless you never drive/take public transport)

Originally posted by PuressenceUK
(Please no come backs from non-smokers on this one unless you never drive/take public transport)

I agree with that as long as we have no come backs from smokers unless they have never lit up without asking everyone in the room if they wouldn't object.:D

PS I'm in agreement with all the other restrictions, particularly the noise related one.

Originally posted by slimsid2000
.

So, what does everybody think?

I think you'll soon be as 'popular' as me an T020 at this rate Sid.

;)

lordy! this is like advocating a police state!

Coppers outside every venue? Even every pub?
Why not go the whole hog and have everyone implanted with microchips that track their evey movement? And zap people if they're bad....

I think your going about this the wrong way - the problem with binge drinking in particular seems to be social and cultural. More police could well lead to an underground drinking set up a la the speak easies in prohibition America as it becomes more 'dodgy' and hence more romanticised...

Far too sensible to have any chance of introduction.
Being forced to carry a swipe card? "Nanny State Runs Rampant" thunders the Sun?
It would be seen as interfering with choice: the choice to drink unlimited amounts of booze, the choice of vomiting in a taxi/pavement the choice of glassing an innocent passerby, the choice of falling under a taxi and costing the NHS £K's in treatment (after exercising the choice of assaulting the emergency staff)
Good ideas though.
Blunkett could incorporate these functions into his new ID card?

Ok, i assume that you think that this is realistic more than just hypothetical?

Smoking: fair enough idea, but i think it'll be a long time until this is implemented.

Drugs: the majority of clubs are not exactly oozing with illegal substances. the clubs that do have a lot of drugs are generally full of people who are comfortable with it, and not the sort of places a non-drug user is likely to go to. For example; Sid, would you like to go to a hard house night from 4am to 12pm? I doubt it, so i don't think that would affect you.

Drinking: a smart card system is just unrealistic. everyone has different tolerances to alcohol. I agree that excessive drinking can be a problem. but the vast majority of people can drink themselves stupid without causing trouble. Maybe it would be better if bars refused to serve people that were too intoxicated, or being a nuisance. On top of this, having more police on the beat to monitor anti social behaviour on the streets. The problem being that more police costs more money. the council are unlikely to shell out for it. having said that, i have noticed a lot more police on the streets over the past couple of years, which can only be a good thing.

I don't see the problem with drinks offers. as it is drinks prices have gone through the roof over the last year or so. I welcome any offer that makes them cheaper.

I agree that soft drinks should be reduced as the cost to the breweries is negligible. I also think that soft drinks could be offered free to people that have driven a group of people to the pub. I hate driving to the pub and spending as much on soft drinks as i would on alcoholic drinks. You feel a bit cheated. Which is why i usually walk.

Police presence: see above. I agree that there should be more.

Music levels: if you want to go to somewhere quiet, then simply go somewhere quiet. People should be given the choice of where they go out. if you want to go out dancing, a club/bar with really quiet music isn't going to work.

Originally posted by slimsid2000
For those who think this all sound a bit authoriterian and restricive it is designed to be exactly the opposite. This is the most important point of all: LESS FREEDOM FOR SOME WILL MEAN MORE FREEDOM FOR OTHERS. This is aimed at making our club/bars places where more people (not less) can go to and have a genuinely good time. These measures would increase freedom for the people who want to go out to enjoy themselves and not cause trouble.

So, what does everybody think?

Authoritarian? Restrictive? Nah.

I think, additionally, we should follow Singapore where people may now obtain licences to chew gum.

Only 19 medicinal brands of gum will be allowed, such as those intended to wean users of nicotine addiction, and you will need a licence and identity card just to buy a pack. Anyone found dealing gum illegally will face up to two years in jail

Down with gum, along with smoking, loud music, drunkeness and mind expansion in the city centre.

In fact, I would also outlaw drinking on the street, as I have no desire to be subjected to the loafing drunken slobs that clutter the pavements everywhere in town.

Also no market researchers, they bug the hell out of me, likewise:

other peoples children
people who stand in doorways
mobile phone shops - how many do we need?
unhelpful shop assistants
greggs 'food' outlets (a pox)
religious proselytisers (krishnas - mad bloke with a sign)
poster/ bent wire/ mobile phone fascia salesmen
those terrible faux Andean Musicians that mime to pan pipe music.
outlets that promote the sale of mind altering stimulants (Costa Coffee, The Cafeteria etc.)


Too right slimsid, you got my vote.


Now where's my soma?

I'm an ex-smoker and I'm not in favour of banning smoking throughout all establishments. I have enough laws to obey already! I think pubs/clubs should be encouraged to provide genuinely smoke-free areas and then we'll probably see it sorted out by the customers i.e. if you don't want to go to a smoky pub, go to one with a good, big no-smoking area and vice-versa. I don't object to smoky bars (although some REALLY smoky ones were avoided even when I WAS a smoker!), but I would like to see landlords making more of an effort in this area.

As for drinking, well there's a whole can o'worms eh? In my opinion one of the single biggest problems we have is the LUDICROUS licensing hours in this country. It's all very well suggesting that uniformed officers claiming shed loads of overtime are stationed outside every licenced premises, right up until the point where the council tax bill lands on your doorstep... :loopy: There'd be no need for all of them if several hundred (or thousand) people aren't all turfed out onto the street at exactly the same time. Why have we still got this WWII law? Anyone can surely see that so-called binge-drinking is caused by the fact that we can't sit around and have a nice drink all evening when we go out, we have to be done by 23:20ish and so, consciously or not, binge it.

Cards to record the number of pints people have? Aren't they called Yellow Cards in Varsity ;) One question - who sets the levels? The only sensible way I could see the levels being set is on some kind of body mass index to alcohol ratio-thingy. Who's gonna be man enough to ask my missus her weight?! And if the cards are free, won't people just get another one when one has expired?

People need to drink responsibly at the end of the day BUT they need to have the freedom of choice and accept the responsibility for their actions - those convicted of drink-related crimes (especially those who attempt to drive) should face much much stiffer penalties. Some of the sentences these drink/drive killers get these days are a joke that make me ashamed to be part of this society (and, yes, I do vote so I'm not complaining about something and then not doing anything about it - does that make sense?)

Music levels - again, I think consumers should choose here. Personally, if somewhere is too loud or plays Busted, I just don't give them my money.

One point I agree on, tap water should be free anywhere you go (I've never had trouble getting in).

In summary, I think all your issues come down to freedom of choice. Personally, I CHOOSE not to go somewhere that is too smokey, I then CHOOSE not to shoot-up, I then CHOOSE when to stop drinking (regardless of how many tokens away from a crappy t-shirt I am), I then CHOOSE not to get into a fight (I will accept that SOME police/bouncer presence will always be required) and CHOOSE not to go somewhere I consider too loud. I'm doing OK so far and haven't needed legislation. Also, the landlords of the venues that decide to cater for my needs get their paws on my cash.

I can't stand people who interrupt pedestrian traffic flow by gabbing with their 'friends' in a public place - usually but not always one or more of them will be pushing a three-wheel baby buggy with one hand, and holding a cigarette in the other.

Perhaps if privately financed Pedestrian Wardens walked the streets armed with 50,000 volt cattle prods...that would put an end to the loitering.

That gets my vote :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Abdul
Perhaps if privately financed Pedestrian Wardens walked the streets armed with 50,000 volt cattle prods...that would put an end to the loitering.

Can they also be used to clear out those knots of lil old ladies who always insist on standing and talking in narrow alleys / doorways / the top of escalators!!!

Ahhh the voice of moderation!

i wonder if there's an age divide in the opinion poll above. maybe a more interesting poll would give the same options, but for different age groups.

I would rather have you rip my balls out, shuv a broom stick up my bum, throw stones at me, throw me off a cliff and then shoot me in the head than see the big brother i can't do what I want City Centre you are proposing.:loopy:

You bloody freak. :twisted: :twisted:

Originally posted by slimsid2000

BINGE DRINKING - a) A 'smart card' system introduced. Anyone buying alcoholic drinks in a bar/club would need to first produce his/her card. The cards would be swiped each time drinks are bought and this info registered on the card. There would be nightly limits on each card and once that limit is reached no more alcoholic drinks could be bought. The card would be operable in all venues to avoid people just going from place to place and drinking in each one. There would be no limit on non-alcoholic drinks. Cards would be available free of charge.

b

But how do you what limit should be given? If I had the same limit as another woman I would be quite easily unconcious?

Your proposals are well intentioned but are far from being pragmatic or accepted by councillors/the public. This is exactly what will kill off Sheffield City Centre.

Bars should have the choice whether or not to go no smoking - i'd personally like to see more but I can accept it would be bad for business, as would a cap on drinking, which would kill off a lot of the pubs in the centre.

This would make Sheffield seem an unattractive proposition to prospective students, which, in turn, would damage the city's already fragile economy.

Very very draconian plan that I disagree with.

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. You would do well preaching in a small american state where everything is banned and only people over 80 live there. When was the last time you got laid dood?

About the drinkies smart card thing.

The government currently defines a binge drinking session as four (count them) pints of average strength. I presume that this card would limit you to three pints.

This is the most bonkers plan I've ever heard.

How about a plan to ban killjoys?

*Sigh*
Smoking- no I disagree with your idea on this- perhaps possible to have smoke free areas, but at the end of the day, if you banned smoking full stop, a lot of the pubs and clubs would just close because not enough people would go to them.

Police- Are you crazy?

Drinking swipe card thing- not only is this ridiculously impractical, it wouldn't even work, not least because it would be open to abuse (people lending other people their cards, stealing them, forging them) but because there are such things as off licences and people can drink before they go out so you'd never know how much anyone had had anyway! binge drinking is a social thing, with social causes.

Bouncers- well I know that lots of bouncers are really lovely so please don't think I'm tarring them all with the same brush, but, and I am sure many bouncers would agree, some of them are far from lovely and having even more of them is probably not a good idea. I've had enough trouble from bouncers and I am a weedy girl who has never gotten into a fight in her life!

the only thing I agree with here is cheaper soft drinks.

Originally posted by J-Blaze
When was the last time you got laid dood?

What do you mean last time, I bet Sid never has been ;)

Originally posted by oxbeast
This is the most bonkers plan I've ever heard.


Expect Blunket to propose it anytime soon then!!!

Maybe we should take a leaf out of our European neighbours books on drinking times? In Spain especially, the pace of life is so very different when it comes to drinking.
Over there, drinking is seen as an acceptable social activity, someting that just about everybody does. Even at lunch time, a glass of wine is enjoyed with a meal - so why doesn't Spain have the same drunken yob problem that Britain has?
Maybe it's because there is no 11pm cut-off time for drinking. In Spain, you can sit outside a bar until the early hours, enjoying the company, the conversation, and the fact that there is no need to rush the cool pint in front of you. For most (normal) people, this means lower alcohol intake, which in turn means less money spent on "trying to have a good time". The relaxed atmosphere leads to a more relaxed drinker, and a relaxed and happy drinker is less likely to start throwing furniture and glasses becuase he's having a tantrum about having to "drink up" by 11pm.
Another major factor is probably the fact that along with drinks in Spain, you tend to have the option of anything from a bowl of nibbles, to a full blown three course meal to accompany your evening's drinks. People in this country are more likely to go out on an empty stomach, as at the most after you've come home from work and got ready to go out, you'll only have 4 hours of drinking time before you're kicked out. Drinking on an empty stomach means you feel the effects of alcohol faster, and therefore get to your "destination" quicker, and hopefully have managed to get smashed before they call last orders at the bar. GOAL!
Getting rid of the ridiculous curfew on drinking times, and also making it a legal requirement for pubs to serve food with the drinks up until they close for the night, would, in my view, go some way towards improving this embarrassing situation we currently have in this country. Once set up, it would probably take a few years for people to relax into it, and we would probably get just as many - if not more- drunken nobs on the streets for a while (look at the ever-present embarrassment of the "Brits abroad" that so many other countries loathe - cringe), but then, after a few years, people would finally start to learn that they don't have to get pi**ed as soon as possible because there's only a short space of time in which to relax and "enjoy" yourself, and Britain would hopefully eventually become a nation of responsible and civilised drinkers. Yay!!!
Sorry for the really long post btw!! :)

We'll let you off your long post ;)

Not sure this is all the reason (if it was you might expect to see Brits abroad to drink less and be a bit better behaved!) it seems to be more of a social/cultural thing. Wheras a continental European might go out for an evening with people and to have have something to eat and a drink it seems that the drinking is rarely if ever the main reason for going out. In England however when you go out it is usually for booze with maybe something else alongside. Not only that but going out drinking till you throw up / can't remember where you are etc. is seen in many circles as a laudable thing rather than an act of stupidity!

Originally posted by LittleWitch
Once set up, it would probably take a few years for people to relax into it, and we would probably get just as many - if not more- drunken nobs on the streets for a while (look at the ever-present embarrassment of the "Brits abroad" that so many other countries loathe - cringe), but then, after a few years, people would finally start to learn that they don't have to get pi**ed as soon as possible because there's only a short space of time in which to relax and "enjoy" yourself, and Britain would hopefully eventually become a nation of responsible and civilised drinkers.
I agree that our mentality as drinkers has to change too if we want to see any improvement on the current situation, and as I said before, it would take a few years for people to "learn" not to binge drink. It seems to be something that affects most people -not just drinkers - otherwise how would you explain the vast amount of people who take ecstacy or cocaine before going out for the evening? Ask them, and they'll say it's because it helps them have a good time. Same for most drinkers. Do these people really blieve that they and the people they are out with are so boring that they could not have a good time without getting inebriated or drugged up? Our attitudes have to change if we are going to solve drink and drugs problems. In moderation, most things are ok, if not acceptable. It's when the user becomes dependent on these artificial enhancers in order to have a good time that things get hairy. Maybe it's because Britain doesnt get enough sun....

I'm sorry to say I agree with you...

...damn thats my evil reputation down the pan!

Many thanks for all the replies. Up to now I have only had a chance to read about half of them.

I notice that several people object on the grounds of freedom of choice. I understand why people come to this conclusion, but the irony is that my proposals are all designed to INCREASE freedom of choice not reduce it. By this I mean giving more people the realistic choice to go out in the first place and have a good time. Many people don't go out in the city centre at all because of the negative image it has. My ideas are really just a framework within which there woukld be ample oportunity for people to go out and enjoy themselves, eg meeting people of the oposite sex.

I am not some kind of killjoy who wants to stop people enjoying themselves but I do believe the state has a duty to set certain standards of behaviour which conform to a general sense of commen decency, and above all safety, rather than just letting bar/club owners cater to the lowest common denominater in search of maximum profits.

The idea of a binge drinking card is the most stupid thing I ever heard.

Last night I bought a round for 5 people and myself, this would surely be impossible with a pecker head little card counting how much I drank.

What’s the solution, every time I’m enjoying a sociable drink with my friends we always have to cue up one at a time to buy our drinks.


You think the city centre is un sociable now! Wait to see how people would re act to an idea like this?

I don’t know about everyone else but the main problem I have in town is with drunks who have bought their booze from Spar, would this card therefore operate in shops as well? Next time I’m planning a party will I have to start buying 3 cans of beer a day months in advance?

You have to admit, Slimsid, the binge drinking card is ridiculous. It might suit people with low alchohol tolerance drinking alone, but who wants a pub full of people like this.

It would make Britain the laughing stock of the world. Even in Scandanavia, with some of the strictest offie legislation, you can still buy as much beer as you like in a pub.

As for the 'state setting certain standards of behaviour'...

I may have a few ales on occasion, but a state so intent on bombing people is not going to be one to advise me on 'a general sense of common decency'.

Have you considered that when you say “LESS FREEDOM FOR SOME WILL MEAN MORE FREEDOM FOR OTHERS“. You infect are saying, less freedom for the majority will mean more freedom for the minority?

When I go out on a Saturday night I like cheap drinks and loud music. I think I must be in the majority because clubs and pubs make their money by attracting the most customers possible, and their packed for a reason. Despite many a night binge drinking I have never been violent or been in trouble with the police, and despite what the Daily Mail may have us believe, people like me make up the majority of people enjoying themselves on a Saturday night.

When I want a night out that involves a decent conversation and a well poured Guinness, I don’t try and stop other people doing what they want to do, I go to my local where the music is on in the background and the bar man is nothing short of an artist.

If you think Sheffield city centre is bad on a Saturday night you should try Nottingham. But again if that is the way the majority of people like to spend their night out who am I to try and stop them? After all I have the freedom to drink in pubs away from the centre, before going to my club of choice (there is no choice always City)

Originally posted by J-Blaze
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. You would do well preaching in a small american state where everything is banned and only people over 80 live there. When was the last time you got laid dood?

Never. which is one very good reason for the measures I advocate. The whole point of them is to make the city's bar and clubs (with all the nice looking girls in them) a more attractive place to people like me.

Why should the city be given over to loutish people and deter the rest of us.

Is it just me or does this whole topic have more then a little in common with the Simpsons where Hommer doesn't vote so all the OAP's elect a mayor that bans anyone over 65 from leaving there house at night.

more freedom for Grandad Simpson!

Does everything in your life centre around meeting pretty girls in bars?

Sorry to be harsh but thats what your posts would suggest

Part of the problem is some people can hold their drink, others can't. Even after a proper skinful, I've never been violent, abusive or generally antisocial. Unless you jump in front of me in the queue at the kebab shop. ;)

Anyway, I digress...

I think landlords should be encouraged more to use their judgement to decide if somebody has had enough or not. After all, under the 1964 Licensing Act, it is an offence for a licensee to permit drunkenness on their premises and to serve a drunken customer.

Whether they should be encouraged with threats or incentives is another matter but as drunkenness is very much a subjective thing, something along these lines would be much more sensible than an arbitrary and completely impractical card scheme.

Originally posted by slimsid2000
Never. which is one very good reason for the measures I advocate. The whole point of them is to make the city's bar and clubs (with all the nice looking girls in them) a more attractive place to people like me.

Why should the city be given over to loutish people and deter the rest of us.

It's quote's like these that make you sound like a complete and utter jerk. You'll be trying to ban all the men from the pubs next as they are too much competition. :loopy:

Surely this is a major flaw in your argument. All these ‘nice looking girls’ who you are so keen to sleep with are in these city centre pubs because they enjoy the atmosphere. What kind of a relationship could you ever hope to have when you’re idea of a good night out are so opposite? I think the kind of girl you are after is more likely spending her Saturday nights somewhere other then necking shooters in a Scream.

I think landlords should be encouraged more to use their judgement to decide if somebody has had enough or not. After all, under the 1964 Licensing Act, it is an offence for a licensee to permit drunkenness on their premises and to serve a drunken customer.



I was in the Ark in Crookes a year or two ago and their was one bloke who was perhaps the most drunkest I’d ever seen anybody. He wasn’t being violent just a bit annoying bumping into people and singing the Beach Boys into his umbrella.

But at last orders he fell against the bar and threw his wallet at the barman unable to mumble what drink he wanted. I couldn’t believe the barman was going to serve him but he opened up the guys wallet and said,

“What’s that mate? You want to buy everyone at the bar a drink to make up for what an idiot you’ve been tonight? Oh and Scotch for myself? Cheers”

The guy couldn’t work out why so many people suddenly came up and thanked him for their free drinks.

The world doesn’t need less drunks, just more landlords like the Ark’s!

Originally posted by slimsid2000
Never. which is one very good reason for the measures I advocate. The whole point of them is to make the city's bar and clubs (with all the nice looking girls in them) a more attractive place to people like me.

Why should the city be given over to loutish people and deter the rest of us.


So louts in the city centre isn’t the real driving force behind your plans is it?

What do you think of this idea:

What about a policeman outside every bedroom. We all have a card that we must swipe every time we want some action. No one is allowed sex more then 5 times a year. That same card must be used to enter bars and clubs and will prevent entry to anyone who has got lucky five times already that year.

If this still doesn’t result in all citizens enjoying the pleasures of sex the police will issue all those over their 5 per annum limit under house arrest.

Those really desperate to enjoy sex with their partners once more can have their card reset only if they consent to intercourse with a citizen still unable to make the beast with two backs.

This way we are all free to enjoy ourselves!

So to sum up...

To cap breaking the law by continuing to serve him when he was obviously drunk, he then proceded to steal his money?

Better watch out for the Landlord in the Noah's Ark - sounds like he shouldn't be holding a license in the first place :roll:

I would have thought that if you were trying to get laid, you'd be trying to pormote drunkeness, not restrict it.

:shakes:

This tread is ridicules. Good luck in you quest to find a "good looking girl" who'll put up with you,i think you'll need it.

inb4dalock

As much as I think Mr Sid would be best putting his efforts into breaking up Jim and Dot so that she is back on the market there are some sensible way of making city centres safer, like making it legislation that all pub glasses have to be made of that magic shatter glass.

Has that happened yet? or is it still just advised?

It's true sid, every time you suggest ways of calming measures in pubs/clubs, you always follow with something about meeting pretty girls. Not doing yourself any favours.

A lot of people on this board are single too, but don't find it necessary to blame the rest of society for it. I don't mean to offend, but however innocent your comments may be, the repetition of them makes them seem perverse.

As previously pointed out, the vast majority of people, manage to go out, enjoy themselves and meet people. Yes there are some idiots in the world that cause trouble, but they rarely cause direct trouble. the last time i had any trouble was years ago. Once every few years, i can deal with. I'm still going to go out and enjoy myself as will most other people. I suggest that you make an effort to get over your fears of the outside world, go out, and have a good time. It's not as bad as you think.

I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it needs to be said. You seem to be under some illusion that the majority of people stay at home and hide from the criminal infested streets outside. Trust me, that is not the case. I think you need to change your angle on life. I'm not sure how to do that, but you should certainly look into it.

Originally posted by Andy78
It's true sid, every time you suggest ways of calming measures in pubs/clubs, you always follow with something about meeting pretty girls. Not doing yourself any favours.

A lot of people on this board are single too, but don't find it necessary to blame the rest of society for it. I don't mean to offend, but however innocent your comments may be, the repetition of them makes them seem perverse.

As previously pointed out, the vast majority of people, manage to go out, enjoy themselves and meet people. Yes there are some idiots in the world that cause trouble, but they rarely cause direct trouble. the last time i had any trouble was years ago. Once every few years, i can deal with. I'm still going to go out and enjoy myself as will most other people. I suggest that you make an effort to get over your fears of the outside world, go out, and have a good time. It's not as bad as you think.

I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it needs to be said. You seem to be under some illusion that the majority of people stay at home and hide from the criminal infested streets outside. Trust me, that is not the case. I think you need to change your angle on life. I'm not sure how to do that, but you should certainly look into it.

I'm in full agreement !

Let's not have the little number of **** spoil the party for the rest of us.

Originally posted by Andy78
It's true sid, every time you suggest ways of calming measures in pubs/clubs, you always follow with something about meeting pretty girls. Not doing yourself any favours.

A lot of people on this board are single too, but don't find it necessary to blame the rest of society for it. I don't mean to offend, but however innocent your comments may be, the repetition of them makes them seem perverse.

As previously pointed out, the vast majority of people, manage to go out, enjoy themselves and meet people. Yes there are some idiots in the world that cause trouble, but they rarely cause direct trouble. the last time i had any trouble was years ago. Once every few years, i can deal with. I'm still going to go out and enjoy myself as will most other people. I suggest that you make an effort to get over your fears of the outside world, go out, and have a good time. It's not as bad as you think.

I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it needs to be said. You seem to be under some illusion that the majority of people stay at home and hide from the criminal infested streets outside. Trust me, that is not the case. I think you need to change your angle on life. I'm not sure how to do that, but you should certainly look into it.

You just said what I wanted to say!

Originally posted by slimsid2000
Never. which is one very good reason for the measures I advocate. The whole point of them is to make the city's bar and clubs (with all the nice looking girls in them) a more attractive place to people like me.

Why should the city be given over to loutish people and deter the rest of us.

Every post you make makes you sound more ridiculous. I'm not particularly confident with girls, but just because some people can't find one in a pub doesn't mean it should spoil it for the millions of other people who meet up this way.

I like to drink a lot sometimes and it should be MY choice. The government would never accept this anyway as they profit loads from the tax on drink.

We aren't all louts, don't tar us with the same brush.

ARE YOU ON DRUGS SLIM ? Ive NEVER READ SUCH A LOAD OF CRAP IN ALL MY LIFE !if you dont like people getting drunk and having a good time then you should stay at home you saddo ! life is for living and how we choose to live is up to us !if that means getting hammered cos we have done a hard weeks graft then so be it you can stick your card up your **** you ejit!who do you think you are? are you even from this planet or are you blunket in disguise ?and this about making bars nice places for attractive girls to go ?does it matter what girls look like oh but i forgot you dont have a girlfriend never have is that right !hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm i wonder why ?do you have a strict sex regime ?you can only have sex 2 times a week ,oh and dont forget to swipe your card !!! you want to sort yourself out and get a life and maybe have a good old puff on a joint lighten up !

lots of love as always pretty woman xxx

WELL SAID!!! *round of applause*

not even going to attempt to follow that!! i'll just nod along and agree with what you sed pw!!

take care peeps!! X

I'm in full agreement, with, well both of yas !

I think Sid does have an genuine point that city centres can be intimidating on a Saturday night, especially if you are sober. I once came into town to meet my friends after working late one day and I was sat outside city Hall sober for 30 mins and I must admit I did feel unsafe, and as I said before I generally avoid Nottingham city centre on a Saturday night.

What I would suggest Sid is instead of trying to stop everyone else’s fun, try going out into town on a week night when it’s less rowdy. Or go to town but go to the more low key ’exclusive’ pubs, you’ll have to pay more for drinks but as you drink less this won’t be a real problem.

Or better still go on some Speed dating type event. Then you know everyone is trying to get laid and not wasted.

I'm sorry if I have given people the wrong impression that I somehow want to spoil everybody's fun. It is much more a case that I want to have more fun myself.

I suppose what I am advocating is some sort of middle ground between a city centre which attracts anti-social louts and someone like myself having to stay at home in front of the TV on a Saturday night. Why does it have to be a choice between these two exremes? Why can't there be a middle way? I am not a killjoy but just a lonely man trying (without much success) to make his way in what can often seem a hostile world.

Finally, to those who suggest I am obsessed with finding a girlfriend I can only say who wouldn't be if they got to 33 and had never had one? Everywhere I go I see couples. Television programmes seem full of stories about other men with attractive women (so much so that there are quite a few programmes, eg, soaps which I don't watch). I would say to my critics; try living my life for a while and see how you like it!

Trying not to be mean here but perhaps you should take a look at your life rather than trying to change the world to conform to your requirements? I'm pretty much a non drinker and completely a non smoker and not drug taker but I manage going out at the weekend et al! Does sound a lil bit like you have a bit of a victim complex there and that in and of itself isn't exactly the worlds most attractive trait!

Have you not tried internet dating? It seems like the perfect solution.

Originally posted by slimsid2000
....but the irony is that my proposals are all designed to INCREASE freedom of choice not reduce it....

OK....I'm going to get (at the very least) a smacked botty here, but this phrase (and the rest) suddenly conjured up images of Hitler's 25 point programme. 'Absolute control for the good of the völk' is what I mean. Really sorry, I'm not in any way comparing Sid to Hitler (that's slightly extreme, don't you think?) but it's just the immediate reaction I had.

And, I have to say, many of the Nazi policies (whether you would like to admit it or not) greatly improved the quality of life of the germans (well, the Aryans anyway) at the time. Apart from, yknow, all the racist brainwashing and stuff. :s

Gotta love Pretty Woman. :lol: Ta for saying what everyone was thinking. :D

Also Sid, saying things like 'if you'd lived the life I had' will get you no sympathy from anyone in the forum since we know very little about you other than you're 33, single and your only problem that we know of is that you haven't ever had a relationship with one of your 'pretty girls' that you talk about so much.

There are many many people on this forum with much heavier, and if I may say so more important, problems than yourself so it might be an idea to drop the victim act, chill out and just try to enjoy life a little.

Well, Slim, I am not going to flame you like evryone else seems to be doing on this thread. Yes, other people may have "bigger" problems in the eyes of others, but to you, being alone when obviously all you want is someone for you to love and to love you back, is probably just about as serious as it can get.
To get all academic for a moment, Maslowe's Heirarchy of needs puts close loving relationships right up there in importance with food to survive, warmth and the right to feel safe in your environment. Now I don't know about anyone else, but it sounds to me that right there you've got two desperate needs that must be fulfilled before you can become a happy rounded individual.
Yes, we all have problems that we have to worry about, but when I see someone who doesn't even have the basics that the rest of us take so much for granted, my heart goes out to them.
I will agree with some others on this thread who suggested that you should consider joining some social groups in Sheffield, in order to begin to feel better about yourself, and to get you back out there into society. Try checking on the notice boards in one of the many libraries in Sheffield - or even on this forum!!! there are always other people out there in exactly the same position as you - not through choice, but usually because of unfortunate, unplanned, or unforseen circumstances.
Don't take all this flaming that's been going on in this thread to heart, Slim. Take a deep breath, call up some societies and organisations - maybe even take on a part time college course to learn a craft that interests you. Whatever you do, don't give up hope on yourself. I may not know you, but I do know that you are a human being, deserving of love and friendship just like everyone else on this forum.
Good Luck Slim, and keep us informed!! :) :clap: :lol:

LIKE WHATS ALL THAT ABOUT !

The only thing you can do sid is stop feeling sorry for yourself and just thank him upstairs that you haven't had the life some forum members have had !I thought i'd got it rough till I spoke to someone else on this forum !you talk about being on your own at 33, so what ! its up to you to sort it don't come out with ludicrous (spelt wrong ) ideas about how the rest of us should behave in public !IM 33 and single and I have 3 children so yeah I know what its like to be in every saturday night because I hate asking my mum favours all the time but I don't winge about it I just think well this aint gonna be forever my kids will grow up and not need me anymore ,it's life and you just have to deal with it and just think about the people less fortunate than yourself and belive me there are loads of them out there !take little witches advice ,people aint gonna come to you ! you have to go out there and find them and you will if you put your mind to it and stop having such a negative attitude !And no its not easy for me to say that but its what keeps you alive ,live everyday as if it were your last ! Shall I tell you why you should get a grip and be thankful that you are even here none of us know how long we have and the time we do have needs to be spent wisely and lived fully! last week a young 17 year girl died of a brain tumor near where I live she had just started her life ,making plan s for the future and everything she should have been doing at that age !she will never see 18 never mind about 33 so if I was you I'd think twice about what you say because you sound pathetic but thats just my opinion !

But what is so bad about the proposals? The shooting outside Niche and the violence outside Purple recently highlight the fact that the city centre has several "no-go" and unsafe areas at night, so why should we stand by and let the louts "own" such areas? Violence and drug problems should be clamped down on, there should be a greater police presence and the whole centre should be under 24hr CCTV surveillance. Clubs should be fined more heavily for admitting/serving under 18s, since a lot of the lads of this age can't handle drink and cause trouble and a lot of the girls of this age can't handle drink and get taken advantage of. Repeated admission offences should result in closure, and the same zero tolerance approach should be taken regarding drugs on premises.

But what is so bad about the proposals? The shooting outside Niche and the violence outside Purple recently highlight the fact that the city centre has several "no-go" and unsafe areas at night, so why should we stand by and let the louts "own" such areas? Violence and drug problems should be clamped down on, there should be a greater police presence and the whole centre should be under 24hr CCTV surveillance. Clubs should be fined more heavily for admitting/serving under 18s, since a lot of the lads of this age can't handle drink and cause trouble and a lot of the girls of this age can't handle drink and get taken advantage of. Repeated admission offences should result in closure, and the same zero tolerance approach should be taken regarding drugs on premises.

T020, everything you've mentioned is already illeagal - we dont need smart cards, or curfews, no-smoking areas to sort it out - just better policing.

Slim, i'm beggining to think you're making all this up - either way you crack me up as you say the most ridiculous things!
Just go see a hooker and get it over with:thumbsup:

Originally posted by noseyrosie
OK....I'm going to get (at the very least) a smacked botty here, but this phrase (and the rest) suddenly conjured up images of Hitler's 25 point programme. 'Absolute control for the good of the völk' is what I mean. Really sorry, I'm not in any way comparing Sid to Hitler (that's slightly extreme, don't you think?) but it's just the immediate reaction I had.

And, I have to say, many of the Nazi policies (whether you would like to admit it or not) greatly improved the quality of life of the germans (well, the Aryans anyway) at the time. Apart from, yknow, all the racist brainwashing and stuff. :s

I think a more accurate (and rational) comparison would be Meadowhall. Ok, Meadowhall is a shopping centre not a nightclub, but to me it is a good example of what a more controled environment is like. There nis no smoking, no beggers, the whole place is kept clean and there are security guards on hand just in case. (Pleaswe note Rosie i said security guards not SS Storm Troupers, I think you'll find there is a difference.)

Like many people I prefer Meadowhall to the city for shopping. I'm sure nobody would suggest Meadowhall resembles a police state. I think some people see my suggestions as more sinister than they were ever intended to be.

I have to say I agree with you, Slim. Although I hate how busy Meadowhell gets sometimes, I DO feel safer shopping there than I do in the town centre. And the fact that's it's no smoking, makes it an even pleasanter place to be. If only it were an outdoor or at least completely clear roof building. It's a shame when we try and hide from the elements all the time under roofs, when we do actually get some quite nice weather sometimes!!. As Billy Conelly once said, "There's no wrong weather, only the wrong clothes!!"

I'm going to stop posting on this thread now. I may even consider whether or not to remain a member of this Forum as I clearly have a habbit of annoying some people.

So let me just say thank you to those few people who have either supported what I have said or at least shown some understanding of my situation. I also accept totally what has been said about other having far worse problem. That is quite right, I do at least have my health and that is always important.

I thank people for their helpful suggestions. I am considering speed dating, but would like to find out more about it first. I am already in a social organisation (amateur dramits) but sadly there don't seem to be any girls there who are interested in me. I may consider joining another organisation too, but again I would need to look further into it.

I am sorry to see it come to this Slim. But before you leave please believe that there are people out there who wont attack you for having your own opinions. Whether it's through lack of understanding, or maybe because they've been treated the same way by others, a minority of people feel no angst about flaming others, just because they don't agree with them. I certainly don't agree with a lot of the opinions expressed on this forum, but as I feel that we are in a civilised democratic society, and that the majority of people on this forum (I assume) are of above average intelligence, and are capable of expressing their own side of an argument in good humour, I am happy to enter into healthy debates. i certainly don't agree with the abuse I have come across recently, from a few who don't agree with the belief "each to their own". Oddly enough, these are often the people who shout the loudest about freedom of speech and the freedom to do what you please.
Maybe it should be Freedom to do what you wish, as long as you don't harm others.

Is this where David Blunkett tests out his new policy ideas?

To make the centre of Sheffield more cultured the answer is simple.

1. Prevent anyone who does not have S11, S7, S17, S1 postcodes from going into the centre. This will be easy to implement once were required to hold ID cards.

2. Relocate the Moor and Castle Market to Crystal Peaks so 'these people' don't have any incentive to come into the centre.

3. large generic pub chains and resturants, eg Wetherstones, so Gyppos can't buy watered down Fosters for £1.40 and have to go to spit and saw dust pubs in their estates.

4. Do ban smoking in pubs, however legalise cannabis and open 'brown cafes' for stoners.

5. As far as I am aware no one has ever been convicted of being stoned and disorderly. The onset of the munchies will bring much needed revenue to the resturant sector.

6. Ban resturants from playing crass music on cheap music systems. I rushed a meal once on Division street because the owners decided I might like to listen to Robbie William's 'Swing When You're Winning'. A pianist playing pieces by Tchicovsky and Rachmananov would be great improvement and add a touch to class to an area with great potential.

I agree with almost everything there except two things:-
The extra police presence and extra bouncers are all good but how do you suppose this is to be funded? Increase in taxes on alcohol maybe? I'm sure that'll take people out of clubs pubs and bars etc wont it?
Also I disagree with the music thing because the louder most mmusic is the better it sounds [if its quality music] and its all about noise quality if you go out otherwise you might as well sit at home and listen to your mini speakers with their 'Dynamic Bass Boost!' ....oh great....

My final point is I just think plain out smoking should be banned in all public places indoors and in the city centre outdoors because no matter what you say outdoors you still inhale passive smoke. This idea will benefit EVERYONE because not only will less people start smoking and there will be much fewer deaths from passive smoking but also more people will go to clubs and pubs etc as smokers willl realise they cant have a good time unless they give up smoking and non-smokers will go out and have a great time not being choked by all sorts of crap that comes from burning a dried up plant [you inhale formaldahyde! Damion hurst anyone?]
rant over

Purple

I will apologise and admit I was probably one of the harsh posters, but you shouldn't feel the need to leave because of this disagreement.

Life is full of disagreements and I disagree with a lot of people on a lot of issues. Debate is good and although this particular one has been, shall we say, a tad one sided, not all will be and if you truely believe in something, you should stick to your guns.

Its disheartening to be in the minority view, I know that all too well, but stick around and continue to post if you want. Don't feel the need merely to leave to suit others.

I was unaware of your situation regarding females and friends until after I posted, so I deeply regret being as harsh. The advice I would give you is not to try and run before you can walk.

Translate that into life, basically seek friends first and build confidence with them before trying it on with girls. Desperation generally does show.

And regarding your comments about making the city centre more civilised; try sampling it as it is and try to understand the current culture before conjuring up such drastic plans.

Best of luck in whatever you decide on. I have a cousin in the same situation as you, so I can understand your position

Regards
Dean.

Sid leaving this forum because some people have been rude to you is a really bad idea.
You wont have any success in anything if you hide away criticism; you need to concentrate on people who are positive to you and block out those who are nasty.

I think you also need to be warned that if you are going looking for love you need to be prepared for some pretty ****ty times. If you think you feel down now without a girlfriend I can assure you a broken heart is much harder to deal with, and it would be very naive not to realise the potential for that.

I’ll leave out my criticisms of Meadowhell and your desire for a Disney like existence for now as I think what you need now is encouragement, and there are plenty of us willing to offer it.

Originally posted by oxbeast
Coppers outside every venue? Even every pub?
Why not go the whole hog and have everyone implanted with microchips that track their evey movement? And zap people if they're bad....

Sounds good to me.