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  1. #1
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    An Eccentric These Days.

    An Eccentric These Days.

    What does it take to become regarded as an "eccentric" these days?

    I suppose that in his time, Oscar Wilde was regarded so with his foppish dress and manners, whilst the likes of the recluse Howard Hughes growing his finger nails long and storing his bodily waste matter for posterity must also have been a strong contender.

    But today the lines and distinction have become more blurred. Take fashion for example. Individuals with not so discreet body piercings, jeans deliberately cut at the knees, and what appears to be the de riguer tattoo on young girls spines just above the gluteus maximus. Nothing new there. In fact almost conventional.

    But there still exists a bedrock of conservatism in most of the populace, so if one feels constricted by present day topics in conversation, (like who did what to whom on the latest tv soap) and instead diverges off at the dinner party gathering on Shelley or Byron, quoting bits from memory, are you likely to get some strange looks? You can just see the disquiet on their faces.

    "Is he drunk, or more seriously is he dangerous?"

    "Shall I call a taxi, or possibly the police if he turns violent?"

    Actually in my own experience I find the converse is the case. If not a complete bore, one gets to become regarded as "a bit colourful" or even "the life of the party" and gets invited again.

    So, next time you get called out to a little soiree dinner party with previously unmet neighbours, or strike up a conversation with a total stranger in a pub; soar off on bits of Kipling, remove your shoes and wiggle your toes at your host, flirt outrageously and talk dirty with old ladies, burp loudly after each course to show appreciation of the food you have been served, and insist on inviting all and sundry to pop in and see you if they happen to be in Papua New Guinea over the Christmas period.

    You never know.

    You might just make it a memorable encounter.

  2. #2
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    I went through a phase of wearing odd socks as a teenager. Quite avant-garde I was.

  3. #3
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    Miley Cyrus is probably one of today's 'eccentrics' like it or not.

  4. #4
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    Wealthy eccentrics generally stay out of jail. That's why i'm nervous about becoming one and spending the rest of my years behind bars.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui View Post
    I went through a phase of wearing odd socks as a teenager. Quite avant-garde I was.
    I'll wear socks (sometimes an odd pair) with *thongs when my feet are cold, but I'm not eccentric enough to wear them with (ugh) SANDALS.


    *flip-flops, not bum-strings.

  6. #6
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    Theres a difference between being eccentric and acting like an idiot .
    Theres nothing worse than naturally dull old people trying to act wacky at parties .
    Sit down in the corner, get yourself a glass off Port and stop embarrassing yourself

  7. #7
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    Sit down in the corner, get yourself a glass off Port and stop embarrassing yourself
    That's the beginning of more wine and eventually becoming a noisy fool for many.

  8. #8
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    What is it that makes some individuals eccentric though; a desire to shock, to become noticed or quite simply to lose touch with the "main stream." In the case of Howard Hughes that I mentioned, he had lost all touch with reality and surrounded himself with religious sect followers that did not have the balls to say "Boss, you need help!"

  9. #9
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    My definition used to be anyone who was wealthy enough to avoid the asylum because they were bonkers but rich.
    Then they called it care in the community and if you were poor and bonkers, you slept in shop doorways or on a park bench. If you had a mansion and you were bonkers you became an MP.

    That would explain quite a lot actually.
    Heart of Gold and a Knob of butter.

  10. #10
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    These days....or any time period, for that matter.

    Anything unconventional, unorthodox, challenging the invented status quo.

    Certainly would apply to the masses and popular acceptance, as most are catatonic and go along regardless.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Retro View Post
    Sit down in the corner, get yourself a glass off Port and stop embarrassing yourself
    That's the beginning of more wine and eventually becoming a noisy fool for many.
    Yes, but at least it would be genuine foolish behavior, rather than just acting .

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    when i think of eccentric i think of Boris. weird, wealthy and outspoken.


  13. #13
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    He'll be in number 10 one day.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Retro View Post
    Miley Cyrus is probably one of today's 'eccentrics' like it or not.
    Nah that's all a carefully manufactured image.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui View Post
    My definition used to be anyone who was wealthy enough to avoid the asylum because they were bonkers but rich.
    Then they called it care in the community and if you were poor and bonkers, you slept in shop doorways or on a park bench. If you had a mansion and you were bonkers you became an MP.

    That would explain quite a lot actually.
    Yup. Eccentrics are rich, mental loonies are poor.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by daveboy
    He'll be in number 10 one day.
    i'll predict a labour gov. then.

    or ukip.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    Yup. Eccentrics are rich, mental loonies are poor.
    Dammit! mental loony it is then. Maybe I will be eccentric someday.

    My own personal definition is someone who seems a little bit off or crazy but is still fun to be around.

  18. #18
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    I know a few EssarnTricks involving goldfish and ping pongs.

    Sorry about the david44-ism.

  19. #19
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    Boris, at Eton with Cameron, more of a Hoorah Henry or Boffin really. Could things become that bad that he becomes PM?

    So why is eccentricity only associated with wealth? A bit like important people get assassinated, innit. Where's the line drawn?

  20. #20
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    Interesting point.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by pompeysbroke View Post
    So why is eccentricity only associated with wealth? A bit like important people get assassinated, innit. Where's the line drawn?
    Kinda cool.

    Eccentric (rich) loony (poor)
    assassinated (rich) murdered (poor)
    temporarily inconvenienced (rich) bankrupt (poor)
    sex addict (rich) pervert (poor)


    any more?

  22. #22
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  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    Eccentric (rich) loony (poor)
    assassinated (rich) murdered (poor)
    temporarily inconvenienced (rich) bankrupt (poor)
    sex addict (rich) pervert (poor)

    any more?
    Lovechild (rich) Bastard (poor)

  24. #24
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    Courtesan (rich) Ho (poor)

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