How the other half live - C4
Discussion
here we go again.
the dad's a nice bloke but the mothers a scumbag.
family donate two grand and on their essential shopping list the poor family put 'dvd recorder / HD - £150'. the mother then proceeds to spend £500 on a laptop for herself rather than furniture and clothes for the kids, then she buys the son a PC game which doesn't work on their old desktop computer (no suggestion he can play it on the new laptop). what a cretin
eta:
poor dad: we can't even afford a table to eat at
poor kid: they'll probably find it a lot different here (he says sat in front of his ps3 and ps2)
the dad's a nice bloke but the mothers a scumbag.
family donate two grand and on their essential shopping list the poor family put 'dvd recorder / HD - £150'. the mother then proceeds to spend £500 on a laptop for herself rather than furniture and clothes for the kids, then she buys the son a PC game which doesn't work on their old desktop computer (no suggestion he can play it on the new laptop). what a cretin
eta:
poor dad: we can't even afford a table to eat at
poor kid: they'll probably find it a lot different here (he says sat in front of his ps3 and ps2)
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 6th August 21:52
I'm just watching this now on C4+1 , what a hag the 'poor' wife is. She looks like the kid's Gran rather than his Mum. It says she's developing a new business venture in skin care cream , WTF did she try on her own skin , acid ? The 'rich' family don't come across as the sharpest tools in the box , he sounds and seems as intelligent as Beckham
A few things puzzling me on this.
1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
SeeFive said:
A few things puzzling me on this.
1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
At the start of the programme they said that the Mum does receive benefits.1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
The Dad was actually the step Dad, so he was trying to support some other bloke's children which is more than their biological parents seem to do, as the Mum doesn't work and the real Dad is long gone.
Steve126 said:
SeeFive said:
A few things puzzling me on this.
1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
At the start of the programme they said that the Mum does receive benefits.1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
The Dad was actually the step Dad, so he was trying to support some other bloke's children which is more than their biological parents seem to do, as the Mum doesn't work and the real Dad is long gone.
Did they mention how much the family gets in benefits? I bet it's a fair screw as I know a couple with one kid who work for similar money and get pretty much everything paid / subsidised. Amazing that they fell behind with the poll tax under those circumstances, must have been very careless or have other priorities.
Fair play to the Dad for taking the kids on, but you have to ask yourself a couple of questions:
A) Is it worth it (he must love those kids cos just have a look at her boat race - actually that's very unfair of me, maybe she is a selfless woman with a great giving personality... oh hang on a sec, I forgot the computer purchase with the first 2k), and
B) Could he do better off his own back? I really feel he could based on what I saw of him, but he needs to give it a bit of thought (e.g., "I am very grateful, but rather than take these handouts from you, how can I get into a business like yours - maybe working for you and do it myself - will you mentor me instead of just handing me cash").
Still, it probably wouldn't work on a one hour reality programme would it. Woo let's blow a few grand. Woo free holiday in Spain. Now then, how can we get the kids to big it up in their letters to get a few more quid.
Still liked all the kids contribution to the discussions though.... quite mature for their ages.
Oakey said:
anyone watching this?
about a wealthy family financially helping a 'poor' family.
the 'poor' family are just what you expect. black family living on grotty estate. mother the size of a bus, three kids, one sleeping on the floor, etc.
they're living in 'poverty', the only income they get is the £240 a week in benefits!
ignore the benefits part a second, that's two hundred and forty quid a week! more than most people take home on minimum wage!
what a joke
didn't watch it, and i hate chavs etc., but £240 a week in benefits is hardly something to get angry over. i wouldn;t be able to survive on that and there's only me to look after. about a wealthy family financially helping a 'poor' family.
the 'poor' family are just what you expect. black family living on grotty estate. mother the size of a bus, three kids, one sleeping on the floor, etc.
they're living in 'poverty', the only income they get is the £240 a week in benefits!
ignore the benefits part a second, that's two hundred and forty quid a week! more than most people take home on minimum wage!
what a joke
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 30th July 21:35
as benefits go, thats pretty reasonable.
shirt said:
Oakey said:
anyone watching this?
about a wealthy family financially helping a 'poor' family.
the 'poor' family are just what you expect. black family living on grotty estate. mother the size of a bus, three kids, one sleeping on the floor, etc.
they're living in 'poverty', the only income they get is the £240 a week in benefits!
ignore the benefits part a second, that's two hundred and forty quid a week! more than most people take home on minimum wage!
what a joke
didn't watch it, and i hate chavs etc., but £240 a week in benefits is hardly something to get angry over. i wouldn;t be able to survive on that and there's only me to look after. about a wealthy family financially helping a 'poor' family.
the 'poor' family are just what you expect. black family living on grotty estate. mother the size of a bus, three kids, one sleeping on the floor, etc.
they're living in 'poverty', the only income they get is the £240 a week in benefits!
ignore the benefits part a second, that's two hundred and forty quid a week! more than most people take home on minimum wage!
what a joke
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 30th July 21:35
as benefits go, thats pretty reasonable.
shirt said:
Oakey said:
anyone watching this?
about a wealthy family financially helping a 'poor' family.
the 'poor' family are just what you expect. black family living on grotty estate. mother the size of a bus, three kids, one sleeping on the floor, etc.
they're living in 'poverty', the only income they get is the £240 a week in benefits!
ignore the benefits part a second, that's two hundred and forty quid a week! more than most people take home on minimum wage!
what a joke
didn't watch it, and i hate chavs etc., but £240 a week in benefits is hardly something to get angry over. i wouldn;t be able to survive on that and there's only me to look after. about a wealthy family financially helping a 'poor' family.
the 'poor' family are just what you expect. black family living on grotty estate. mother the size of a bus, three kids, one sleeping on the floor, etc.
they're living in 'poverty', the only income they get is the £240 a week in benefits!
ignore the benefits part a second, that's two hundred and forty quid a week! more than most people take home on minimum wage!
what a joke
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 30th July 21:35
as benefits go, thats pretty reasonable.
k all?SeeFive said:
Steve126 said:
SeeFive said:
A few things puzzling me on this.
1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
At the start of the programme they said that the Mum does receive benefits.1) Guy works shifts at the bus garage for 208 quid a week. He seems to be relatively literate / intelligent. Why does he not simply get a better job - perhaps an apprenticeship with Pimlico Plumbers?
2) They live in a 2 bedroom house with 2 sons. Why are the two kids not in the same room, or why is the council/housing association not forced to re-house tehm to provide a room large enough / extra room for both kids to sleep in?
3) On 208 quid a week with 2 kids, they should be in for a landslide of benefits and similar income related government handouts. None of this "income" was mentioned when outlining their poverty.
4) As mentioned above, the woman is not the best advert for her skin care products. She is supposedly late forties!! Choose another career lady - it ain't gonna happen.
5) Is it my mistake, or are they simply on the take from the more fortunates, and making suggestions through their kids letters (haven't got a bed, haven't been on holiday, game doesn't work on the old computer etc.).
6) With 2k in his back pocket and another 2k, and free holidays and all the other stuff, why has this guy not thought to try to better himself and provide for his family medium to long term. He even said that the position of the others should inspire his son - why the hell hasn't it inspired the Dad!
My feeling - ponces, on the take with nice kids (especially the mum), and I thought that the more fortunate family's kids were very grounded and a credit to their parents in the way that they spoke about the situation.
The Dad was actually the step Dad, so he was trying to support some other bloke's children which is more than their biological parents seem to do, as the Mum doesn't work and the real Dad is long gone.
Did they mention how much the family gets in benefits? I bet it's a fair screw as I know a couple with one kid who work for similar money and get pretty much everything paid / subsidised. Amazing that they fell behind with the poll tax under those circumstances, must have been very careless or have other priorities.
Fair play to the Dad for taking the kids on, but you have to ask yourself a couple of questions:
A) Is it worth it (he must love those kids cos just have a look at her boat race - actually that's very unfair of me, maybe she is a selfless woman with a great giving personality... oh hang on a sec, I forgot the computer purchase with the first 2k), and
B) Could he do better off his own back? I really feel he could based on what I saw of him, but he needs to give it a bit of thought (e.g., "I am very grateful, but rather than take these handouts from you, how can I get into a business like yours - maybe working for you and do it myself - will you mentor me instead of just handing me cash").
Still, it probably wouldn't work on a one hour reality programme would it. Woo let's blow a few grand. Woo free holiday in Spain. Now then, how can we get the kids to big it up in their letters to get a few more quid.
Still liked all the kids contribution to the discussions though.... quite mature for their ages.
shirt said:
i support the idea of being a welfare state and don't mind paying taxes to contribute to that. i'm quite glad we've moved on from putting kids in the poorhouse.
Except it seems the mother is far more concerned with what she can buy herself with that money rather than providing simple things, like shoes, for her son and whilst she remains long term unemployed all she's doing is showing her kids that they don't need to bother in life as someone else will pickup the bill for all those shiny electronics they'll want in life and so the circle continuesGassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff