British Tabloids
japra | Aug 29, 2008 | Comments 11
View of the Battersea Power Station from the train into Waterloo Station, London.
I have a friend back in Texas who told me that the British tabloids are the best part of riding the trains here in London.
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A lot of people would agree–at least they’re free reading and they give you something to do while squeezed into a commuter train on the long way home. (The Washington Post has an interesting take on this very subject, by the way)
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There are quite a few freebies that get shoved your way these days, including The London Lite and The Metro. There are numerous tabloids for sale as well. I’ve never bought one, but you can’t miss them. The covers are, shall I say, rather revealing.
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Anyway, I’m working on a large canvas at the moment. It’s my ode to the British tabloid culture, and I’m using discarded tabloids as inspiration. So every now and again, Mr. DJ and even Roxi will bring me a new gem for my collection.
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Last night, Mr. DJ picked up a discarded Daily Mail on his way back from the continent. He was quick to point out this little gem (From the Daily Mail, 28 August 2008, Europe edition):
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What Men and Women Want
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Most Valued Attributes Men Want in Women
1. Taking care of our home 44%
2. Cooking 39%
3. Cleaning 33%
4. Being a great parent 31%
5. Listens to what I say 31%
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Most Valued Attributes Women Want in Men
1. Listens to what I say 41%
2. Financial stability 38%
3. Being a great parent 27%
4. Gardening 25%
5. Puts the family first 22%
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Figures don’t equal 100 as more than one box could be ticked
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Mr. DJ was intrigued that women would want their man to put gardening first before the family. Of course, my husband isn’t the one doing the yard work around here–haha!
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Happy Labor Day to all my US friends. Hope Gustav gives Texas and Louisiana a wide berth…
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I absolute love Battersea Power Station and that is a much better picture than I’ve ever managed to get! Then again, I am a massive Pink Floyd fan so that would be the reason.
I remember trying to explain to my friends in South Africa the hold the tabloid newspapers can have on the population. It seems to me sometimes that we are told by the newspapers which singles will be at number one the week or who is going to become the most loved or hated celebrities. And people just seem to follow suit.
What is it like in the States?
would love to see your canvas when it’s done. Interesting ‘most valued attributes’ for both sexes.
I always read the tabloid covers at the grocery or at the local convenience store…mesmerizing!
Your canvas sounds so interesting and creative! Good luck!
Yeah, I agree with your husband. It’s weird that the gardening thing would come ahead of family. Not in my book!
I don’t know, a man who is a good gardener can transfer to a lot of other areas….
Of course, putting ones family first doesn’t even rate in what men want from women :) In fact, except for the being a great parent attributes all other things could be handled by hired help, including a therapist ;-)
A while back, I was watching a PBS show on marriage and relationships in the UK. On it some researchers said that most marriages end in the US because over finances, while in the UK it is due to infidelity, maybe faithfulness should be on the list of attributes.
“Get out there and cut the grass!! You can hug the children later!” Hahahahah!!! Strange indeed.
thanks for the good wishes on the hurricane…we are a bit nervous! Mimsy
I do like a man who’ll cook and clean. But that was nowhere on the list! Happy canvassing! Any chance you’ll post it for us when you’re done?
Emm–The tabloids in the US are flashy, maybe not to the same extent as here, though. They’re displayed in the check out aisles near the cashiers. No freesheets for the most part (don’t know about places like NYC and Chicago where there is mass transit).
Christine–You can’t help but read those headlines! I’ll post my painting on another blog. I’ve been meaning to start one but have been kind of busy this year ;-) Hopefully I will get to it sometime this fall.
Alyson–I went back and read the comments from that article. Almost as entertaining as the article itself. Obviously it hit a chord with a lot of people.
Susan–Interesting points! I thought they left out a couple of significant “attributes”.
Laurie–It does make you wonder…
Mimsy–Oh those dreaded hurricanes. I’ll be watching the weather!
Barrie–Absolutely! I’ll post it on another blog, though ;-)
Well gee, it seems the men mostly want a maid/cook/nanny who takes orders well! Funny!
i think the only freebee papers worth the paper… in London are Thursdays “Shortlist” the london lit v london paper are too samey and feels like heat mag. low brain/high celeb factors…
Pamela–Yeah, I was thinking that too.
MT–On the other hand, they’re perfect for my art project–haha! In general, I don’t read the papers. We get so many junk papers through our mail slot that go straight into our recycle bin. I like to read my news on the computer. Saves me time and paper guilt!