can you be a credit to this family and not a debit

Andrew 65. Married. Two grown up children. Photographer & Author. 

How are you? 

I’ve certainly been better. The pandemic has messed up my book business and I suddenly got depressed over the past year. I had a lot of work to catch up on and I didn't feel like doing it. I didn't feel like doing anything other than picking up my camera to occupy myself. 

When you hear about people who suffer from depression it used to make me wonder  - Oh come on, pull yourselves together! But in the last year I've started to appreciate it more. When you've heard ‘NO’ for the 50th time and you can't get hold of people because they're working from home. All the shops are closed, I can’t restock or see potential new customers. I’ve got no money coming in. I’ve still got bills to pay so I can start to understand how people feel. Photography really saved me. I feel sorry for anyone without a hobby. 

How do you see yourself? 

I'm always a glass half full. I still think of myself as 20 year old but I get up in the morning feeling stiff. Men don’t half get away with it though. You women, first it’s your periods then when you think it’s all over, the menopause! Why didn't nature come up with something that didn't feel like shit? Talk about being short changed.

What did you like about yourself? 

I think that comes with the half glass full thing. I'm still think I’m much younger than I am. I look in the mirror and see a few wrinkles and no hair  - was I ever attractive? 

The conversation drifted - A good thing to come out of the Sarah Everard thing is, I’m much more aware of when I'm out and about. If it’s late at night or dark to be more aware of women and their situation. If I see a woman walking, I'll hold back, take a different route or something. Maybe walk on the other side of the street. My daughter told me she finds it scary walking around.

I need to change my behaviour in some ways to help women but, I am a boob looker! I’m a bit shamed but I am going to continue to look at boobs! If I’m out with my daughter and something attractive walks passed, I’ll give it a second glance, my daughter says -  stop staring. She picks me up on my lewd behaviour. I like to think I can adore what comes before me. I like to have a good look. 

Will you stop? I feel I should know better but ultimately we are animals and it is part and parcel of being a bloke. Most people are heterosexual and are attracted to the opposite sex. That's the whole point - to  get together and have kids. Part of that process is how you are attracted to each other. Certain people go for certain things. Why shouldn’t I? I certainly wouldn’t do anything. 

Men are afraid to speak out. There's no chance of any banter anymore. You cant sidle up to women and have a bit of a chit chat and a joke. Men are afraid that someone is going to take a front and they’ll be up in front of HR. I think some things are in danger of going too far. Flirting is a part of life as far as I'm concerned. I’d never molest someone. There has to be respect but sadly - I still look!

There are young girls that go around with next to nothing on and I know it's their right to do that. I'm not saying they're asking for it. I would never ever think that but at the same token, you must expect people to look. 

MORE COMING - MEN TALK - OUT SOON!