Phil | St Johns

“I like going into different shops and there’s different people all the time. I nod and smile, and say hello and if I can make a conversation or something, fine. People are people, and as I get older, I just sort of feel that what’s really important is that what comes out of your mouth is so important.

It’s easy to be negative. So, hello and listening to what they say, that’s it. Just don’t judge people by how they look. Because as I said, what comes out of your mouth, if it’s going to be nasty, you can’t retract it, anyway. So, just a smile sometimes passing a person, just helps you generally. As I’ve gotten older and that, you do think about these things a hell of a lot more. I’m happy for turning out like that, and for my sons, my grand-daughters, I feel good about myself. 

I value the way the world is at the moment and, and everything like that, there’s still really not peace. Going back in the ‘80s and that, and even when I was younger, at 15 and that, even this place here, this was bustling. Now, everybody’s trying to survive, and it’s just things have just changed. In some ways, you’ve gotta fight for yourself.  I’m glad now that I’m retired, because basically I’ve worked all my life. But when I was made redundant and short, I’d have to go into Work and Income and I was basically ridiculed. Why haven’t you got a job, and all this, and I’ve worked since 15 years old, when the Herald was delivering Heralds and that. I’ve worked all my life, and I have people tell me that I should be working. I mean, do you work till you drop? I’m doing what I’m doing now, and I think that’s fine doing voluntary work. I’m giving back to the community, I’ve turned 67. I’m at peace with myself. Nobody can turn around and say, well you haven’t done this, but places like that? It’s dog eat dog, I’m afraid. It really is. 

Basically, I haven’t got much else to do. I mean, I’m heading right over there to the City Mission, which has been there about 20 years, and going to get a bargain, I’ll pick up a CD for 50 cents, or something, and I know Christine and the staff in there. Staff changes, but those two ladies have been in there more or less 20 years. I just like to keep moving, and that, basically. Keep up with friends, and that. I don’t really socialise at home. I just come out to see people, do a bit of thing, pick up a bargain and that’s about it.”