Alex, 32, Isle of Wight
Occupation Social employee
Voting document Typically Labour, Inexperienced every so often
Amuse bouche When Alex was a baby, she as soon as appeared on CBeebies’ Teletubbies
Robert, 70, Isle of Wight
Occupation Artist, freelance journalist
Voting document Labour
Amuse bouche Robert used to maintain rats as pets
For starters
Robert Alex arrived later than I did. I used to be ready on an awfully excessive chair, which, with my little legs, was a little bit of a problem.
Alex I used to be exterior with the photographer. I joked that he’d stood us up however he was inside on a regular basis.
Robert We shared a seafood lobster platter. The largest divide was a generational one. We’re each middle-class, comparatively well-educated, pretty clever individuals. The probabilities of us falling on the ground and beating one another over the pinnacle with a croissant weren’t nice.
Alex Robert had by no means had lobster. I couldn’t inform if he was a bit anxious originally, or bored. He didn’t ask me numerous questions, however usually I feel he has a extremely heat coronary heart.
Robert I’m used to coping with people who find themselves politically concerned. Topics arose about which she actually didn’t have an opinion. I believed I might discover an space of controversy on the Palestine query, however she stated: “You’d have to teach me about that.” That’s uncommon within the circles I transfer in.
The massive beef
Alex He stated: “Don’t go there with trans,” so I used to be like, we’ll positively go there then. I used to be introduced up in a really open family – my mum was in a relationship with a girl for a few years. I’ve numerous mates who’re homosexual and transgender. He stated that when he was a boy, boys have been girls and boys have been ladies.
Robert It’s a phenomenon I don’t perceive. It doesn’t imply I’m not sympathetic. I’m simply ignorant with reference to trans points. I’ve recognized three or 4 individuals who modified intercourse; one who was pretty aged, and his lifetime stammer disappeared.
Alex He didn’t speak about his personal sexuality. He did say some issues that have been a bit “old-mannish” – one thing about having had plenty of sexual encounters. I feel he stated he’d wish to have extra. I stated, “Proper, I don’t assume we’re right here to debate that.” He’s not married; he might be homosexual, however I don’t assume it was that simple.
Robert I’m as homosexual as a gang of gibbons.
Sharing plate
Alex He actually challenged my views on the vaccine. I really feel those that wish to be vaccinated ought to be: I’m. However I hate the media in the intervening time for persecuting anybody who is just not vaccinated. I perceive some individuals being anxious about it, and don’t really feel they need to be labelled as conspiracy theorists. Then Robert stated: “Do you assume all carers working with essentially the most weak individuals ought to be vaccinated?” And I believed: “Oh God, I feel I do, and I don’t wish to.”
For afters
Robert I do take satisfaction within the establishment of the royal household. I used to be anticipating her to say they need to be elected, but it surely was the sense of privilege she objected to.
Alex They’re to date faraway from something I’m conscious of – there’s nothing relatable. My husband grew up within the Netherlands, the place the king was a pilot with the airline KLM, and the Dutch are so pleased with that.
Takeaways
Alex I positively gained’t go into conversations with 70-year-olds considering they’ll robotically have totally different views from me. Based mostly on age, I believed we might be way more totally different than we have been, and I feel that was ageist.
Robert Though there was a 40-year age distinction, it actually didn’t matter. There have been issues she didn’t find out about and I did, and there have been definitely issues she knew that I didn’t. Individuals typically have a hard and fast view, however our dialog was extra interactive than that. Neither of us was standing on a soapbox … even when the chairs we have been sitting on felt prefer it.
Fast Information
Saturday journal
Present
This text comes from Saturday, the new print magazine from the Guardian which mixes the very best options, tradition, way of life and journey writing in a single stunning bundle. Obtainable now within the UK and ROI.
Further reporting: Rachel Obordo
Alex and Robert ate at Smoking Lobster, Cowes
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