How can I face them again?: When I run from home... - Couch to 5K

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How can I face them again?

33 Replies

When I run from home there is a nice route of exactly 5K that starts exactly 5 minute walk from my house, it is perfect. Just at the point where I start and finish my run there is a lovely bungalow. The owners, a retired couple and are always working in their garden rain or shine. Their whole plot is like one big allotment with fruit and vegetables everywhere. They always say "good morning" or "good afternoon" then "enjoy your run" and smile. When I mentioned this to various people they said "oh you mean Barbara and Tom", and "yes they are lovely" or words to that effect.

For the last couple of months I have replied, "Morning Tom", or "Morning Barbara" and then started my run. A few days ago I heard Barbara call out to Tom from the front door "Ken, phone call," and he turned to go in. I thought it a bit odd but then some people do have pet names for their partners. Today I heard Tom call out the name 'Carol', now that seemed strange too.

I mentioned this to my husband when I got in and he laughed and said that Tom and Barbara are not their real names, people just refer to them as that because their surname is Good and they grow all their own veg. "Well, why is that so funny" I said. "Haven't you ever seen The Good Life TV series" he replied. "No, what is that?" Out came the tablet and on to YouTube.

Well, how was I to know? The series ended years before I was born. He said the program is a classic and could not believe I had never seen or heard of it. Of course, when I told him I had been using those names when saying good morning he nearly wet himself laughing. He still starts laughing again every time he looks at me.

I spoke with my younger sister on the phone just now and told her about what I have been calling this couple. That made things worse, as rather than get sympathy from someone else who had not heard of this program she too could not contain her laugh. "How did you not know that" she said, "it is a classic". "So I have heard" I said and hung up the phone.

How on earth am I going to face them next time? Have I got to try and find another route that does not pass them? Does everyone know about the program? HELP!!

oh, the embarrassment!!

:( :(

33 Replies
roseabi profile image
roseabi

Oh dear! But I wouldn't worry, I suspect that they, like me, will find it funny and pretty flattering! xxx

in reply toroseabi

I dread that they either think I am taking the 'P' or that I am that stupid as not to realise (which evidently is the case!) :(

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply to

It's hard to know about a TV show that was on before you were born xx

in reply toroseabi

But my younger sister did! I was hoping I had an ally in her.

roseabi profile image
roseabi in reply to

Well, I am quite surprised she did! 😊

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

😁. Don’t worry at all. I’m sure they won’t 😃

MoonahSton profile image
MoonahSton

Don’t worry! Although you didn’t know it it’s rather a witty compliment. They were tv gold

:-)

It’s not like you shouted good morning to a Victor Meldrew. That would be bad form!

in reply toMoonahSton

At least I have heard of him!

MoonahSton profile image
MoonahSton in reply to

Honestly it’s fine. It’s a compliment :-)

I keep thinking of waaay worse scenarios- morning Hyacinth Bucket ! And so on ...

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Hahaha , Brilliant 🤣

HOMEWORKER20 profile image
HOMEWORKER20

Look at this way you put a smilecon their faces.

Magellan profile image
MagellanGraduate

Tom and Barbara were rather sweet. The central characters were the two of them and their neighbours, Jerry and Margo. None of them were terrible people, but Margo was snobbish and annoying, and Tom & Barbara were very much the heroes of the piece. Felicity Kendall played Barbara, she was considered rather attractive, and Richard Briers who played Tom wasn't ugly.

I don't think they'll feel insulted.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

This is something I’d do 🤣

Don’t worry about it. You could always explain it to them and all have a giggle about it.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate

I wouldn't worry about it. If they were bothered about being called by the wrong names then surely they'd have the gumption to correct you?

Rennur profile image
RennurGraduate

Don't tell me you live in Surbiton as well.

Jerry, this strange young man keeps calling me Barbara.

Watch it It's a classic.

It was even mentioned in "The Young Ones" and I don't mean the Cliff Richard film as I am not that old, that's why I didn't mention it. DOH.

Enjoy your next embarrassing run!

WillsMum68 profile image
WillsMum68Graduate

I spent three years calling a mum at school Melissa......I only found out after her children left that she was called Jane 😳 She was so polite not to say anything! I’ve also been talking to a man in my village since we moved in a year ago, petting his dog and chatting to Hamish.....the dog’s name is Brodie 🤦‍♀️ So don’t worry, it happens to us all!!

coolfemme profile image
coolfemmeGraduate

Too funny, I'm sure they were amused. Just keep saying it but with more of a grin. As though you knew all along. Totally flattering and as someone said, could have been Hyacinth and Victor, not nearly as flattering.

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate

Oh everyone does know the programme, and particularly the residents of that bungalow! Sorry, you'll just have to own up!

midgetdisco profile image
midgetdisco

Once spent an evening calling a visitor Joe, his name was Eddie.

Slothgoesrunning profile image
SlothgoesrunningGraduate

😂bet they love it (and probably think you are a crazy but friendly runner 😜)

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate

Perhaps they refer to you as Wonderwoman!

Elfrun profile image
Elfrun

Ha Ha the theme tune instantly started playing in my head 🤣 😂 😅

Fazwaz profile image
FazwazGraduate

😂😂😂 this cracked me up!!

TotalNewbie1 profile image
TotalNewbie1Graduate

Brilliant, I called another mum at the school the wrong name for a whole year before she asked me why I kept calling her Rachel when she was Carol. I was mortified, but then wondered how she felt not liking to correct me for all that time.

I am sure they will be fine, and find it quite funny. Carry on your route and one day stop and talk to them.

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

Brilliant! 😂 Name mistakes is part of life - no worries. They were obviously supremely unconcerned because they greeted you so happily. Don’t change your route - they will miss you! Familiar faces saying hello is one of the great pleasures of front garden gardening. 😄

PS I think you could seamlessly change to using their real names, or explain & chuckle with them, whichever you prefer - I’m sure they are used to this scenario.

Surreychica_1 profile image
Surreychica_1

🤣🤣🤣 Love that. But just call them by their correct names and pretend that you have never called them anything else.

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

Funny 🤣🤣🤣.My sister is forever channelling her inner Margo! In fact she's more Margo than Margo. If the couple are that nice they would probably find it funny if you told them why.

Triphazard profile image
TriphazardGraduate

Now I feel old ... and nostalgic 🤣 I honestly wouldn’t worry, if they haven’t been giving you disapproving looks I’m sure they’ve taken it in good humour. Personally, if it was me it would have amused me no end. Just smile confidently next time you go past.

Health2020 profile image
Health2020Graduate

I’m sorry I don’t mean to laugh but that is hilarious 😂 Next time I am wanting to stop on my run I’m going to think of this and it will cheer me up. I don’t think the couple will mind in the slightest. X

Well I did it. I plucked up the courage to do a run passed their house. I was almost hoping that for once they would not be outside but on such a lovely day there was no such chance.As I reached their gate I could see Tom/Ken pottering about so I called out "Excuse me", (carefully not using his name). He walked over and I apologised for calling them Tom and Barbara and explained why I thought that was their names. I was so relieved when he laughed and told me not to worry, everybody does it.

Apparently it all started as a private joke when his neighbours said that it was like living next to Tom and Barbara when they first expanded their vegetable patch. They replied that it would make them Jerry and Margo and that's how they have referred to each other ever since. Some people get the joke, others (like me) just assumed that was their names. He said just keep calling them Tom and Barbara, if I call them by their real names it will confuse people. I got the impression that they quite like it.

Oh, and their surname is not Good, that is just a rumour that seems to have taken hold.

I am so relieved. :)

My darling little sister failed to tell me that the reason she knew about the TV series was that she researched a lot of film and TV for her dissertation which was on "The affect media has on reinforcing the stereotyping of the modern social classes". I think she chose that subject as she could watch TV and call it work!!

I did spend a bit of time over the weekend watching more YouTube clips of the series and it does look funny. My husband said he is not sure when he was first aware of the series but remembers seeing various clips on one of the outtakes programs on TV recently. We will have to find out where we can watch a few episodes in full.

Thanks for all your replies, it did help me decide that apologising was better than finding another running route. I also know who Hyacinth Bucket is now too!! :)

:)

:)

Health2020 profile image
Health2020Graduate in reply to

Fabulous ❤️ x

MoonahSton profile image
MoonahSton

Yay! Yay! Yay! Well done you for being bold!! How fitting that ‘Tom’ was lovely about it. Sounds like he enjoyed chatting to you. You’ve given them a nice lockdown story to tell too. Brilliant!

I’m just working out what my route will be... and wondering which characters I might see on my way!

p.s. hope you heard Hyacinth’s “the Bouquet residence - the lady of the house speaking!!”

in reply toMoonahSton

I am compiling a list of these 'classic' programs that I want to take a look at in more detail, Mrs Bucket's being one of them. My sister watched a lot of the programs from that era for her degree dissertation and said that I need to watch a few episodes to get accustom to the humor of the day. That would seem true as I love "Allo Allo" now, but initially didn't get it. Its one of those programs that can use the same joke again and again but it is still funny every time. 😀😀😀

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