Hi all, do any of you remember the Indian salesmen that used to come round the doors?

I was young at the time and was terrified of them. I think it was because they looked completely different to everyone else. The big white turbans, their brown skin and particularly their accents scared the living daylights out of me. I used to imagine they were going to rush past my mother (God help them if they'd tried) and get into our house.

My mother had a habit of keeping them at the door, much to my dismay, while they opened their suitcases to show what they had to sell. I always remember clinging onto her skirt and hiding.

I wonder how they came to be here all those years ago?

Way past my bed-time. Was watching LA Confidential for the umpteenth time and came in for a cuppa. Couldn't resist the Forum but now I can't be bothered watching the end of the film. Know it all anyway.

So, goodnight everyone, sleep well.

Hi Ann .

We had the Indian Gentleman in our street , even if nothing was bought , as money was tight , he always left with my Mother a lucky Sea Shell.
All the best .
Tommy

Hi Ann,
I well remember the salesmen.
they had to have an escort in Leamington.

The Indians also came out to the country,
I remember them getting off the bus.
They would always give my mother
a "lucky bean". We were always scared
of them too, I think because of the
turban they wore.

My Da used to talk to the Indians in their language as he spent a long time in India. He always made curry & once the Indian came in for some, as then none of us would eat it. I remember, as a child, him giving me a lovely silk scarf, but I didnt like them either, too strange & always smiling slyly. My Mother was afraid of them too as they always pushed their way into the house on some pretext. People had no money then for their wares. They used to spread out scarves, blouses & things from a suitcase. They had black beards & a big turbans & gold rings on their fingers. Creepy. Talk about racial discrimation now, we were very parochial then, anyone even from the next street was a stranger, there were the Lowroaders, the Countydowners, the Longstoners, the Lambegers, etc. Pat

Hi all. Well, not a bit of wonder I was afraid of them. I didn't know they got into our house, but something must have stayed in the back of my mind. I don't remember my father making curry but then I was VERY young you know.

Imagine my mother was afraid of them too and they were able to push their way past her - didn't know that either.

What happened her on that day? I can't ever visualize anyone pushing past m'ma. Can you?

Yes, creepy, the white teeth and false smile. Also the gibberish language. Trust m'da to talk to them. Remember what he got from talking to the Mormons one day?

No wonder my mother went out and trailed him from the front door, slamming it in the process, to the surprise of two young, well-dressed Mormons many years later.

M'da would have talked to anybody.

I think I remember hearing that he brought a prisoner of war home to our house in East Down View for a meal. You may confirm this. I'm sure the poor prisoner didn't get much.

Ann,
Yes he did bring a prisoner to the house en route to the barracks, for a meal but he got "the Devil to eat " from my Ma. The poor prisoner was glad to escape to his cell for safety. Such a house, no wonder I fled to my Granny's, until I started work then I had to return with the unopened pay packet every Friday, got 2 & 6 pocket money & thought I was rich. I always sympathised with my Da, he was a gentle man with dry humour, caught in a world he did,nt understand after the War.
Pat