h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Why would washing lines be illegal?

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'Damaging effect on the street scene', I guess.

They violated zoning laws and were considered an eyesore that would lower home values. When I read an article about a California woman fighting this law, adamantly refusing to take down her clothesline, I found it surprising as the typical image of California is a state at the lead of environmental ideals. That they would require homeowners to use energy wasting electric dryers seemed at odds with that image.

'Zoning laws'...?
Having dry clothes lowers property prices?
Still confused. Are these washing lines likely to be on the front lawn, or at the back of the house? I wouldn't dry clothes where they're potentially easily pinched by passers-by, but if a washing line is at the back of your house would anyone notice?

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Here's an article from 2009.

http://www.latimes.com/style/la-hm-clothesline7-2009feb07-story.html

Interesting, so the troublemaker imported the custom from Surrey - it's one of the posher areas.

We probably have by-laws in much of the UK prohibiting hanging out washing at the front of your house, but just about everybody who has a back yard here has a rotary drier in it.

there are laws in Germany that forbid the hanging out of washing on a Sunday.

Today's PH.

Someone famous dies. Other famous people and not so famous people get vox popped for hours on end. All saying the same thing. And it goes on all day with new people saying old stuff all day.

A good sized critique by Andy or Liz Kershaw, Stuart Maconie or Whispering Bob Harris would suffice. (Actually, Bob Harris got a look in around lunch time).

PP.

"Why would washing lines be illegal?"

...I don't get it either, none of this makes any sense, there's too many pointless stupid "laws", how anyone can stand to have the government breathing down their necks over EVERYTHING and how there's enough of these nitpicky self-righteous people to get such overbearing "laws" passed in the first place is mindboggling...

sorry, PP, but in this case it was to be expected. Bowie, I think, more than any other modern musician made a MASSIVE difference to people's lives. Don't forget he's been going since the 60s.

I saw a few warnings this morning that people who can't hack it need to just do themselves a favour and stay off the internet for a day or two until it's all died down.

My own objections to clotheslines; exposed to blowing dust the laundry is soiled or stained, so if I use one, I use it indoors; clothines strung at eye or neck level can become serious safety hazards, especially if they sag.

The only problem I have is that the birds make a mess on the washing - especially in autumn when the elder berries are ripe. The Americans are probably just being prude and don't like looking at other people's knickers flapping in the breeze. To me, the sight of washing on lines is nostalgic and romantic, and the smell of bedlinen that has been outside to dry is insurpassable.

I've always lived in chalk and clay soil areas, so never had to worry about dust. It doesn't blow but sticks to your shoes when wet, and is very slippy to walk/run on in winter (which is another petty hate).

Can't help about the , though, but fortunately it isn't a big problem.

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I've had trouble from birds for years with a washing line near our cherry tree. This year invested in a rotary drier which has proved very successful. I can also hide my knickers behind other stuff!

The Washing Line Hokey Cokey

You put your undies on
Your socks on next
Then you put the kids clothes on followed by your vest.
You put bigger and bigger items on as you work your way on out
That's what it's all about

Oh, drying on the rotary!
Oh, drying on the rotary!
Oh, drying on the rotary!
Knees bend, pick clothes up; peg! Peg! Peg!

So as you put the small items in the middle and the bigger items on the outside, so all people can see are your sheets and .

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You have to hang smalls on the inside and sheets on the outside, as the sheets will only fit on the longer sections.

I think making 'a 'massive' difference to people's lives' may be overstating it a bit.

And I don't argue that he has been a hugely popular modern figure, but the sycophantic mass of interviews by minor celebs wheeled out for no good reason when ANYBODY dies is my PH. Yes. It was to be expected.

(Please don't apply the slapping hand).

PP

I don't think it's overstating it. I've listened to my gay friends, some older than me, and my bi friends, and my little-bit-weird friends all talk about him over the years and the impact he had on their lives. And it's impressive.

but I wouldn't slap you for saying that PP