Transcript

File: gotellwilfred-oh-television_M.mp3

Speakers:

WG – Wilfred Gotell

KP – Ken Perlman

WG [When] radio and television started -- came in the houses, that's when they really died down.

KP That was when?

WG 25, 30 years ago, they started to dwindle down then.

KP Arount 1960?

WG Around that, because there was nothing else to do. You'd have your little house parties, but then television came. If you weren't playing music, you were going to card socials, eh and card plays. They used to play for ducks, geese, pies, cakes, and anything at all, you know. The sociability was a lot better then with your neighbor-- You knew everyone, you'd meet friends. But since television came in the houses, things changed drastically.

KP How is it different now?

WG Well when you go in a house and television is on I don't feel comfortable at all, in any house I go in if the television is left on I figure that I'm interfering with the program ... just feel as you're not wanted, eh. I could be wrong, but if the set is shut off fine but if they leave it on and be squinting at the television, and say a few words I just don't feel comfortable at all.

KP Does that happen often?

WG Yes, quite often.

KP Then they wouldn't want to be hearing music?

WG No, but it don't happen here, if anyone comes in the television's off. But it took a lot of the socialbility of life away. You don't go and meet your neighbor, go down to where we used to have the parties.You don't seem to associate so much with them and you miss that too, you know. I blame it on the television anyway. It's one of the big factors I think.