The growth of ‘grey nomadism’ has helped to re-invigorate many a rural business, the caravan park industry … and sadly, ‘cheap shot’ journalism.
After presumably running out of ideas for his weekly column, the seemingly desperate Julian Tomlinson from the Townsville Bulletin is the latest to turn to grey nomad stereotype gags.
“If you’re a grey nomad, look away now as some of the following may offend,” wrote Julian. “Actually, some of the following will offend.”
Groan! Here comes another keyboard ‘hero’.
Julian (aka Mr Predictable) – rather bizarrely – begins his column by telling readers that he fancies himself as a bit of a road warrior – like Mad Max. He then goes on to tell of his recent return journey to the Gold Coast … and of all the terrible caravans and motorhomes he ended up sitting behind.
“Nothing I write here can truly make you understand how many grey nomads are out there on the road, clogging up traffic and emptying roadhouses of their entire supplies of complimentary sugar, salt and pepper sachets,” he wrote. “There’s no use for cruise control on your car because you’ll only get a couple of kilometres at a time before you’ll have to slow down again behind another van … I wouldn’t have minded if they’d actually do the speed limit but for some reason, they all sat on 70-80km/h, blissfully ignorant of the 20 cars stacked up behind them.”
Gosh! They all did that! All of them! Truly incredible! ‘Mr Predictable’ then decides that making a few cheap jokes about grey nomad bumper stickers is the way to go.
“Just to enrage their fellow drivers even more, some vans had funny little slogans plastered on them, along with a two-way radio channel,” he wrote. “Merle and Bob are living the dream. Beep beep! Ch 64, read one sign featuring the Road Runner. Esther and Phil – spending the kids’ inheritance! Ch 42, read another one.”
Oooh, I sense Mr Predictable is gearing up for a thrilling climax to his non-award winning column. Here it comes.
“I seriously considered getting a CB so I could say: “Hey, Bob. One of your rear van wheels looks a bit wobbly. Better pull over, mate,” he wrote. “That’s something Mad Max would do, isn’t it?”
Ouch, Julian! You wicked wordsmith, you! Julian can be contacted on julian.tomlinson@townsvillebulletin.com.au Is Julian’s article just a bit of a harmless (if unoriginal) attempt at fun, or is he helping to perpetuate negative stereotypes that are potentially harmful? Email us here with your views on this story.
