Food banks

Phew. Thanks Doodledog
I was expecting to get it in the neck!

Why is making shampoo out of bits of soap ridiculous? My mother did that and so have I occasionally.

Well, each to her own, and I see nothing wrong with collecting bits of soap to press together to make more soap, or using one of those 'soap-catcher' bags, but soap on your hair will make it dull and lifeless. You can get a bottle of own-brand shampoo for pennies - probably less than the cost of boiling up the soap - and the tweets about the home-made shampoo had all manner of top-end cosmetics in the background of the photo. And that is just one of the numerous 'contradictions' in her posts.

I'm not getting into a forensic analysis of JM's persona, but google it if you think she is on the level.

To be honest, I'm not interested enough to investigate. She's been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and was an alcoholic and self-harmer. I find her somewhat irritating, but she doesn't deserve the abuse she gets, nor does her character negate some of the comments she makes about poverty.

I was just curious about the soap/shampoo comment because it's something I've done in the past, following my mother's example. My grandmother always kept bits of soap in a jar and used to make handwash with it or put it in the laundry.

PS. I don't remember my hair becoming dull and lifeless, when I washed it with soap, especially as I rinsed it with vinegar.

Handwash and laundry soap is not shampoo.

Even Good Housekeeping is in on the act of making shampoo out of soap.

www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a20705785/homemade-shampoo-conditioner-recipes/

If anyone is interested in Jack Monroe
This is very well researched (if somewhat difficult to read due to small print)

katieroche.net/jack_monroe_investigation_main.html

Doodledog

Handwash and laundry soap is not shampoo.

Who said anything about laundry soap?

My grandmother used to put bits of ordinary soap in her laundry - not laundry soap.

And I can assure my hair was just fine when I've washed it with soap.

Has this morphed into the "Who do we hate today?" thread.

I was just wondering the same, growstuff!

Oh, forgive me, I thought that we were having a discussion.

For the record, and not that it matters to the thread, I do think that JM makes very relevant points about poverty. The highlighting of how prices of 'basic' foods were rising faster than those of 'luxury' ones was well-made. There may have been good business reasons for this (the cost of packaging as a percentage of the cost price of pasta etc), but there is no pretending that Tesco et al can't afford to take a hit on the basics.

I admire JM for that sort of thing, but her personal stories simply do not add up. Does she live in a rented flat with an annual lease that is coming up, or is she planning to buy a London house with her (now ex) partner? Does she scrape a paltry living by working from a laptop in the bedroom, or dis lockdown stop her from 'touring' as an entertainer, making her eligible for furlough payments? It goes on and on.

I sympathise with her for her MH issues, alcoholism and self-harming, but none of those things excuses what seem to be bare-faced lies, particularly when used to get money from the vulnerable. I am not in a position to judge whether she 'deserves' abuse (who is?). I don't like to see abuse, butI do feel that financially vulnerable people (a large part of her audience) should be told whose coffers they are contributing to.

FannyCornforth

Oh, forgive me, I thought that we were having a discussion.

You can't do that on here without one part of a post being picked on in an attempt to discredit the rest. I also thought this was a discussion/chat and let my guard down - I
should have known better.

FWIW I don't 'hate' anyone.

I've never heard of anyone using soap for shampoo. However my father always used Fairy Liquid. In fact he wrote to them explaining his hair washing habit and thanking them etc etc. He got quite a stern letter back telling him that washing up liquid should not be used on hair. He was quite upset by the response! Sulked for days.

I've used soap as shampoo, shampoo as washing liquid, and washing up liquid as shampoo.

The joys of stretching things until payday.

Fairy Liquid will strip the oils from hair. It is widely used to (deliberately) remove spinning oils from yarns that have been oiled for weaving or machine knitting - the Fairy brand in particular.

I doubt it will cause long-term damage, and have used it myself in an emergency, but different products are formulated for different purposes. I dare say if you have oily hair Fairy Liquid might be the very thing . I remember my friend's dad, who wore Brylcreem in the 70s, using it for the rare occasions when he washed his hair. The unoiled version was so different from the Brylcreemed one . We had to make our own entertainment in those days, but it was quite a treat for we children .

Doodledog

FannyCornforth

Oh, forgive me, I thought that we were having a discussion.

You can't do that on here without one part of a post being picked on in an attempt to discredit the rest. I also thought this was a discussion/chat and let my guard down - I
should have known better.

FWIW I don't 'hate' anyone.

All I asked was why the claim that soap could be turned into shampoo was ridiculous. Jeez!

Errmm ... yes, lockdown would have stopped her from giving talks and interviews, for which she's presumably paid. She would have been eligible for furlough, which wasn't just for employed people not able to go to a place of work. HMRC would have determined her eligibility based on her previous year's tax return.

My grandmother always used diluted bicarbonate of soda to wash her hair - and a vinegar rinse to make it shiny. She had glorious auburn waves. (I do the same, due to allergies - my hair is OK). Yes, my uncle used Fairy liquid to get the Brylcreem out too - then slapped on more. Antimacassars were perched on every chair in the house!

FannyCornforth

Farzanah

Having a food bank does not preclude other initiatives to help people improve their lot such as money management, CV writing and how to prepare for job interviews to name a few. Our local food bank does all that and it is a food bank plus.
I wonder what evidence the vicar you spoke to has Sago that food banks are “massively abused”?

Dickens Jack Monroe has indeed been very open about her struggles and how poverty grinds you down. She is inspirational but has suffered so much abuse on social media. Once you put yourself out there sadly that is what happens.

Jack Monroe has made up quite a bit of stuff. Much of what she has recounted about her life just does not add up.
Of course, I’m not excusing any abuse.

I don't know a lot about Jack Monroe, just to be clear.

What do you believe she has "made up" that doesn't add up?

I realise people sometimes exaggerate for effect and I don't doubt Jack has done so... but actually making things up is a different thing altogether.

Dickens see DD’s posts and the link that I posted.
Or Google Jack Monroe inconsistencies

FannyCornforth

Dickens see DD’s posts and the link that I posted.
Or Google Jack Monroe inconsistencies

Thanks for the info.

Obviously, this 'research' is going to take some time.

It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction. Especially when there is a political bias - both from Monroe and her critics.

Doodledog

I find this level of intrusiveness into others' circumstances troubling.

If I thought that a neighbour knew that I was using a food bank, that I has a bus pass, that I used it twice a week, but not on the foodbank day when I took a taxi, and that s/he was discussing all of that with someone else, I would be deeply uncomfortable. Serious question - do people feel the need to know and discuss facts like these about those who are more comfortably off, or is it just the poor whose lives are scrutinised?

Agreed.

I find knowing anything private, about anyone, very intrusive.

Our Church Food Pantry has no rules, people determine their own needs. Church membership (as a whole) is informed weekly of the current requirements, wants, needs and availability of foods, cleaning supplies, nappies, pet food. Usually in late November needs of small Christmas items are noted, same in the spring for Easter. Also a clothing closet/ cupboard --necessities like pants, socks, coats, gloves, and again - baby items & nappies.

Less intrusion in the lives of people, more help, no rules.

Bible based honour system, works very well.

It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction. Especially when there is a political bias - both from Monroe and her critics.
I agree with he politically - I just don't like exploitation and/or mendacity. I think she does her cause more harm than good by being so 'inconsistent' - it makes it look as though the truths she tells are also false.

Re the soap issue. We can all say not to use this or that but, if you’re desperate, using soap now and then to wash hair is no big deal. I’ve used washing up liquid when I ran out of shampoo. Not regularly, but odd occasions. No detrimental effect at all. Better than having dirty greasy hair.
Collecting soap off cuts: loads of articles years ago about doing that. Melting odds and ends down and using to make a new bar. I’ve never done it but it was well known in the past. Rainbow soap!