Arcades in the day and growing up

[mysticmonk]

My local city arcade was pretty smart and the police would pop in for a game on a regular basis, sometimes undercover. You could tell because they would be playing something like captain commando and feeding it £1 coins ( a lot of money back then! ) without really concentrating on the game.

The locals tended to look out for each others, naturally like any public place a few times there were fights between individuals - but it was not tolerated and the staff would take care of it.

Now and again random people 'asked' for money (or 'being shaken down' as it was known) but I always found the best/cheaper solution was to offer somebody a free credit, they would go from wanting to rob you to your best friend instantly.

In some ways you do learn some useful social skills in that kind of environment, such as how to be tactful when you beat somebody at a vs game.

The undercover cops missed a trick by not playing undercover cops

 

[Bods]

My local ones were the same, always kinda on your guard, to be honest It's probably the fact they had Fruit machines as well that attracted the desperate addicted type that needed some money for the next Gambling and or Drugs fix.
I remember in the Cascade one once a black lad saying we need to give him some money or he'll put our heads through the machine, problem is the shite hole parts just outside city centres which are a short walk away doesn't help

But then you could be just walking down the street in day time near where we lived and some white guy that looked like he'd been sniffing glue or on drugs just randomly tried to kick me in the nuts, don't know why but I got a sense of something was going to happen and I raised my leg up and blocked him, then threatened some more verbally

 

[TheDaddy]

We didn't have any close to us so I realy only got to play in arcades when we went on holiday. Still lots of idiots around our town , they just hung around the snooker halls and cinema's. They will always find a place to congregate and ruined things for others no matter what.

Sorry to hear about your Friend Retroman , I have a lost a few to Drink & Drugs and there is no way you can help them. Once they start they cant stop , Same as smoking. I gave up 5 years ago & will always be a smoker , If i take one puff I am a full time smoker again. ( I fancy a Benson & Hedges now as I just had me dinner !)

Dave.