The Thousands

Aside from a guaranteed lack of acoustic privacy courtesy of that intricate fanlight above your bedroom door, bungalows have given us the ubiquitous front verandah. All over Adelaide front verandahs are being neglected, going through a life deprived of good times, bereft of cigarette butts, spilt beer/wine and roaring laughter.

The front verandah inhabits a strange middle ground between the public sphere and the privacy of the home. You observe passers-by, as they do you, but you have the higher ground (we endorse benevolent heckling only), they can hear you and vice-versa (if they so wish to participate in your game of community spirit).  Some, more daring front veranda advocates I am acquainted with have been known to invite strangers up for a drink, with varying results. Hanging on your front verandah is the equivalent to LA Porch Chillin’ or NY Stoop Sitting and can be found pictured in many a photography anthology.

To anyone who does not have a front verandah, I’m sure you have at least one friend who has the privilege of owning one and whom you have known long enough for the usual interpersonal boundaries to not apply. Arrive and take a seat before they get home from work, but don’t be an asshole, go bearing drinks. How could they be angry stepping up to their front verandah to a free beverage and your stupid smile?