Diners debate gentrification, mental health and second homes in London

Paul, 62, from London, and Rupert, 36, from Worthing, ate together at Chez Antoinette in London SW1 and discussed gentrification, mental health and second homes.

Paul, a retired software engineer, said he sees gentrification 'as basically a social good', arguing it mixes communities and 'avoids the creation of ghettoes that aren’t diverse' while not changing inequality. Rupert, a psychotherapy trainee, described gentrification more phenomenologically, associating it with 'the eye-rolling predictability' of gentrified places and noting Worthing now has a Gail’s.

On mental health Paul described, in his words, 'over-medicalisation' and urged acceptance of variation. Rupert said he values what a diagnosis can do when it helps someone 'feel heard and seen', and the account notes Paul is from a 'very neurodiverse sector, working in software'.

They did not convince each other but left on friendly terms and swapped numbers; Paul said 'we left it very friendly, we even swapped phone numbers. The restaurant had to kick us out.' Rupert reflected the discussion reiterated his fear that holding a different position could lead to being dismissed, though he welcomed the sharing of perspectives.

Key Topics

Culture, Gentrification, Mental Health, Worthing, London, Psychotherapy