Stacey & J Sbu East Coast Radio - Catch Up

Living in KZN throws you together with a colourful bunch! Our neighbours are a wild mix, from braai-sharing besties to late-night karaoke champions.

Last week, we asked the residents of sunny KZN to tell us about their good, bad, and ugly neighbour stories.

Onyx Moon wrote:
“I had a nosy neighbour of a neighbour who suggested putting CCTV up in my yard (and others) that she can monitor from her house for a small monthly fee.”

Kathy Petherbridge, who lives in Ireland, said:
“Our neighbour thinks he's the Mayor of our Estate. (Live in Ireland). He ordered a shed, he has no side access to his yard. So, he sends the builders into our yard, they lifted the fence and moved the shed bit by bit through our yard. Did not get permission. We were at work, my daughter was home alone and nearly had a heart attack seeing strange men in the backyard.”

Tess Kirpal’s husband had some advice for their neighbour:
“We lived in a complex and my husband finished work before me and a woman from one of the other flats would always come strolling about and lurking near our flat. Hubby told her to be useful and rather walk with a broom next time and sweep the complex that way she can get swept off her feet. She never came back to our side.”

Stacey and J Sbu heard about recently read about thousands of puffy sweet treats raining down from the sky and hundreds of kids turned into marshmallow hunters in a sugary scramble.

This epic event, the Great Marshmallow Drop, saw a helicopter soaring overhead, overflowing with a fluffy white treasure trove. As the chopper approached, cheers erupted from the crowd of excited kids.

Then, with a mighty whoosh, the marshmallows blanketed the ground in a cloud of pure delight.

According to AP News, each marshmallow was a ticket to a prize bonanza. Sweets, colouring books, and even a water park pass awaited the marshmallow masters who collected the most.

Melissa Nawrocki, the mastermind behind this sugary spectacle, promised a mountain of marshmallows – a whopping 15,000 to be exact.

The helicopter made four sugary passes, showering marshmallows on different age groups, making sure every kid got a chance to snag a piece of the fluffy fun. It was a day filled with laughter, cheers, and a whole lot of marshmallow mania.

Stacey and J Sbu, along with the rest of SA, have been baffled by a colourful circle that has replaced the search bar. The duo shared their shock and confusion about the new option on their socials.

Mikayla raises an interesting point about the changing landscape of dress codes, particularly in formal settings.

She observes a growing casualness, with people opting for the comfortable options like leggings and slippers even for what were once considered more formal occasions.

This shift has sparked debate. Some, like Mikayla, believe a certain level of effort in attire is appropriate for formality, adding elegance and a sense of respect for the event.

Others may prioritise comfort or self-expression through their clothing choices.

“I'm not one to judge, but it surprises me how casually people dress nowadays, even for formal occasions. I find it odd that many opt for leggings and slippers even outside the home. I believe putting in a little effort to dress nicely isn't "extra" but rather normal. It's not as challenging as it seems, and it adds a touch of elegance and flair," she said.

There's no denying that formal attire has become more relaxed over time. What was once considered a "must-wear" for a formal event might now be deemed overly stuffy.

It's important to consider the context – a business meeting likely warrants a different approach than a wedding reception.

Ultimately, the question of formality hinges on striking a balance between comfort, personal style, and respecting the occasion's tone. There's room for interpretation and what one person finds appropriate, another might not.

Stacey Norman asked the kiddos of KZN if they had any advice for the adults in the world (and especially the ones in their lives). We heard some stern kids with tremendous opinions about various topics that they were dying to share. East Coast kiddos left Stacey, sports lead Nick Tatham and traffic wizard Athi Baliso in stitches!

Reaching adulthood does not mean that the suffering of childhood is behind us. The way we dress, the way we look, and the incessant need to be accepted by all around us continue from our teen years well into our old age.

Study.com defines adult peer pressure as any person or group who uses their influence on a decision someone else needs to make. While peer pressure more often than not is felt by kids and teens, it can also radically impact adults.

Regardless of the age group it impacts, peer pressure is regarded as unethical and has the potential to lead to negative consequences.

In adults, peer pressure can be felt in a multitude of ways including through advertisements. While we develop stronger intent and emotions as we grow, adults are still more likely to obey figures of authority in certain situations.

The South African College of Applied Psychology provided a few ways to resist and work through situations of peer pressure:

Work on your self-esteem
Having confidence in yourself allows you to feel happy with who you are and in turn, makes it difficult for you to be swayed by others.

Practice saying no
You have the right to refuse communication or leave a situation that you are not happy with. By setting healthy boundaries for yourself, you’ll ensure that you are able to protect yourself and what you stand for.

Filter your social media
Studies have shown that social media can impact people’s behaviour and the reasons why they do things. It’s essential to be part of groups that push a positive outlook on life.