My type of man. Minus the maulings. Myself never had family like that but grew up surrounded with some of it...I know what you’ve said .... and understand... working class life is hard but it also learns some to either be exactly the same or to move on to something different.... when you’ve got nowt, you understand what “ your last penny means”
If you were on his good side you had a loyal mate for life.
You’re totally right though it taught me to go the exact opposite extreme.
I have to really fight the inclination when I’m vexed though because I know he passed that spirit on to me of wanting to fight.
And if you’ve been surrounded by that influence it’s a struggle to resist.
All my dad’s family were tough and often had fights at family parties...I can’t believe I survived it, I must have been breathing in so much toxic cigarette smoke and alcohol fumes in my child hood like many of us but I’m fond of those memories?
They could all sing and being working class they knew how to stick up for each other from “outsiders” they were great days.
I guess we all just like Moz hanker back because people were genuine and families were close and when they go we didn’t realise how the emptiness would catch us out.