Drag Queens, Peer Pressure and What To Watch

What is Romesh like in drag? And what would Shanthi's drag king name be? In this Thursday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi answer your listener dilemmas, from dealing with pressure to drink, to an awkward case of mistaken identity. Plus, Romesh tells us all about the 'Rob & Romesh Vs Drag' episode and what he learnt about 'tucking' and Shanthi decides on her drag king alter ego. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media. Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:29 Some show recommendations 09:05 A question on drag 10:48 A ding-dong mistake 14:10 Shanthi as a drag king 15:24 A query on sobriety 26:14 A case of racism? 29:47 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• 0:00Speaker 00

  Oh.

• 0:00Speaker 01

  You look so good now. Normally, the selection of clothes, beautiful, yeah. Who selected it?

• 0:07Speaker 00

  Me.

• 0:09Speaker 01

  Nah.

• 0:10Speaker 00

  Yeah. Who selected yours?

• 0:13Speaker 01

  Me?

• 0:14Speaker 00

  Nah.

• 0:16Speaker 00

  So it hurts, doesn't it?

• 0:18Speaker 01

  Doesn't hurt me.

• 0:20Speaker 00

  Ready?

• 0:21Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 0:31Speaker 01

  With me, Shanti.

• 0:35Speaker 00

  Liquoring piece. It's time for the Thursday edition of the Romesh Ranga fucking Nathan show. People have, a couple of people have commented that I shouldn't swear in front of you.

• 0:46Speaker 01

  Front of me? I don't mind, but if, uh, people don't like it, uh, especially Sri Lankans. They are saying that there's no respect for your mother.

• 0:56Speaker 00

  I know.

• 0:56Speaker 01

  That's what it is.

• 0:57Speaker 00

  And what do we say to them? Fuck you! Every Thursday, we discuss Monday's episode and answer your questions. You can ask us anything, can't you, Mum?

• 1:06Speaker 01

  Of course, anything.

• 1:07Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 1:08Speaker 01

  We are open to it.

• 1:09Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 1:10Speaker 01

  Yeah, ask anything and.

• 1:11Speaker 00

  You're all right.

• 1:12Speaker 01

  I'm fine, I'm fine.

• 1:13Speaker 00

  You look like you went across your legs and then thought better of it.

• 1:17Speaker 01

  Yeah, because I thought, yeah, I can, can I?

• 1:19Speaker 00

  Yeah, I don't, I don't know, can you?

• 1:21Speaker 01

  Yeah, I can. Thank you.

• 1:23Speaker 00

  Okay, good. And what do you do? You got an imaginary cat?

• 1:27Speaker 01

  No.

• 1:28Speaker 00

  Okay. Every Thursday, we discuss Monday's episode and answer your questions. You can ask, oh, I've already said that, but. As always, I'm joined by my mother, Shanti Ranganada.

• 1:39Speaker 00

  And the team. Uh, somebody said, I saw a comment saying they're getting used to the disembodied voices. So that's nice, isn't it?

• 1:49Speaker 02

  That's good.

• 1:49Speaker 00

  Uh, and it has to be nice because, trust me, you don't want to see them.

• 1:54Speaker 00

  You know, pardon?

• 1:55Speaker 01

  Why not?

• 1:55Speaker 00

  It's like looking directly into the sun.

• 2:00Speaker 00

  Uh, Mum, how are you enjoying the summer?

• 2:03Speaker 01

  So much I'm enjoying.

• 2:04Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 2:05Speaker 01

  Um, I love my garden.

• 2:08Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 2:09Speaker 01

  Morning, I go and have a coffee there.

• 2:11Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 2:11Speaker 01

  Um, sometimes two cups of coffee.

• 2:14Speaker 00

  Jesus.

• 2:15Speaker 01

  Look, look at my garden and I think how blessed I am.

• 2:18Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 2:19Speaker 01

  Yeah, and the little birds run around it. Really enjoying the summer.

• 2:23Speaker 00

  Do you, do you mind when it gets really hot?

• 2:26Speaker 01

  I don't mind at all. I will never complain because I don't know how long it's going to last. So make the most of it and enjoy.

• 2:34Speaker 00

  Enjoy it.

• 2:34Speaker 01

  While you can.

• 2:35Speaker 00

  It's clearly a sign of us abusing the environment. Uh, and it's probably another indicator that we're on our way out, but might as well enjoy it while it lasts. It's gonna get better before it gets worse. Glasgow's like the Bermudas right now. And it's cool. And it's all because we keep burning tyres. Um, Mum, some people listen to the show as they wake up.

• 2:55Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 2:56Speaker 00

  Could you introduce the show by pretending you're a talking alarm clock?

• 3:00Speaker 01

  Okay, I'll, I'll try my best.

• 3:02Speaker 00

  Okay, go for it.

• 3:06Speaker 01

  Good morning, wake up.

• 3:12Speaker 01

  Time to get up and wash yourself and enjoy, okay? Have a wonderful, blessed day. Ring, ring.

• 3:22Speaker 00

  Yeah! Really good. That was great.

• 3:27Speaker 01

  Thank you.

• 3:29Speaker 00

  And now for a special part of today's show, stories that make you feel, and it's brought to you by Hulu on Disney Plus. I love it when a series or film gets you right in the feels, like Only Murders in the Building, which we talked about last time. But now it's time for me and my mum to dig in some more Hulu stories that have really made us feel good.

• 3:50Speaker 00

  Uh, and today we are talking about Alice and Steve.

• 3:55Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 3:56Speaker 00

  Alice and Steve is a show about two people who are in their fifties, late forties, fifties, and.

• 4:03Speaker 01

  Boy and a girl?

• 4:05Speaker 00

  Man and a woman.

• 4:08Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 4:08Speaker 00

  And they've, they've been friends their whole lives.

• 4:11Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 4:12Speaker 00

  And the show starts, the sort of the beginning of the series, he goes back to her house after they have a night out.

• 4:19Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 4:20Speaker 00

  And their dau-, her daughter has come back from, she's just gone through a breakup.

• 4:26Speaker 01

  Uh huh.

• 4:27Speaker 00

  And then he and the daughter, who's about twenty-six, twenty-seven, sleep together.

• 4:33Speaker 01

  I thought, I, I imagine.

• 4:35Speaker 00

  Did you?

• 4:35Speaker 01

  That's the story about, yeah.

• 4:37Speaker 00

  Right. And then they decide to have a relationship.

• 4:40Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 4:40Speaker 00

  And then the show.

• 4:42Speaker 01

  Continues.

• 4:43Speaker 00

  Continues from that.

• 4:44Speaker 01

  Why couldn't she, uh, uh, my question is, why couldn't she find a younger man?

• 4:49Speaker 00

  I don't know.

• 4:51Speaker 00

  Just to reiterate, it's a comedy, it's not a documentary. So it's fictional.

• 4:56Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 4:57Speaker 00

  What's your take?

• 5:00Speaker 01

  If he can satisfy her, why not? Have a good time.

• 5:03Speaker 00

  Okay.

• 5:04Speaker 01

  That's my part, my thing.

• 5:05Speaker 00

  Do you think there's any, do you think it's a bit icky?

• 5:08Speaker 01

  It is an icky.

• 5:09Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 5:10Speaker 01

  Now what they have already, yeah, what's the point in talking about it?

• 5:14Speaker 00

  Do you think?

• 5:15Speaker 01

  Let them enjoy, huh?

• 5:16Speaker 00

  Do you think her mother has a right to be upset with him?

• 5:20Speaker 01

  Definitely.

• 5:20Speaker 00

  Hmm.

• 5:21Speaker 01

  Definitely.

• 5:22Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 5:22Speaker 01

  She will be heartbroken.

• 5:24Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 5:24Speaker 01

  I mean, she's in her fifties.

• 5:27Speaker 00

  Yeah, well, she's not heartbroken in the show, she's incredibly angry. She starts doing some stuff.

• 5:32Speaker 01

  Not heartbroken.

• 5:33Speaker 00

  I think she is heartbroken, but that heartbreak manifests itself as.

• 5:36Speaker 01

  Manifested herself as a.

• 5:37Speaker 00

  Fury.

• 5:38Speaker 01

  Fu-, yeah.

• 5:39Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 5:39Speaker 01

  But it's her daughter, isn't it?

• 5:41Speaker 00

  Yes.

• 5:41Speaker 01

  What can she do?

• 5:43Speaker 00

  Well, she does a few things. I mean, she, she tries to split them up.

• 5:47Speaker 01

  Yeah? Was she successful?

• 5:49Speaker 00

  Well, you have to watch the show to find out, won't you?

• 5:52Speaker 01

  Yeah, so why didn't you ask me?

• 5:54Speaker 00

  I didn't ask you.

• 5:57Speaker 00

  I'm telling you about the show.

• 5:58Speaker 01

  Okay, right.

• 6:00Speaker 02

  And our friend Jermaine Clement is in it.

• 6:02Speaker 00

  Yeah, friend of the show Jermaine Clement is in it.

• 6:05Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 6:05Speaker 00

  Very good performance. Everyone's great in this show. Everyone's excellent.

• 6:09Speaker 01

  How am I missing all this not to watch it?

• 6:11Speaker 00

  I think you're not, you're not regularly checking Hulu on Disney Plus.

• 6:17Speaker 01

  That's the problem.

• 6:18Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 6:18Speaker 01

  I will watch.

• 6:19Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 6:19Speaker 01

  Disney Plus.

• 6:20Speaker 00

  You should watch.

• 6:20Speaker 01

  From today.

• 6:21Speaker 00

  Yeah, please do.

• 6:21Speaker 01

  Every day.

• 6:23Speaker 00

  Well, you don't have, you don't have to. You don't have to every day, but a lot of days you can do. We can do, there's nothing wrong.

• 6:30Speaker 01

  I'll fix the time and I'll watch it.

• 6:31Speaker 00

  Okay, every day?

• 6:32Speaker 01

  Every day.

• 6:33Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 6:34Speaker 01

  Yeah, I, I, it makes me happy. I'm living alone. Why not? It's something interesting. I will watch it on Disney Plus.

• 6:42Speaker 00

  Okay.

• 6:43Speaker 01

  Happy?

• 6:43Speaker 00

  Really happy.

• 6:44Speaker 01

  Ah.

• 6:45Speaker 00

  Okay, great. Uh, if that's got you in the mood, and why wouldn't it have done, to watch something that gets you laughing or cringing, make sure you check out a lifetime of great stories with Hulu on Disney Plus. Copyright twenty twenty-six Disney. It's related entities. Eighteen plus subscription required. Do you like the way I said that?

• 7:00Speaker 01

  I love it. I love it.

• 7:03Speaker 03

  When fall comes back around, there's a sense of a reset. And new pieces from Lululemon's fall drop are an inspiration to push your goals and elevate your routines. As your calendar fills, easy-to-layer styles meet the demands of your day. And as you challenge yourself to try even more, versatile sets transition with you. The Lululemon fall lineup brings new levels of comfort and confidence, whether you're starting something fresh or starting something over. Check out the latest arrivals in store and on lululemon.com now.

• 7:32Speaker 00

  Now it's time for the listener questions. Questions from the listeners and the viewers.

• 7:40Speaker 04

  Not sure about that one.

• 7:42Speaker 00

  Someone suggested we should call this segment Questions with our Agony Shant, which sounds a lot like someone's followed through.

• 7:53Speaker 00

  But please do keep sending your WhatsApp messages and voice notes to oh seven seven three one six two three three five five or email podcast at rangabi.com. And don't forget, if you haven't already, please like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love you to like and subscribe, wouldn't you? Wouldn't we?

• 8:09Speaker 01

  Of course, we love it.

• 8:09Speaker 00

  Why does it, why is, why would we like that, actually? I don't, I've never really understood.

• 8:13Speaker 02

  Well, because then, when people go to YouTube or they go to wherever they get their podcasts from, the episode is right there for them, which means they're more likely to click it, not miss it, enjoy it.

• 8:23Speaker 04

  It's also really cool when you've got a big number, isn't it? Like two hundred thousand.

• 8:27Speaker 00

  But that benefits us, but I'm asking how it benefits them.

• 8:30Speaker 04

  Oh, I don't know. Whatever John said, I guess.

• 8:32Speaker 00

  Yeah, okay, all right. So they get notified.

• 8:35Speaker 02

  Yeah.

• 8:36Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 8:36Speaker 04

  But we've got like two hundred thousand now.

• 8:38Speaker 00

  I know, but that's not what, somebody watching this doesn't give a shit about that, does it?

• 8:41Speaker 04

  How many you got? You can go two hundred K.

• 8:44Speaker 00

  Well, if I'd say that, I'd have to immediately jump out of a window, I think.

• 8:47Speaker 02

  The main benefit is that when you then go on to whatever app you use.

• 8:50Speaker 04

  Imagine we get a million.

• 8:52Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 8:53Speaker 01

  We will get it, we will get it.

• 8:55Speaker 04

  We could have a bit of our email signatures or something, right?

• 8:57Speaker 01

  Positive, mate.

• 8:59Speaker 00

  Well, how long does it take us to get to two hundred K?

• 9:01Speaker 04

  It's taken almost a year.

• 9:02Speaker 00

  Almost a year. So we're looking at another four years, aren't we? If we carry on at this rate of growth.

• 9:08Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 9:08Speaker 00

  Which is unlikely because it's an initial spike, isn't it?

• 9:11Speaker 04

  No, no, I think you're wrong. We're exponentially gonna grow, aren't we?

• 9:12Speaker 00

  We're exponentially gonna grow?

• 9:13Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 9:15Speaker 00

  Is that what you believe? Or does the data back that up?

• 9:18Speaker 04

  Uh, the data will back that up once we've done it.

• 9:23Speaker 00

  Okay. Um, so anyway, two, we're on two hundred K. Like and subscribe to keep that number going up. We're unclear on how it benefits you, but it benefits us loads. Uh, we've got an email from Shah and George.

• 9:38Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 9:39Speaker 00

  Hi, Romesh and Shanti. My boyfriend and I have been playing catch-up on Rob and Romesh Versus. We're watching them in a random order and we're down to our last few. Today we watched your R and R versus drag episode and we cackled. Romesh, you were fantastic. My question to you, Romesh, was, is it the greatest fun you've ever had in your life and would you do it again? And Shanti, would you ever give being a drag king a go? Love the podcast, Shah and George. Mum, follow-up question. First of all, thank you so much for your email. I thought it was beautifully worded.

• 10:08Speaker 01

  Thank you.

• 10:08Speaker 00

  You really got your points across really, really well. Um, did, did you watch the drag episode of Rob and Romesh Versus?

• 10:14Speaker 01

  I must say I watched it, but I didn't know when you said the title.

• 10:18Speaker 00

  Yeah, Rob and Romesh Versus.

• 10:19Speaker 01

  Rob and, was, where was filmed? Where was it filmed?

• 10:23Speaker 00

  Where was what filmed?

• 10:25Speaker 01

  Rob and Romesh, uh.

• 10:27Speaker 00

  Well, there's been forty-eight episodes. It's difficult to answer that question.

• 10:31Speaker 01

  Is it?

• 10:32Speaker 00

  Is there a specific episode you'd like me to give you the location of?

• 10:34Speaker 01

  Yes, please.

• 10:36Speaker 00

  Well.

• 10:40Speaker 01

  I love all the Rob versus Romesh, isn't it?

• 10:45Speaker 00

  No. Rob and Romesh versus?

• 10:48Speaker 01

  Rob and Romesh versus?

• 10:49Speaker 00

  Yeah, Rob versus Romesh is a much better show title.

• 10:52Speaker 01

  Yeah, I think so, I think so.

• 10:53Speaker 00

  But it's too late now.

• 10:54Speaker 01

  Anyway, I, I loved both of you, make me laugh.

• 10:58Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 10:58Speaker 01

  So I watch everything.

• 10:59Speaker 00

  Okay, but did you watch the?

• 11:01Speaker 01

  If you ask me to the name, I don't know, but you're asking me to?

• 11:06Speaker 00

  Drag?

• 11:07Speaker 01

  Drag. Oh, yes, I love it. Was it in Brighton?

• 11:10Speaker 00

  Yeah, okay, so you've got all the answers.

• 11:13Speaker 01

  I, it, you look great. You look great.

• 11:16Speaker 00

  It, it was a lot of fun.

• 11:18Speaker 01

  But what did you do with your ding dongs?

• 11:20Speaker 00

  We had to tuck them.

• 11:23Speaker 01

  Was it painful?

• 11:24Speaker 00

  Hmm, I would say uncomfortable after a while.

• 11:27Speaker 01

  You say, oh, okay.

• 11:28Speaker 00

  So what you have to do is, can we close up on? So what you do is you get your two fingers and you push your testicles back up inside yourself.

• 11:36Speaker 01

  Oh my god.

• 11:37Speaker 00

  And then you take your?

• 11:37Speaker 04

  Into your, I think?

• 11:39Speaker 00

  Into your anus?

• 11:46Speaker 01

  That's not that long.

• 12:09Speaker 02

  It was so sincere.

• 12:11Speaker 00

  Not that.

• 12:12Speaker 01

  Oh my god.

• 12:14Speaker 04

  Obviously, but somewhere else.

• 12:16Speaker 00

  No, for most people, Ben, that don't have stretch Armstrong scrotum.

• 12:30Speaker 01

  I totally forgot.

• 12:39Speaker 00

  Oh my god. I'm in pain, oh god.

• 12:50Speaker 00

  Oh god.

• 12:53Speaker 00

  Oh my god.

• 12:57Speaker 00

  Honestly, that hurts more than when I stuck my nuts up my arsehole.

• 13:02Speaker 00

  No, inside yourself.

• 13:04Speaker 01

  What?

• 13:05Speaker 00

  Back up. Back up. There's room for them to go back up.

• 13:10Speaker 01

  My god.

• 13:11Speaker 00

  They go back up.

• 13:12Speaker 01

  If they don't come down, what, what will we do?

• 13:15Speaker 00

  Oh, god knows.

• 13:16Speaker 01

  God.

• 13:16Speaker 00

  You just have to really dig it out. Then you take the end of your penis. So you got your two testicles. Push them back up, then you take the end of your penis and then you pull it right back here and then tape it down. Yeah. And then you don't have like a little bump.

• 13:35Speaker 04

  That's the second time you've done it as well, and did you, did you do the tape?

• 13:38Speaker 00

  I did, yeah, in America, yeah. So, um, it's uncomfortable.

• 13:44Speaker 00

  It's uncomfortable. You look horrified.

• 13:46Speaker 01

  I am, I am.

• 13:47Speaker 00

  Yeah. Um, anyway, I tried it, I didn't do it, I wasn't doing it during the performance, it was too difficult. But it was a lot of fun. I, I had prosthetic breasts and arse cheeks. And I would say during the dance performance, they weren't secured as well as I hoped they'd be. And so through a lot of that Nicki Minaj kind of number that I did, I was concerned that the whole thing was gonna fall apart completely, so that was difficult.

• 14:13Speaker 01

  Ah, and then I remember the song, the Milk Board or something, what's that song?

• 14:18Speaker 00

  The Milk Board?

• 14:19Speaker 01

  In, in California, California.

• 14:22Speaker 00

  The Milk Board in California?

• 14:23Speaker 01

  No. The song they played for you to dance.

• 14:27Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 14:29Speaker 01

  What's the song, remember?

• 14:30Speaker 00

  Um, Starships, wasn't it?

• 14:33Speaker 01

  No, no.

• 14:36Speaker 00

  Oh, no, you're right, Milk Boarding, is Milk Board in California? I can't remember actually, it's some Nicki Minaj song. Uh, Mum?

• 14:42Speaker 01

  Yes, son?

• 14:43Speaker 00

  Would you ever be a drag king?

• 14:46Speaker 01

  I would like to try.

• 14:47Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 14:48Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 14:48Speaker 00

  What would you wear, like a sparkly suit or something?

• 14:50Speaker 01

  Yeah, I will, I will, yeah.

• 14:52Speaker 00

  How would you do your hair?

• 14:54Speaker 01

  I wear a wig.

• 14:56Speaker 00

  What sort of wig?

• 14:57Speaker 01

  Curly hair.

• 14:58Speaker 00

  Curly hair?

• 14:59Speaker 01

  Yeah, like you.

• 15:00Speaker 00

  Okay.

• 15:01Speaker 01

  Yeah. I'll copy you.

• 15:03Speaker 00

  All right. Well, that flew. Uh, okay, so what would you, what would your drag name be, do you think?

• 15:12Speaker 00

  The man version of you?

• 15:14Speaker 01

  Shantaran.

• 15:15Speaker 00

  Shantaran?

• 15:18Speaker 00

  Um, sounds like a Skrillex song.

• 15:24Speaker 00

  Shantaran?

• 15:25Speaker 01

  Shantaran, Mr. Shantaran.

• 15:27Speaker 00

  All right. Okay, that sounds good. Not like Bob or anything?

• 15:30Speaker 01

  No, no, no, no, no.

• 15:33Speaker 00

  Stefan?

• 15:34Speaker 01

  No. Steven?

• 15:36Speaker 00

  Uncle Shanti?

• 15:38Speaker 01

  Shanti's, I mean, in India, Shanti is a man name as well.

• 15:42Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 15:43Speaker 01

  But I like the Shantaran.

• 15:45Speaker 00

  Shantaran, okay, all right, good for you.

• 15:47Speaker 01

  And Ranga, mixed.

• 15:48Speaker 00

  Thanks so much for your message, Shar and George, look out for that.

• 15:51Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 15:52Speaker 00

  Mum as Shantaran.

• 15:53Speaker 01

  Shantaran.

• 15:54Speaker 00

  We've got a voice note from Jessica now.

• 15:58Speaker 05

  Whenever fall comes back around, it always feels like a fresh start. This year, I've been layering in some styles from the new Lululemon fall drop because the weather is shifting and I find I have to be ready for the entire day and not just one part of it. Lululemon's fall line has some really versatile transitional pieces so I can just wake up, throw on a matching set, add a jacket or a fleece and head out, knowing that I'll feel comfortable enough to go wherever the day takes me. Check out the new fall arrivals in store and online now at lululemon.com.

• 16:27Speaker 06

  From the studio that brought you WandaVision.

• 16:29Speaker 07

  I was an Avenger, but I'm not a hero anymore.

• 16:35Speaker 06

  The Vision returns for the final chapter of the groundbreaking trilogy.

• 16:39Speaker 07

  That family wasn't real. You sure about that? I had a father called Vision.

• 16:43Speaker 06

  How is this possible?

• 16:46Speaker 06

  Don't miss the two-episode premiere of Marvel Television's Vision Quest.

• 16:50Speaker 07

  Nothing bonds a family together quite like Mortal Jeopardy.

• 16:54Speaker 06

  Now streaming on your Disney+.

• 16:58Speaker 05

  Hi, Romesh and Shanti and Ben, Will and John. Um, basically, I have a query for all of you.

• 17:06Speaker 00

  Sure.

• 17:07Speaker 05

  So, I am six weeks, um, sober and I'm twenty-two years old, I'm going to be twenty-three in the summer. And it's quite tricky to, um, be like a young person who doesn't drink. And luckily, I have friends that aren't big drinkers, but there's still a lot of pressure, especially in the summer, um, to, you know, drink and go to pubs and whatnot. Um, I was wondering if you had any advice for me? Um, and as I know, Romesh, you are also, well, you said, um, recently that you had stopped drinking for the play that you were in, and I was wondering if you had any words of wisdom for me?

• 17:50Speaker 05

  Um, to help me stay sober? And, um, yeah, love you all very much and, um, yes, big hug.

• 18:01Speaker 00

  Thank you so much for your voice note, Jessica.

• 18:02Speaker 01

  Big hug for you.

• 18:04Speaker 00

  Um, I, I've got to be honest with you, I'm slightly surprised by this message because I thought young people weren't drinking anymore. So because I, well, I mean, Theo does, Theo has been drinking actually.

• 18:15Speaker 01

  What, what does he drink, man?

• 18:17Speaker 00

  Um, rum and coke?

• 18:20Speaker 01

  No. He goes for the rum and coke?

• 18:27Speaker 00

  Yeah, well.

• 18:28Speaker 01

  No.

• 18:30Speaker 01

  Ask him to start with a light drink.

• 18:32Speaker 00

  Like what?

• 18:33Speaker 01

  Like prosecco or something like that.

• 18:35Speaker 00

  I think, I would actually argue it's dangerous for him to ask for a prosecco.

• 18:38Speaker 01

  You say?

• 18:39Speaker 00

  Yeah, I think so. What do you want to drink, mate? Could I have a prosecco? Are you joking?

• 18:45Speaker 01

  What's wrong with prosecco?

• 18:46Speaker 00

  There's nothing wrong with it, it's delightful, or, you know, it's actually quite debatable at the moment. Ben, would you ever drink a prosecco?

• 18:52Speaker 04

  I'd drink a prosecco, yeah.

• 18:53Speaker 00

  Oh, okay, that surprises me. So, um,

• 18:55Speaker 04

  I prefer a Cremant, if you're asking.

• 18:57Speaker 00

  That's, I knew that, so everyone's banging on about Cremant.

• 19:00Speaker 01

  What's Cremant?

• 19:02Speaker 04

  It's, um,

• 19:03Speaker 01

  What?

• 19:03Speaker 00

  It's a, it's a sparkling wine that's made in the same way that champagne is, but not from the region champagne. So it can't be called champagne.

• 19:10Speaker 01

  It's a high above everything.

• 19:11Speaker 00

  Yeah, it's, uh, the wanker's drink of choice. No, it's meant to be delicious. And do you, the only reason I know this, I re- very recently found out about this from that guy, the online wine guy, what's his name? Do you know who I'm talking about?

• 19:24Speaker 04

  Tom Gilby?

• 19:25Speaker 00

  Yes. Yeah. He was, he taught me about Cremant.

• 19:30Speaker 01

  Why didn't you give me a bottle?

• 19:31Speaker 00

  I can do if you want.

• 19:32Speaker 01

  Please?

• 19:33Speaker 00

  Yeah, sure, I mean, it's nine pounds and you've got a shop near you, so it's not difficult.

• 19:38Speaker 04

  That's good, it's not expensive.

• 19:40Speaker 00

  No.

• 19:40Speaker 04

  Relatively expensive compared to champagne.

• 19:42Speaker 01

  Okay, it is, okay. So if I go to a restaurant and what, what, I can ask for that?

• 19:48Speaker 04

  If it's on the menu, I mean, you can ask for it either way, I guess, but yeah.

• 19:51Speaker 00

  Yeah, you can ask whatever you want, you can ask for an elephant if you want, but. Um,

• 19:56Speaker 04

  It's becoming more and more popular.

• 19:57Speaker 00

  What would you?

• 19:57Speaker 04

  Like this year, we, I don't know, it's come out of nowhere.

• 19:59Speaker 00

  Would you still prefer champagne over Cremant?

• 20:03Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 20:03Speaker 00

  Why?

• 20:05Speaker 04

  I think because it's the ceremony of it, isn't it?

• 20:08Speaker 00

  The ceremony of it?

• 20:09Speaker 04

  Yeah, the, the reason why champagne needs to be priced at a certain, at like twenty, that you know when you give it.

• 20:16Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 20:16Speaker 04

  Whereas a, a wine could be ten pounds or you have to look it up, or it could be five hundred pounds, whereas you know if you give a gift of champagne.

• 20:23Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 20:23Speaker 04

  You've spent thirty or forty pounds.

• 20:24Speaker 00

  It's called a giffin good, isn't it?

• 20:26Speaker 04

  Is that right?

• 20:27Speaker 00

  I don't know. Um, I think so. Can we look it up? I think giffin goods get more popular the more expensive they are. I might have just made this up though.

• 20:34Speaker 04

  What is a giffin good?

• 20:36Speaker 00

  That's what I'm saying.

• 20:37Speaker 04

  Okay.

• 20:37Speaker 00

  I think it's a good that gets more popular, like the prices.

• 20:41Speaker 04

  No, it's a, giffin goods are rare, essential, non-luxury items like bread.

• 20:45Speaker 00

  There you go. So that's a giffin good. Um, okay.

• 20:51Speaker 04

  That's all right. There was more to that sentence. I just, where the higher prices, a higher price causes people to buy more, breaking the normal rule of demand.

• 21:03Speaker 00

  So sort of, right. Okay. Mum, what do you think about people not drinking alcohol at a party?

• 21:10Speaker 01

  Boring.

• 21:11Speaker 00

  Oh.

• 21:14Speaker 01

  It is.

• 21:15Speaker 00

  Why is it boring?

• 21:16Speaker 01

  It is boring. I don't drink.

• 21:18Speaker 00

  That's exactly what Jessica, who loves us very much, has just said she's doing.

• 21:23Speaker 01

  Everybody have individual choice.

• 21:25Speaker 00

  Right.

• 21:26Speaker 01

  She doesn't want to drink. I appreciate that.

• 21:28Speaker 00

  Don't sound like you do. Boring.

• 21:33Speaker 01

  When you are at the party to bring out yourself, just have a glass of.

• 21:37Speaker 00

  No, I don't agree with that.

• 21:39Speaker 01

  Bubbly.

• 21:40Speaker 00

  Bubbly. Have a glass of bubbly. But Jessica doesn't want to do that. So we need to advise her within the context. She doesn't want to drink.

• 21:47Speaker 01

  I respect her for that. I respect her for that. It's difficult to control yourself. If you have been drinking for a long time, it's difficult to control. And so, I mean, it's up to her. Well done for doing that. But I like to drink a glass of bubbly every time I go to a party. I don't drink at home. I don't drink at home. I only have a red wine, a glass of red wine, just before I go to bed. They say it's good for the heart. I don't drink big glass, a small one. So, yeah.

• 22:22Speaker 00

  Every day?

• 22:23Speaker 01

  Every day.

• 22:24Speaker 00

  You have a glass of red wine?

• 22:25Speaker 01

  Red wine.

• 22:26Speaker 00

  Interesting.

• 22:27Speaker 01

  What do you mean interesting?

• 22:28Speaker 00

  That's exactly what I said. Interesting.

• 22:30Speaker 01

  I want you to drink as well. Red glass.

• 22:32Speaker 00

  Okay, this is, this is like ridiculous pressure.

• 22:35Speaker 01

  Okay, okay.

• 22:36Speaker 00

  Jessica, Mum said a lot there that I don't agree with.

• 22:42Speaker 01

  God.

• 22:43Speaker 00

  The whole thing about being boring when you go to a party, actually, I, because I've dabbled with not drinking and I'm still in a place now where I think, I really do think I'm quite close to just giving up forever. But I, I, I think when you go to a party, you just feel super awkward. And why I think, part of the reason you reach for a drink is to socially conform. But also, it takes the edge off your awkwardness when you walk into a social situation. And actually, if you can ride that out, as other people start to drink, actually realise that that difficulty disappears, kind of evaporates, and then it's all right after that. I have tried loads of different ways of telling people that I'm not drinking. I've tried lying and saying that I've got an early start in the morning.

• 23:27Speaker 00

  I've tried saying I've got a load of work to do and I can't do it. And inevitably, when that happens, people just abuse that. Or they go, oh, come on, that's not, just have one, just have one, whatever. So now I just pretty, if I'm not drinking, I just pretty, pretty firm and just say it very matter of fact, I'm not drinking. I'm not going to be drinking tonight, or I'm not drinking at the moment. Or you can say you're training for something or whatever. And I think you just get it out of the way. I, I think it's, I know it's a bit awkward, but you just, just be very matter of fact about it. And not announce it. I'm not suggesting you get off on the chair and tell everyone at the party, but just like, just be clear about it, you know? I think people need to just get over it with regards to people not drinking. And people that really repeatedly pressure you, I think is a big red flag.

• 24:11Speaker 00

  Ben, we were filming in America and we were in Nash, no, where were we? We weren't in Nashville. We were in, where is it that we met the Elliot's Army?

• 24:22Speaker 04

  It was Arizona, yeah.

• 24:22Speaker 00

  Arizona. And we went, Phoenix, Scottsdale. And we went to a Mexican restaurant.

• 24:28Speaker 04

  Yeah.

• 24:29Speaker 00

  And they had about thirty different margaritas. I love a margarita. I wasn't drinking at that time. And then everyone was ordering margaritas, but like you were absolutely, do you remember how battered you were? You were, like, he was so wankered. And then, so I don't know if you saw this bit, because I think you were dancing on the table or something, but.

• 24:48Speaker 01

  I, I, in Mexico?

• 24:50Speaker 04

  No.

• 24:51Speaker 00

  No. We're in a Mexican restaurant. We're in a Mexican restaurant. Anyway, so everyone had ordered margaritas and I said, I'll have a Diet Coke. And he said, do you like margaritas and you're not drinking? And I said, yeah. And he goes, we can make any of these non-alcoholic. And they had like a non-alcoholic tequila. And so they made me a non-alcoholic, I've said non-alcoholic so many times in the last minute, margarita. It was delightful. Amazing. Loved it. What's your favourite non-alcoholic drink, Mum?

• 25:19Speaker 01

  Mojito without rum.

• 25:21Speaker 00

  Mojito without rum. Or mint. Mum loves ice.

• 25:29Speaker 04

  Are you able to still be fun and party rum without drink?

• 25:36Speaker 00

  Uh, I think you are, no, not in the same, I, I've just become a bit, I think I've become, I think I've become a bit of a knob when I've been drinking. You get, you lose a bit of self-awareness. You become a bit too confident. Do you know what I mean? I don't like that. So, but you do feel awkward for the first, however, when you're not drinking, it is a bit of a weird feeling when everyone else is drinking. You think, am I being interesting? But one of the things you do realise is that no real new conversation happens after ten thirty. After ten thirty, every conversation is a remix of a conversation you've already had. There is no real reason to stay beyond that time when you're not drinking. And, and if you, and also, I mean, the same is true of,

• 26:19Speaker 00

  any visit to a cash point after twelve AM is probably illegal, you know? There's little things, as it gets later and you get more drunk, you make bad decisions.

• 26:30Speaker 01

  What made you stop drinking?

• 26:31Speaker 00

  I've just dabbled with not drinking for a while.

• 26:34Speaker 01

  Every time you come for, to my house, you bring a massive bottle of champagne.

• 26:40Speaker 00

  That's for you, though.

• 26:41Speaker 01

  For me?

• 26:42Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 26:42Speaker 01

  You all drank?

• 26:44Speaker 00

  That was a Christmas, wasn't it?

• 26:46Speaker 01

  So for Christmas, you won't.

• 26:48Speaker 00

  That's happened once. I brought a big bottle of champagne.

• 26:51Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 26:52Speaker 04

  A Magnum or a Nebuchadnezzar?

• 26:55Speaker 00

  It was a Nebuchadnezzar.

• 26:56Speaker 04

  Was it really?

• 26:56Speaker 00

  Yeah. No, it wasn't. It's a Magnum. I just wanted to say Nebuchadnezzar. Isn't that the name of Neo's ship in The Matrix? Can we look it up? Or I think it might be called Giffingood.

• 27:09Speaker 01

  Giffingood.

• 27:11Speaker 00

  Nebuchadnezzar. How much liquid does Nebuchadnezzar contain? How much can it, can it, can it?

• 27:20Speaker 04

  Four bottles, is it?

• 27:21Speaker 00

  Four bottles. Okay, thanks. He's, all right. Anyway, Jessica, good luck. Hope that helps. I don't think it is gonna help. But I would say be firm, stick to your guns, and if anybody's got a problem with that, they need to leave your circle.

• 27:35Speaker 04

  Twenty bottles.

• 27:36Speaker 00

  Wow. So you were thinking of a fifth of a Nebuchadnezzar?

• 27:40Speaker 04

  Yeah, I was.

• 27:43Speaker 00

  Okay. Next question. We have got a story from Nikita.

• 27:49Speaker 06

  Hi, Romesh and Shanti. Just wanted to share my story.

• 27:52Speaker 00

  Okay.

• 27:53Speaker 06

  Firstly, thank you for the podcast giving me through the newborn trenches. It's hilarious and love you both. I have to tell you about a time when I went to hospital a few years ago. My dad wasn't too well. It was all quite scary. And the doctor was looking after him. My mother, who is quite similar to Shanti in a lot of ways, then went up to another doctor and said, Doctor Ranganathan told me that we have to be seen. And the doctor looked at her with a look on her face. And he said, Doctor Ranganathan, are you sure?

• 28:32Speaker 06

  She said, yes. And it turns out it was just another Tamil doctor who she thought looked like you, Romesh, and so decided his name was going to be Doctor Ranganathan. Slight case of racism there.

• 28:45Speaker 00

  It's like Casey of the races.

• 28:48Speaker 06

  If that makes it any better, but probably not. Thanks very much and keep up the great.

• 28:52Speaker 00

  Oh, sorry, can we hear the end? Because I did a little Casey of the races joke and fumbled.

• 28:56Speaker 06

  Racism there. Just to clarify, we are also Asian, if that makes it any better, but probably not. Thanks very much and keep up the great podcast.

• 29:04Speaker 00

  Well, thank God you're Asian. That's all I'd say in response to that. I was nervous that you weren't Asian.

• 29:13Speaker 00

  Here's a funny story for you. When my mum, if I'm telling this story wrong, please tell me.

• 29:19Speaker 01

  Okay.

• 29:20Speaker 00

  When my mum was pregnant with me, Mum and Dad went to the hospital and the doctor came in to examine Mum. And Dad, in Tamil, said to my mum, who is this gorilla examining my wife?

• 29:34Speaker 01

  No, not examine. I went, went for scanning. They, they thought. Scan. They thought I was going to have a twin. So when I went and lie down,

• 29:50Speaker 01

  there was a Sri Lankan doctor there. He could understand Tamil. He's very dark and curly hair. And he thought he can understand Tamil. He said to me, who is this gorilla?

• 30:06Speaker 01

  Yeah, that's what happened.

• 30:07Speaker 00

  Yeah. I mean, I sort of told the story in the wrong order. I gave away the punchline at the beginning. But it doesn't matter. Anyway, the point is, my dad's also a bit of a racy. So.

• 30:19Speaker 04

  Case of racism.

• 30:20Speaker 00

  Little bit of Casey of the races. If you, if you have come across a Casey of the races, [email protected]. I think we should make it a feature.

• 30:34Speaker 04

  I really don't think.

• 30:35Speaker 00

  We've got a Casey of the races. Someone has been a bit racist. I don't know how, what I make of that. I think it's just, I mean, I don't really care, really. I mean, it's, it's just a bit like, it's a bit offensive, isn't it?

• 30:48Speaker 01

  Dad was, Dad was dark and with curly hair.

• 30:52Speaker 00

  Yeah.

• 30:53Speaker 01

  I don't know why he called that other guy.

• 30:55Speaker 00

  I think he was probably trying to be funny.

• 30:57Speaker 01

  Was he? You think so?

• 30:59Speaker 00

  I'm guessing.

• 31:00Speaker 01

  Oh, my God. I don't, I didn't like it at all.

• 31:03Speaker 00

  No. I'm sure the doctor didn't. Did the doctor say anything?

• 31:08Speaker 01

  No, he pretended he doesn't understand Tamil.

• 31:10Speaker 00

  Oh, maybe he didn't then.

• 31:11Speaker 01

  Maybe. Thank God for that.

• 31:14Speaker 00

  Okay, I'm glad that we've cleared that up. Forty-nine years later. Okay. That's all we got time for on this Thursday episode of the Romesh Ranganathan Shanti. We'll see you on Monday. Mum, do you want to say anything?

• 31:26Speaker 01

  Yes, I love you all. Keep on sending emails and texts. We love it. Okay, you take care. Love to hear from you. God bless.

• 31:37Speaker 00

  Thank you so much. Suckerball bag, you pricks.

• 31:41Speaker 01

  After God bless this suckerball bag.

• 31:44Speaker 04

  There's no way to talk to people, is there?

• 31:45Speaker 01

  Yeah, you know.

• 31:47Speaker 00

  Fuck you.

• 31:48Speaker 01

  Oh, God.

• 31:50Speaker 00

  Thank you so much for watching and listening to this episode. Before you go, if you've enjoyed this episode and you've not subscribed, that's a bold decision, crazy behaviour. Follow and subscribe to the Romesh Ranganathan Show wherever you listen. It helps me, really, like, really helps me. It helps the team. And it costs you absolutely nothing. We drop episodes every Monday and Thursday. Mondays, I'm joined by great guests. Thursdays, my mum Shanti joins me to answer your questions and family dilemmas. I'll see you Thursday with Mum, who, let's face it, is who you're actually here for. If you've got a problem you want to solve or a story you want to share, send it to [email protected], voice note or text us on 07731 623355. We can't promise good advice, but you might end up on the show. See you soon.

• 32:36Speaker 01

  Oh, shut up, Romesh.

• 32:40Speaker 03

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  From the studio that brought you WandaVision.

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