Soap Box

I was wondering if there is still the practice on London street corners where they have a soap box where anyone can step up on it and begin talking about anything they feel like getting off of their chest. I know it will usually draw a small crowd of people who stands by and listens to what that person has to say then they'll maybe start arguing with the person on the soap box because they don't agree with their views or comments. Then they'll get down and someone else will step up on the soap box and say what they have on their mind.

Beatles1964

I don't think soap comes in wooden packing cases any more, but Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park was still going strong last time I looked. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speakers%27_Corner

Thanks for updating me thorold I was just curious as to whether or not they actually still did this.

Beatles1964

Well there was someone ranting and raving about something when I walked through Speakers' Corner a year ago! Didn't see a soap box.

I noticed a gentleman standing on a box ranting about religion in Windsor last Thursday.

I think if you walk through the centre of lots of British towns and cities you'll hear someone ranting about something. In Bristol, we have a man with some curious theological views who likes to wax lyrical, seemingly on a daily basis.

I've never seen anyone with an actual soap box, nor have I ever seen anyone actually try to remonstrate with someone who is doing this, or to take up the spot and start their own counter-rant. My impression is that most people think they're a little bit mad, and just walk on by.

My favourite was the man on a crowded train who started bellowing the book of Revelation down the carriage. Not a very popular approach, it seems!