Keeping Up Appearances

Hyacinth and Richard have moved into a country retreat they have purchased, intending it to be their new home away from the city. Hyacinth describes the house as an “olde worlde bijou,” whereas Richard still finds it an utterly disappointment.

"Please Mind Your Head" is presented as a programme, specifically an episode within its series. It is catalogued under the genre “episode”, indicating a self‑contained story that forms part of a larger collection. The title hints at a light‑hearted or cautionary premise, and the brief description that follows offers a glimpse of the central situation. In this instalment, Hyacinth and Richard relocate to a country retreat. Upon arrival, Hyacinth immediately declares the property an “olde worlde bijou”, expressing delight in its charm and nostalgic appeal. Richard, by contrast, views the same setting with disappointment, feeling it falls short of his expectations. Their opposing reactions set up a clear tension between the two characters. Hyacinth's description of the property as an “olde worlde bijou” underscores her affection for its historic character, suggesting she values the quaint, perhaps romantic aspects of rural living. Richard's disappointment, on the other hand, hints at a practical or aesthetic mismatch, implying he expected something different from the countryside escape. The episode therefore centres on this clash of perspectives, with Hyacinth’s enthusiasm highlighting the retreat’s nostalgic appeal while Richard’s dissatisfaction underscores a more critical assessment of the surroundings. The brief encounter therefore serves as a micro‑cosm of how personal expectations colour one’s perception of a place, with Hyacinth seeing charm where Richard sees flaw. Through their differing viewpoints, the story juxtaposes optimism with scepticism, offering a concise look at how the same environment can be interpreted in contrasting ways.