And people across South Tyneside were keen to share their views on these and other matters with the Shields Gazette 20 years ago.
We are revisiting some of the topics which had you speaking up. They included how long people got for their lunch break and whether was it really an hour.
Others had their say on Wayne Rooney and if he should go with England to the World Cup that year after breaking a metatarsal in his right foot.
There were some people who discussed the pros and cons of smoking and others who wanted to voice their opinion on pension levels.
See if you can spot someone you know in our picture gallery. If you do, tell us more by emailing [email protected]
5. Training shoe talk
Training shoes were on the mind of this Shields Gazette reader when she chatted to us 20 years ago. | sg
6. Reflections from 2006
Tell us if we got you on camera speaking about the issues of the day in 2006. | sg
7. Taking time off
The amount of time that people got for their lunch break was on the minds of people in 2006. | sg
8. Smoking under discussion
One of the many people who spoke to a Shields Gazette team about smoking 20 years ago. | sg