Are these sentences natural? December 15

[musicgold]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. People really don’t give a damn about what people, outside their field, do to earn their living.

2. If I were to meet you five years ago I wouldn't give a flying **** to the fact that you were/are a systems administrator.

3. They would refer to all other professions as clerks. ( I was talking about some old folks)

Thanks,
MG.

[JohnParis]

Hi,

Are the following sentences natural to a native ear?

1. People really don’t give a damn about what people, outside their field, do to earn their living. I'd say: People really don’t give a damn about what folks, outside their field, do to earn a living.

2. If I were to meet you five years ago I wouldn't give a flying **** to the fact that you were/are a systems administrator.Had I met you five years ago, I wouldn't have given a flying **** about the fact that you were a systems administrator.

3. They would refer to all other professions as clerks. ( I was talking about some old folks) Looks OK.

Thanks,
MG.

John

[5jj]

I agree with John Paris on #2 and #3. For me, your #1 would be fine - without the commas.

1. People really don’t give a damn about what people, outside their field, do to earn their living.

[~Mav~]

2. If I were to meet you five years ago I wouldn't give a flying **** to the fact that you were/are a systems administrator.

How about, "Were I to have met you five years ago, I wouldn't have given a flying **** about the fact that you were a systems administrator."?
How does it sound? It seems to be fine to me, but I still have doubts about using a sentence like that. Is this structure, "were I + infinitive/perfect infinitive" still used to express conditionality? Or is it obsolete/stilted?