I found Italians really helpful to me as a tourist--like they were genuinely happy to take my order or give directions or whatever. Londoners I found not effusive and more businesslike--which can feel cool, especially after basking in Italian warmth. However, I dug them once I hung out a bit. I bet once you are out on the street tomorrow actually hanging out, instead of dealing with airport/taxi-type people, you'll like Londoners very much.
Mal: Ready? Zoe: Always.
'Serenity'
Spike's Bitches 45: That sure as hell wasn't in the brochure.
[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.
Scrappy - Jun 30, 2010 1:13:24 pm PDT #24322 of 30000
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Sean K - Jun 30, 2010 1:15:12 pm PDT #24323 of 30000
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Just for the record, I'm not going to let any of this cause me to judge London, it was just a shock after such a wonderful stay in Italy.
Maybe you can just understand it when they're cussing you out now...
Heh. No, I don't think that's it. It has nothing to do with the actual words being spoken, and everything to do with smiles, attitude, friendliness/helpfulness.
sj - Jun 30, 2010 1:16:09 pm PDT #24324 of 30000
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
I bet once you are out on the street tomorrow actually hanging out, instead of dealing with airport/taxi-type people, you'll like Londoners very much.
I love London taxi drivers! Maybe it is because I was mostly traveling alone, but I found them so helpful as well as very interested in bragging about their city and pointing out the sights.
Sean K - Jun 30, 2010 1:18:02 pm PDT #24325 of 30000
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Londoners I found not effusive and more businesslike--which can feel cool, especially after basking in Italian warmth. However, I dug them once I hung out a bit. I bet once you are out on the street tomorrow actually hanging out, instead of dealing with airport/taxi-type people, you'll like Londoners very much.
I suspect this is it. When we finally dropped our bags off at the flat, and went out for some dinner, the wait staff were very friendly and nice. But, lots of sneers, dirty looks, brusque answers, and general lack of giving a shit if we lived or died from almost everyone between Heathrow and the flat.
Glamcookie - Jun 30, 2010 1:18:26 pm PDT #24326 of 30000
I know my own heart and understand my fellow man. But I am made unlike anyone I have ever met. I dare to say I am like no one in the whole world. - Anne Lister
We also experienced anti-USian sentiment in London (summer of 07). Still loved it and had a great trip, but it was a bit...chilly. The French we encountered while we were in Paris, OTOH, were wonderfully pleasant. Was the opposite of what I thought might happen.
Toddson - Jun 30, 2010 1:18:43 pm PDT #24327 of 30000
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"
I remember hearing that London cab drivers are required to know every nook and cranny of the city ... which, coming from a place where a comedian remarked that when you catch a cab into town from the airport you're both seeing the city for the first time, is a charming idea.
sj - Jun 30, 2010 1:20:31 pm PDT #24328 of 30000
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
Sean, how long are you in London? What do you plan on doing while you're there?
Trudy Booth - Jun 30, 2010 1:20:34 pm PDT #24329 of 30000
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart
Heh. No, I don't think that's it. It has nothing to do with the actual words being spoken, and everything to do with smiles, attitude, friendliness/helpfulness.
Sure, but its easier to be utterly achingly charming to someone if you can cuss them out with them standing right there and they don't even know it.
I remember hearing that London cab drivers are required to know every nook and cranny of the city ... which, coming from a place where a comedian remarked that when you catch a cab into town from the airport you're both seeing the city for the first time, is a charming idea.
The Knowledge! [link]
DavidS - Jun 30, 2010 1:20:38 pm PDT #24330 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I remember hearing that London cab drivers are required to know every nook and cranny of the city
They have to take a test. It's called The Knowledge.
xpost!
tommyrot - Jun 30, 2010 1:21:29 pm PDT #24331 of 30000
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
I remember hearing that London cab drivers are required to know every nook and cranny of the city ...
Yeah, it takes lots of study to become a London cab driver.
eta: also x-posty, except my x-post was lame....