And worst of all, one’s friends go there in search of fame and fortune, only to vanish completely, trapped in a terrible vortex of debt and job insecurity, and one never sees them again.

Once upon a dark yesteryear I lived in Scotland, occasionally enduring a 12-hour bus ride from Aberdeen for a “fun weekend” in London. The worst thing about the bus journey, however, for all its horrors (eg. Milton Keynes in the middle of the night), was right at the end, encountering the pathetic gaggle of old Jimmies who would cluster at Victoria, hoping some fellow Scot fresh from home would take pity on them and give them a couple of quid for tea or Tennants.

“Mate, what are you doing here?” I once asked one. “Go home, they’re much nicer.”

Iain Scott
(Australia)

LONDON DEFENDED!

John Hasler writes:

First off only 40% of Londoners are born there so the idea of a ‘preponderance of locals’ is preposterous. It is the mad influx that keeps the place full up and expensive but there’s always a price for success. It is the same influx that keeps the place alive and well. Where else would you get primary schools with pupils from 78 different countries?

London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and most areas have a large mix of race and class. There are very few ghettoes in london and cultural entertainment is global in origin. As for ‘swinging’ you’re better off going to basildon for that sort of party….

Nick J writes:

What is this man Scott talking about? London is where it all is. There is always something new and different to see in London. Who was it who said “he who tires of London tires of life itself?” [it was Johnson] This is SO true.

Yes it is expensive but that’s cos its absolutely brilliant and well worth it. Yes booze is expensive but travelling on the buses, which are fine really, is cheap cheap. Yes housing is overpriced but it is just obeying basic economics, people are willing to pay to live in London because it’s so great. Do I have to go on?

!!!!! phew!!

SAMUEL JOHNSON ATTACKED

He who tires of London tires of going to a bar in Clapham that only serves bottled beers at �5, and which looks like someone’s front room.

Simon Sharp

SAMUEL JOHNSON ATTACKED AGAIN

That tired old Johnson quote was written when there were green fields between Fulham and Westminster, and Southwark was a picturesque village in Surrey.

Far better is : “that great foul city of London there, — rattling, growling, smoking, stinking, — a ghastly heap of fermenting brickwork, pouring out poison at every pore,” – John Ruskin

Jim

RUSKIN ATTACKED

Ruskin was scared of pubic hair.

Sam J

SMALL MINDED LONDONERS ATTACKED

The number of locals who refuse to believe that there is anything worth noting outside the M25… Jade (East Anglia is abroad) from Big Brother epitomises the narrow minded idiocy that comes from never EVER leaving your home town. There’s a world out there. I’ve been to your bit. Didn’t think
much of it.

Tommy, Macclesfield

AND

Why would anyone want to pay �200,000 for a 2 bed terrace in a slum where there is a greater percentage of Co2 than oxygen is beyond me. The only positive thing about London is that most of the people who live there love it, and so don’t pollute the rest of the country with their superior “we’re the centre of the universe” attitude.

Paul D

WHERE ARE THE KIDS?

London has got to be done once in your late teens, Like a mad hair cut, and then left well alone. It is full of money mad ignorant inhabitants, why else would anyone live there � be honest.

A happy face is a drugged up face in London. Even tourists soon learn not to speak or use any facial expression.
The funniest thing is, in all my time in London (adds up to years) I did not see many children at all, as a father I just seemed to notice, just try it, see for yourself. � there has to be something odd about that, perhaps 40% born there is slightly exaggerated or they get out of town quick.

Mark

NOBODY TIRES OF THE JOHNSON QUOTE

He who tires of going to overpriced pretentious bars in Clapham can go to a different reasonably-priced really good
restaurant every week for a year and not even have to eat the same country’s food twice until about May.

And there are hundreds of good pubs with good beer
and good bars with good wine and more clubs and museums and events than you can shake a stick at.

If you don’t like Clapham, you’re missing some perfectly decent good-value places, but a ten-minute bus ride will take you to any of half
a dozen other, different, vibrant high streets.

If you don’t like, say, Okehampton (somebody who’s been there more recently should review this town) you have to move twenty miles for an alternative. If you can’t find what you like in London, then your problem is either with cities in general, England in general or your own negative attitude.

Ian Williamson