I hate London!

Gotta go up to London again soon for a meeting, everytime I get the call I start dreading the journey. Let me explain....

Everyone in London has little to no time for anybody, I find as a laid back welshman I am so out of place Let me give you an example..

I jumped off the £105 train journey from Cardiff to Paddington and I am heading for the underground, it's rush hour and it is busy. I get to the machine to buy my ticket and 30 minutes later I smile proudly to myself as I master the unmasterable and a ticket drops out. I take the ticket and walk to style thingy but it takes me a few seconds to realise it wants my ticket before it would turn, massive tutts behind me and I look back with what must have been a bemused expression as two people scold me. I laugh to myself and concentrate on the task at hand, I insert the ticket and nothing happens, now I am starting to find the whole journey funny but at that point a guard approaches me. Instead of helping he says one word that made my day.... 'Welsh?' I ****ed myself laughing, it appears I was the only one.

So still chuckling I get to the platform and it is packed, I wait with the commuters and a train quickly approaches I move forward, the doors open and there is a massive surge. My being welsh thinks 'hey whats the panic' and I hold back. People cram themselves into the train and I watch in amazement as the doors close and I am still on the platform. No problem I am welsh I can wait for the next train, minutes later the platform fills up and the next train arrives, guess what happened. Yup I remain on the platform and people wonder why I am just stood there with tears in my eyes ****ing myself foillowed by 'TAXI!'.

I went for an interview in our HO years back and I travelled up with a Dutchman who worked in our local office going for the same interview. My dutch friend had been to the office before so leads the way and I follow. I get to the interview and my new would be boss asks

'did you find your way ok?'
I reply 'sure Rene showed me the way'
Boss sighs and replies 'it comes to something when a dutchman has to show you your capital city'.
I replied 'The last time I looked on a map my capital city was Cardiff'

Doh, I couldn't help it. Funny I didn't seem to get the job.

No direct attack on Londoners, as you can see it is a welsh thing

A tip! I go into Paddington alot, if you walk from Paddington to Lancaster Gate, it's only about 5 mins, and you're then on the Central Line which is much easier - rather than fighting the crowds at Paddington Tube.

But I know what you mean, I only go for the odd day, and people are just not willing to give anyone a break.
I was on a course last week and the tutor said 'Londoners, please could you lose your dog face!' Excellent!

Nutty x

[Red ones]

Buy you Underground ticket with your train ticket!

I never enjoy going to London with work......on a weekday it seems to be all head down, ploughing one's lonely furrow through the crowds with a look of grim determination.......

However, I went in on New Year's Day as I had an "appointment" at Westminster Abbey and the difference was remarkable. Everyone was happy and jolly, probably because it simply wasn't crowded.

The Lord Major of Westminster's New Year's Day Parade has be the best-kept secret of all. No advertising but loads of people there. The 50ft inflatable Garfield was ace

Completely changed my view of London and Londoners.

Pingu - ever stopped to think why so many people in London ride bikes to work?!!

I feel London is getting a bit of bashing here, so I'm going to stick up for it! Forming an opinion of London based on a rush-hour commute is la bit ame. You guys should try coming when it isn't work related or 8:30 in the morning. Things worth having a look at and aside from the obvious tourist spots (especially if you are about at the weekend)

Borough Market - My favourite London market and is a must for anyone who loves good food and drink
Columbia Road Market - Flower market on Sunday's
South Bank - Hayward, Tate, London Eye, Saatchi et al.
Soho - Not just for the Massive on a Friday, but a great place to go out.
Hampstead Heath - Open air swimming lakes/ponds, Lido, Kenwood House etc
Open House weekend - Think it's in August/September, but can't be sure.
The list is endless really...

Avoid the tube if you can - it is quite misleading on how close things are, and you can walk from place to place.

Much as I love London, you can't argue with the fact that it is unfriendly to the outsider. It's fast paced and exciting, but with that come some down sides. The trick is to stay here for a while and get to know how things work - and before you know it you'll be tutting with the rest of us!

[Balky001]

Pingu, I can see you aren't attacking Londoners as you will have been unlikely to have come across many true Londoners in your commute. In all the offices I've worked in the City I'd say less than 10% of the people were born and raised in London.

[anna]

I am completely with you on this one.. I have visited London many times for work related things and at the beginning of August I have to be in London for a full two weeks which I am very nervous about!!

I dont think it's just a Welsh thing I think it is a non-Londoners thing... granted there are lots to see and do in London but commuting around is a complete pain and no one appears very friendly (again generalising perhaps but this is my experiance!)

[northwind]

As long as you can stay laid back, London's great... But on the occasions I've been in a hurry to get somewhere, it's amazing I didn't kill anyone.