What is the one thing London needs most?
Discussion
Nickgnome said:
Pan Pan Pan said:
Nickgnome said:
Pan Pan Pan said:
If I had been less surprised and more on the ball at Excel the other day, I could have just paid the barman, and asked him to bring the rest of the bottle over to our table when he had a spare moment! 
I never understand why people knowingly let themselves be ripped off for at best mediocre food and drinks at exhibitions. It’s not compulsory, just take some water and go to somewhere decent afterward.If you only stick to the tourist areas and city and west end then you’ve only got yourself to blame.
If you don’t like London don’t go there.
Which is of course why I now try not to go there, any more than I absolutely have to.
I just pity the poor mugs who go there with wide eyed expectations.
Nickgnome said:
You don’t know LONDON very well if you can’t find pubs and restaurants that provide drink and food at the same price as in many other places in the U.K.
Cheaper in many cases. Lots of competition will do that. I'm amazed when people go on about the cost of living in London. Sure, accommodation, renting or buying, is much higher, but that aside, it's a pretty cheap city. Do a bit of research, and if you use sites like Groupon and others, you can eat like a king for very ordinary money. The other month, the 4 of us (all adults), using discount vouchers, had a fantastic Mexican meal in Central London for £8 a head including 4 beers. Pan Pan Pan said:
I was Born in London, went to school there, and worked there, and went out at night there for entertainment so I know exactly what London is.
Which is of course why I now try not to go there, any more than I absolutely have to.
I just pity the poor mugs who go there with wide eyed expectations.
London isn’t for everyone. It would appear you felt like a fish out of water in London.Which is of course why I now try not to go there, any more than I absolutely have to.
I just pity the poor mugs who go there with wide eyed expectations.
I was not born there and neither was my Daughter but between us we have well over. 40 years resident and or working. In my case West end and Mid city and hers City and living on the Quays and then a bit further East.
She and I both loved it as did the vast number of friends and colleagues in similar situation.
Nobody needs your pity and we and they are not mugs. If people make a life choice to live and work there it’s because they want to.
The fact you didn’t want to is your choice or theirs.
Nickgnome said:
Pan Pan Pan said:
I was Born in London, went to school there, and worked there, and went out at night there for entertainment so I know exactly what London is.
Which is of course why I now try not to go there, any more than I absolutely have to.
I just pity the poor mugs who go there with wide eyed expectations.
London isn’t for everyone. It would appear you felt like a fish out of water in London.Which is of course why I now try not to go there, any more than I absolutely have to.
I just pity the poor mugs who go there with wide eyed expectations.
I was not born there and neither was my Daughter but between us we have well over. 40 years resident and or working. In my case West end and Mid city and hers City and living on the Quays and then a bit further East.
She and I both loved it as did the vast number of friends and colleagues in similar situation.
Nobody needs your pity and we and they are not mugs. If people make a life choice to live and work there it’s because they want to.
The fact you didn’t want to is your choice or theirs.
For me London was a dirty, noisy, smelly, overcrowded, rat hole, and I was delighted to get away from it, Still it wouldn't do if everyone loved the same thing would it?
Agammemnon said:
Nickgnome said:
If you don’t like London don’t go there.
Excellent advice- I'll follow it.I assume your not really interested in the Tate and other Galleries or Theatres, Museums etc.
Nickgnome said:
I don’t suppose London or Londoners will feel particularly mortified by your decision.
I assume your not really interested in the Tate and other Galleries or Theatres, Museums etc.
I'm sure they won't.I assume your not really interested in the Tate and other Galleries or Theatres, Museums etc.
Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
psi310398 said:
I'm sure they won't.
Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
I go to both Tate’s reasonably regularly. They are not always busy and membership allows preferential access and members only events. I must admit I haven’t done the Museums for a few years. Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
Nickgnome said:
I go to both Tate’s reasonably regularly. They are not always busy and membership allows preferential access and members only events. I must admit I haven’t done the Museums for a few years.
I'm sure it is possible if you put your mind to it but...most people I know here simply never get round to doing anything much of it.It's always a bit embarrassing when an American friend or Australian relation seeks advice on some aspect of London's cultural treasures and I have to admit that, while I'm aware that x or y exist, I've not a clue about the practicalities of visiting them or the value in doing so. I had a cousin enquire about the Tower recently and, while I could point her in the right direction, that was about the limit of what I could tell her
. Pan Pan Pan said:
You seem to be the equivalent of the bloke in hospital bed who exclaims `The food here is f*cking amazing! You should try to get out of London more, You will at least be cleaner, and your lungs will love you for it.
For me London was a dirty, noisy, smelly, overcrowded, rat hole, and I was delighted to get away from it, Still it wouldn't do if everyone loved the same thing would it?
I am out of London now. I live on the South coast looking across to the IoW. I lived in many places in the U.K. and abroad so nothing like your hospital guy. I still visit regularly and stay over. My passion is sailing hence the coast. For me London was a dirty, noisy, smelly, overcrowded, rat hole, and I was delighted to get away from it, Still it wouldn't do if everyone loved the same thing would it?
Your view is your view. Others do not see London that way and your need to criticise people who like London is very odd.
We can concur on your final sentence.
Nickgnome said:
I assume your not really interested in the Tate and other Galleries or Theatres, Museums etc.
The last few times I attended theatre, ballet, opera or museums (musea?) they were outside London. It might surprise you to learn that there is culture outside the M25.I recall another poster a long time back suggesting that there was nowhere decent to eat outside London. It seems that its residents have a rather parochial attitude verging on condescension.
Agammemnon said:
Nickgnome said:
I assume your not really interested in the Tate and other Galleries or Theatres, Museums etc.
The last few times I attended theatre, ballet, opera or museums (musea?) they were outside London. It might surprise you to learn that there is culture outside the M25.I recall another poster a long time back suggesting that there was nowhere decent to eat outside London. It seems that its residents have a rather parochial attitude verging on condescension.
The concentration in London makes for convenience.
As to restaurants and pubs London is no better or worse., except of course the large choice in a relatively small area.
psi310398 said:
I'm sure they won't.
Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
I thought they were free? I was in the Natural History one on December, spent a pleasant half day there, I was just too ired had stuff to do to pop into the V&A but it's on the list when I am next in that london.Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
Halb said:
I thought they were free? I was in the Natural History one on December, spent a pleasant half day there, I was just too ired had stuff to do to pop into the V&A but it's on the list when I am next in that london.
The museums are notionally free, but they all try guilt-tripping/strong-arming taxpayers into paying again for things that they have already paid for, and they all charge for special exhibitions. And despite being hosed down with obscene amounts of taxpayer cash, the Royal Opera House is anything but cheap. There's a great Yes Minister episode about it.
I think the Royal Palaces also cost money to get into and, of course, the Zoo and Tussauds are private.
psi310398 said:
I'm sure they won't.
Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
Re cultural riches, these are great things in principle, but sadly I suspect that I speak for the vast preponderance of Londoners when I say I have never set foot in most of them - too expensive and/or full of bloody tourists. I've never set foot inside the royal Opera House, London Zoo, Mme Tussauds or the V&A for example.
And, as for the delights of Camden Market, Oxford Street or Carnaby Street; apart from possibly some 12 year old girls why would any London resident ever want to go near them?
Your comments and reference to 12 year old girls (which seems a bit unhealthy to me) just highlight your ignorance of the places you talk about.
Carnaby Street is about a million times better for shopping than any other single street I can think of in the UK outside of London.
Camden market is a very unique and quirky place with lots of odd and interesting things and people to see.in the summer there are several bars and street food markets with a huge choice and very lively atmosphere. It is unlike anything else I have experienced in the UK
Oxford street is s
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