Re people watching in Oxford St:

It's terribly terribly busy, a sea of people, and not nearly as attractive as the Knightsbridge set.

You'll encounter a double amputee in a wheelchair somewhere outside Debenham's blowing a whistle in an attempt to busk. Also, there's a couple of men who walk up and down with a megaphone encouraging people to become religious instead of shopping "Jesus died for you..." etc. etc. I wish someone would push him under a bus. Let's be honest, he's not having much effect as the stores still seem to be full of shoppers.

Tulips, that has to be one of my dream jobs! Why did you stop, or did they end the program?

Tulips job sounds like the Mystery Shoppers here in the US.
Although I hear they don't really get paid much at all here.
I guess that would be a good dream to have, move to London and Shop for a living :)
Tulips, are they still hiring?
((F))

An even BETTER job: be one of the people that works for example Hilton..you go all over and stay at their hotels to check out the service etc...and, the best part, you get PAID to do it!!!! Oh yea..in my next life.

crefloors, I read an article by one of those hotel QC guys once. The only problem is that you aren't anywhere for very long.

Well then, I'd call in sick at every stop so I'd have a couple of days to see the sites..yea right (:

Scarlett, Marilyn; I don't know if they still have that program. I stopped doing it when I moved away. They didn't pay much; 10 pounds per hour in Harrods vouchers, and a discount on my own shopping of I think 10%. It was nice to say to my husband that I was off to work in Harrods!

My real job in London, by the way, was for a company that then owned Harvey Nichols. I got a 30% employee discount there, which was even better!

I saw some "violet creams" at Harrods Heathrow branch I wish I'd bought. Feared they'd taste odd but love candied violets so they probably would be tasty. Got some blood orange infusion (like an herbal tea) that's quite interesting as a gift. Best food item I brought back was Marks and Spencer boxed pressed apple juice- the Cox's Orange Pippin variety. Remembered it from years ago and everyone who tried it raved about it.

>>>>
gaped at a set of $5000.00 sheets,
>>>>

that's exactly what harrods is all about...foreign tourists gaping at rediculously priced goods, telling their friends back home about the "ultimate" luxury store with $5000 sheets, then buying the harrods golf shirt or shopping bag.

it's a museum of $5000 sheets and $10,000 dog collars that makes its money in the gift shop selling harrods key rings and t shirts.

No gifts to bring home from Harrods. Just the most delicious lemon cake we enjoyed for a few days of our stay. Even the never eating skinny sister of mine had a piece.

"that's exactly what harrods is all about...foreign tourists gaping at rediculously priced goods, telling their friends back home about the "ultimate" luxury store with $5000 sheets, then buying the harrods golf shirt or shopping bag.

it's a museum of $5000 sheets and $10,000 dog collars that makes its money in the gift shop selling harrods key rings and t shirts."

You're talking nonsense. Harrods has overtaken Harvey Nichols where fashion is concerned, particularly as regards menswear. Harrods has Jil Sander/Prada/Gucci/Dior Homme/Giorgio Armani concessions, as well as two large shoe departments. Harvey Nichols has a tiny shoe department, and a far smaller stock, and range of designers available. As such, Harrods is a very serious player in that industry.

Furthermore, virtually all of the other departments are among the best in London. Jewellery has several concessions including Cartier, and Tiffany. I can assure you that it doesn't keep going on tourists buying branded mass produced bits!

To me LIBERTY of London is the quintessential British store not to miss. It is off Oxford street. You can find a map at www.liberty.co.uk . It is in a very old half timbered historic building. I am told the inside of the store was built using timbers from an old sailing ship and looks very British! It is a much smaller store than Harrods and you can have a leasure "walk about"! They are world famous for their lovely cotton fabric. It is a real class act and not to be missed. You can even have a lovely tea and reast your feet.

Of course visit Harrods if you can. As mentioned the food hall is one of the best in the world. But be warned that this area is very crowded and everyone seems to think they are the only customers there (push and shove). Even so, we always try to make the treck to Harrods every time we visit London. Enjoy all you do!

Liberty is awful. Their buyers need kicking out.

It's empty half the time, their fabrics are good, but for one who's doing interiors, exactly the same fabrics, by the same manufacturers can be obtained at vast discounts elsewhere.