Guest
The Guardian columnist and journo Julie Burchill was recently decribed NYC as being a laid back, relatively stress-free town, ideal in her opinion for those who can't handle London, that "cold, furious bitch of a capital" So dear Fodorites,,,,, is London a bitch of town?
Guest
London is a bitch to the bitchy. And journalists have to sell papers.<BR><BR>I now regularly get offers of help up stairs in railway stations from passing young people. I bet the journalist has not a bicycle.<BR><BR>But, come and see.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR>
Guest
Do tell me: for what reason ? I agree that I do not usually refer to female dogs, but I do try to adapt to the culture to which I am replying.<BR><BR>Ben Haines
Sometimes London could be a bitch, a wet cold day and no taxi maybe. But mostly London is a kind friendly sort of Pup, willing to visit, willing to share, happy to see you. <BR>Best advice, ignore the newspapers, go and see for yourself.
You should know that Julie Burchill has made a career out of being a journalistic contrarian. Some people reading a reference to a 'cold, furious bitch' might resort to the old childhood taunt 'takes one to know one'. The article in question sums up New York as ok 'but no Torquay'....Torquay being a pleasant enough seaside resort but that's about it. <BR><BR>Actually, as a Londoner, I can see that many people may find too many of us too wrapped up in ourselves, too pre-occupied with trying to get from A to B and with the price of our houses....
When I was in London looking for Buckingham Palace, a man approached me and asked me if I needed help. That has never happened to me in NY. The taxi drivers are wonderfully helpful, also. (Well, most of them, anyway!) They love telling you about their city.
