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?

Yeah, lifes a bitch in London, don't come here guys

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>

.. for some reason, the above answer does not sound like the usual 'Ben Haines' reply...

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.

ttt!!!

New York "laid back????" That journalist has no credibilty.

<BR>My thoughts exactly, Leslie!

I think London's a piece of cake.

<BR>My thoughts exactly, Leslie!

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.

She is an expensive bitch. <BR><BR>If the city was a woman, she would be replaced for a nice German, which would be much more interesting and beautiful. She would be less full of herself and a hell of a lot cheaper. <BR><BR>

Better a high-class hooker than....?