There are more than 13.6 million people living in the Greater London area, and for many of these Londoners, the city is the best place in the country. But you know what? Modern London isnt exactly what everyone thinks it should be. Anyone not from London thinks that its a weird combination of Eastenders and Sherlock, with a bit of The Bill thrown in for good measure. London isnt like that at all its arguably the most metropolitan place in the country. People from all walks of life live and work there, bringing a vast and global dynamic to the city that everywhere else lacks. But the problem is that Londoners (for the most part) forget that the rest of the country isnt necessarily like that. They get surprised when they take a trip to the South Coast and suddenly realise they havent seen an Asian person for half a day. Plus its expensive to live in London. The house prices are the highest in the country for tiny little flats in a rundown part of the city. Booze in the city costs far too much unless youve come across a Wetherspoons, and slowly but surely every single independent shop is being taken over by a chain (or by Wetherspoons if its a pub). London is effectively a corporate entity, but one that Londoners are addicted to feeding. Heres 20 reasons why living in London is a total love/hate affair feel free to leave your thoughts and comments about being a Londoner below.
20. Tube Rage
What do you mean the train is going to be another SIX MINUTES?! Thats right Londoners take public transport so much for granted that any minor delay will instantly grate on them. You only need take a trip out as far as Hertfordshire to be reminded of bus services that only come once an hour, but while there are big red buses you expect them to arrive every thirty seconds. But not only that, you want to be told in a variety of ways exactly how fast the buses or trains are coming. So in addition to being able to check using the platform signs, you also have numbers on every bus stop so that you can log into a website to check how long the bus is going to be, because anything more and five minutes is a horrendous crime. Mind you, theres no chance of actually saying anything because
19. Theres No Talking Here
Under virtually no circumstances may a Londoner speak to a stranger. Not only is the stranger is going to think youre very odd if you do, but if a stranger speaks to you then thats just as weird. The only exception is if they are holding a map, looking confused and talking in a foreign accent. In that situation it is entirely appropriate for a native Londoner to show their superior knowledge of the nearby local to give the tourist a series of directions so complicated that theyll never be able to follow them. Londoners are so helpful.
