People claim that they are reading my blog. Never are these claims proved true in the comments section, because everyone claims to be too scared/embarassed/whatever to actually get in there and show me the love. So for a couple of weeks there I got disheartened.
But I am back. With more observations on the workplace and London in general.
Firstly, I would like to discuss chivalry. I am known as a feminist, but no woman is going to say no if a man lets her out of the lift first, or holds a door open for her. Men over here are quite chivalrous, especially in the business district where I work. BUT come home time, when we are all piling on the tube, any semblence of civility is disgarded. Everyone for themself. Man, woman, small child with terminal cancer, all will be crushed under foot in the quest for a seat, or positioning that will later allow you to get a seat. I have learnt to use my free paper to block other's ability to sit in what I would claim as 'my' seat. I even have strategies about where to stand in order to later claim a seat and an ever changing internal discussion about whether it is better to take a leaning position on a 'wall' seat and give up on teh chance of a real seat, or to angle for the chance.
I will lean if I can get the leaning position at the beginning of my trip or at the very end. Anything in the middle - it's all about elbowing my way into the infrequently vacated chairs (everyone gets off at the same stop on the Jubilee line in the morning. It doesn't really go anywhere else but here).
Also - I would now like to mention what I (not very kindly) refer to as Banker Sluts. Friday night is as popular for drinks here as it is at home. I work in Canary Wharf - no one really lives here, it is just full of law firms, banks, finance companies etc. You get the idea. Men and women in suits. So for Friday night drinks 'casual' really refers to the fact that people may have taken their jacket and tie off. Anyway, about 7:30pm women with fake tan, chronically straightened hair, tattoos and tops that show most of their bras (back and front) arrive at the bar. They look out of place and completely different from the other women there who are well groomed, but in work outfits.
Their aim is obvious - pick up a banker/lawyer/man in suit. It is so transparent. I was even moved to say so, saying that they were so obvious no man would fall for it.
I gave men too much credit. Within minutes they were surrounded. I've never seen anything like it. Please don't bother trying to yell at me about judging other women and their choices (I can see mum preparing the takl already). The whole thing made me feel so ill I could barely breathe. Sorry.
It's meant to be summer and today I was wearing a scarf and heavy jacket.
UK Big Brother has started and the house is full of girls (and one boy) who want to marry footballers. Not the boy, obviously. There is even a Posh Spice look alike. You know, because we don't actually hae to endure Posh Spice EVERY DAY without having look alikes.
Went to the Globe last night and saw The Merchant of Venice. It was tops. The acting was pretty amazing, and for only £5. Admittedly, we chose to stand, but it was fine. Except for the fact that we were so close to the actors you got spit on. Or, in the case of one unlucky girl, vomitted on. So yes, it was a supremely cultural experience.
Last weekend I went to the Portabello Road Markets (fairly regular occurence - it's so close) but went into some vintage stores I had never been into before. The prices almost killed me. I don't care how old a dress is, it is SECOND HAND and therefore shouldn't cost £500. I kid you not. Kate Moss shops there apparently. And Posh Spice. Eck. Was meant to go bowling that night, but even at 12pm the line was around the block. So Marianne and I went home. And I had another in a long line of public transport 'quirks'.
Should also mention that I saw Spamalot last week and it was hilarious (despite the fact that I was in the nosebleed section with the little binoculars that you hire for 50p). The Lady of the Lake had an amazing voice. Such a diva. Although hearing 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' out of context was a little bit of a shock to the system.
So, basically what I am trying to say is that I live here now. I have settled in to the London life and I socialise and go out and work and abuse the tube system and moan about the weather the same as anybody else. Even when I am still at work at 7pm or I arrive early to make my group smoothies (don't ask, it makes no sense to me either). I am organising a sailing trip to Croatia and I am desperately trying to stretch my money as far as it will go. It may not sound exciting, but I love it.
Although I am yet to find as many funny, interesting, intelligent, argumentative people in London as I ever found at home. This disappoints me considerably.
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3 comments:
I can relate to the public transport strategizing (PTS). It hasn't proven too much of an issue here in Moscow. During peak hour I've found that if the first train is full, I needn't worry, because the third one that arrives is always half empty - I don't know why! But PTS was far more important in Beijing, particularly on the buses. I'd start strategizing as the bus was pulling up. On a number of occasions I was so busy processing my strategy determining where I could stand a) to try and get a seat; b) to have something to hold on to and c) to get off the bus relatively easily.... that I walked straight past colleagues without even seeing them. They thought it crazy that I was in such deep thought as I'd get on the bus in the morning!! [Apologies if this is a little incoherent. I've been on camp, am tired, but you guilted me into commenting...]
I cannot relate to the PTS. For example, I commented this morning that the hospital's roadside carparking area was "busy" simply because 20 of the 25 spots (or so) were taken. I also now wait until there are no vehicles in sight AT ALL before I pull out onto any given road. The same goes for overtaking, even when you can see for miles in every direction.
Yes, we seem to be adapting to the Hedland way of life alarmingly quickly!
I heard many a Hedlander mutter "my, isn't it chilly" yesterday. It was 29 degrees. Outrageous!
We miss you Kate! Thanks for your postcards - they have taken primo position on our fridge.
We have some things to send you too - what is your address?
x
Kate, i promise you, on cutler's first born's middle name, i read your blog. I too am baffled by the concept of more then 5 people congregating anywhere at any one time, for anything. What I am far more interested in is whether or not 500 pound vintage dresses come with deeds, like an old house. That might make it more worth it (but probably only if it was in the realm of the high society dress or such. That, and the condition they take body parts as down payments). Today I miss living in highgate full stop the end auf wiedersehen goodnight
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