Officially a Londoner
One of the things that has stood out to me most is the cultural diversity of London. I feel as though I haven’t seen many Brits with there stereotypical swoon worthy accents. Many of the interactions I have had or overheard feature a foreign accent. Majorities of people seem to be Italian or speak a form of Spanish. It was something I didn’t expect coming in. I assumed living and studying in London we would be experiencing many true Londoners and Brits, instead I am seeing a United Nations like city. London is city full of cultures while also staying true to their own.
While I have experienced some lovely Brits, I did have one negative experience with a Brit on a tube. While sitting on the tube I didn’t notice an older woman that had just entered the train until I overheard her say something negative about sitting down. It was then I turned and asked if she wanted my seat. She gave a snappy response “No, I’m sure you need it much more than I do”. With that I got up with no words. I usually relate the Brits with more biting humor not biting personalities, but this is something I am discovering. Luckily one negative experience is outweighed by many positive.
I have also discovered the patterns and attitudes of the city people, as I become an active Londoner. London is a very fast paced city which I only somewhat expected coming from New York City. Londoners have a place to go and they walk with a purpose to those locations. Since we as a group as usually turned around and taking in our surroundings I understand why people would be annoyed by us. I have also realized the silence they use on the tubes and other public areas. As Americans we are very loud. We enter a tube, restaurant, or store with a wall of sound. I originally didn’t think anyone minded we talked but I have come to notice that we are out of the ordinary doing that. I want to blend in more to really have a true experience. As a small thing I have seen so much more smoking in London and the UK than in America.
I have seen many more differences between Americans and British people than I thought I would. I assumed that London being a metropolitan city it would relate to the big cities I know in America, but it really doesn’t. They have much less nationalism and yet a much older country. The history goes back so deep yet America’s history is much shorter and we are very proud of it.
Overall these first 2 weeks have been an eye opening experience that has changed the way I see British people and England. I still love this place so much and still have so much to see/do. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the trip holds for me.
This page has paths:
- Discovery Leigh Bonds
