The longer I spend time in this city the dirtier I realize it is. Now most big cities have grime, I would even go so far as saying that it adds character in many instances. The type of dirt can define cities in different way. But when I say dirty, London is pretty gross. I think I said this before but lots of places don't have rubbish bins, so there is litter everywhere. Unless you are in a nice part of town where they still have street sweepers the sidewalks are just concrete covered in dirt, and when it rains, they become slippery as all hell. I feel like I should buy hiking boots just to walk to the supermarket sometimes.
Another thing that really tips me off is the transit etiquette, or I should say the lack of any. It is the only way I get around, considering I have only been in a car once since being here and that was a taxi. Granted most people take transit in London, really the only way to get around. So back to my complaining about what people do. I personally think phone conversations should be banned on transit. I have heard more about sexual problems and diseases that I care to share with everyone. I don't mind if you are on your phone but is there a reason you are yelling? I don't think everyone needs to here about the bastard man you took home last night. My favorite so far as been a full fledged argument that occurred on a bus to the supermarket. I thought one of them was going to throw a punch!
Also those who have mobile phones and haven't turned the buttons on silence I damn you right now. That is by far the worst part of mobiles on transit. people texting and all you here is beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep or click, click, click, click, click, click, you should have mobile privileges revoked until you fix it. Everyone has a mobile now, even the 10 year olds, no reason to make it make noise.
Okay I just realized that this post is making transit look really bad, but I never had these issues in Seattle but I will continue anyway. Music on trains. So the underground isn't exactly quiet and I get that you want to hear your music and all but if I can hear it across the train there is a problem. One night on the way home there was a young women sitting at one end of the train and there happened to be about 6 of us in the middle and we could hear her music loud and clear. One of the ladies started singing and we could stop laughing. She looked at us a couple of times trying to figure it out but she never got the hint. Sorry if you can't listen to your music at a reasonable level turn it off, I don't want to hear your Euro trance trash.
In all honesty the transit system is pretty good in London. I zone out for periods on end listening to music or reading the free newspapers handed out before you get on the train. Not everyone smell, only about half. Not everyone is rude, there are a few nice people among the nutters. Just another aspect of London that makes it endearing for all the right and wrong reasons.
I will try to get back to writing random rubbish more often. Talk to you all soon.
BY
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