A Redaction

I'm afraid I have to post a redaction on London pub/club life.

After exploring pubs and clubs outside of Chelsea (such as the ones around Piccadilly, Leicester, and Trafalgar squares), I realized a couple of things.

1. British people DO dance the way we dance in America.
   
2. British people generally DO have a knowledge of most of our popular hip-hop.
3. Brits often DO approach you with the intention of flirting.
   

I think the reason these things were not happening in Chelsea is because it is a very nice, very rich neighborhood that isn't necessarily student-friendly. For example, some boutiques we passed that claimed to be having huge 50% sales still had clothes for 165 pounds (around 265 American dollars). Once we started going to clubs in SoHo that had student discount nights, my perceptions changed.

However, annoyingly enough, the British guys at the popular clubs in London have this perception that all American women are extremely promiscuous. If you ever visit, beware of that stereotype.

Quick UK Fact: Everyone here loves Friends. If you turn on the television at any time of day, chances are you can find it playing on at least one channel. If you tell someone you are from America, it is likely they will ask you if you watch Friends. (Leah, I thought that might excite you!)

I am also going to make a confession. There is a particular walking route I like to take back to the residence hall from the Tube that leads me down a road lined with beautiful white townhouses that I could never dream of being in my price range. I do this purposefully, as I like to people watch. You see, there are almost always several young nannies (perhaps au pairs) that are out taking the small children they care for on walks.

These young women are almost always fabulously dressed (so I can only imagine what the parents must look like) and are pushing Bug-a-Boo strollers (which, by the way, are upwards of about $700).

It sounds silly, but it makes me feel like I'm in a movie, witnessing such a lavish London lifestyle firsthand. However, I must look like I know what I'm doing on these walks, because I keep getting stopped by people asking for directions. I haven't actually been able to help anyone yet, but it's my goal to give someone else directions by the end of the program in July!

Speaking of lavish Londoners, Hugh Grant lives close by. And yes, I will track down the house and post pictures for you all.