Englishland

John Inman - Are you being served, sir?

Another musing on the nature of being a foreign. I should appreciate that I am currently 4500 miles away from the British Isles, or more importantly that I am 4700 miles from London, and figure this in my understanding of being here. I cannot say though, that when I hear someone say 'Oh, I've never been to London (let alone the UK)' that I am not genuinely surprised.

I would truly hope that in my soul I am not some imperial loony, but why would people not having visited London surprise me so?

I was as full of Canadian stereotypes as anyone else would be; syrup, mounties, bacon, pancakes, politeness. Four of these are true and one is not.
Politeness.
I am not suggesting that Canadians are overtly impolite but I would suggest that this stereotype has proliferated from the US. I have met people from the US and they weren't dreadful, quite the opposite in fact. We all know that they make horrendous tourists though and the Northern Mob probably get a bit of an ear bashing as they pour over the border looking for quaintness and have consequently learned to smile and be accepting as they attempt to pay in cash with US dollars.
Why would a Canadian not want to visit London? England, it's part of their culture innit? WRONG. So wrong. Yeah the Queen is on the money (all coins, one note) but that doesn't count a jot anymore. They've gone and got all patriotic. They stormed a beach as well you know.

I always think of myself as Londoner first. British second. And this is likely the shock I feel when someone says they haven't been. Why? WHY! Is my first reaction and then I need address that feeling and tell myself 'well, you've never been to Paris and that's more or less that same as going from Amersham to Aldgate on the Met line'. Yeah, London is truly one of the great cities of the world. Doesn't mean everyone wants to visit it or can afford it.

All this doesn't explain why Coronation Street is on every week day at 7pm on CBC and nowhere but nowhere is The 'Oaks available in Upper or Lower Canada.

MADNESS!