7 Jun 06 No Parking
These are two of multiple graphics painted on the drive/sidewalk of a commercial building near Spitalfields Market:
If you park there I’m guessing your car will be cursed!
24 Apr 06 How to act British
There was a rather hilarious humour piece by Tim Dowling in the Guardian last week: For all my US pals - here’s how to act British (click to read, it’s short).
I definitely relate to his observation about the TO LET signs, it’s funny cause it’s true.
And here’s a noteworthy snippet:
In the UK overt displays of friendliness are taken as a sign of brain damage. This sounds horrible, but actually it’s a fairly good rule of thumb. Try to match your moroseness to those around you. Occasionally you will run across that rare British person who is not just friendly but outgoing, helpful, charming and loquacious. He is a con man.
Tee hee. I admit I was quite surprised the other day on the tube when I witnessed not one but two people offering help to a frantic tourist trying to understand the tube map. It seemed to me she had the capacity to figure it out on her own, what with the pile of city maps, guides and full tube map she was carrying. Both Londoners were outgoing and helpful, yes, but definitely not charming or loquacious.
I also hear if you tell someone to “Have a nice day” here it’s considered very strange.
GET FED: