To hate this Kind of sneering attitude to places outside London

[wasonthelist]

"many things in life would be better and cheaper if we all just gave up and moved to that six-bed detached in Ashby De La Zouch. But could you really subsist in a place where the height of culinary pleasure is unlimited smarties on your ice cream at the local carvery?"

I am not sure if the author, Caroline Mginn, who wrote that in Time Out -
a) Really believes that Ashby has such limited culinary offerings (it doesn't)?
b) Thought she was preaching to the converted and no-one outside London would read it?

[QueenJuggler]

There are places outside London????

Just kidding

[scarlets]

She sounds insufferable.

[ouryve]

I'm sure the population of Ashby de la Zouch is collectively gutted that they won't have such a small minded muppet for a neighbour, any time soon.

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

But if you live IN London then all you hear is how rude people are and what a nasty crime filled place it is

No one can win!

[Bunbaker]

I used to live in Greater London and had jobs in the City and then the West End. I now live in deepest, darkest semi rural South Yorkshire and am thankful that I only ever need to visit London for pleasure and to see my family.

Most of my family still live there and I'm ashamed to say that they are among the most xenophobic, parochial people I know. Their ignorance of the world outside of London and the home counties is astounding.

We don't want people like that living round here thank you.

[acasualobserver]

As you can see, the sneering can travel in both directions.

[Dolly80]

I wouldn't worry, I live in London (well the suburban outskirts which Time Out are not fond of either) and think she's talking rubbish. Although I am partial to a Carvery

[elQuintoConyo]

Unlimited smarties on my ice cream? Where do I sign up?

I used to live in Barcelona then recolated to the sticks, had the same thing said to me. Beyond tedious.

[LaurieLemons]

I can't wait to get out of London tbf, some people are just snobs and beyond help.

Kensington is hardly comparable with Croydon now is it??? 'London' doesn't mean nice.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I'm in Essex innit

Many people I know who have never been to Essex get their views from TOWIE (which I've never seen BTW, though they keep appearing on TV)

I'm nothing like TOWIE thanks.

[pippistrelle]

Some people are essentially tribal in nature and like to sneer at whichever tribe they're not in. It's probably low self-esteem. We'll know they're cured when they stop sniping at other people's choices.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

They're not real Smarties elQuinto more candy covered chocolate beans. Don't be taken in

[Queenbean]

Yes but to be fair, all that is said about London is isn't it crime ridden / dirty / smelly / expensive / why oh why would you live in such a horrible dangerous place / not a place to raise children / why would anyone even bother to step foot there

Can't get it right apparently!

[TopHat33]

What pippistrelle said.

As bunbaker and the article you quote demonstrate, the snobbishness can go either way with exaggeration on both sides for added impact.

[Elledouble]

A couple of years ago the Guardian did one of their "Let's Move To..." pieces on our area (a supposedly 'naice' area in a major city), commenting on our "affordable" £300k+ homes. It was patronising beyond belief, the seeming surprise that there might be good pubs and nice places to eat outside the M25 (with the exception of Manchester, which seems to be the only acceptable place outside of London where one might wish to live).

[TroubleinDaFamily]

Let her spew her bile all over London, we don't want her sort down here ( a mere 70 mins to Waterloo) breathing our clean air and skewing our nicely developed sense of community.

It is horrid down here in OUTER METROPOLITAN LAND you would hate it.

Jog on.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Many years ago a patient in SW6 recoiled in horror because I said I lived in Essex
"Essex, there are drugs there" she declared.

Oh okay, and if I went into any pub/club on the Kings Road I could buy...........?

[Bunbaker]

"Kensington is hardly comparable with Croydon now is it??? 'London' doesn't mean nice."

I'm from Croydon

I had forgotten how dirty the London air was. When we went for a weekend in the centre of London a couple of years ago the stuff I was blowing out of my nose was just unbelievably dirty - not that I normally inspect the contents of my tissues, but it was very noticeable. I prefer the clean Pennine air here.

[Bunbaker]

"As bunbaker and the article you quote demonstrate, the snobbishness can go either way with exaggeration on both sides for added impact."

My point wasn't meant to sound snobbish at all. I wanted to point out that having had a foot in both camps, my personal preference is to not live in London. I don't like city life. We are within easy access of two major cities where we live though.

[pippistrelle]

My DH says being hung up on things like what bread you eat at which meal helps prevent wars in Europe

An interesting theory, LionsLedge. So, maybe we should be encouraging sneering rather than hoping the perpetrators will belt up.

[sportinguista]

London gives me a head ache everytime I go there, I'd much rather have ice-cream and smarties. It's given me a fab idea for treat desert for him!

I live in a provincial city and I'm quite happy. We do have Waitrose and M&S here too you know...

[sportinguista]

For DS I mean!

[Ludways]

I find arseholes living in all cities, towns and countries. Being a complete tosspot isn't geo-specific.

[Bunbaker]

"Being a complete tosspot isn't geo-specific."

So true.