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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go to London

264 replies

limey234 · 14/10/2023 07:50

We have a tourist trip booked in half term. Lots of museums, the tube, shops, tourist destinations with our two kids (under 7).

Would you go? Given the situation in the world right now.

My husband barely watches or reads any news. He doesn't understand why I'm nervous.

I think we should postpone it. I'm a bit nervous of being caught up in a protest, or other activity.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
HermioneWeasley · 14/10/2023 07:51

Yes, absolutely unless you are visibly
jewish

jc12689 · 14/10/2023 07:51

Of course I'd go. It's London not the West Bank.

Cleethorpes · 14/10/2023 07:51

Yes, absolutely. In fact I’ve come this weekend. It’s lovely.

HappyHolidai · 14/10/2023 07:51

I'd go. There are protests in London every day; just avoid if you see one and don't want to be involved.

Cascais · 14/10/2023 07:51

Yes

Moonbowlspoon · 14/10/2023 07:51

Yes, I’d go.

AllAboardTootToot · 14/10/2023 07:52

Dear god! Are you really this much of a nervous nelly?

Of course I would. Do tell why you think there’s a risk to London as a result of the conflict? That’s like cancelling a trip to New York on the same basis.

pieintheski · 14/10/2023 07:52

well I live here and have not got caught up in any protests or other activities!

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 14/10/2023 07:53

Yes unless you are very visibly Jewish or were planning on walking around draped in a Palestinian flag.

Inmyonesie · 14/10/2023 07:53

Why wouldn’t you go??

YoBeaches · 14/10/2023 07:53

What is it you're seeing in the news that's making you nervous about going to London?

Squidthing · 14/10/2023 07:53

Err quite a few of us live here you know with our families. It's absolutely fine - I know the news is pretty horrific right now but London is no where near Gaza.

Poppysmom22 · 14/10/2023 07:54

The political issues don't put me off at all but the bed bugs definitely do. I travel for work and I'm honestly dreadingit

Apossum · 14/10/2023 07:54

DH and I are going on Thursday to London and I have to be honest it hasn’t even crossed my mind that there would be any risk to us at all… I think you’re being a bit overly cautious, honestly.

Antst · 14/10/2023 07:55

So what if there's a protest? There are often protests and it's easy enough to go around them.

Honestly, your attitude sounds a bit worrying. There are nearly 9 million people in London. How often do you hear about them being "caught" in protests or any other unpleasantness? You'll be fine.

I wonder if you need to spend less time online?

Original poster
limey234 · 14/10/2023 07:55

The stabbing in France. That's the thing that put me off. Knowing there have been similar things here, usually in big cities.

OP posts:
BethDuttonsTwin · 14/10/2023 07:55

limey234 · 14/10/2023 07:50

We have a tourist trip booked in half term. Lots of museums, the tube, shops, tourist destinations with our two kids (under 7).

Would you go? Given the situation in the world right now.

My husband barely watches or reads any news. He doesn't understand why I'm nervous.

I think we should postpone it. I'm a bit nervous of being caught up in a protest, or other activity.

Yes. I live here, it's fine. Just be situationally aware and keep your eyes open like you would anytime you're in a big city. Personally I try to do the events and activities we want to do as early as possible in the day, so less crowds and just makes things more relaxing and easy to negotiate.

I understand your concern though.

ItsThatTimeAgainXmas · 14/10/2023 07:57

Personally I'd be more worried about the bedbugs than anything else. But I'd still go and just stand on the tube.

Original poster
limey234 · 14/10/2023 07:58

I come from a small town so going to London is quite a contrast for us.

If I was going alone. Or if I lived or worked there, I would just get on with it.

But our trip is a "nice to have" not a must.

OP posts:
LoudSnoringDog · 14/10/2023 07:58

I’m not concerned with protests.

I am concerned with “lone wolf” terrorist attacks. I think there is high potential for this.

Graciebobcat · 14/10/2023 07:58

I work there three days a week, as do millions of other people, not to mention all the people who live there.

I worked there since 1998- the whole time after 9/11, there were terrorist attacks on the Tube, London Bridge and Westminster. DH is older and worked there when there were IRA bombs.

What's the particular danger now? I'd advise avoiding southern Israel but London???

YoBeaches · 14/10/2023 07:58

I wouldn't link the french stabbing to a trip to London. I might wonder what protocols my kids school has in place though, more generally.

Comtesse · 14/10/2023 07:58

There are millions of people in London every day, walking around, doing their thing. There is always some risk of terrorism but I don’t think it’s any higher now than usual. Probably different if you’re in Golders Green or other areas with a significant Jewish community however.

You would be a bit daft to cancel your plans.

Saschka · 14/10/2023 08:00

LoudSnoringDog · 14/10/2023 07:58

I’m not concerned with protests.

I am concerned with “lone wolf” terrorist attacks. I think there is high potential for this.

Against Jewish schools and synagogues, maybe. Against the Natural History Museum and Madame Tussaud’s, no.

jc12689 · 14/10/2023 08:01

LoudSnoringDog · 14/10/2023 07:58

I’m not concerned with protests.

I am concerned with “lone wolf” terrorist attacks. I think there is high potential for this.

Well they can happen any time. You'll just end up never leaving the house thinking like that. You're probably a million times more likely to get hot by a bus.