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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
DisquietintheRanks · 14/10/2023 08:01

No you should stay home where its safe.

HappiestSleeping · 14/10/2023 08:01

@limey234 You have more chance of a bit of space junk landing on you than anything happening in London.

@Cascais - good username. Wife and I were there last month 👍

PermanentTemporary · 14/10/2023 08:02

It's natural to be nervous but yes I would definitely go. The stabbing in France seems to have been of a teacher by an ex-pupil, so although the timing is definitely linked to the terrible events in Israel and Gaza, it was also a personal link and tragedy.

Tensions are definitely high but even if I were 'visibly Jewish' (like my son) I would carry on normal life. I can't say I would confront anyone whatever the reason at the moment, I'd keep my head down.

GCAcademic · 14/10/2023 08:06

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

Same here. My skin is crawling just thinking about it!

Hiphopopotamonster · 14/10/2023 08:07

For goodness sake what do some people think London is?? It’s a relatively very safe big touristy city. Millions of us live and work here daily. I’ve never understood this mentality some in small towns seem to have where going to London is a big deal. Do you not travel and go to other big cities? What makes London so different and scary?

feralunderclass · 14/10/2023 08:13

Are you worried about a potential terrorist attack OP? Statistically in the UK you are more likely to die from a bee sting than the former.

Ginmonkeyagain · 14/10/2023 08:13

The French stabbing happened in Arras, which is a small town. It was carried out by a former pupil of the school the victim taught at. Terrible, but I am not sure what you think this has to do with London.

London isn't some sort of unique terrorist magnet.

Crapsummer2023 · 14/10/2023 08:14

So London is in north Gaza now? In that case, yes you should avoid.

vestedinterests · 14/10/2023 08:14

Are you for real op?

Graciebobcat · 14/10/2023 08:14

London is also very large. I was at a pub in the City (about half a mile away) when this happened and only found out on my way home.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_London_Bridge_attack

Cornishclio · 14/10/2023 08:16

Of course. You sound very anxious. London is a large city and there are always protests of one sort or another. Do you travel there often? I am up there in a few weeks time and probably twice your age and it never occurred to me to cancel. You can't let these things stop you living your life.

StoatofDisarray · 14/10/2023 08:17

Hiphopopotamonster · 14/10/2023 08:07

For goodness sake what do some people think London is?? It’s a relatively very safe big touristy city. Millions of us live and work here daily. I’ve never understood this mentality some in small towns seem to have where going to London is a big deal. Do you not travel and go to other big cities? What makes London so different and scary?

This! Most of us who live here lead quite boring lives, just like people elsewhere in the UK.

MintJulia · 14/10/2023 08:17

Yes, of course. I go to London once a week, in to a rail terminus, walk through Westminster, Embankment, South Bank, Fleet Street etc.

The last protest I saw was a Stop the Oil bunch on one of the bridges, months ago. Otherwise all normal and mostly good humoured.

You can't not go out because of a war thousands of miles away, plus a nutter with a knife, in France.

If you did that, you'd never leave home.

Bertiesmum3 · 14/10/2023 08:18

🤣🤣🤣
im going to Egypt soon for a holiday, it’s not crossed my mind not to!
why on earth are you panicking about going to London?

Zanatdy · 14/10/2023 08:20

Well I’ve got to get back to London today after visiting family, through to Surrey. No choice. I am planning to take my daughter into London this half term coming up, but will be keeping an eye on news. Heard via work much bigger policing presence this weekend due to protests

ZenNudist · 14/10/2023 08:22

Of course go. No more danger there now than ever.

MojoDojoCasaHouse · 14/10/2023 08:23

I’m in London with teen DC right now. Having a lovely time. Didn’t occur to me to cancel. Bad things can happen anywhere at any time but I’m not going to stop living because of it. Nothing in the news to indicate you should avoid London.

edwinbear · 14/10/2023 08:25

Well yes, I live here. Going about my normal day to day life with no issues at all. I was in Central London yesterday for work and it was a normal day. It hadn’t even crossed my mind not to.

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 14/10/2023 08:26

I was in London for a works meeting when the Westminster incident happened. A friend got caught up in the lockdown as his workplace is near the river.

We still met up and had dinner that evening and it was perfectly normal as if nothing had happened.

If you let the "what if's" dictate what you do, you'd never go anywhere.

NOTANUM · 14/10/2023 08:28

HermioneWeasley · 14/10/2023 07:51

Yes, absolutely unless you are visibly
jewish

I assume you mean Orthodox Jews whose clothes and hair may indicate that they’re Jewish.

Even so, it will be fine.

Zanatdy · 14/10/2023 08:31

Bertiesmum3 · 14/10/2023 08:18

🤣🤣🤣
im going to Egypt soon for a holiday, it’s not crossed my mind not to!
why on earth are you panicking about going to London?

Not sure why everyone is making the OP out to be some kind of OTT worrier. It’s been discussed in meetings at work which I won’t disclose for obvious reasons but the authorities are expecting some problems, and no doubt that’s why others are worried as that kind of info gets out.

Egypt - I wouldn’t go at all, or Turkey and I’m not someone who overly worries. Egypt I went to 15yrs ago but wouldn’t set foot there now

Inkpotlover · 14/10/2023 08:36

Your anxiety is misplaced but, honestly, if you're that scared, don't come. I live in London and we are not remotely worried about attacks but it is a busy city, especially in the tourist areas, so if you're constantly thinking something bad is going to happen you won't enjoy yourself and you'll scare your DC.

Original poster
limey234 · 14/10/2023 08:37

Thanks all.

One person with mild concerns too. Thanks @Zanatdy for not making me seem like a freak 🤣

I am a cautious person by nature. I think that is part of it.

The terror alert in France, the extra police, my Jewish friend in the USA telling me she needs armed guard just to worship

Not helping my worrying at all

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 14/10/2023 08:37

I get why you’d be nervous OP. There’s a few protests around the world re the Israel situation, which look pretty scarey. But I think the UK police have got this, and will not allow any similar protests to get a foothold on our streets. Just go and enjoy yourselves, but just be aware of your surroundings and remove yourselves from any nearby developing situations.

NOTANUM · 14/10/2023 08:38

So it’s been discussed at your work @Zanatdy

Is that MI5 or MI6? The Met? The Army?

Forgive me but if there were serious concerns from “the authorities” to the point that they were alerting your company and presumably others like it, it would a gross violation of their duty to protect 8 million Londoners who they are not alerting at all.

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