To think DH cant come to this

[KatieBr]

So I am working away in London for a few nights (never had to before so don't really understand the rules)

DH said as neither of us have been to London, he could join me (obviously pay for his own transport) but surely he wont be able to stay in my hotel room?

Yes I am aware of that, thanks to good ol colonisation

I didn’t claim flummoxation but yes, I have made exactly that point.

My job let's me. Look into it I'm sure it's fine. I had to speak at a conference in Nashville(US) and I took my dd and sister. I only had to pay their flights and food.

Do you work at the same company as the OP?

Well you described it as the capital of England and imply it has the same status as Belfast so you'll forgive me for not realising you knew that

FFS, Araiwa's comment was tongue in cheek, how many more times

It’s perfectly believable that someone could post total bollocks so assertively. You see it a lot…

Some of us have never been to London and I for one would never! I need to have gone to London to know it's filthy and full of knife crime. That's not being 'sheltered' that's being sensible!
I'll stick to my beautiful little village in the Dales thanks

Yes, I forgive you.

😂You have literally proved my point. It is a huge city full of variety and all types of places and people. It is not 'full' of knife crime neither is all of it 'filthy'.

Just stay sheltered if you prefer and stick to what you know though.

Some of us have never been to London and I for one would never! I need to have gone to London to know it's filthy and full of knife crime. That's not being 'sheltered' that's being sensible!
I'll stick to my beautiful little village in the Dales thanks

Obviously people can choose not to visit a particular place but at least make that decision based on accurate information!!

I don't agree with the quoted poster's comments but again, just because you haven't been to London does not mean you are sheltered!

Eee, the chips on people's shoulders about London!
It just DOES have more art and culture (and shops, cafes, tourist attractions etc) than other places in the UK. That's just straight-up fact. I don't know why it's a 'sacred cow'

And the sweeping generalisations (largely by people who've never been) about the dangers of the tube , the filthiness of the whole place and the knife fights on every corner
I mean, rather than embarrass yourselves by parroting the most lurid headlines you've seen you could at least visit and see for yourselves.

As neither of you have been to London before, how can he possibly say ' do you really want to get on the tube to central London by yourself, I wouldn't recommend it! '

so he doesn't recommend it BUT he has never been, never done it yet thinks that by him being there he CAN do it for you...

just because you haven't been to London does not mean you are sheltered!

I would agree BUT being unwilling to leave your 'beautiful little village' does.
And I say that as someone who lives in a beautiful little village!

This thread reminds me of the episode of the Royle family where Anthony is going to London
'Shut it Dad you haven't even been to London'

DH used to travel overseas with work a lot and when in Europe myself and baby/toddler DS joined him a a few times. Budapest was the best.

DH and I grew up near London, he actually went to school in London and I also lived there as a young adult. This was in the heyday of Brit pop and I had friends that worked in very glam industries, I didn’t but wow the parties were amazing. Wanker bankers with too much money, parties in Primrose Hill, Notting Hill carnival. Nothing would induce me to live there again but it’s worth a visit.

full of knife crime

I lived in London for over a decade, spent another 20 or so years visiting it at least monthly, and didn't get stabbed once (nor did I stab anyone, or see anyone stabbed). Was I Londoning wrong?

Except it’s neither filthy or full of knife crime.

😂😂😂

I know people do this for some of my roles and it's always fine. Breakfast to be paid for if the second guest wants it.

Because I don’t know why it follows that because of all the arts and culture etc, that all adults in the UK are expected to go at least once in their lives. That’s what seems quasi religious about the posters being baffled that an adult in the UK has never been to London - like, maybe they’re happy with the arts and culture available where they are??

Are people also surprised that the majority of French people have never been to Paris? because “le Louvre”? It’s also a global tourist destination but it doesn’t mean all French people go and visit it - many of them prefer to holiday elsewhere in France.

Where do you work?

It’s allowed at my work as long as partner covers their own food and any upcharge on the room. Most of our corporate rates are on a room basis though and it’s no extra if 2 people stay. Travel with people from a variety of big consulting companies & have never heard of this being an issue for anyone.

Because I don’t know why it follows that because of all the arts and culture etc, that all adults in the UK are expected to go at least once in their lives. That’s what seems quasi religious about the posters being baffled that an adult in the UK has never been to London - like, maybe they’re happy with the arts and culture available where they are??

Goodness.

It is London’s constitutional importance that makes it a draw for people from all across the world. The seat of government of an at least historically globally powerful state; centre of legislation and justice, trade and cultural heritage. That’s why London has the huge multinational population, which generates all the other stuff.

Perhaps education has changed? Certainly when I was at school, trips to London were seen as a vital part of one’s understanding of English heritage. How could you study British history without visiting the Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, The Tower of London? And of course it may not be crucial to your sense of yourself if you feel your heritage to be wholly outside England and its colonial history - but what could be the harm in setting eyes on the capital of the country you currently reside in?

Who said 'expected'? It's more that people find it surprising.
Some of my Midlands family, who are certainly not 'cultured' in a Donmar Theatre/Royal Academy way, and who pretty much stick to their home area most of the time, nonetheless come to London on coach trips to see West End musicals and the like. Lots of people come for shopping too. And big sports events.
I think a lot of French people probably do visit Paris, and not just for the Louvre. But you seem to like an argument based on reductio ad absurdum.