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CynthiaW's avatar

"At home, I tend to hear Spanish and Russian."

Same, although I can't tell Russian from Ukrainian, so it could be either one.

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Derek M's avatar

Thanks Jay – I’m enjoying your observations of my adopted hometown. You’re reminding me of when I moved here 14 years ago. (I’m a west coast American now living in the Borough of Richmond.)

A few thoughts:

- If you’re hearing lots of French voices, chances you’re in a neighbourhood that has a French school. When they put a Lycee Francais ecole primaire in my former neighborhood near Northcote Road in Battersea, the French spoken there went up exponentially. If you see a Aux Merveilleux de Fred, you can bet you’re close to a French school. (By the way, the pastries are amazing.)

- One of the reasons there are fewer people in the neighborhoods might be because school’s out and everyone is on holiday. Compound that with the fact you’re in upmarket neighborhoods. Everyone is out of Dodge right now. (My high street is super-quiet right now.) Come September and the hustle and bustle will be back.

- If you’re in Belgravia, I would recommend The Grenadier or The Thomas Cubitt.

- Toilets? Yes, they’re called that but well-mannered people will call them ‘The Gents/Ladies’ or the ‘Lavatory’.

- Re: recorded announcement at tube stations. Go to Embankment station. Listen to the voice that says “Mind the Gap”. It’s distinctly different and a very heartwarming story behind that.

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