London vs New York

Ah, the sweet smell of home.
Beats the smell of London, Vomit and Drunks 
(okay, to be fair, thats anywhere in the UK after a bank holiday weekend)

This is starting to feel mean. That's the city I was born in you're talking about. Some of us on this planet come from the place you're insulting freely and although nowhere is perfect, it's my hometown.

Obviously, as a Londoner, I have a totally different opinion.  I found New York, in a fleeting visit, to be drab and dull.  With the exception of a few buildings, I didn't find the architecture to be particularly interesting compared to London, and other than the odd gallery and museum I didn't find much to do there that I couldn't do/see in London.  I'd say good for a few days to do the tourist stuff (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island) then do as I did, and jump on the bus to DC.

Obviously, living there is totally different, and I am sure that once I found the good pubs and met people I'd settle, but I am not sure I'd find things to do every weekend as I do in London.

*NB I hate shopping, which may be a factor in not loving the city.

Vicky

This is starting to feel mean. That's the city I was born in you're talking about. Some of us on this planet come from the place you're insulting freely and although nowhere is perfect, it's my hometown.

And as I said before, NYC is my home, however I am perfectly capable, and I also enjoy laughing at the fact that it can be a dirty, crappy city in some parts. Just like anywhere.

I think the point is that it's not fair or nice to say that the whole of London/the UK smells of sick.  It's also not true!!!


Vicky

I think the point is that it's not fair or nice to say that the whole of London/the UK smells of sick.  It's also not true!!!


Vicky

So is it fair to say that NYC smells of urine and hot dogs?
But guess what, some places at some times do smell of urine and hot dogs, and like many other cities in the UK (including the one that I love and live in) does on ocassion smell of uring and vomit.

This is starting to feel mean. That's the city I was born in you're talking about. Some of us on this planet come from the place you're insulting freely and although nowhere is perfect, it's my hometown.

To be fair, I did insult NYC first. To each his/her own, right? If we all wanted to live in the same place, the world would be pretty boring.

To me, London smells of diesel fumes and that lovely smell that comes out of pubs - all beery and nice (and I don't even particularly like beer).

My mother always said NYC smelled of cigarettes and French perfume to her ... but then again, she lived there in the '50s.

(x-posted with a lot of you!)

To me, London smells of diesel fumes

I like that!  I can only cope with a few days in the country without it!


Vicky

And as I said before, NYC is my home.

And people have said not nice things about NYC too, but not me. I think it's fun to chat about differences and similarities in two cities, but when things start to get like a "your place sucks" situation, that's sad and petty, and not actually that funny, no matter which is the target.

And on literally the smells, well sure! But it sounds like you are characterizing the whole entity of "London" as a place you have written off. I'm sorry if your personal experiences of it have left you uninterested in this city. That's fair enough. But there's no need to take joy in attacking it.

I've never been to NYC but in my book BOTH cities are important, eternal, fine places this world would be lesser for not having.

To be fair, I did insult NYC first. To each his/her own, right? If we all wanted to live in the same place, the world would be pretty boring.

To me, London smells of diesel fumes and that lovely smell that comes out of pubs - all beery and nice (and I don't even particularly like beer).

My mother always said NYC smelled of cigarettes and French perfume to her ... but then again, she lived there in the '50s.

(x-posted with a lot of you!)

But it isn't really about wanting to live in a place --- it's fair enough if someone finds they don't care for a place. But there's a difference between that and relishing insulting it.

"your place sucks"

Yeeek! Nobody's said that about anywhere!

To be fair, I did insult NYC first. To each his/her own, right? If we all wanted to live in the same place, the world would be pretty boring.

Bingo! And I did say, ah the sweet smell of home. Just like someone else likes the smell of diesel, the smell of hotdogs (although maybe not urine) does remind me of home. And lets be fair, I didn't say all of the UK smells of piss ALL OF THE TIME...but lets be honest, being in a town centre first thing on a Sunday morning, very often does smell of wee...

and I never ever implied or said your place sucks

Yeeek! Nobody's said that about anywhere!

I was speaking figuratively -- of course no one actually said those words, but the tone this thread was taking had a strong whiff of that sentiment.

and I never ever implied or said your place sucks

I disagree -- I sensed an implication that you had quite a strong dislike of London. Which is fine, but as I've said, it started to border on mean rather than restraining oneself at just acknowledging one doesn't care for the place. There's a fine line between the two and it would have been nice if there hadn't been a feeling that this thread was taking a turn into crossing it.

So is it fair to say that NYC smells of urine and hot dogs?

Maybe not.  Though it is fair to say that some parts do as some parts of the day.  I will happily say that I retch walking down Gerrards Street in Soho early in the morning before it has been cleaned.  But I can see why 

Beats the smell of London, Vomit and Drunks 
(okay, to be fair, thats anywhere in the UK after a bank holiday weekend)

may cause offense.


Vicky

a strong whiff

Was that an intended pun?