London as Home

Can I be a Londoner Yet?

I avoid the tourist traps like the plague, when friends come visit for weekends and ask to go to Oxford Street I scoff. I find myself when back in my home town finding everything quaint and when faced with a problem shrug it off with, "I live in the East End, I can be a hard nut". Just to clarify the East End is a lovely place, and I am currently on Cockney Hunt, I am desperate to find where they live, my visions of EastEnders is diminishing by the day. I know the tube lines and can even direct people around London, I can relate to Londongrumblr Tumblr a website everyone should visit! So why then do 'real' Londoners still call me a visitor, or a 'Southerner'. Yes I am from the West Country, but I sound more like I come from Chelsea. Blame the education. Does your region really define who you are? I feel more at home in London than anywhere else I have been. I live here, I have built (or trying to) my litte world here...so when do I get to be a Londoner. I am not buying I have to be born here. Look at the history of London, its created on immigration internal and external. 

So I have comprised a list that if you can tick off you are a Londoner:

1) Tourist Traps...sorry the beautiful architecture feats and sights of London are no longer amazing.

"Oh that old thing, yes thats the London eye"

"Bloody hell why can't I walk across the bridge without falling/pushing/tripping over someone with a camera. Oh right, Parlement and Big Ben, great."

"NO WE ARE NOT GOING TO OXFORD CIRCUS"

2) You can master the commute.

Balance the papers, check the phone and still have your shirt immaculately pressed by 6pm? My friend you have negotiated the commute.

3) Zone 1-3 are the only zones you want to travel in, any further and you will be labeled a commuter and after midnight stumbling around trying to find a night bus will be horrific.

4) Bankers 

You came to the city thinking the pearly gates of Canary Wharf held the most prestigious intellectuals. Or you were either going to become a banker or marry one. Turns out 'Banker Wanker' is real, and you have to try not to laugh when someone smugly says they are one.

5) Fashion Dahhhling

Pink hair, blue hair, yellow hair, no hair. Big shoes, mis-matched shoes and the ultimate WELLINGTON BOOT. Are all apparently acceptable wear around London especially in the East, in fact if you live in the East throw away your Ugg boots, other wise someone will rip you to shreds for wearing them.

6) What you are willing to spend...

Goes up. "£5 for a sandwich- god that's cheap". 

"Oh My God a Jager Bomb is £3.50 lets buy ten!!!"

Student living...I think not.

Tourist trap WESTMINSTER BRIDGE. 

Big Ben, about as close as I will get: From a Cocktail bar