That's very good. The same thing probably applies in blocks of flats. The fact remains that if you start talking to strangers at bus stops in London the reception is unpredictable. But OOp north it's normal.
Based on nothing more than my own experiences (and that of friends) Brixton it appears a lot harder to meet new faces. When I first moved here I soon got to know a large and diverse group of people, many of whom were living in the squats/housing co-ops around Carlton/Clifton Mansions and Rushcroft Road. When I started doing DJ nights at the Albert I met a whole load more, and there was always an active protest/social scene where I'd meet more folks. Since they've turned all that housing into upmarket flats I can honestly say I've not met a single person who's moved into these now-private residences, and only one person from Brixton Square, despite me being out and about just as much (and DJing far more). Yeah it proves nothing but it's hard to argue that Brixton hasn't lost a lot of what made it so unique since gentrification.
Eh??? You are having a tantrum because a couple of random people you have never met on here somehow represent all of Brixton? Did someone tell you that everything posted on this forum is somehow the local law?
Not even two weeks ago there was much consternation here that a new poster had been treated roughly when a regular poster simply pointed out an apparent inconsistency in the new poster’s position. I’m glad to see that lessons have been learnt and that the not one but two new posters to this forum who have posted in this thread have been given as friendly a welcome as possible.
Ah, I see you've popped in, ever hopeful to stir the pot. Sadly, I think you're shooting blanks here, squire. I don't think anyone has been 'treated roughly' although I do find the OP's apparent position of expecting gratitude towards her for 'contributing to the area' by simply rocking into town a little strange.
To be honest, I think I got the most unfriendly post of the lot where I was accused of being 'racist and demeaning' in post #3 simply for pointing out that the area was safe! And I don't think people dredging up historic murders, stabbings and muggings was all together useful either. But no, I don't think the OP had a particular rough time. She asked a question and got an answer.
True prejudice on both sides. She though you were rough and would hurt her. You thought she would be a yuppie who came in and was part of the gentrification of the area and would not contribute anything to the area and would not be friends with people like you. [I am personifying this deliberately to add to the intensity]
What the fuck are you on about? I said nothing of the sort. How fucking dare you manufacture such hurtful lies. Nope. But I accurately described the accommodation she was moving into.
I did say I was personifying it to give you a rise. She conflated you with all the lies/prejudice she had heard about Brixton. You reciprocated with your own prejudice about people who rented out local flats. She might have been a really nice person who became one of your closest friends. But you just appeared to shut it out because of your prejudice.
What prejudice? She asked if Brixton Square was safe and I gave her a perfectly accurate reply: "You'll be in a nice and safe gated development for yuppies and well-off incomers, so you'll be fine" Please read carefully and note that at no point did I call her a yuppie. Do you know how much flats cost in that development?
I take your point, but I still think a subtext of her post was will i be safe, but also will I be welcome? your post said safe: yes welcome: not so much.
Do you arrive in cities expecting to be welcomed? I'd say that a welcome is only earned by how you interact with the locals.
I disagree. She was worried about safety and living in a desirable part of Brixton, she actually named 'undesirable' parts.
Yes the OP was couched in estate agents talk rather than the language of need. Subtle stuff. But talk to people gently. Introduce them to the proper community.
Absolutely. Especially poor people seeing their area gentrified and their friends and families forced out by economic displacement. They should positively exude the warmest of welcomes whenever someone decides to move into the freshly desirable parts of town. And doff their caps while they're at it.
Now there's a thing. Pulp are from Sheffield. I stayed there for a month in 1983. Terms of endearment include "Luv" and "Duck". I found it disconcerting (as a southerner) to be called "Luv" when the bus conductor gave me a ticket and change. Luv in Sheffield was, maybe still is, a completely asexual (or bisexual) pleasantry for all occasions.
I know quite a few old fashioned white working class Londoners who addresss their Male fiends as Love and Darlin’. Close friends, not everyone, like in the North. But they do do it openly, in public.
