INTERVJUER, DEL 2

What’s your name and age? How long have you lived in London? Born and raised? (If not, what brought you to London?)

An anonymous man. I was born and raised in suburban London, the North-West corner.  Have also lived in Brighton, and Cambridge and New South Wales in Australia.

What’s a typical Londoner like?

There are many typical London's and it has always been multi-ethnic as far as I can remember.  I think London is a living, breathing cross-section of societies and cultures but with a strong financial, entertainment, and historical background.  We have the West End plus London Eye plus the Tower of London (now over 900 years old), plus Somerset House and the Courthauld Institute and British Academy, and on and on.   If you like, London is a (rather expensive) smorgasboard.  But it is also often a lonely place, no matter who you are or what your background.

Do you have any regular place to be, like for example a café, a park or a pub?

A place I often go to (when I feel the need) is Leicester Square as it has many interesting little shops and old pubs to accompany the entertainment scene.  Trafalgar Square is only a short walk away.

What should tourists not miss when they’re in London?

I would say don't miss St. Paul's Cathedral (finished in 1699, after the Great Fire of 1666 destroyed the previous one on the same spot).  The Houses of Parliament and the River Thames winding through are also iconic and so impressive, no matter how many times you have seen them.  For relaxation don't miss Regent's Park and the lovely gardens, and perhaps London Zoo which is inside the park (but pricey too).  Nearest station for that is Baker Street.  Richmond Park is in the south-west and the largest and oldest.  Good shopping and very fashionable.
Also the Comedy club called Comedy Store is something a tourist who want some fun shouldn't miss!

What’s your best London advice?

Take your time to do things steadily if you have time and some cash to spare.  It can be very tiring to walk around and/or use buses or tubes, so don't expect to see or assimilate much in one or two days.  Remember that 40% of today's "Londoner's" were born outside the UK, according to the latest census in 2011.

The best club/bar?

People vary widely in their interests, but Ronnie Scott's is a world famous jazz club, there is also the 100 Club near Oxford Street, and then there is the Comedy club.  Bars are a problem: a trap for tourists and the unwary, as they can charge crazy entrance prices and for drinks too.  Pick up a copy of What's On in London, or much cheaper is the Independent newspaper on Saturday (only) which contains a very good weekly entertainment guide to central London called Radar.

The best shopping?

The best shopping again depends on your taste and your pocket: there is Camden market which is bustling and cheaper than most, or there is Bond Street and Knightsbridge.  Oxford Street is very well known and popular but it gets horribly crowded most of every day.  For culture and good architecture mixed with good shopping you should consider going to Kensington, but this is also very expensive.  Tourists should always be aware of the premium prices in central London.  If you go just outside the centre, places like Richmond or Greenwich in the east provide real alternatives (but probably not all of the fashionable, big-name stores).  Hampstead is also great fun, with really old pubs and the heath to roam about on.  Don't for get that suburban (outer) London is huge in area and has many hidden delights of its own.

The best restaurant/cafe?

The best restaurant is entirely down to your experience and your choice of menu.

Where and what do/did you study? Positive/negative about it?

I studied at Brighton (Sussex university) and at UCL in central London.  UCL was easy to get to from here (as you know), it had a relaxing, calm feel to it and it is now one of the world's top universities.  It comprises an impressive and interesting group of buildings and famous hospitals in Bloomsbury, and now has a huge student body.  It can feel chaotic at times as UCL is in the centre of a very busy part of London, and the West End, and people always seem to be rushing about.  It may seem that they don't have time for you.

What requires to study what you study? Any special grades or tests?

The usual test is A level grades; B or better in all subjects is a good target.  This is changing as it has become much easier to get good A level grades over the last 20 years and the Government is now listening to opinion to change to a baccalaureate type exam.  If you come from a less advantaged background and didn't go to a fee-paying school (public school) then many universities will accept this and make different offers.  UCL has a good reputation in this respect.  A level papers began to be marked harder this year.  Student debt is a big worry for many and applications for study at UK universities are down as a result.