It’s common in Chinese culture for people to renew their clothing and wear it on the special occasion. How kind then, of what I can only assume were a bunch of yobs in Hendon, for making the process so much easier for me by nicking all my stuff. They did a good job too – not only did I need new clothes, but they’ve also forced me to get a new laptop, mobile phone, and camera. The UK really is a charming country – people are ever so thoughtful there.
If i’ve gained anything from the ordeal though, i’ve learned at least one thing: don’t go to London! Or if that’s too draconian (what? never!), then at the very last be careful where you park your car (although ours was already in a carpark). Apparently Ford Focuses are a prime target (brick through back windscreen, then you can easily lift up the flap and access the boot contents), and it’s easy to tell if it’s a hire car.
This whole debacle simply reaffirms my affection for this country. Sure, it’s not the same everywhere (i’ve spent quite a bit of time in the Cotswolds and found it very pleasant): but I think it’s fair to say, however subjective a claim it may be, that the UK has a problem with truancy. And it’s not just me talking: indeed, it’s been talk of the media recently too – words like ‘yob’ and ‘hoodie’ popping up not too infrequently.
I’m neither a sociologist nor anthropologist, but whatever the reasons behind the problem it is certainly not good for Britain’s image. Upon landing at Heathrow (or arriving at one of many UK railway stations) you are greeted with a sign informing passengers that ‘assault of our staff will not be tolerated’ – a sign I have not seen in any other country. And of all the countries I have visited, for some reason I feel the least comfortable in UK cities.
Part of my holiday (after much rescheduling and re-issuing of passports) was spent in Switzerland – we usually go there at least once a year for a week or two each time. It’s impeccably efficient, and the kids look sophisticated and innocent. Meanwhile in the UK, I see a bunch of kids and feel like thumping them. But it’s not just Switzerland – back here in Hong Kong I feel safe; in Beijing I feel safe… heck even in the USA I feel safe. And yet, at the back of my mind, my image of the UK is a nation full of irresponsible drunken yobs who couldn’t work a bank account if their lives depended on it.
I don’t know what has led to the decline of British civilised society as we know it, but one thing is certain : I would have serious reservations about raising my kids there. For now, i’ll just stick to short bursts each year.
And I want my stuff back.
[...] It’s not difficult, really. After getting all my stuff nicked back in February, i’ve cancelled and subsequently had my HSBC credit card re-issued. One month later there was no sign of it – a call to the call centre revealed my card was in my ‘local’ branch. Call centre said they’d arrange for a transfer – instead, I now got a letter informing me if I don’t collect my card soon it would be revoked. [...]