Intolerance in London

The Brits are known for their tolerance. And there is encouraging evidence that in many ways it is increasing. Those in London, as one of the ultimate melting pots, continue to be tolerant and even supportive of incredible diversity – whether that is in terms of race, religion, sexuality, political views, eating habits, drug taking and numerous other lifestyle choices.

We even tolerate some mean behaviour – from poor manners and drunkenness, to verbal abuse and intimidation and even violence (although the media is highlighting that tolerance towards knives and gun crime has ended). I have to admit that whilst being an avid Ipod user, it irritates me when my daily commute is ruined by some selfish person who doesn’t care that we don’t share their taste in very loud and tinny fallout from their earphones but if there is no “quiet carriage” sign then I keep quiet. And we are almost apathetic towards some of the idiot behaviour of those who govern us with tolerance towards increasing regulation on normal behaviour, seriously over the top taxation and, in some areas, a serious restriction of our ability to make our own choices.

For instance, we are “advised” how much alcohol it is “safe” for us to drink – so we feel guilty if we fancy another glass of wine. We walk past the tantalising smell of the burger bar or bakery to seek out some over-chilled and over-priced salad because we need to be healthy. And have you seen how much upset is caused when people make jokes at people who are overweight? We are made to feel bad about CO2 emissions from planes if, after working so hard all year round at a stressful job, we want to jet away for a week of sunshine and sea. And car drivers must now consider the financial penalties (fuel prices, taxes, parking fines, congestion charge and so on and so forth) as well as the general distaste of the public for those who are able to or have to choose private rather than public transport.

Yet there are some areas where tolerance has all but disappeared. I watched with dismay as commuters rushing to get on a train almost knocked a poor man on crutches over. And I was appalled at how a really old and infirm woman was left to stand on a tube. A couple of dog owner friends of mine report that they are regularly abused even though they keep their very well behaved dogs on leads and a pocket full of baggies at the ready. Even friends with children report that in some places it is made clear that they are simply not wanted.

But yesterday, I got really angry. While standing alone and minding my own business having a guilty cigarette (in the rain) – near a bin so that I wasn’t branded a litter criminal - a burly security guard came out of the nearby headquarters of a major corporation (and one that is in the fossil fuels business so absolutely no way implicated in global warming!) came to tell me gruffly that I was not permitted to smoke there and moved me along. I’m sorry, but I thought that the pavement several yards from the entrance was a public footway – did I miss the bit where all London pavements became private property? Tolerance means accepting all legal behaviour and not just those that are currently politically correct.

:angry: