In England, we have such good manners that if someone says something impolite, the police will get involved.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
In London we give ourselves a pat on the back, rightly, for not killing one another, for our prejudice being subtle rather than lethal.
Every person who speaks or writes for the public will make an occasional faux pas, and sooner or later will write or say something inappropriate.
I believe that there's a way to question authority with manners, with dignity. There's no reason to be rude about it.
I have a respect for manners as such, they are a way of dealing with people you don't agree with or like.
Now, can some cops be overbearing, rude? Yeah. But we have a process for that. Do what the officer tells you to do, and file a complaint. That's the process. You don't attack a police officer on the street or resist arrest because you think you're being hassled.
You have this impression from England that New Yorkers can be quite aggressive, but certainly the people that I've bumped into and the friends I've made here don't seem that way. Just walking down the street and asking for directions, people seem to be very helpful and happy to help.
For policemen to be honest about the fact that they may be fearful when they come into a certain situation, not understanding what's going to happen. The only way things will change and things will get better is if people are able to be honest without feeling like they're going to be offended, or they're going to offend someone else.
I avoid the public because the English public is too aggressive these days for me.
In England we are sort of very awkward.
In London, people can be so... well, it's not even a case of people being unkind or unfriendly. You just don't make any contact in London. You go from A to B with your eyes on the pavement.