Things I admire about London

Few things I admire in London. Do not take it seriously, please, but bear in mind what the essayst Samuel Johnson said back in 18th century. “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

Big Ben being best  at nigh

      Everyone is well familiar with the London´s main attractions, thence I am not gonna discuss them in detail. The recently renamed Big Ben dominates most of the postcards. However, it has never been the official name of the tower. Big Ben is the big bell inside. It is besieged by many tourist at the day time, but it is even more beautiful at night. I happened to walk by at nine, ten, one, two, and most recetnly at four in the morning. Shining bright, just adds the final touch to the atmosphere of a nigh walk along the Thames. Almost silence, the rush of the city has dissapeared in the distance. Just the London Eye shining blue on the other side of the river, and the Tower of London in the distance. From above the light of the night sky with stars, and quite often also a plane landing at one of London´s airports.

Determination of the demonstrators in at the Parliament Square

          Big Ben belongs to the buildings of Parliament, the law-making body for the whole kingdom. It can be said that parliament was created in Britain. As far back as in 14th century, the king had his council of advisers that evolved into the House of Commons. Nobility and the Church of England were represented in the House of Lords. Until recently, also the Britons bestoved with the life peerage could take their seat. For example, Isaac Newton repeatedly used this privilege, but he spoke up only once. Reportedly, he asked the gathering to close the window, because he was cold. Right in front of the Parliament, just across the road, you can see the tents of demonstrators. They are protesting against the Iraq war. I saw them for the first time in 2008 and since them I see them every year. They would not give up. Their patience can be matched only by that of the travellers on the London´s public transport, or the people lined up at the Olympic venues.

Westminster cathedral has nothing to do with the Westminster Abbey

       Many people might think, that it is one and the same thing. But we are talking about two completely different building, either in terms of religion and the architectonic style. Westminster Abbey is predominantly gothic church and the seat of the protestant religion in England. It witnesses the coronation ceremonies of the British monarchs, and various other celebrations, like the last year’s wedding of Prince William.

       Westminster Abbey also includes a cemetery with burials of some of the foremost British personalities, such as sir Isaac Newton, the traveler David Livingstone, former souvereigns and statesmen, the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Georg Friedrich Handel, Charles Darwin and many more. Even some people that are buried elsewhere has a monument erected here. For example the unknown infantry from the World War I.

     Westminster Cathedral, on the other hand, is about hals a mile durther, not far from the Victoria Station. It is rather modern building and of centre of Catholicism.

The four towers and much more to see at the Tower of London

      Foundations of the Tower were laid down by William the Conqueror. It served as a military stronghold during the middle ages, later used as a prison. Many prisoners died here in the mist of myth, and therefore their ghosts would come back and seek solitude. Thence the belief that the Tower is haunted. Some of the Yeomen Wardens reported sudden motion and sounds to be heard in the corridors and halls. The wardens are nicknamed “Beefeaters”, which is also the name of a famous gin. But the haunting has no links to the over-exposure to the liquer, at all.

    Most of the poscards with picture Tower as a square building with four towers. But when you approach the stronghold from the south, you would not see any of them, only a bunch of walls. If you came from the south, it is possible that you walked across the Tower Bridge, which opens in order to make a way for an oversize ship. These days, Olympic circles are hanging from the bridge. You can visit the Belfast cruiser from the WWII, still anchored at the south bank and serving as a museum. Also the Shard, at 309m the highest building in London completed in 2012, dominates the embankment.

Fish and chips is just fish and chips

         There are many fish & chips restaurants around the Tower. British cuisine is not very recognized, many tourists would complain about the faint taste. Anecdotal evidence says that it the result of the blockade during the World War II. Isolated from the rest of the world, the British could not import spices and foods, and had to rely on their home grown products, unfortunately few and far between. Traditional British dishes are pies stuffed with beef or/and kidney, fishermen pies, pudding and the black tea served at five. Best choice would be the tea.

    Thanks to the mixing of cultures, meals from all around the world penetrated into Britain and enriched the mediocre menu at the restaurants. The Italians anf French are much better cooks, however the British flag is raised with honour by Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. One of the popular dishes is the fish & chips, served by vinegar. In many hotels it is served on a sheet of old newspaper with the headline “catch if the day”.  Moreover, there are specialized restaurant, and not only around the Tower Hill. Once I gave it a try and went in. I was served fried fish with chips, the same my mother cooks back in Slovakia. Just instead of vinegar, I usually have ketchup.

Olympic security measures and me

      Yesterday I had the honour to experience the Olympic security measures in London, being interrogated by the police as a criminal. Actually, it is nice to be judged as a criminal if you are innocent. It boost ups the image of a rascal. And I like to talk to the police. One of the opportunities to practice my English.

    It all started when I and my friend decided to go to the Hyde Park, to watch the screening of the Olympics and the concert. The official opening was scheduled at very symbolic 20:12. Prior to the show, there were many guys offering some tickets. However, we did not intend to go to the concert, therefore we just walked by saying thank you.

      After a while another friend texted me. We were supposed to meet at nine o clock at the Marble Arch. So we walked to the arch, but could not see any of him. He phoned me to find out where I was and I described him my position in detail. He asked me whether the arch has a statute at its top. I got across that he had probably mistaken Marble Arch with the Hyde Park Corner, which is a little farther to the south.

    While standing in the middle of the arch still on the phone, sweeping my hands, I was approached by two policemen. My friend was standing next to me. Just for the record, he is from the Saint Martin Island in the Caribbean and in his free time pursues career in music, hip-hop. With and image as Dizzee Rascal he caught the eye of the authorities. One of the policemen asked me, what I was doing. I explained him, that I was giving instructions to my friend who got lost. The policeman asked me whether I was selling tickets.  No, I do not. Why do you want some – I choked on lame attempt to sound funny. Luckily, I did not say it loud. Most probably a ticket trafficking was be illegal. Rather unpleasant way how to find out.

     He asked me for any ID. I gave him my identification card. He put down the details into some electronic device, similar to the touchpad mobiles. The technique has advanced. Three years ago when I was checked during an anti-terrorism operation they used pencil and a paper block. Immediately, I was searched through by the policeman looking for the tickets. He pulled out all my belonging from my pockets. Wallet, keys, some biscuits, Oyster card. No tickets, so I could go. Afterwards, together with his colleague, they checked my friend, but did not find anything, either. Now, they are do they job with responsibility and thoroughly...

     It was only proved few minutes later when I was walking across the road, together with my friend who finally found the right arch. Group of policemen were leaning over a girl who had fainted on the street, probably some kind of seizure. One of them jumped to the first aid, others were dealing with the passersby. Protect and serve. Maybe the British police are sometimes little annoying, but acknowledgement to the organizers that they really went the whole hog with the security measures. However, probably only in London. Yesterday I read in the newspaper that an 11 year-old boy managed to sneak through the gate control at the Manchester airport and boarded a flight to Rome.

Further four things about London

On the week days the city belongs to tourists

     Once I went for a night out on Monday. Together with my Mexican roommate, we headed for the Walkabout. We did not expect many people there, it was Monday. However, we had to  wait in a queue for forty-five minutes, such was the crowd. At weekend it multiplies, because the tourists are joined by the local residents. On Friday, they call it a day around 4 p.m. and in the evening you can see them hanging around the pubs and bars. I like the way they rest the glasses with beer on the street lamps while immersed in lively discussions. Some of them are blowing out lot of money, once I found 10 pounds on the street. Bars are full, therefore the people standing on the street. Around midnight the live moves to Soho, where the life is little wilder. And hotter. Many people would call at a non-stop McDonald to grab some refreshment. For transport they use buses, cabs, taxis and bike taxis. Once I witnessed a crowd of people squeezing inside an overcrowded bus so that the warning signal went out like “This bus is under attack, contact the police.”

Newspapers are free, but you have to pay for the toilets

Some services meet the highest standards, a man would not think of. On the week days, there are free newspapers two times a day. Available at the stations, shops, or simply given out by the paper boys. They are rather thin, but one would get the most important news. Thicker English newspapers cost about one pound each and offer really detailed information and analyses. Of broadsheet format, they take up a lot of space. Most of them are available also in the smaller, tabloid format.

      On the other hand, many other things are subject to fees, for example the public toilets. I know one free toilet at Covent Garden and Soho, and in any McDonalds, actually. It is complimentary to order at least small fries afterwards. Prices at the restaurants are higher than in Slovakia, but you can come across good bargains or meal deals. I was lucky at the Fire & Stone restaurant at Covent Garden. Also, I would recommend Chinatown and the “all you can eat” restaurants. For 4 – 8 pounds you can enjoy your game. Who is more health conscious, should go to Subway. It is a fast food chain, but you can choose cereal bread as well as the stuffing. Alcohol is quite expensive, but for the happy hour, when it is almost compulsory to have as many drinks as possible. But be careful in the streets where you can be charged up to 500 fine for drinking in public premises.

If you want to know what’s new, go out

     
      In London one can feel the course of world´s events. Few days after the death of Michael Jackson, the main entrance to the Lyrics Theatre showing Thriller was full of flowers and candles, some fans would even sleep there. You could buy a T-shirt with an inscription “Michael Jackson, 1958 – forever”. Similar was the situation last October, but instead of the sleepers, you could see broached apples in front of the Apple store.

      There is always something going on in the city. Man walks into a shop and he is occupied for two hours. You can buy anything you would think of, various T-shirts, Star-Wars action figures, I’ve even seen a shop where you can buy vice-versa garment. The pants were designed to be worn at the top, and you would pull the T-shirt on your legs. Designer shops have the latest collection on display, and if not they can order it at your will. On the other hand, older clothes can be bought at even 70% discount. Streets are full of interesting people from different cultures. They will provide information hey will provide information you would not learn from the newspapers.

City tour at the cost of regular bus fare

       
     Many companies offer guided bus tours around the city. But you can enjoy one by using the public transport buses, mainly if you are seated at the top. If you choose a good line, you will see most of the London’s sights at the cost of regular fare. For example, line 10 starts at the King’s Cross Station. From there you will travel along the British Library, on the left you will see the University College, ranked amongst the world’s top universities.

       Along the British Museum you get to the Oxford Street. There you will be hold up for a while, but you will have enough time to picture all the shops, people on the street and nervous drivers. It is the traffic jams that ad to the relaxing characteristics of the bus journey. If you are bored, you can spot the traditional black cabs. At the Marble Arch, you will turn left. On the right you can see the Triumphal Arch, and little further the Hyde Park. On the left are some of the most prestigious London’s hotels, Dorchester, Hilton, and Le Meridien Picacadilly and Ritz just around the corner. Also the Hard Rock Café, which you however can’t see.

      At the Hyde Park Corner, the bus will turn right, to Knightsbridge, passing along Harrods and Harvey Nichols, two luxurious department stores. In Harrods they have all year round Christmas. The bus Terminates near South Kensington. Not far from there you can find the Museum of Natural History, Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert’s Museum.

     On your way back, you can take line number 9 towards Trafalgar Square. You have to change there, so why not visit the National Gallery with Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Caravaggio’s Supper in Emaus on display? Except of that, there is always some kind of life at the Trafalgar Square, concerts or opera showing. Finally, get on number 12 to the Westminster. You will see the Parliament buildings and recently renamed Big Ben, On the other side of the bridge you will glance the London Eye.  

London

     London is one of the cities where man can have everything, if he is willing to take the time and finances. Maybe paradise for the tourists, but most of the permanent residents start to have second though after about the constant waiting and expenses, and decide to relocate to the outskirts, or to the countryside. I spent there 18 months of my life, thence I could gave you a long and boring lecture on history, culture and politics of this conglomerate of cultures. Instead, I just pinned together 10 observations, things that I happened to find interesting since I first entered the “big world” (London is considered a global metropole) in 2008. Some of them are peculiar only for London, but most of them can refer to the western world as such. 

 1 American culture

 My first glance of London was that of the Gatwick Airport. I had enough time to get familiar with it because I spend there six hours waiting for my cousin, who was coming home from holiday in Spain later that evening. But I can’t say I was bored. I went through all the shops and restaurants, realizing that the prices were quite reasonable. By truth, I was fascinated even by the MensHealth magazine that I bought at one of the newsagents. Everything was new. I have to mention that before I spent most of my life in small city in the south of Slovakia, or Banská Bystrica (my university city with app 90,000 inhabitants in central Slovakia).    

     Next day I took part in family shopping. Most of the goods in the supermarket I knew only from the American movies. Now most of the people would consider them rather commonplace because the consumer culture has penetrated into Slovakia - and not only the bad aspects. Streets of London were full of fast foods, which I expected; but also of small shops owned by immigrants, which I found surprising (fixing up the article 8 years after the original publishing I have to smile :-) ). You can bargain the price, but in general, they only multiply the atmosphere of chaos. Apart from several districts in the city and the parks, London is rather dirty city full of smog. You would not enjoy much of the traditional culture, but for the souvenir shops or hostels, where you can enjoy a tea with milk to wash down your cereals.

 2 Commuter culture
London is served by 5 big airports. Actually, only the London City Airport is located directly in the city, and the Heathrow is in the zone six of the tube. With 75 million passengers served in 2015, it is one of the busiest in the world. Further in the north are Luton and Stansted, the final destination of many Slovaks traveling to London with Ryanair. The journey on a shuttle bus to Liverpool Street Station or London Victoria should also rings the bell to many expats. 
   Gatwick is in the south, approximately 70 kilometers from central London. It took us about one hour to arrive to my cousin’s house. From there it would take me further one and half hour to get to the city. I had to take the overground railway and change for a tube at Waterloo. This is what I had to get used to. I learnt to read newspapers or study on the commute. 

   Many people travel to work for over an hour on a daily basis. They developed into the culture of commuters. I like their attitude, how they try to use the time spent travelling effectively. They are reading newspapers, checking their mails, working with their laptops or just relax. Traveling by bus last longer than with the tube and often you would end up in a traffic jam. I do not recommend taking a bus on the main lines when you are in hurry. At night the streets are less busy, but you should bear in mind that the people want to socialize. Traffic jams at one a.m. are in the city centre on Saturday night are normal.

3 Hardly anyone speaks English in the city
London is a multicultural city. People from all around the world come here for holiday, but also in order to find a job and reside. Many people and many tourists offer many options. Most of the menial jobs are done by the foreigners. For example I have not seen a single white British cashier in Tesco. I could not understand why some people work their ass off. But one guy from Bangladesh explained me his rationale. He will work here for twenty years, only to enjoy British social benefits for the rest of life in his country. Bangladeshi are the most numerous majority, followed by Indians, Pakistani, people form the Caribbean, Kenyans, Nigerians, South Africans and people from the middle east and Turkey. Many of them are quite intelligent, even educated at universities. East Asians are centered in Chinatown. You can find there the gate, similar to the one in Beijing, and many restaurants.

      Those, with an intention to improve their English in London would be disappointed. Active vocabulary of average Londoner encompasses about 200 words. Once I addressed a shopkeeper in the present perfect and he did not understand what I wanted. Communication is a mixture of different languages; the African-American grumble, Italian ‘pizza-pasta’ gestures, Russian – where every second word is a swear word, or vodka, and the East Asian gabble. Old good English can be heard on the BBC or at some office. Often, instead of improving their English, people would learn Polish.

 4 Sport in the streets
   People from the west are rumoured to lead sedentary lifestyles, avoiding any sport activity. However, I could see people jogging everywhere I looked. Some of them would even go for a run in the streets during their lunch break. Afterwards they grab a healthy alternative of their favourite sandwich and resume work. Many people commute to work on bike, treading the pedals in suits. There are special park places for the bicycles. On the other hand, you can come across many obese coach potatoes that would benefit from the much wider offer of the unhealthy sandwiches.

    Lot of people are gym members. They pay the membership fee and enjoy free access to all facilities, including fitness, aerobics, swimming pools, membership benefits, massages and sport bars. Some of them would boast of being a gym member, but actually their only visit is the bar where they socialize with their friends over a glass of juice. It seems that an average football rowdy puts more energy into singing and fighting than some of the gym members. My conclusion is that although not many people participate in sports actively, those who are involved do it properly. They get quality garment and shoes and learn the basics. The runners and cyclists in the streets often wear gas masks to protect themselves from the exhausted fumes. 

5 It is easy to become a manager
Another thing I appreciate is the work attitude. Most of the people here work 9 to 5 + extra time, six days a week. It is the toll of the costs of living. The prices of lodging are high,  mainly if you want to live near the centre. Not to mention the travel expenses. People approach their work with respect and awe. Maybe it is because it is part of the corporate culture of the world’s top companies which have branches in the city. Moreover, long queue of applicants is lurking for any vacancy. It is not worth just hanging around at your workplace. To get a job is quite easy if you speak English and are willing to undergo the initial training. However, most of the jobs the immigrants get aren´t something they would like to do for the rest of their lives. Key is to work hard and be productive.  From there, you can be promoted to managerial position, because the effort is appreciated. You can become a manager, which brings much more responsibilities and usually just modest increase in pay. 

      In Slovakia the term manager evokes a chief executive at a bank, or a CEO at a big enterprise. But in London, it refers to any head worker in charge of two or three people. My manager at McDonalds wore an apron and was ready to rescue the burgers that I nearly burnt. Similarly, to be bestowed the title ‘engineer’ in Slovakia you have to complete a university degree in economics or technical institute. But here engineer can refer to any plumber or construction worker. Recently, I realized that even some Slovak PR managers started to translate the job vacancies into English, in order to make them more attractive.  

7 “Brake down” on alcohol

Quote: „Most Slovak bartenders couldn’t make a decent cocktail to save their lives, but that’s just because Slovaks take their alcohol straight up.”

     There is no harm in having an occasional drink. But we should not start lurking for occasion, which has already become the daily routine of many people. Booze is really popular, even with children. Instead of the British 0, 2, a traditional shot in Slovakia is 0,5 dl. Travelling eastwards, the content grows exponentially. It is the proximity of Russia that influences our drinking habits. The signal to your host that you want more is not that you asked for it, but simply finishing what you already had.
     Slovaks enriched the drink related vocabulary with the term “brzda” or “brake”. I don’t know in which country was the term coined, but it can be often heard in Slovak environment. A “brzda” is a drink, predominantly non-alcoholic you take in immediately after the shot of hard alcohol. It should both alleviate the typical alcoholic taste and prevent too high concentration of alcohol in the blood stream. It is the Slovak sibling of the glass of water, recommended after each glass of alcohol; but over-generalized to any kind of liquid, ignoring the benefits of pure water.  People usually “brake” with coke, juice; but you might come across individuals, usually rough men from the eastern Slovakia, washing down the spirits with glass of vine or beer.

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

6 Bread with everything

Quote: “Always start a meal with soup, but make sure you have bread with it.”

       In general, people tend to consume too many carbohydrates, particularly simple sugars, which do not have any nutritional value apart of packing your body with excess calories and sugar. Simple sugars have high glycemic index which jacks up your blood sugar and body has to respond with elevated production of insulin to combat the hyperglycemia. Consequently, the elevated insulin level pertains, making you feel anxious, angry, weak and hungry. We end up in a vicious circle, not far from developing serious health problems.

      Medical scientists and personal trainers from the western countries are heralding the diet rich in protein, complex carbs, omega 3 fats, focusing on fresh food with plenty of vegetables. On the other hand, we should restrict the intake of sugars, saturated fat and processed or manufactured foods.

       And as far as the soup is concerned, I had a friend back in London. He worked as a chef at one of the Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants in Knightsbridge, so he had some background in cooking.  He would run me down always when I started to heat a cup of soup that soup is only for cold, winter days. It is enough to eat something small, like fruit of salad to kick-up your digestion. Some people, however, honour the soup with the status of the only starter, which serves them as an excuse to cram it with bread, pasta, cream and whatever excess calories.

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

5 Social care – where?

Quote: “I’ve seen a random elderly man or woman brutally fall and then pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get right on the next bus, so they could go home to nurse their wounds.”

    I saw them but ignored, I shall add. Well, the health care in Slovakia is not amongst the best ranked in the world, even if is free. I advise you, do not postpone the visit at your doctor until you are standing on your last leg. It is best you give few months notice at your GP that you wish to be ill, to give him time to contact the specialist, have the special medication delivered and, which is more important – made the invoice payable. Apply this same procedure with lawyers, police and other institutions.

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

4 The easiest solutions are the best.

Quote: “Sort of reminds me of the thousands of dollars of taxpayer money NASA spent on developing a pen that could write in outer space, upside down, and never leak.  The Soviets told their cosmonauts to just use pencils.”

     The author was paraphrasing the saying that the easiest solutions are often the most efficient ones. This reminds me of the situation at the Bratislava airport. It is approximately 50 meters to walk from the boarding gate to the airplane. But you have to get on bus which circumnavigates the jet on a 200 meter journey, dropping you at the same place you could have walked to. Maybe, you would have caught your shuttle bus, if you did not have to wait for all the passengers to get on the bus and undergo the “airport sightseeing”.  Well, the easiest solutions are often the most efficient ones. (Actually, later my smart brother reminded me that the pencil would not work, either, because the graphite chips might damage the sensitive machinery in the space ship).

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

 

3 The traffic in Bratislava

 Quote: “The tight traffic in Bratislava shows that the city was not ready for the current influx of cars.”

     Actually, this is true. Many of my friends who study or work in Bratislava complain about the traffic which is often slowed down by the delays and diversions. Moreover, the traffic accidents from Gagarinova (a street in Bratislava) are reported on the Slovak radio almost every day. In the past, there were plans to dig the underground railway, time after time, but were repeatedly turned down by the magistrates. Such an investment would devour lot of money, time and due to the road works and related diversions the traffic would temporarily become even more chaotic.

      For me, in comparison with other “villages” in Slovakia, Bratislava most reminds of the cities in the Western Europe, but even the local won’t call it “a city”. Before, I did not like it. But I was there three times during one week in June, and it was not so bad. Actually, I am developing some kind of passion for this city. It was the atmosphere under the Michalska Brana (on of the fortified gates) with its open terrace restaurants and cobbled streets. I think I need a change, because I am living at the same place for too long.

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

1 The culture of dressing down

Quote: “On one’s property, it’s interesting to note that little more than one’s skimpy underwear is sometimes worn by both sexes when working out in the sun in Slovakia.”

    This is true, and in most cases rather embarrassing to see even the “less in shape” people wearing swimsuits or just shorts. But on the other hand, don't complain about one's private property, where he can wear and do anything he likes.  Moreover such “beach boy” garment is often tolerated in some public places, for example market places or summer festivals.

      I think it is still better than to see people with sun-burnt faces and forearms, but pale torso and shoulders because of overexposing themselves to the sun still wearing their T-shirts. When I was in London, I also saw people walk into a supermarket wearing only shorts. But the difference was that these guys were in good shape, with at least signs of “six-pack” and toned muscles.  

Few months ago, I came across an interesting article written by an American living in Slovakia. (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  I liked some of his observations and therefore decided to comment them. I do not want to offend the author, nor anyone else. Please, accept this just as poor fiction and one’s will to share his opinions. 

Sometimes it is good to be stuck in the 1950's

     Few months ago, I came across an article entitled “Is Slovakia Stuck in the 1950´s”? (http://www.52insk.com/2012/1950/)  It was written by a foreigner, most probably American citisien, who has been living in Slovakia for several years and has a good intelligence and understanding about the everyday life. His article was a collection of interesting, though anecdotal facts about Slovak customs and common practices that has become part and parcel of our daily routines. Each of them is covered in several paragraphs, bearing a healty dose of criticism, which Slovaks often were asking for. Yet in general, it seems that he likes Slovakia the way it is. In each paragraph, he attemps parallelism with American or western way of live and often comes out with something that might be interesting for the concerned foreign reader, but rather commonplace for the majority of Slovak population.

    The text reads in a smooth cadence, the author did not attempt to impresss the readers with incomprehensible terminology. In between the lines, one can scribble out that in some aspects Americans could take after Slovaks, for example the preservance of traditons such as family lunch on Sunday, which, notwithstanding the consumarism, are perpetual. Also he likes the easygoing, even flippant attitude of Slovaks, manifested in their approach to booze; which, I go in for to point out, might have negative impact on the social and economical development. In general, in each nation he has discovered some values that the other should take home.

    In my commentary I do not want to criticize the author, but provide my opinion on some of the issues. From each point I have chosen one sentence. It does not necessarily convey the central point of the argument, but I found them interesting. From time to time, I will publish my commentaries. 

Škót je brit, prečo by Slovinec nemohol byť Slovák.

      Bežným Slovákom sa stáva denno denne, že si ich v zahraničí mýlia so Slovincami a inými stredoeurópanmi.  Aj ja som už v Londýne bol Slovinec, Poliak, a aj Čechoslovák, čo v podstate aj som. Potom sa tvária prekvapene, keď im poviem, že Slovinsko ani nesusedí so Slovenskom, dokonca ani jazyky nie sú podobné. Keď som zase hovoril o našom hlavnom meste, ľudia ma prerušovali s poznámkou, „Moscow, yeah“?, hrdí na svoje vedomosti.  Už sme si zvykli, že ludia zo západného sveta nemajú bohvieaký prehľad v geografii a dejepise.

    Horšie je, keď sa to stane na medzinárodnej úrovni, v médiach. Argument, že každý robí chyby neobstojí. Veľakrát sme už boli prezentovaní ako Slovinsko, Rusov uviedli pod vlajkou ZSSR, Kazachom zahrali hymnu z Borata... Nedávno sa nám opäť podarilo dobiť titulky svetových športových denníkov. Na rozdiel od futbalu, hokeja alebo kanoistiky, vďaka športu v ktorom sme nedosiahli výraznejší úspech hádam od čias Antona Tkáča. Aké je však naše prekvapenie, keď sa dočítame, že cyklista Peter Sagan je Slovinec? Aspoň tak to na svojej stránke uvádzala britská BBC. Nepríjemné, určite. Minimálne pre niektorého z približne 5,5 milióna obyvateľov malej, stredoeurópskej krajiny.
       Na druhej strane, podobnej neúcty sa dopúšťame aj my voči športovcom a ľuďom zo Spojeného Kráľovstva. Nedávno som čítal správy z tenisu, spomínal sa tam Brit Andy Murray. To sa ešte dá prepáčiť, lebo britská národnost sa vzťahuje ne všetkých obyvateľov kráľovstva. Nedopúšťame sa chyby, aj keď Andy Murray je Škót. No niekedy sa stáva, že ľudia nerozlišujú medzi pojmami Spojené Kráľovstvo a Anglicko. Potom často označia človeka pochádzajúceho zo Škótska, Walesu alebo Severného Írska ako Angličan - "English". A to je problém.

       Anglicko je len jedna z častí Spojeného Kráľovstva, no pre svoje dominantné postavenie sa zaužíva ako univerzálny názov pre celé ostrovy. Škótsko, Wales a Severné Írsko tiež majú svoju históriu a národné povedomie; a takisto aj samostatné vlády a parlamenty. V podstate, od konca 20. storočia existujú ako samostatné krajiny, len niektoré záležitosti sú spravované centrálnou vládou z Londýna. Pomenovanie Angličan, a dokonca aj Brit ich stotožňuje s Anglickom, od ktorého sa snažia dištancovať. Je to podobné, ako keď sme sa my chceli odtrhnúť od Rakúsko-Uhorska. 
     Najmä v Škótsku sú spomínané nacionalistické snahy veľmi silné, je možné, že o pár rokov sa úplne osamostatní a vtedy bude označenie Brit chybou. Aj dnes však pre Škótov, alebo Welšanov môže predstavovať rovnakú urážku, ako keď niekto nášho športovca nazve Slovinec. Mnohí sú hrdí na svoj keltský pôvod a tradície, ktoré nie sú Britské ani Anglické, ale Škótske. Je to dané špecifickým vývojom v Škótsku, kde pôsobili iné vplyvy ako na väčšine územia Veľkej Británie. Aj z filmov vieme, že Škóti vždy udatne bránili svoju krajinu a kultúru, akokoľvek to americký režiséri idealizujú. Podobne je to aj vo Walese a Írsku. Preto ak stretnete pravého škóta v kilte niekde v krčme, radšej mu nehovorte Brit a už vôbec nie Angličan.