Terror grips London not
July 11th, 2005
This is my official obligatory 7/7 tragedy post.
Londoners have responded to the terrorist attacks the way I imagined they would: have tea. And figure out how to get to work tomorrow.
If the terrorists' mission was to instill terror, clearly the Brits had ensured it was a failure. In the face of the incident they have shown resilience — as is so subtly displayed on We're Not Afraid — and their famous sense of humour, definitely evident in their distaste for sympathy and jingoism. Perhaps a large enough settlement of Malaysians there could remedy that.
Terrorists, what were you thinking? It's Britain, for goodness sake, home of the stiff upper lip. Don't Panic is one of their mottos. All you've done was boost what little patriotism they have and pub patronage.
"Guess I'll take the day off, then."
"Bugger, what a way to miss the bus."
"The French can't be that upset."
UPDATE: Oh by the way, some of the best quips from Londoners I've found — uncredited and to be found everywhere on the web spreading like wildfire:
I'm seeing a guy who was blown off his feet by a bus going up, but basically he's okay and being interviewed. And, shock allowed, he's pretty much laughing it off. Another interview, a woman who was on the tube, just the same response but maybe a little more detailed. I love the UK sometimes, I really do. What happened is horrible, I don't diminish it and I hope those responsible are suitably punished, possibly with chainsaws ... but if they wanted terror well, they probably shouldn't have gone to London. Not because Londoners are particularly braver than anyone else (although they might be, have you seen the prices there?) but because they've walked through a helluva lot worse than that. Nice try, no cigar.
To quote an old Londoner who lived through the Blitz and got caught up in the Canary Wharf explosion: "I've been blown up by a better class of bastard than this!"
When the news reporter said "Shopkeepers are opening their doors bringing out blankets and cups of tea" I just smiled. It's like yes. That's Britain for you. Tea solves everything. You're a bit cold? Tea. Your boyfriend has just left you? Tea. You've just been told you've got cancer? Tea. Coordinated terrorist attack on the transport network bringing the city to a grinding halt? TEA DAMMIT! And if it's really serious, they may bring out the coffee. The Americans have their alert raised to red, we break out the coffee. That's for situations more serious than this of course. Like another England penalty shoot-out.
I love the British.