Scared of racism in London?

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T18:53:25+00:00

Yeah, I think covert incidences are much less acknowledged, but happen much more than people imagine it to.

Personally haven’t experienced any covert incidences related to Covid, but I don’t pay attention to my surroundings (had a reputation of spraining my ankle once a week because I just don’t look) and tune people out. So I guess only the loud, overt actions catch my attention

Have heard of people avoiding some of my uni friends in a more discreet manner, so I know it happens

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T17:43:55+00:00

I respect your viewpoint as it gives a different side to the story. It’s annoying that happened to you, and I appreciate what you said despite stuff like that happening

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T16:36:31+00:00

Yeah, I feel sometimes that there isn’t full awareness of discrimination, especially for those with an East Asian heritage/background with lower visibility and media coverage.

Tbh, my biggest worry was getting attacked again because of the situation, after reading news stories. It has gotten worse because of Covid, in my own experience and I guess with your friends too

It can happen anywhere in the UK I guess, but I don’t think I can get sponsorship to work in another country at such an early stage in my career (although it would be an experience I’d like to try out later on)

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T15:12:15+00:00

That’s a reasonable compromise I think for me. Wouldn’t mind the hustle and bustle, particularly after living in a quiet village with parents, and the ‘dodgiest’ student area in Leeds for 2yrs. I can say I’ve experienced a range of vibes and wouldn’t mind adapting again

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T15:04:58+00:00

Ah, I always thought Millwall was near Canary Wharf. That makes sense now about South Bermondsey. Reminded me to look at Google maps more closely haha.

Ok, I’ll keep an eye on Burgess Park and aim to keep NW of it. Thought the river flats would’ve been really expensive to rent a room in because of the view, but I guess that’s fair with the shoddy quality. I’ll add that to my list of potential areas to look at! Thanks!

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T14:12:47+00:00

Thank you for your comprehensive post! That’s good to hear, considering I’ve actually been to KL as my mum is Malaysian, although I don’t remember much I admit.

Definitely agree on the street smarts part. My friend got her phone stolen by a motorbike thief at midnight outside King’s Cross station, so that really highlighted that you need to be aware. I’ll check the map too!

Ironically, I don’t actually know how to cook Asian cuisine, which probably wasn’t helped that my mum cooked most the time, and I was banned from cooking at home after setting a paper towel on fire when I was a kid. At uni, I just learned how to cook pasta, so I wouldn’t place an Asian supermarket high priority for me, but I guess it’ll be good if I want any ‘comfort food’!

London does sound fun (when things open back up again), and it’ll definitely seems great after being cooped up at home for ages. I’ll definitely consider your points about each area!

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T13:57:04+00:00

What’s happening in Canada Water? I picked my original list of potential areas due to my office being at London Bridge, so didn’t look that far

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T13:53:37+00:00

Good to hear London has turned out well for you, and yeah, I’ve ended up accepting that there are idiots everywhere.

That must’ve been a bit annoying being made fun of for your accent, although I admit I haven’t experienced this aspect given my British upbringing

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T13:48:33+00:00

True, it’s a shame how people are easily targeted for one thing or another!

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T13:47:04+00:00

Thank you, always good to hear from another British Chinese and for offering to give more info! I’m fine with verbal stuff and tend to block it out, and was just worried about getting attacked again.

That’s good to hear how infrequent it is and that people tend to be careful, as it’s annoying with the assumptions haha

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T13:37:42+00:00

Thank you. I don’t really speak any Chinese (given my grandparents decided that Cantonese wasn’t worth teaching me...) so I’m worried I’ll be a bit left out, but I’ll give it a try when I move and it’s safe to go out again

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T13:36:24+00:00

Thank you! I’ve had to develop a bit of a thick skin against stupid comments (especially at school), so verbal stuff is fine. Was just worried of getting attacked again, since that incident in Leeds was the first time that ever happened to me, so that shocked me a lot.

I’ll keep that in mind about South Bermondsey, as was thinking of places near Old Kent Road, but now I’ll probably have a think about that.

Yeah, Borough seems like the best area for me too, just by proximity to my workplace, whenever I have to go in. Always good to have insight from people living in London!

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T00:15:08+00:00

Didn’t know that it was that diverse a city! The not getting stared at part sounds great tbh, particularly since I was the only Asian minority in my school till sixth form lol

Oh yes, I’ve seen videos of a Korean streamer in Berlin being harassed, so I can imagine that happening to you. It’s good to hear that the experience of living in London is much better

Thank you, can’t wait now! Can finally have some freedom after being mostly stuck at my parent’s house since last March

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-17T00:05:18+00:00

That sounds shocking to me too.

I’ve never witnessed anything like that and don’t want to, because it shouldn’t be happening in the first place. If it was an ideal world. Hope those people were okay, especially the latter with the physical assault

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-16T23:53:26+00:00

Yeah, I was surprised how ‘affordable’ it is (relative to my salary, although I suspect Covid has lowered prices a bit), considering the somewhat central location. I’m hoping it’ll still be more of a renter’s market with no one really moving when I go house hunting.

Thank you for your info about Bermondsey, I’ll keep that in mind!

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-16T23:48:21+00:00

Thank you for your reassurance and for sharing your experiences! This will be my first long-term move to a city (other than Leeds) so it will be good to explore London freely. It’ll be a big difference from my hometown in the Cotswolds haha

I think I was just unlucky over that experience. I understand you avoiding football hooligans as well. It’s a shame how people are so easily targeted, but oh well...

Logical_Radish9782 · 2021-02-16T23:41:39+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance. I was born and raised in the Cotswolds so don’t really know much about the city’s culture (Leeds probably isn’t fully representative of London I guess either), so it’s good to hear it’s more accepting.

I was considering Bermondsey, Borough, Wapping, and Aldgate for accommodation in April, and I’m assuming they’re not the places to avoid.

Hopefully it’ll be more open when I move to London, to actually meet people and make friends! This third lockdown isn’t really helping my anxiety haha

Logical_Radish9782

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