Re:perception & reality (Score 1)

As a Northerner i feel i have to make the point that London is in Britain, not the whole of it. Politeness, friendliness , conversations with strangers, opinions and generally the opposite impression you're giving seem a lot more commonplace here (i live near Manchester). Consumerism isn't overboard out here especially for the men (sorry ladies) and prices are much lower.

With all the stories of a 1984 Britain here on slashdot, most of them about London, i feel it needs to be stated that out away from the capital things are generally much more relaxed, the cameras are just near shops and generally privately owned (therefore no oppressive evil overlord with the power to follow your every move). The police out here will generally turn a blind eye to you smoking weed on a quiet road somewhere or going a bit over the speed limit where safe or selling dodgy dvds in the pub (bar).

My point is whilst the cameras may be bad, we really don't live in fear of big brother and free-thinking is still encouraged strongly at many of our plentiful universities. My only fear would be that this is eroding over time.