Plum Crazy

As an American, you hear lots of stories about the spirit of the Brits. How they faced the Blitz with a stiff upper lip. How they survived 30+ years of IRA terrorism without it getting them down. Having been here in London during yesterday's terrorist attacks, I have now experienced it live.

In the midst of the confusion and carnage, people remained calm. Obviously there were the phone calls and text messages to worried friends and family. People were taking breaks from work to watch the news. But mostly people were considering how they were going to get home. It wasn't uncommon to hear people say things like "The same way you do during a strike - walk."

After work, we all went down the pub for a drink (or two or three or...). The pub was bursting at the seams. Out came the stories of the IRA bombs they'd all lived through. "There was one time when I was at Victoria and 5 minutes after I passed through, someone placed a bomb in a bin." But everyone was calm and, all things considered, in good spirits.

Once we'd had enough drinks at the pub, we went next door for a curry (Indian food for those who aren't familiar with the lingo). More drinks, good food, good conversation.

Today the City is a bit quieter than usual. A lot of people took public transport, but a lot also heeded the request from the government to stay home if they could. Those here are going about their business as usual. I'll be leaving the office shortly to go to Leadenhall Market for lunch and a bit of shopping.

So if any terrorists or terrorist sympathizers are clueless enough to think they've somehow caused panic in England, guess again. Far from it.

God bless the Brits.