New York City vs London: by an American and a Brit

I visited my friend in New York City at the weekend, I was complaining about certain things that didn't work so well here compared to my home City of London. Well, then she started complaining about London.

So we decided to write a list - Who is BEST at what?

NYC vs LDN

Polite and friendly - NYC wins.
Whether walking down the street with a map upside down or looking aimlessly around a Subway station, New Yorkans will offer help and a conversation. We both agreed that most Londoners will ignore you, largely because of the begging culture.

Currency value -New York


Ok, this is a bit selfish, but money in New York does seem to go further, especially with the British pound.

Dollars cs notes - London
We prefer the colourful notes of London, but I like the pound and my friend who is a waitress prefers the One Dollar note. But really, why need such a huge wallet?

Cash vs card - Londn
It seems people mostly pay by cash, I hate cash, and they have NO chip'n'Pin. Isn't signing so old school now?

Smoking - London
NYC has segregated zones outside, yes even outside, especially bars and restaurants. I bet London follows soon, but still more freedom in the UK.

Subway/underground - London
Proper maps, easy to read signs, frequent announcements, train times, staff on the platform - that's London, remove all that for NYC.

Food value -NYC
You definitely get a lot for your money. Though I am unsure how healthy some of the portions are

Food health - London/ NYC

Maybe it's because I know what I am eating. My friend disagreed!

Drink value - NYC
It's all about the free-pour, and cocktails

Talking bars - London
Try finding bars and pubs where you can talk in, NYC you'll find few and far between. All hail the London Pub.

Bars - NYC
Want somewhere chic and cool...head to the NYC

Gay Bar proximity - London
So I like my Soho and Vauxhall Village, and Shoreditch, but apart from West Village, I feel I am wandering aimlessly for bars in NYC

Taxi -NYC

Cheaper - it is simply cheaper! Oh and quicker, no traffic.

City Views - London
The River Thames offers spectaclar views and the different shape buildings of the city add to its uniqueness. NYC is all a bit samey.

Fit guys - NYC/ London
I am sure NYC wins, my friend reckons London.

Diverse dress sense - London

NYC plays it all a little safe, and my friend agrees

Coffee - London


Buy one cup of decent coffee, not countless refills of cheap coffee - NO THANKS

Newark airport vs Heathrow Terminal 5 - London
This was a tough one, but right now Terminal 5 wins, though on my way out I didn't like the new terminal.

Queues/lines - London
London knows how to queue properly.

If you have more to add, or disagree with any of the both, I would love to hear from you.

Saigon - Upside Down, Boy...

There's always something quirky to be found in every city but I was certainly surprised over this little watering hole in Saigon.

Up Cafe was hidden some way back of the main street a little outside the main city centre and had a small charge purely for resting here. It's uniqueness was a draw - the tables hung from the ceiling, chandeliers fixed to the floor, and paintings hung upside down. Though, You can imagine my relief when my coffee came in standard mugs the right way round!

Up Cafe is quiet with a mixed crowd of professionals holding casual business meetings to students studying and couples chatting. The Vietnam Iced-Coffee is really good here.

Check it out - 269 Nguyen trong tuyen street, District phu nhuan

Photos - Gay Vietnam, Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh City

Going gay in Ho Chi Minh City is really picking up, there are a number of small establishments and it seems that (while they are discreet) there are more Vietnamese giving the culture a go. In fact it is quite upscale, no seedy establishments did I come across, lovely cocktail and dance bars. Plus once the Vietnamese have drunk at least a litre of Whiskey or Vodka or Gin they start dancing.

Windows - popular coffee shop, there are 2 in Saigon, busy between 12 - 2pm and 5 - 7pm
Central - popular bar and dance place, busy after 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday
Apocalypse - mixed dance bar, but frequented at the front on the dance floor by mainly gay patrons, busy after 11pm