So there I sat beneath the comfort of canopy to the exterior of a rather fancy coffee shop. The cakes almost a fiver. The price to pay for Harrods adjacent view. I drank tea as the world paced before me. People peeping – that’s me ‘fly on the wall – a favourite past time.
All types, religions, ethnicities – a mixed bunch of spenders. Many wearing real fur coats. Opulently ignorant people, oblivious of the pain and suffering for their fat wallets and plastic finance.
I chatted with four women from Dubai. They wore pastel shaded, chiffon scarves around their faces. All were charming. Their eyes sparkled with assurity their lives comfortable and life styles radiant. We exchanged numbers. They shared the same husband.
A while later a Chinese couple asked to take a photograph for their son in Milan. Telling me ‘they were to spend Christmas in Malaysia.’ Retired travellers. Weathered faces – hard working hands. Quite stunning – intriguing. I could have talked for longer but their chauffeur arrived. A part of me wanted to go with them … Some take a piece of me. ‘The people peeper …’
Yet apart from this. I felt a sense of sadness at how London had changed. A sense of apprehension in the air, no feel of community in Knightsbridge. Rammed, heaving. It costs nothing to be classy … Where’s the sassiness of the British High St hiding? Come home, we miss you.
The infamous Dark green packaging – regardless of what’s inside. The stigma. Oh the stigma.
It all used to be so much more elegant. Eras change … Now dispiriting to see so many defineless with more cash than decorum. Easy money.
The eloquent now the crass. Greedy people just for ‘signature’ carrier bags.
I focus on the man to the ground making dogs from sand. The air damp, could rain any time soon. A cap full of cash. To me, he was the richest amongst the rat bags. For he had a craft combined with a wisdom to beg in the right places and this is how ‘to be’ entrepreneurs evolve organically. That is if they want to afford green carrier bags?
Tiffany Belle Harper.
Tiff Harper 
Reblogged this on Belleva.
I love this post. It is amazing who people of the world can come together. New York is wonderful for this as well. Makes me wish this could happen every day and in every place. Keep writing. It is a good read.
Thanks I love New York 🙂
It is one of those cities great for exploring cultures and meeting people. Be festive and well my friend.
Like wise and thank you. I hope 2016 is your best yet x
Thanks. Wishing you the same.
Great post. You are so right about Knightsbridge and it is great to people watch. My brother once lived behind the famous Harrods shop in First street so I was a regular in that neck the woods myself. Very pretty but also very souls and uncaring attires. Money money money, must be funny, in the rich……
Could not agree more my friend. The cheapest flat there now goes in at 62 million for a grotty studio. I could not believe it. Talk about the rich and poor divide. Think how many tents that could buy for the poor kids without a bed or roof in this cold weather.
All of them I would imagine Tiffany. The worst bit is, the rich aren’t even bloody grateful for what they have and try to get more by breaking the back of the poor.
Agreed yet the poor smile more. We cannot buy happiness can we x
This is true, we cannot.
I am happy and yet I sometime do not have as much as I might like but it doesn’t make me happy, it only makes me a little more free.