The Smiling Capital of Britain

A study was conducted in 2003 which counted how many people in a city smiled back at Comic Relief researchers. Naturally, Bristol came out on top as being the smilie-iest city in Britain. I think that’s what makes the city tick: the people.

Most Bristolians come with a bit of vim and vigour; a sharp wit and a sharp tongue. They’ve got a humour that is typical of Britain. A dialect, familiar to anyone who has experienced life here, has developed over time but because Bristol is so multicultural, different accents and dialects from near and far have seeped in to the pool. But of course, there cannot be a city without land and architecture.

One of my favourite areas in Bristol is the College Green area. Surrounding the luscious open green space is a hub of interesting buildings, both deep-rooted and fresh faced, like shops, museums, and contemporary restaurants. The museum lies just up the street, which is decorated with vintage boutiques and eclectic charity shops, and is a treasure trove of history. A dozen stationery shops dot the area like a pointillist piece of art, waiting for hordes of coffee drinking art students to seep in with their student IDs. These prove them worthy of a discount in an area where the price of a pair of shoes is probably an average student’s entire month worth of food.

On the rare occasion that I’m shopping alone, my feet like to wander over to this area to avoid the hordes of people campaigning for clothing at Cabot Circus, which is a large shopping district. Cabot Circus in itself is a wonder. People from all over the country flock here because the shops scream a type of indulgence that you want to own and wrap around your neck like a cashmere scarf. The shop windows are full of blown-up photos of ‘quirky’ British models that you envy simply because of their impeccable genetic makeup and bone structure.

If I have the time and patience to navigate the crowds in Cabot Circus and its neighbouring district Broadmead, there are always street entertainers ready to sell themselves in pieces to you by showcasing their talents and hopefully making you part with some of your lose change. It’s a collection, or rather, a juxtaposition of the flash lifestyle of Burberry shoppers and the laidback Green Party supporters that are prevalent in Bristol. There must be something that attracts people of opposing lifestyles to a city like Bristol.

Some people, especially native Bristolians, complain that the city has ‘nout to do’ or that the neighbouring places like Bath are more to their tastes. I disagree wholeheartedly with any criticism like a child sticking their fingers in their ears. You know why? Because Bristol has character and a unique history. Those are the two traits that make you fall in love with a home, and with a city. That’s why I fell in love with the Smiling Capital.