I've been working in the London office for the past few days. My original work was somewhat affected because my boss arranged too many meetings and great activities, but I'm really happy!
London is a great place, similar to Hong Kong, where you want to sleep less and earn more once you arrive, but the tax rate is much higher than in Hong Kong. It's also like Paris, both are quite restless cities, where I can't find a moment to calm down and think. It's also like New York, a comfortable place for the wealthy.
Speaking of culture, perhaps due to the language, I feel much more at ease here than in Paris. Being able to understand all the text has become an unattainable desire in Paris, but in London, language is not a barrier at least.
On Saturday, I visited a PhD student at Cambridge University, an old primary school friend of mine. She's super laid-back and her voice hasn't changed much over the years (always speaking in a consistently husky, sexy, and magnetic tone). I borrowed her boyfriend's student card to wander around the Cambridge campus, visited the Center of Mathematical Sciences, and explored some pavilions and centers. The atmosphere here is truly conducive to focused research, a lifelong dream of mine... though I sometimes doubt my intellectual capacity.
I'd like to emphasize my feelings about Cambridge. It's a wonderful place. The sky is often overcast, with occasional drizzles. Yet, for some reason, being here instills a desire to delve into research. I've daydreamed multiple times about solving problems and reading books in the pavilion and center offices. The last time I felt such inner peace and yearning for deep thought was back in my high school reading room. Although Cambridge is a small city with poor internet and lacks lively clubs and pubs, its closeness to nature and its serene, idyllic atmosphere make me realize that the hustle and bustle of London conflicts with my innermost desires. In the center, I couldn't resist browsing the shared bookshelves, trying to understand the profound and superficial materials. On the train back to London, I finished watching Wiles' report on solving Fermat's Last Theorem, and all I felt was admiration. In life, our truest friend is ourselves. Balancing our thoughts with our physical being is crucial. Only when we become our own best friend can we feel truly fulfilled, even if others perceive our lives as austere.
Speaking of my third friend, she works at what I believe is the best asset management company globally. She's ambitious and eager to climb the corporate ladder. We discussed working abroad versus domestically (the quality of life for the middle class and above in our home country is actually higher, with better salaries, and it's challenging to truly integrate into the upper echelons abroad), the subpar healthcare systems in both the UK and France, the work culture at various investment banks, and other work-related topics like benefits, holidays, taxes, and bosses. I used to think working in France was an advantage, but now I believe that life is a combination of trivial matters, and focusing too much on one aspect can be detrimental. I very much love the work-life balance in France, but I really don't know for myself what the most important things are...
As for my second close friend, she's a lovely and ambitious girl who's been in London for four years. Like the previous friend, she doesn't envision a long-term future in London, possibly due to cultural differences. Although she says London is decent, she's not particularly enthusiastic about it, and the weather is quite dreary. In my three years in France, I've never truly felt integrated. The only interactions I've had are with colleagues and small vendors. I haven't conversed with the French top elite (the last time was three years ago at a rooftop bar discussing ESG investments with a French fund founder, who's been doing quite well, meeting with Macron and Xi and some Nordic ministers multiple times). Most likely, after such interactions, I'd quickly abandon the idea of resting too much, and then start to make something happen from scratch, but who knows.
A big thank you to the three friends who hosted me in the UK: the PhD sister from Cambridge and the two financial elites from London 😉.
Interesting Experiences:
- When I took the Eurostar to London, my carry-on suitcase was "stolen". So, after everyone had left the train, I took the last unclaimed suitcase. I called the number on it, arranged a meeting with the owner a few hours later, and successfully retrieved my own suitcase. A big thank to my colleague.
- London has every kind of pub you can imagine: On Wednesday, my colleagues and I went to a shooting pub, where we played and ate. On Thursday, we went to a ping pong pub, playing and eating. On Friday, we visited a darts pub, throwing darts and enjoying our meal.
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch has its own section in London City, surrounded by walls, resembling a castle.
- As I wandered around the A40 and Barbican area in central London, I came across a series of companies that had rejected me in the past years.
- When checking into the hotel, the receptionist asked me, "how many keys do you want?" I misheard it as "how many kids do you want."
- The UK is a place where the combined cost of living is quite high. Various institutions and places are always finding ways to sell tickets and generate revenue.
- The name "Citadel" isn't visible on the exterior of its building.
- I always felt there was an issue with border control. Whether traveling from Paris to London or vice versa, passports are only checked before boarding the train. I found the checks not strict, especially the security check. I intentionally carried a small knife and a pin from the hotel, and faced no issues.
- Renting in London isn't as expensive as I initially thought (average 2400+). In fact, in the very center of Barbican, you can find a shared 60-square-meter apartment for 3200. It's even cheaper in the outer areas.
Such a beautiful place:
