I just loved this from a recent Independent interview with one of the UK's finest novelists Jim Crace   

What's so great about Birmingham?

"This summed it up for me. There was a reading which was going to be at 6.30 in a bookshop and nobody turned up. The London publicist was saying, what's the matter? It's inexplicable, and the Birmingham shop assistant turned to me and said, 'what she doesn't realise is Birmingham goes home for tea.' And I think it's wonderful, it's exactly what I love - and what I hate - about Birmingham. Birmingham goes home for tea. And I'm the kind of bloke who likes to go home for tea too."

Got me thinking...

Full interview right here http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/features/article2369527.ece [1]