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Alright, yes, your north-London friends think you live on the outskirts of civilisation and every time you tell an American that you live in Tooting they break into fits of giggles. But you know full well that life in Tooting has never been better. With hip new bars opening every month and the beautiful Tooting Commons at your disposal whenever you're craving some fresh air, it turns out there's a lot more to this area than some might think. Here are some signs that you've officially become a true Tooter (sorry, we couldn't help ourselves).
You've probably bumped into Sadiq
Not only is Sadiq Khan London's latest mayor, he's also a lifelong Tooting resident. And okay, maybe you don't know him, but you bumped into him once at Tooting Bec station and he let you take a selfie together, which is basically the same thing, right?
Your friends refuse to visit you
You've tried in vain for years to lure your friends south of the river but they won't budge. 'Tooting? Might as well be in Siberia, mate.'
You know how to pronounce 'Graveney'
Whether you're talking about the school or the super-welcoming Graveney & Meadow café/bar, if you're going to call yourself a true Tooting resident, you're going to have to learn to master this one (it's pronounced 'Grave-knee,' for the record). There's even a Graveney Gin, distilled by hand in a copper still located in Tooting Market.
You think all bingo halls come with a hall of mirrors
Arguably the most stunning bingo hall in London, the Grade I-listed Gala Bingo Hall (formerly the Granada Cinema) is really something to see. Since opening in 1931 it has even played host to the likes of Frank Sinatra and The Beatles, making it one of Tooting's most unexpected treasures.
You're never more than ten feet away from a curry
A wise man once said that a life without naan is not a life worth living (okay, we might have made that up but it doesn't make it any less true). Thankfully, with its booming Asian population, Tooting is the place to be when you're craving a quality curry. There's even a Tooting Curry Club, comprising nearly 600 members.
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