In Greater London and suburbs - to date - there has been a significant and noticeable LACK of 'buzz' or 'razzmatazz' about the coming of the Big Shen. OK - the place is full of tourists as usual but there are NO signs whatsoever of the Olympics being held here (apart from some white rings painted on the roads). Due to the greed of the mega-corp. sponsors and the draconian law(s) against promoting the event locally there are no displays in shop windows, there are no Olympic flags or banners, there is nothing down Oxford Street, there is nothing on the South Bank. The so-called Cultural Olympiad simply hasn't happened. Even the gay scene is devoid of any form of celebratory event. Its as though its a big NON-EVENT in another country. Which it is actually true since the vast majority of the UK public, small businesses and tourists alike have been in the main disenfranchised from the whole affair.