Ms. Sirtis, this might be one for you. If you can hear the Bow Bells (I've heard this more than one place BTW—St. Mary le Bow or whatever?), your a true cockney.
That's a fascinating story. What's the origin?
And I mean, hearing is so subjective. My hearing is fading as I get older. What if my neighbor hears them, but I don't. Am I a cockney? Do hearing enhancements count? What about a hearing aid. I'm serious :) .
UK has such charming traditions. I live in Detroit, and so do we. I've got to tell you about the Nain Rouge some day. He appears from time to time. But first tell us about the Bow Bells :) .
You have to be born within the sound of the bow bells to be a true cockney. I was.