If you take the contempt some Americans have for yuppies and multiply it by 10 you might come close to understanding their attitude towards the City, as they call it - London, the people of the south.

Certainly! Here’s an explanation of the quote with bolded keywords:

This quote by Martin Cruz Smith highlights the strong contempt some Americans feel toward yuppies—young urban professionals—and uses that sentiment to illustrate their even stronger attitude toward London, referred to here as "the City," and more broadly toward the people of the south of England. Smith suggests that the disdain directed at yuppies is only a fraction of the negative feelings some Americans hold about London’s culture and its residents.

The comparison implies that attitudes toward Londoners are amplified, possibly due to cultural differences, stereotypes, or historical tensions. The City often symbolizes wealth, finance, and a certain metropolitan lifestyle that can be viewed with suspicion or envy, especially from outsiders who may see it as elitist or detached from everyday life.

The origin of this quote comes from Smith’s observations as a novelist known for exploring international and cultural themes, often commenting on social attitudes and human behavior. His remark reflects the complexities of how groups perceive each other across national and regional lines.

Overall, the quote points to the intensity of cultural attitudes and biases, showing how certain groups or places, like London and its people, can evoke strong reactions that go beyond simple dislike, revealing deeper social and cultural divides.