When in London do as the Londoners do?

Question

I live in St. Louis, Missouri and am going to study abroad in London this fall. The Fodor’s 2006 edition City Guide advised “…under pain of death do not offer your seat [on the tube] to the elderly, disabled, pregnant or faint; instead you should bury your head in a book and pretend you can’t see them.”

Why is this? I can understand strangers want to be left alone, but I want to be courteous. Is it just a cultural difference; I’m sure it’s not a deliberant act of rudeness? Will I be a blatant social outcast if I break this “rule”?

I want to be a good civil ambassador for my country, and I figure since I’m an American I’ll already have points off. Maybe I’m not giving Britons enough credit. I’m so tired of apologizing to the world for that man!!!!!

Thanks for your answers, and I promise not to stand on the left side of the escalator (I hate those people too)!

Answer 1

You'll be ok, just watch out for the tramps, buskers & looney tunes.

Get used to hot sweaty carriges, chewing gum on the seats, the smell of piss, sick and a thousand farts.

And don't go round saying Gee isn't everything small here in england !.

London people are nice and friendly though !.

Enjoy your stay !!.

Answer 2

Well there are a few basic 'rules' for Londoners....that 'most' Londoners tend to follow. Here they are in no order of importance:

1. No going up to random people on the street just to have a chit chat or make friends, unless that person comes to you or your lost and looking for a destination you want to go to.

2. Don't stare and smile at anyone. It just annoys them, makes them scared and makes them want to leave.

3. No picking your nose in public. It's just unhygienic and puts off tourists from coming to London ever again.

4. No listening to an ipod/mp3 on full blast that the person next to you can hear a bit of the tune. Its irritating.

5. Always put you litter in the bin. London wants to be a cleaner place.

6. When you are standing in a Tube, if you are holding the top bar, make sure your armpit isn't in the midget's face that is standing next to you.

7. If you want to make yourself a typical Londoner, buy a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Its a typical London thing.

8. When sitting in a bus or Tube, don't kick the seat in front of you. Its rude and irritating.

9. No standing aimlessly in the middle of a pavement where people are trying to walk. They are probably on a hurry to work and the last thing they want is to be obstructed when they are already 10 minutes late to an important office meeting.

10. Last but not least, enjoy London! Go around and see the museums, theme parks, Big Ben, London Eye, shop in Oxford Street and just have fun!

Answer 3

Hey there,

Always be courteous and polite although sometimes this may seem to another as a weekness. Always be on your guard. Become streetwise as soon as you can. Contact your local Students Union they can give loads of advice. The local Police also give info to students new to the area. Don't forget that the student years are the ones you will look back at with the fondest memories. Good luck. Have a nice day!

Answer 4

When in London...be yourself.

There are no rules. We should be decent and moral wherever we are in the world.

As for the term 'Londoners'..it was an invention created during the second world war. Londoners are the same as New Yorkers...they could be anyone from anywhere. Anything else is BS.

Answer 5

sorry but London can be like that but you dont have to be.

By all means offer your seat and they will be grateful. There are no-go areas in London, just like any other city and Im sure you will be told where very quickly. (Dont try finding out for yourself)

BTW : Underground trains are usually so full that you struggle to get out of your seat to get off so giving your seat to someone else is nearly impossible.OR empty save those two wierdos looking your way every few seconds. lol

Answer 6

Hardly anyone ever does offer their seat - I think I saw it twice in ten years of tubing - but I don't think you'd be castigated for breaking that "rule" [at least, nowhere near as much as you would be for standing on the wrong side of the escalator]

So long as you avoid calling people "buddy" you'll be fine! :)

Hope you enjoy London!

Answer 7

Good evening.I'm British,and I find your question a little harsh.Ive been bought up in a normal working class family.my dad was a carpenter,my mum was a house wife(STAY AT HOME MUM) We were taught manners.Yes i will stand and give up my seat to a pregnant women,or an elder citizen.I was brough up in a christian family with strong family values.to treat people as i would like to be treated. and would never be rude.YOU SHOULD BE PROUD TO BE THE PERSON YOU ARE.GOOD MANNERS NEVER COST ANY THING........SO BE YOUR SELF.people will like your good manners.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Give up your seat by all means but never to woman just because she's a woman. There are "wimmin" over here who would sink their teeth into you if you so much as look as though you were about to open a door for them.

Answer 10

If you didn't offer your seat in such circumstances then I would think you rude!