Image Credit: Giorgio Badaini
Londoners are a steely lot and sometimes it can be easy for a tourist to get on their nerves. So, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of things a tourist should not do when they come to London.
Do Not Ride the Tube During Rush Hour
The Tube is a tool used by Londoners to get to and from work. It’s sole reason to exist is to move commuters around – not for the entertainment of tourists. That means that during rush hour, the Tube means business. It’s crowded, it’s hot, it’s prone to problems. That said, Londoners are pretty annoyed when groups of tourists hog the commuting space on the Tube when it’s already hard enough to find a seat. As an aside, if you travel with Luggage on the Tube during Rush Hour, you will quite possibly be visually murdered by everyone in the Tube car. Rush hour runs from roughly from 6am-10am.
Do Not Stand on the left on the Escalators
This one is simple and there are even signs pointing this out, but people still ignore them. Do not stand on the left on an escalator. The left is the ‘passing lane’ where people in more of a hurry than you pass you by. Don’t get in their way. Stand on the right. Please.
Do Not Stand in the middle of the sidewalk looking at a map
If you’re lost, don’t just stop in the middle of the sidewalk to study your map or your iPhone. Go off to the side to find your way so you don’t get into anyone’s way.
Do Not Take a Mini-cab under any circumstances
Only take licensed Black Cabs – never take a mini-cab, they’re unregulated and the drivers don’t have to learn London’s street like a Black Cab driver has to.
Do Not Complain about the Rain
It’s London, it could rain at any moment. Really it doesn’t rain that much at all. But there’s no use complaining about it. Carry an umbrella and be prepared. London in the rain is sublime and lovely.
Do Not Talk about Politics
As an American or a tourist from any other country, you have no right to comment on the Politics of Britain. You’re not a local, you’ll never understand it like locals and you’re bound to offend somebody. You may think it’s cool to talk about Politics back home, but again don’t. No one is interested and you probably won’t like what Brits have to say about your politics. Just avoid the subject entirely until you really know someone and are comfortable covering the topic.
Do Not Flash Your Cash
Americans have a tendency to flash their cash around – whether it’s paying for things on the street, counting their money or taking out a wad of cash and then asking the waiter how to figure out the bill. British money is not hard to figure out. Always keep a running tally in your head so you don’t have to whip out your cash and start counting. This will also protect you from thieves as well as not annoy a local.
Do Not Complain about your Neighborhood or Hotel
Londoners are a geographically loyal lot – I would not recommend complaining about your hotel, neighborhood or anything about London really. You may not like what’s said back to you.
Do Not Compare with Life Back home
This relates to the previous point. Don’t spend time comparing things in London to things back home. Don’t complain their streets aren’t on a grid system or that you come from an area with better weather. It’s just rude to say where you come from is better than London – why did you go there? Things are DIFFERENT in London. The sooner you learn and accept this, the better.
Do Not Talk with Loud Volume
We’ve heard this from many of our London friends – Americans speak a few notches louder on the volume scale than Londoners do. It’s not intentional – it’s just the way we are. We’re loud. But when travelling in London – turn it down a few notches. Londoners will appreciate it.
Are you a Londoner? What tip would you have for a tourist? What should they NOT do when in London?
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Remember to go up stairs on the left and down on the left rather than on the right as in the States. Don’t refer to the Revolutionary War, they don’t call it that there! I loved it in London, Wales and throughout Britain. The citizens were great. I was there on the day when Tony Blair announced his resignation and saw all the cameras and networks set up near #10 Downing Street. The rain was very light in London although it did pour in Oxford. I did have to replace my umbrella as there is heavy rain. Sweatshirts are cheap in the Spring and T-Shirts are cheap in the Fall.
I am always baffled when someone gives the advice about not talking about the “Revolutionary War” or whatever you want to call it with Britons. I have been married to my English husband for 16 years and I don’t think we’ve ever really had a “discussion” about it throughout the course of our marriage. We did talk about it a bit when we moved back to the USA and our children were studying it in school. I have no clue why anyone would bring it up ON A HOLIDAY in the UK.
Oh it happens. I’ve seen it!
somewhat like my wife (the fiancee) who thought we could sit down and have a nice after lunch TV watching session..her choice of film?? The Pariot…about 1/3 into it she suddenly realized what it was…the look on her face was magnificent
For the most part, we English realy do not care about it as King Georgie only sent 3rd rate troops to sort it out, the first line ones were over in mainland Europe beating the heck out of Napolean and the French as usual
oh yes.. Europe.. Britain is NOT Europe…they are the funny foreigners over the channel..ok??
One other thing – don’t complain about the size of your hotel room. Hotel rooms, especially B&Bs in London are not resorts. They are a bed to sleep in and generally a bathroom that has been converted from a closet. They are old Victorian buildings where each room was converted from its original status to a room where you can sleep. You will not get a bathtub. Most bathrooms that are en-suite have a toilet, a small sink, and a pre-fabricated shower. You won’t have a lot of space in your room either.
Also, DO NOT make phone calls from your hotel room. The charges they tack on are astronomical. I called a friend once on his cellphone, we talked for about a half hour, and it cost me £60!!
And finally, when they say bed and breakfast, don’t expect to have your breakfast the way you want it. Very few places scramble eggs. They only know how to make a fried egg, bacon, beans and tomatoes. Most kitchen and wait staff in B&Bs do not have English as their first language, so asking for something other than what they intend to bring you will result in a “NO”. If you want an omelet, or scrambled eggs, look for a restaurant near your hotel and skip the breakfast at the B&B. If you stay at a B&B in the countryside, you will be more inclined to find one that is more accommodating as far as this is concerned, but not in London.
That is a load of cobblers!! As aLonbderner who has stayed at B&B’s a lot in London, you get what you ASK for…don not wait until they bring your food to the table, of the buffet. ASK the proprietor the evening before and I am sure most, if not all, of them will accomodate you….but then you have to ask POLITELY!!! not in the whiny complaining manner that most American routists seem to have!
B&B’s are NOT Denny’s or IHOP or similar and most people/tourists want to eat a good full ENGLISH breakfast..after all you are staying in the English Capitol!!! Have a REAL slice of bacon, not the fatty excuse for it that is found in America
As a Brit living in the USA I find this one more than a little condescending. How would you feel if an American blog printed a list of things Brits shouldn’t do in America?
DON’T complain about the distances you have to travel in the USA to get anywhere
DON’T complain about how hot and humid it is in Florida in August
DON’T tell us how we should adopt an NHS style of health care
and I could go on. Tourists are the same everywhere, they are bloody annoying to the locals, and Brits in the USA do all of the things you have listed above.
Andy – we don’t mean it in a condescending way. We’re Americans and these are things that tourists do that annoy even us. A post about things Brits shouldn’t do in America would be a lot of fun!
Right on! as a born and bred NYer, almost all of the above apply just as easily to Manhattan ( “the city”)
We get just as annoyed at tourists, foreign or not. I think its just part of the culture of living in such thriving, crowded, busy metropolises( metropolii?)
You are really advising tourists not to ride the tube during rush hour? Do you know how long rush hour lasts in London? Perhaps better advice would be to not block the entrance to the train when getting on and off, to know where you are going before you get to the tube, but to say not to ride the tube at all during rush hour is impractical.
I totally agree! I live in Orlando and this is like telling all the tourists around Disney not to use I-4 during rush hour because I need to get to and from work…Don’t get me wrong I would love that! But I chose to live and commute in Orlando…they chose to live in London…both cities are huge tourist destinations! If you don’t like the tourists move! Transportation is designed for everyone! Tourists are where you get money to build transportation. Telling tourists not to use it half of the day is impractical and absurd!
Points on how to not be annoying on the tube would have been more helpful. Just like here it would be more practical to tell tourists to map out where you are going before, know when your turn is coming up and get in that lane in advance, and do the speed limit!
This article has some good points (especially the escalator one! Wish people would do that here in the US!!) but being from Orlando it kinda aggravated me….It made me want to be a “bloody annoying tourist” LOL….I won’t be…. but it’s not just Londoners that have to share transportation with tourists…it’s part of life in any big city!
So far I have been to England twice and I have to agree with these don’ts. I find it amazing that Americans go overseas and expect what they find in America. It isn’t America. The first time I went to London I was in a hotel and got to be friends with the porters there so they knew I was American. I was leaving the restaurant and going into the lobby when I heard this southern American female yell out to the porter who was at the customer service desk, “This ain’t like America! You don’t have (she went into a list of things). I tip toed across the lobby and signalled to the porters I didn’t want this girl to know I was an American. They smiled wickedly back at me because they knew I was embarrased. You don’t go to someone’s home and criticize the way they live why would you do that overseas to a country where you are just visiting?
When I visit England I am a traveler not a tourist. I leave my nationality at home. I blend in and enjoy what I see around me. Occassionally I will ask for a translation into Queen’s English for a slang term I am not familiar with especially if someone has a thick accent and talks fast, but I never ask someone to speak English because they are. I avoid Americans while I am in London. If I want to be with Americans I an wait till I get home. I hangout with the locals and with other travelers.
I agree to the not flashing money, but the thing is you never do that wherever you go for the same reason. You are letting the public know you have alot of money on you so if you don’t want to be robbed, don’t open your purse or wallet in public unless you are paying a bill. Simple common sense.
I also agree don’t talk politics because you have no clue what the British politics are unless you live there so to have some American come over and tell you what your government should be doing or criticizing British politics is just rude and makes you look stupid and crass. DON’T DO IT! Ask questions yes, criticize NO.
When just the morning rush hour is 4 hours long, not to mention the hours of the evening rush hour, it seems to be a bit much to expect tourists not to take the Tube, especially tourists who are experienced. Think about it — that could be up to 7-8 hours that you’re expecting someone to avoid the Underground?
I think if you’re clueless and/or new to the Tube, definitely avoid rush hour times, but if you can be quick, have your travel card or oyster card handy, and follow directions (like staying to the left!), you will be fine even during rush hour.
Since I was traveling alone, my causing a jam on the Tube during rush hour was never an issue. Also, I had the good sense read up on what NOT to do in London before I went so I wouldn’t stand out as a tourist. More Americans should do this before visiting any foreign country.
When I travel to London, I am a traveler, not a tourist. I take in as much culture as possible and fit in with the crowd. My experience with learning to navigate myself around the city gets easier and easier with each visit. It’s funny what Lou Ann said because I am the same. I avoid Americans whenever possible in London. They must seem to know my friend and I are Americans because they always talk to us, lol. I love British people and I am very respectful whenever I am there. It’s my favorite place to travel and pretty much the only place I travel to.
One thing about the Tube, which I learned from my first visit back in 2006,is to always remember to walk on the left side. It took a bit of getting used to but now I’m a pro…especially traveling with the crowds during rush hour…always keep up with everyone and you will be fine – never stop in the middle where people are walking. I live close to NYC and ride the subways so I’m familiar with how it is during rush hour.
and most of all dont keep asking “where’s the nearest McDonalds” stay home if you want American food
If a great-grandfather hadn’t got itchy feet and decided to bring the family (including my future grandfather) to America in 1883, I’d be living in the country I consider home. So I was (and still am!) deeply offended to find a McDonald’s on the grounds of the Tower of London when I finally able to visit England in 2003. American tourists need to get over themselves and remember being in a foreign country means things will be different from what they’re used to in the States. What’s the point of going abroad if one doesn’t experience the local culture and culinary offerings?
I just wanted to add, as an ex-Londoner living now in Canada, that one thing the English do have is a big sense of humour and a smile and a “good morning” are appreciated and ususally reciprocated.
I agree about the mini-cabs whole heartedly. They do not have “The Knowledge” which it takes cabbies a long time to acrue but also they are not licenced and vetted by the London Taxis. Please stick to buses, tubes or black cabs…. black cabs are cool anyway and the cabbies are usually a mine of information and quips.
A last thing to add in is English police in general, if you are not breaking the law, are friendly and approachable if you are lost or have a problem especially those in tourist areas.
So take a brolly and enjoy.
I agree! I visited Londen last weekend for the 5th time orsoi..
London is beautiful and we had nothing to complain.
Everything was perfect: hotel, the sunny wheather, the tube…
We are Dutch, we found it annoying how a group of French tourists behave in a shop!
I agree…the 100 year war ended FAR too soon
“Visually murdered,” I like that!
How about we just say thanks to the tourists who come to our cities and appreciate the fact that even in the worst of economic times people are taking the time to travel and see the World? Yes some of these points are valid. I was an expat in London for 3 years so I get the frustration. But Americans are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. We are known to not be well traveled but when Americans do travel they received advice like ‘Don’t take the tube during rush hour for fear you disrupt a true Londoner’s journey into work’. I just find this whole thing pretty silly.
Fantastic advice!
Personally, whilst travelling around the world, I try to avoid my fellow Americans because of the bad reputation that they’ve sowed. I truly wonder why anyone would go half-way around the world and expect everything to be “just like home” — seeking out McDonald’s, rather than expanding their mind and experience by “going local”. Yes, I can understand why they might not want to try the Haggis, but isn’t travel all about that sort of experience??
Many of these pointers can also be applied to visiting New York City (my home).
Sadly, common sense and/or respect for other cultures isn’t typically instilled on Americans in the public school as it was when I was younger… such a pity.
Thanks for your wonderful article! I shall e-mail it to many of my mates here in the states!
- Chaz
When traveling anywhere outside of the United States it might be safer to say that you are from Canada. I have a friend that travels often and he has placed a Canadian Flag sticker on his luggage.
Funniest thing, but when I went to England in 2003 shortly after the U.S. invaded Iraq, I dreaded being identified as an American. I needn’t have worried. Because I had the good sense to remember I was a guest in a foreign country, I went out of my way to NOT draw attention to myself as most Americans are wont to do. For the first week, I mostly smiled and nodded a lot, but when I did speak, much to my surprise the response to my Midwest accent was always “Oh, you’re Canadian!”. Never occurred to me, though, to put Canadian travel stickers on my luggage. What a marvelous idea!
Pathetic that you would hide or lie about your nationality. I could understand if you were traveling in a dangerous place, but to pretend to be another nationality in a friendly country is really sad. Further, as a Canadian, I can tell you that we are not in the least bit impressed or flattered when Americans put a Canadian flag on their backpack. We know Canadians are well liked and that we have a great country but truth be told a lot of that is built on stereotypes, however positive, of Canada (e.g. Canada is ‘socialist’ and far more progressive than the US — not necessarily true, our corporate tax rates for example are far below US tax rates). Stick up for your own country.
Totally agree! Do not block the door to the tube car. Move back & let others in! Sometimes it is unavoidable riding the tube during rush hour. I just keep my mouth shut stare at the wall like everyone else. lol!
I don’t know what kind of idiot Americans you meet in London, but they are not any Americans I know or have met in London. Most of these instructions would apply to anyone of any nationality visiting any strange city. Living in NYC for almost two decades, I had to deal with tourists from all over the world, including the English, who didn’t understand the rules or native culture, either. When I’ve lived in Britain (three times in England and Scotland) locals and foreigners alike loved to talk about American politics, generally critically (and ignorantly). Londoners, frankly, survive as they do off the massive amounts of tourist dollars that bring naive Americans and other nationalities to town. The fact that tourists DARE to ride the tube in the morning is just something they should get over. And the fact that their willing to flash AND SPEND their dollars there should be far from abhorrent to them – quite on the contrary. Anglotopia, does a love of Britain mean groveling, or worse, (self-)loathing of Americans?
Of course not. We’re just trying to be helpful. Also flashing your cash is a safety issue more than a cultural issue.
As someone who has lived on both sides of the pond as well as on the continent and in the Middle East as well, I can say I agree with most of these. I loved the time I lived in London and have so many wonderful friends there still. However, before the Brits get too smug about American tourist (whom I am quite often embarrassed to be associated with) you have to admit that Brits are EXACTLY the same in other countries. Put an American and a Brit in Greece or Jordan and it will be a toss up who is the loudest and most obnoxious in their complaining! It is really the hamburger and fries crowd versus the egg and chip brigade!
“…Sheltering Sky”
The only advice my friends from Weston gave me when I was traveling around the Somerset and Wales was DONT PODGE THE QUE! Which means dont jump in front of someone at the bus,train or wherever. Not like in the US where folks rush to be the first in the door. Wait your turn. I found it to be good advice.
The comments about not discussing the Revolutionary War while in London caused me to recall my first visit to England. We were entering the country after a channel crossing and were directed into a very long line for passport control. There was another very short line for citizens of Great Britain. The officer stationed to direct people into the appropriate line told us not to complain about the length of the line. He said (approximate quote–it’s been over 30 years ago), “If it hadn’t been for George Washington, you could have been in that line over there.” He said it with a smile and we all had a good laugh.
The main thing people of all nationalities need to pay attention to when traveling is to be courteous and sensitive to others’ feelings and traditions. What would be the point of travel if we expect every place to be just like home.
Several years back I was wandering around London. Been to Petticoat, the jewelery district, a genealogy conference near Westminster, etc. Near Liescter (Lester) Square while looking for a antique book shop I was approached by a pair of Americans asking directions. Floored does not even begin to describe my feelings since I had no idea I fit in with Londoners so well. Had to tell them I was a compatriot and had no idea of how to get to where they wanted but did send them to where they could get the information. Whenever or where ever I’ve traveled I have always been polite. In cabs I’ve have asked the driver there thoughts about politics in their country. In travel on 6 out of seven continents I’ve managed to make my way by greeting with a smile, use excuse me in the countries language and thank you. The funniest response was in Italy. Hand movement is grand and many times they start describing something like the wide road back that way to which I can say Autostrda? So much fun to watch. Also in Italy police had to maintain their macho image so can be threatening.
I’m an American married to an Englishman and have been living in London very happily for three years, and I have to agree with Chuffed. Most of the advice given is good (but applicable to any foreign country), but good luck NOT talking about US politics. At least I’m no longer asked how Bush got into office by half the people I run into (I just told them yes, I was personally responsible for that). Obama’s election and inauguration were covered extensively in the UK, including eight-page souvenir pullouts of the inauguration in the newspapers. You’ll find that Londoners are generally a lot better informed about US politics than most Americans, especially on American foreign policy. They also think they understand America (they don’t, but be polite).
Many Brits I’ve met have been to the US, but in most cases only NYC and/or Orlando, and they don’t realize how vast and varied the US is. A lot of Brits get five weeks’ vacation, and Europe is only a couple of hours away by plane, so they don’t understand why Americans in general don’t have passports or travel overseas much. They are genuinely shocked to hear that most Americans get only two weeks’ vacation, and that it’s much more feasible to spend that time in the US than to pay for passports and expensive travel for your family (and lose two days of your vacation travelling).
On the minicab question, I agree, never get into a minicab on the street. However, if you are going any appreciable distance (including to an airport), a minicab will be quite a bit cheaper than a black cab. Ask your hotel for a minicab number, or find one on the internet, and phone ahead to order a car. No, they don’t have The Knowledge, but they do have SatNav. Ask for the price of your journey when you call, and verify it with the driver, so there are no surprises when you arrive. (I advise this as a confirmed black cab lover–but they are expensive.)
On queueing, and walking on the left, I wish this were true. Definitely stand on the right on escalators, in single file, but otherwise, unlike the US, where we tend to default to the right, you’ll find there is no set side to walk on. People may still queue for busses elsewhere in the UK, but I haven’t seen a bus queue for ages in London.
A note on backpacks: Please be aware you’re wearing one. For one thing, it’s very easy for someone to pickpocket it (though to be fair I’ve seen this much more in Italy). For another, don’t whack people with it when you are in a crowd or on the tube. The same goes for huge handbags.
Finally, yes, PLEASE don’t talk in loud voices, especially on the tube. Generally nobody talks on the tube, which you will notice if you’re not yakking away yourself.
All that said, American tourists would be hard-pressed to be as obnoxious of the large groups of Italian and French teenagers who seem to visit London constantly, so have a good time, be polite, and enjoy everything London has to offer!