How to piss off a Londoner (as a tourist)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2024
- Tourists in London --- we love ya! But we have certain rules and expectations that we'd LOVE for you to follow so we can all get along and enjoy our days. So if this is your first time visiting London, these are the things tourists shouldn't do so you don't piss off any locals, and so you have a chance at meeting some nice people and maybe making a London friend or two.
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About Love and London:
I'm Jess, I've lived in London for many years, and this channel is a London travel guide for anyone visiting the city that wants to experience it like you live here. Beyond talking about the usual London attractions, myself and my team show you some of the cooler things to do in London, that most travel guides don't mention. Watch our videos and you'll feel like you've got a Londoner friend telling you the best kept secrets in the city.
People suddenly stopping after taking just two steps off the top of an escalator is the worst ! 🤬
To be fair these pointers are standard etiquette anywhere as well, so these are good pointers anywhere you go
I've been to London at least a dozen times and I still find your videos useful as reminders, and because there's always something new to learn. See you in May.
Are you serious? Where the hell do you live that these things don’t apply in your city too??? 🤦🏻♀️
Lot of train etiquette you mentioned is common in New York as well. This makes it feel so relatable.
Not in South Korea though. There, it's everyone out for themselves, enter and exit the trains simultaneously.
Same for Washington, DC, except not all riders follow it.
I think they're common in most countries.
Same here in Denmark, nothing new. Except for "loading" the tube. It is solved here in DK, by having more trains. It is rare to see a really packed train. You know, us Scandinavians, need our personal space, actually so much that during the pandemic, where we had to maintain 2 meters separation, many found it very odd to be packed that close 😉
P.S.
I think she should get out a little more. I can recommend Berlin and Copenhagen.
I started watching Love and London videos before my first trip there in 2019. Your videos are, by far, the best. You are very detailed and informative, even showing in your videos how to do things, not just saying it. The visual aspect helps so much. I am taking a holiday in London this year in April, so I wanted to watch some more of your videos as a refresher and to learn something new. And I do learn new things every time I watch your videos. I would have thought that this particular video would have been more of a refresher, but I still learned new things like with the street performers. I had no idea what they had to do to get to perform there. It is very nice to know so that they can be tipped appropriately if someone does watch their performance. You give such great knowledge and advice, and I greatly appreciate what you do! It has made my trips there better. This April will be the third time that I have traveled to London for a holiday. I have watched your videos before each trip. I love London, and I love your Love and London videos. You are amazing. Thank you!
I take a school group to London for spring break each year, and this is essentially the talk I give before we head to the airport. Now I have a great video to show to complement my talk! Appreciate your channel! We'll see you in two weeks!
I always wonder why people never ever remove their backpacks in a crowded subway or bus. I really hate it when grungy luggage rubs against me. Common courtesy.
I’ve discovered your channel fairly recently and I absolutely love your work/videos. Thanks 🙏 for sharing.
Can confirm. I’m currently in London on a 1-week holiday and everything Jess says is true. The food here is amazing with even the most non-descript pub having incredible savory pies or Asian fusion or something unexpectedly delicious! I tried Persian food for the first time last night in Notting Hill and was blown away. I learned quickly using Google Maps on my phone to step to the side and not amble slowly with my head glued to the screen. Thanks for all the tips!
Agree. I’ve lived in London 16 years. To this day, lots of TH-cam channels still go on about how London/ the UK has terrible food. Never ever understood it.
"For breathing, we are charged 15 pounds...." love it! Great informative video!
Love that too--too bad she had to put a disclaimer that it was false. But not all humor is received.🤭
lol exactly
HELP
Arent we? Feels like we are
I once bought a 2-litre of air in a bottle for 5 RMB in Beijing to breathe.
These recommendations are best classified as "respectful common sense" with a few local tips (escalator etiquette. Well done & Thank You.
Thanks for watching
The escalator thing is true of New York City as well but not really followed strictly. Surprised people stand to the right as Londoners drive on the left so I thought people might stand on the left and pass on the right.
When they come on holiday during the winter and then complain in their travel video that "it was cold". Really, get a grip 🤔🤨😂
Yep....... It's winter you fool.
It’s funny you say that. I was just in London in mid December. I brought warm clothes and shoes expecting it to be cold and/or rainy. Well for me it wasn’t cold enough and it only rained once. The doorman tried to give me an umbrella the one day it rained and I turned him down I wanted to enjoy the light rain. I didn’t need the heave coat I brought at all a mid/light weight would have been plenty. I don’t understand people traveling to other countries and complaining about weather or really about much of anything…do your research before you go!!! I LOVE LONDON
Also, about how early it gets dark / little daylight there is in winter.
@@hughtube5154 people don’t think. It gets dark early in the US in winter too. As I say over and over do your research before you go
@@traceyrusthoven2097 same, when I went there for a whole Winter I was expecting to need hat, gloves, multiple layers etc and was happy in a t-shirt and a jacket. Also didn't rain much at all, just that the skies are a constant grey.
I love London and I love your channel. Heading back next month for my 5th visit and I'm so excited for it because its my first spring time visit. 😍😍
Excellent advice Jess - and useful wherever you are too !
Always great advice. Thanks Jess. 👍😊🇮🇪🇬🇧
Thanks for watching!
Beatles fans don't forget the famous crossing outside Abbey Road Studios is near St Johns Wood tube station and not Abbey Road Station on the DLR (PS. Good to see the return of the purple mittens)
Good tip!
I learnt that in a quiz question decades ago in Kolkata, India, the erstwhile second city of the Empire. 😄😄
New Yorker, here, virtually everything in this video applies to NY and most other large cities.
I have been visiting London at least twice a year for some time, and I still really enjoy your videos.
Love the videos, feeling a bit scared going to London by myself. Your videos certainly help to ease the anxiety. Had two brain surgeries for brain cancer and have just completed my 2 year treatment and this is my present to myself for ringing that bell. Ty you are awesome!
Congrats! We know you'll have a great time ❤️
Thanks Jess. Visiting at end of next month. Love your videos. Living in Washington DC, all the tips in this video hit home.
Thank you for this useful info!
I've lived in London since 1991 and all these videos are gold.
I absolutely love your videos! I was in London just a week ago, and every single time we were on the escalators in the subway, and I saw those signs saying 'stay on your right', I remembered watching your videos, teaching me to do just that. It was just amazing ^^
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Thank you for these tips! It seems like common knowledge to be respectful to other people on so many levels
As my older cousin used to say, common sense isn’t that common!
Two more bits of tube etiquette that I do. Don’t go at rush hour. You’re on vacation. Everybody else isn’t. Take a long, late breakfast. Stay in the museums at the end of the workday. Let locals get to work or home as fast as possible. They won’t know you’re doing it, but you do.
Don’t do flash photography in the tube! You can blind the drivers and they need to stop very precisely. Turn off your flash before you take a picture.
Simply, all these are basics that apply not only in London. Otherwise, I love London. I've been there four times, the last time before Covid, and I'm really looking forward to having the opportunity to come again.
1:30 Standing on the right of the escalator is absolutely correct - big no no standing on the left. 🚫 Another great vlog - and I live in London. Many thanks.😊
Thank you so much. That's very helpful!
You're welcome !
Most of this excellent advice applies to any city whether you’re touring or not.
The Zebra crossing outside Abbey Rd Studios isn’t actually the crossing on the Beatles album cover. That crossing disappeared years ago. The current crossing on Abbey Rd is in a different location to the one on the Beatles cover.
Even more of a reason to not hold up traffic!
i was at the us embassy today and i loved your presentation! super helpful!
We're glad to hear it, we'll pass the message onto Jess !
i’ve been planning my trip since october and now it’s less than a month away 🤭 super excited
I've been to London a few times and always really enjoy it. I'm going there again in a few months. This was a very good common sense video.
3:08 a pickpocket could also take your phone or wallet out of your backpack in a few seconds without you noticing
❤😊 thanks for your kind advice messages 🙏 a fan always a great helpfull team and the lady boss jess a great boss always with a kind heart to other always 🙏👏 😊
London is so beautiful city by You and English People Dear Jess.🥰😍🤗
Thank you for your video & info. Really love London, especially the pubs. A big no no there would also be asking- ‘Have you got any tasty beers, anything German?’ Really looking forward to the next visit. Big cheers from Melbourne 🍷
Just like in New York Jess everytime I ride the subway or bus I always know the rules
Been to London 3 times, so much like NYC area where I was from, same rules, except the right and left are reversed. I felt right at home with the fast pace and the hustle and bustle.
Also, if you do use your debit/credit for shopping or at an ATM, and the machine asks if you would like it to convert to the local currency for you *ALWAYS SAY "NO"!* . Pay with your U.S. (or whatever your home currency is) . Let your own bank back home do the calculation. You'll get a better rate, and avoid getting hit with an extra foreign transaction fee
Actually, that's the worst thing to do! Always choose the local currency, because when the machine converts it to your local currency, they rip you off.
In Australia on the escalators we stand to the left...funny as a few years ago there were some British tourists standing on the right of the escalators in peak hour and pissing off all the Sydneysiders 😂
Ha yes, I was going to comment exactly this! Surely if you’re standing you stand on the same side as you’d park your car on the street?!
Singapore - Left
That makes sense for Australia because you are on the opposite side of the planet.
I feel like a broken record, but we loved our two (almost) days in London last July! On the Tube, we observed all the rules that you mentioned and as for Abbey Road, we wanted to go, just to see the crosswalk, not to have our picture taken of us crossing (thanks Jess for not recommending doing that ;) ). What I wanted to do was actually take a couple of bus photos at the crosswalk and try to frame my shot the same way if possible, but weather got in the way and we didn't make it, but I did get some great shots of buses on Westminster Bridge with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in the background.
Hoping we'll go back in the future. Cheers from Montréal, Québec, Canada!
Londoner here. It absolutely baffles me how people stand on the left hand side of escalators - not just in London, but everywhere around the world. And getting on the train before people get off? Are people really that thick? :0
Definitely an issue in North America, passengers barging their way onto a train before others get off. Asia is mostly more respectful, there are lines and station attendants to direct people.
In Australia we also drive on the left so when walking on footpaths/shared paths and at our train stations we are always told to keep to the left. I found it strange in London being the opposite as there are also some Tube station tunnels that state to keep left when you are walking! Confusing!
Yep in country that drives on the left and overtakes on the right, the stand on the right of the escalator makes no sense..
Colonial mindset
Okay how about this: it's baffling that - which ever way people walk or stand on an escalator - people block the side of which you can walk up or down.
Spot on, as per usual.
We're glad you think so :)
Most of these (especially the public transportation/travel tips) are best practices that can be applied to any large cities. I lived in the Washington DC area and we had the same annoyances as Londoners regarding tourists.
I would like to know where you got that scarf from. It's absolutely gorgeous!!
You don't have to wait for the tube barrier light (next to the oyster card symbol - that yellow circle) to turn green and the barrier doors to close. Once someone has gone through and you see the light turning orange, put your card/phone on it and go.
100% agree with number 17. How can there be no good food in a city that large, with that many people and that many cultures? C'mon. I had a few people tell me this and I've straight up told them that it's their fault if they didn't find any good food.
6:17 There's a very popular street in Japan, in the city of Fujiyoshida, where people also like to get pics of themselves on the crosswalk of a very busy street because it aligns nicely with Mt Fuji and so the city assigned an official to make sure tourists don't do this. I really felt sorry for the guy when I was there because he had to keep asking tourists to keep walking and he was clearly getting frustrated.
There’s good food, it just won’t be right next to Westminster Abbey with signs reading “Authentic English Food” and “We Accept US Dollars”.
All your videos are wonderful, you explain everything great 👏👏👏
We're glad you're enjoying them!
I wish all the tourists coming to Prague watched this video :D Life would be so much easier for us living and working in the city.
My wife and I are coming in May and we will be staying at the Hilton London Kensington. From the google map pics and vidoes we've seen it looks like a nice area to stay. It's walking distance to Nottinghill and there's a couple of Tube stations close by. We booked a trip through Triple A. It included a round trip flight from Boston's Logan Airport to London's Heathrow Airport and we even lined up a shared ride to and from Heathrow to the hotel. I have some mobility issues, I just began chemo, but I"m hoping to be better by then.
Kensington is a nice area and not far from the City. Enjoy yourself which I'm sure you will.
I'm going to London in July from northwest England. My one tip would be the tube might get you from A to B speedily but it's often very crowded , hot and noisy. There's often long escalators to negotiate. I take the bus when I can in preference to the tube as you see a lot more of London on the way although may be slower (or quicker) depending on exactly where you're coming from/going to. I also have the advantage of being aged over 65 so have a free travel pass for any bus in England (not Wales or Scotland).
I live in London really enjoyed this so accurate 😂
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Getting your transport method of payment out at the barrier happens here in Sydney too. Also people waiting for the bus to arrive & then fishing around for their phone or card. You know you’re using public transport & you’ve just spent 10 minutes waiting at the bus stop, so why?
Hello from south west London
What had been your experience with selfridges and Covent Garden ? 😮
The Tube rules are basic city transit rules.
Your videos are fantastic! I'm starting to think I was born on the wrong continent--watching these tips (which SHOULD be common courtesy, but so often are not due to people's lack of self-awareness) brings me such peace. 😀 I'm visiting London in a couple months, and can't wait to be in a city where these are the norm, not the exception.
I love the weather in London. Well except in the extreme heat from a few years ago. 😆 Much prefer your Winters there and I am from Australia!
When I visited London with my husband and 2 little kids in Jan 2024, everybody was SO nice! Especially on the tube: People were always standing up and offering the kids a seat so they wouldn't have to stand. We were pleasantly surprised tbh :)
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I love London and don't understand how people can complain about the food. I loved every restaurant I went to and am eagerly looking forward to my next trip in early October. Cottage pie and Sunday Roast here I come!!
All the rules sound so much like New York - probably every major urban city around the world. Great tips.
I'm British (though I don't live in London) and I can confirm that the UK is VERY card friendly, probably the most card friendly nation in Europe. Even in the smallest towns and villages, you can survive completely cashless. It's very rare these days to find a business that only accepts cash
To anyone wanting to go to Abbey Road, remember that it’s in Northwest London (just north of Baker Street). It’s NOT the Abbey Road on the DLR railway in EAST London
Lol! I live in the Caribbean, on a small island with some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. Definitely a tourist destination! We have actually heard people say, “the beach was nice but there’s so much sand!”😮
LOL
The list on this video are appropriate anywhere in any city!
These points apply to all global cities, especially with subways
Jess. Great video. Would love to highlight the cash vs card wrt places that only take cash (highest on that list are pay restrooms). In your experience, how should people plan to have the right amount of cash and what denominations?
Sorry. I do realize this is a very weird and pointed question but I have seen first time visitors really struggle with that aspect.
For what it's worth, on our first trip to London in 2022, we were there for a week and used no cash whatsoever. It was frankly bizarre, but so simple to just tap a card everywhere.
You don't need cash. you can use it if you prefer but you don't need it. Only rule about denominations is to not use £50 notes. no one has small change.
Oh and you usually won't need to pay for restrooms. toilets in train stations are free. Most people use the toilets in pubs if they're caught short.
You don't need to carry cash in the UK, if you want to use the toilet, go into a pub, buy a drink and it's free to use.
What about tips for our tours guides or Blackberry driver?
More sound advice from the lovely Jess.
You pretty much summed it up.
Something about the tube that is bizarre is the inconsistency that you have to stand to the right on escalators but walk to the left on stairs, except for the odd stations that require walking to the right on the stairs. Standing to the right on escalators in a country that drives on the left is strange enough, but why the inconsistency of being on the left on the stairs, but then applying it to only most stations and not every station?
My only other complaint is that the tube doesn't run over-night. There are other big cities that can run their underground rail 24/7, why can't London?
Complaint done, so now I can say that I LOVE the tube, and London public transport generally.
#11 is very helpful because not only are you getting out of everyone's way, but you're also less likely to have your phone stolen since no one can come up from behind you and snatch it.
Jess
Londoners are just like New Yorkers or Brooklynites. Lol
Same thing when it comes to the Subway. Same thing when it comes to the escalator and street as well.
Weather in NYC varies cold and some snow in the winter time. Summertime Hot and humid could be with a nasty severe Thunderstorm.
As long as you have a contactless debit/credit card, don't even bother with cash or an oyster card. My first trip last year I grabbed a £100 (actually $100,, which translated to about £80), and stuck it in my wallet. It sat there my entire trip until the day that I left. I tipped the housekeepers at my hotel, and the taxi driver that took me to the airport. The remaining £20 hangs on my wall to this day.
EVERYTHING runs on plastic. It's super easy and really speeds things up everywhere you go.
I did get a Visitor Oyster Card, but I knew in advance I was paying £7 for a wallet-sized souvenir. (I also have a MetroCard, Charlie Card, ORCA Card…)
I would add when using the tube, the exception from moving down inside the carriage is if you are only going 3-4 stops & it is crowded, you could get so far in that you cannot get out through the other passengers fast enough. Most people will let you through to get off, but there is a risk.
Nah, people will move and get off so you can get out, just don't take your time!
Manners are everything. If you want to stay by the door, leave a clear path for others to get into the middle. You can even say "I'm only going a couple stops" or something similar. And if you're worried about getting stuck, just say "excuse me" clearly and politely and people will move. If someone is wearing headphones you can tap them gently on the arm. People will move because we all know what it's like to miss your stop.
It's nice that you say 'us' Londoners. I like it when people move here and become proper Londoners.
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Good advice, as usual. However it’s worth pointing out that if you’re visiting the usual tourist hot spots, e.g. London Eye, Piccadilly Circus/Leister Square, Houses of Parliament, Oxford Street etc there probably won’t be any Londoners so it’s a free for all. 😁
Yup
Good tips, as always from your channel, although an Oyster card has the advantage of reducing the risk of card clash or having to get your wallet out when entering transport.
Thank you for the advice but most of it is common sense. I will definitely fit in there, especially since I walk fast.
Hi Jess, have you done a Wetherspoons review?
No, and she never will 😎
LOL@@loveandlondon
Do you know about pre paid cards that I çan take to London , I have my Amex but was going to take cash for eating and transportation but after watching your video, thinking about converting my cash to a prepaid card.
As long as it operates like a normal card you're fine
Love the Abbey Road comment... My primary school was one of the local ones and that pedestrian crossing would always be a place to hear some choice words from drivers berating copycats 😂
😂😂
I noticed in the tunnel of people coming out of the tube, the right side was coming and the left side was going, just like they drive. Is that an actual thing or was the camera flipped? I will be there the end of May and didn't want to be that salmon trying to go up stream! Thanks!
It depends, there are signs of which side to walk on or just follow the crowd.
I can't remember the last time I had cash in my pocket, it must be a good 10 - 15 years ago. The Uk was well advanced when it comes to cashless living.
More great content.
THANK YOU! everyone does this, we are plagued by slow walkers and I think I scare them every time with my remarks. people are comically slow and have no respect for people's time no matter where they come from
I wouldn't not hold onto my backpack on public transportation, anywhere! Used to wear one and would switch it to my front if it was crowded & I had to stand.
So many things in London are cheaper than in Canada. I’m always pleasantly surprised at groceries and eating out. ❤
nice!
I would do most of these things in any large city anyway. However, perhaps Londoners need to meditate more because I would not call getting " pissed off" by any of these as being "efficient", but nervous. I am sure we cannot generalize Londoners here. However, they could practice having more compassion for visitors. Again, I would do most of what you mentioned in any large city, but I would not stress myself during a trip that is supposed to be fun to not piss off a Londoner.😃
I kind of can't believe somebody would ask a local what the currency conversion would be...that's nuts!
LOL
The stopping short has cracking up. Okay I'm a tourist and I actually had the opposite happen to me in London. Two guys saw each other and stopped dead in their tracks in the middle of the sidewalk to talk. I nearly plowed into the one guy because I was right behind him going at a good clip. Out came my sarcasm "Why yes, I quite often stop dead in the middle of the sidewalk to talk, because, hey it's not like anyone is using it to actually walk!"
That milkshake you're drinking...is it thick? This is the one and only thing I will actually complain about food wise over there. Milkshakes are meant to be made with more ice cream than milk. It's supposed to be thick. Other than that I dare anyone to complain about the food in London.
With Abbey Road - most people don't care so much if you stand for a moment, but there are some people who go and stand for more than a few seconds and THAT is what annoys the people in the area.
What's the courtyard at 9:45?
What is your take on which side of a path or walkway to walk on. I have been to London dozens of times and still have not figured out if it is the right or left or if it is a free for all. No one seems to know?
There isn't one!
That was actually very global advise and I support them all. In my experience, the Spanish people are actually the best at respecting queues.
You didn’t mention the suitcases with wheels, they are a pain on the tube and walking slowly on Oxford Street, when we have to go somewhere fast 😮
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Whew. I did all these things on my visit. 😀 I love london. One question I did use an oyster card but I heard afterwards that I could just tap my credit card. True? I don't want to hold anybody up behind me in the turnstile.
True !
8:36 what is the 'stoop'? I'm English but have never heard that word before in this context.
It’s a small staircase or even a single step leading up to a building’s front door. They’re typically smaller and simpler than a porch or patio, offering enough space for a couple people to stand but not sit.
This makes the stoop a transitional space between public and private. This is where the resident might meet up with a delivery driver, or where friends might wait for the resident to come out and join them. Because the space is usually semi-public, it’s typically not _illegal_ to hang out and take pictures, but it is intrusive.
Why different rule for escalators (stand right, overtake left) then for the road (drive left, overtake right)?
There's different things!
I have been in London several times, but the one thing I never was able to find out is on which site of the pavement you have to walk. Is there a rule for that ? ( looks like there isn't)
There isn't!
Escalators. Interesting - I would have assumed to stand left, not right - given how you drive.
Nope
What do you suggest to do when you have luggage and are taking the tube/train?
1. Leave extra time to get to your destination 2. Research for tube stations with lifts 3. Board the tube carriage at the double door 4. Think about boarding at the front or back if the train not the middle which is normally much busier 5. Leave your suitcase tucked between the seats and the door, resting on its side rather than its wheels. DO NOT bring it to your seat and hold it between your knees as this blocks the entire row. If you have eyes on your suitcase you don't have to sit next to it even on longer journeys. In 22 years living in London I've never seen anyone mess with a suitcase that wasn't their own. The Picadilly and Elizabeth line carriages have extra space by the doors for suitcases and several others have fold-up seats that create suitcase space.
Just keep it near you and out of the walking paths as much as possible :)
People faffing about when they get to the tube barrier gets annoying pretty quickly. I don't think it's only tourists though.