5 Things NOT To Do In London
As a northern lass myself, I have first-hand experience in arriving in London and not being aware of the main do’s and don’ts regarding life in this bustling city, which can lead to unnecessary embarrassment, odd looks and even unwanted comments from grumpy commuters who just can’t keep their gobs shut when they catch newbies slipping up.
Reading up and getting street smart before a trip to London is a wise idea, and to help you on your way I have put together the top five most common mistakes that new-comers tend to make when they first set foot in the British capital:
1 Driving in London
Don’t drive in London if you don’t have to. In peak hours you will be hit with the congestion charge and still get stuck in traffic, which is basically a swarm of buses, taxis and vans with the occasional motorbike daringly weaving in between. The bicycle lanes have added to this problem as there is less space for drivers now. Plus parking is scarce and expensive.
2 Stopping in Busy Streets
Stopping in the middle of a crowded street is a definite no-no. Always keep to the side if you need to rummage through your bag for something, or check a message on your phone. Which leads me to no. 3
3 Getting Pick-Pocketed
Keep an eye on your phone, wallet, handbag or purse. There are the sneaky pick-pockets who will ‘accidently’ bump into and steal something, or perhaps engage you in small talk while an accomplice lifts your bag, or the downright blatant robbers who will literally snatch your mobile out of your hand while you are talking to someone and run for it. A point to be noted is that pick-pockets often target parents of young children as it is most likely you will be preoccupied by keeping an eye on your kids, rather than your bag.
4 Standing on the Wrong Side of the Escalators
PLEASE... never stand on the left side on escalators. The right side is for people standing and the left side is for people who need to quickly walk up.
5 Talking to Strangers
Don’t be over-friendly with people on the tube. In this large city, it’s not like up north in small towns where everyone seems to know of each other. You can make small-talk if you want but it is highly likely that you will be seen as a nutter!