Getting to Know London’s Culture, Customs, and Etiquette

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Corrina Pinsent

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London’s Culture

There are hundreds of cities across the world, and each city has a specific culture, customs, and etiquette they adhere to. Here in London, it’s no different. We have unspoken rules that govern everyone’s behavior. And this includes how you behave or portray yourself around people in public. Effective london relocation strategies involve detailed planning and local expertise.

Further, our culture is British which runs across UK countries and that includes Northern Ireland, British, Scotland, and UK. Therefore, we have unique social and cultural norms that are different but sometimes similar to that of some western countries.

So, if you are eager to know London’s culture, customs, and etiquette, here they are:

 

Politeness is the best policy

If there is something that doesn’t seem strange to us is using the word please more often. And that’s not all, a thank you as a show of gratitude is another custom we love. These two terms are frequently used in all places in London and by everybody.

What’s more, please is a starter to all encounters and transactions while thank you completes almost everything. And when one doesn’t use these words, it’s a sign of rudeness. So, whether you are asking for assistance or buying a cup of tea, people will appreciate these magical words.

 

We don’t take photos in the middle of walkways

With close to 10 million people, London is a large city with a bustling of activities. And being the capital of England, it’s a commercial hub. Therefore, the walkways are busy at all times with large crowds heading in different directions. And as such, taking a photo in the middle of the walkway is rude since you are interfering with other people.

 

We look unfriendly but approachable

Many people think we are unfriendly because of the way we carry ourselves in public. And yes, there might be some truth in it because we love to focus more on where we are going and less on chatting with strangers. However, if you need assistance, we are willing to offer it. So, never be afraid to seek assistance from any Londoner.

 

Greetings

If it’s a first-time formal meeting with someone, then we shake hands. This is the appropriate way of initiating a meeting. And besides using this form of greeting for official use, it can also apply in some informal situations.

 

We keep right on the escalator

It’s not only a rule but also a custom to keep right on the escalator. As a rule, this enables those in a rush to use the left side to pass through while walking or running. On the right, it’s for those who want to stand and use the escalator to ascend or descend.

And as a custom, this minimizes the frequency of telling people to excuse me to find a way. And in a way, it reduces the awkward noise that would form from multiple people murmuring these words.

 

Patience in Boarding the Tube

While we might be in a hurry to find a seat on the train, we are always patient. That means we wait for arriving commuters to get off the train before we board the train. This way, we avoid brushing shoulders with people coming off the train and it allows for an organization. You may say it’s an inbuilt sense that most of us apply. But when someone attempts to break this unspoken rule, the tube can turn chaotic.

 

Punctuality is Vital

This is very important to all Londoners no matter who they are. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a formal or informal occasion. Arriving on time is a show of respect and shows that you care about the occasion you are invited to. However, there are setbacks that we can’t avoid at times. And as such, there is a 10 minutes grace period for anyone arriving late.

 

Maintain or remove your shoe

Here, everyone has their own house rules. Therefore, it’s inappropriate to walk into someone’s home with the shoe on without their permission. Therefore, you must first inquire from the host whether you should maintain your shoes or remove them.

 

Politics is only for the locals

People love politics and I am sure you do too. However, in London, it’s different. Here, leave the politics to the locals. Only focus on your purpose for being in the cities whether it’s business or leisure. And this is because we might have different opinions simply because we understand our politics and its history.

And while part of it may be absurd to you, to us it may be logical and we have the reasons why. Therefore, to avoid offending somebody especially locals, keep your political opinions to yourself.

 

Keep your volume low

We love the peace of mind and as such, we maintain a low tone during conversation to avoid disturbing those nearby. Therefore, this is expected to be replicated by everyone in the city. So, if you love talking loud, keep it low in the London streets. And it’s not about us being too cultured, but a normal part of life we are used to.

 

We don’t flash our cash

Flashing cash is considered rude and annoying to locals especially in the public. So, if you are paying for bills whether it’s in a café or street, take out what’s needed. Meanwhile, this will keep you safe from the prying eyes and robbers.

 

Apologize

An apology is another common word in our mouth. It’s polite and a sign of respect. And while you say sorry for banging on someone, don’t be surprised when you hear it back.

 

Stay in Queue

How long can you tolerate lengthy queues? Well, we British don’t mind standing in long queues as long as you don’t attempt to jump over. Any attempt will receive harsh sentiments and protests.

 

Strangers

We don’t have time to bond with strangers. So unless you are asking for direction, don’t bother speaking to any Londoner you don’t know.

 

If you can keep up with the magical words, please and thank you, Londoners are the best people you will ever meet. And if you can master the above social norms, then you might be mistaken for a local by locals themselves.

Adjusting to Culture Shock in London

When it comes to adjusting to culture shock in London, it is a far easier task to accomplish as it is such a large city. Large cities are known to be melting pots of different cultures, making it much easier to adjust to such a big move. This, however, does not remove the truth that we are guilty of falling into culture shock from time to time. Culture shock does not always have to come from a big move, sometimes it can come from an experience that is usually extremely different from what that person is normally used to. This is completely normal, and it is okay to feel this way from time to time, especially when it comes with a big move. So, with this being said, below are just a few tips to help you adjust to culture shock in London, company relocation services are critical for maintaining workflow during significant transitions.

 

1. Getting familiar with social customs

Oftentimes, the British are categorized to be more “reserved” people when in fact they are actually very friendly. When it comes to greeting others in London, the proper etiquette is to always shake hands with all those who are present in your company. It is also polite to shake hands upon leaving.

 

2. For the Americans out there: you do not have to tip in London

In London, it is not required to leave a tip when dining in at a restaurant. In fact, it would be important to go over a few quick table manners as well. These manners include: never resting your elbows on the table, remain standing until you are invited to take a seat, never call out or wave your hand to summon a waiter at a restaurant, and lastly, always arrive on time when invited out to a restaurant by another person – this one goes without a saying but is still worth mentioning.

 

3. Understanding public transportation

London is known to have one of the largest urban public transportation networks in the world. When you need to get around, you can take either: the London Underground – also referred to as the tube – as well as the bus, the local trains, London trams, bicycles, taxis and more! As we get more into the topic of understanding public transportation, it would be important to mention to never take the tube during rush hour.

 

4. Getting used to the language

When it comes to English language, the British sometimes spell words differently as well as use different terminology. It is best to get accustomed to this. In addition to this fact, it would also be important to mention to use caution when speaking. This is due to the fact that certain words or phrases might have a completely different meaning in London than what you may be used to.

 

5. Enjoy the diversity London has to offer

As previously mentioned, London is a melting pot of different cultures. While this can be helpful when it comes to adjustment, this can also be new to many people. However, rather than remaining intimidated by the differences, it would be best to go out and try new things and enjoy the wonderful mix of cultures that London has to offer. Besides, you never know what new thing you may learn.

 

In addition to getting familiar with the above, might we also mention a few things you should never do while living in London? Getting familiar with these kinds of tips and tricks would be a major advantage as well. Therefore, without further ado, here at the top five things you should never do in London:

 

1. Please do not stand on the left side of the escalators

As you may have already noticed, there are plenty of signs that state you should not stand on the left side of the escalators, however, many tourists are known to either not see this sign or they may simply choose to ignore the fact. The left side of the escalator is the designated passing lane for those people who are in more of a hurry to get to their destination. Therefore, in order to avoid looking like a tourist, please be aware of this standard.

 

2. Do not talk about politics

As with many other places in the world, it is best to avoid the subject of politics. In addition to the known fact that many people love to argue and disagree on the topic of politics, it would be best to not get involved in something you are fairly new to as well.

 

3. Never ever take a mini cab

If you absolutely must take a cab to get to your desired destination, please, do not allow yourself to take a mini cab under any circumstances. Only take licensed black cabs, even if they are a bit more expensive. Trust me when I say you are better off paying the extra cash with the black cabs.

 

4. You should never complain about your neighborhood to a fellow Londoner

The people of London are known to be extremely loyal when it comes to their neighborhood. Therefore, if you complain about your circumstances to a fellow Londoner, odds are you will not be entirely pleased with what may be said back to you. Therefore, it would be best to simply avoid the topic altogether.

 

5. Do not complain about the rain

Last but not least, please, do not complain about the rain. After all, this is London, therefore the possibility of rain is usually very high. You simply must expect it at any moment. If you must, carry an umbrella with you at all times so you can always be prepared. Yes, it rains during the summer months as well.

 

Once again, if you are feeling a little bit overwhelmed, it is important to mention that your feelings are perfectly valid. After all, moving can be difficult, even if you are not moving to a different country and need to adjust to the culture. Therefore, we hope that these simple tips and tricks can be useful to you during this big move.