An American Goes to London: Any Tips?

There's some good videos on YouTube if you type American living in the UK

Also pants means underwear and not 'trousers'
We don't stop every day to drink cups of tea
Don't stick two fingers up at people, it's not offensive in America but is in UK
Cadbury's is superior to Hershey's
Tea is the name for your evening meal too
Most people don't care about the Queen
Good luck finding English speaking people in London

1) If you're unsure as to whether someone is being sarcastic, assume that they are.

2) We do tip waiters/waitresses if the service was good etc. but it isn't anywhere near such a big thing as it is in the States, my understanding is that our waiters/waitresses are paid comparatively more too so tips aren't expected to form a significant part of their wages.

3) We (southerners are particularly guilty) tend to be quite a bit more reserved than the average American, that doesn't mean that we aren't friendly just that you may find that you need to get to know people a bit more than usual first before we open up.

4) 'Jaywalking' is not a crime, everyone does it in London.

5) Avoid the tube at rush hour for the sake of your sanity.

6) We take queuing very seriously.

7) We will moan about most things from politics through to the weather, try not to take it too seriously. We aren't depressed all the time, we just like to pretend that we are.

8) We call 'pants' trousers (definitely worth remembering...), what you call 'chips' we call crisps, what you call 'French fries' we call chips, what you call 'beer' we call lager (although the two are sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably) etc. etc. - you'll get used to it

9) 'Bangers and mass' means sausages and mash potato, try it.

10) As much as Londoners moan about it (see above) you're studying in one of the most amazing cities in the world, stop worrying and look forward to it! Our culture really isn't that different and I seriously doubt that you will have any serious problems

1) In the UK we enjoy moaning, we enjoy complaining about the weather (even if it's nice) and are not as openly loud and proud as Americans are, don't get me wrong we love our country as much as Americans love America but people don't tend to say things like 'I'm proud to be British' very often (cringe).

2) I know I may be bias but you will bloody love London, the only really comparable city in America is New York (cities like Los Angeles cover a massive area and are not really proper industrial cities) but it is such a great place, I don't live there, I live in a place called Dorset in the South-West which is really nice but I love a trip to London, sooooo much to do.

3) However try and get a taste for UK culture while you are here and don't stick to just London, Make trips to places like Stonehenge, Cotswolds and other cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, they are all really great cities.
Also try and get a taste for British culture, I know you are a girl but do things like go to a football match in London (you will never experience a greater joy than a good atmosphere at a football match) I know loads of girls that get really into the football and you will be very popular if you know your stuff, just find a few other people and go and watch someone like Crystal Palace or West Ham. Try out British food, people have a bad view of British food but actually I think it is really nice,not only things like Fish and chips and roast beef (but a do love them) but things like Stew and Dumplings (OMFG IT"S SO NICE) or shepherds pie are really nice, if you don't like it then there is food from every singe country in the world in London (including plenty of American things)

4) Generally anything you can do In America you can do in the UK so there is really not much to worry about, Crime in London really isn't that bad. There are cultural differences but you will pick them up quickly.

5) Don't worry about looking out of place in London there are sooooo many tourists and people from all over the world that people expect it so don't be surprised.

6) AVOID ALL UKIP VOTERS

1. LOL. What do you think us Americans do? March around, flag in hand, singing the national anthem every day?

2. I'm from New York City. But I've grown so sick of it. I'm sure I'll love London just because it's a change of scenery.

3. Will do! If I have the spare cash to do so. My dad is actually a huge soccer fan and he watches English football all the time. A few channels in the US (ESPN, FOX Soccer) always airs the premiere league. I actually enjoy soccer, but now I have an excuse to get into it. Good advice.

As for the food, none of that sounds appetizing... But I will try them.

4. I'm from NY, I can deal with a little diversity lol.

5. See that's the thing. I don't want to blend in with the tourists! But I do see your point haha. Thanks!

1. LOL. What do you think us Americans do? March around, flag in hand, singing the national anthem every day?

2. I'm from New York City. But I've grown so sick of it. I'm sure I'll love London just because it's a change of scenery.

3. Will do! If I have the spare cash to do so. My dad is actually a huge soccer fan and he watches English football all the time. A few channels in the US (ESPN, FOX Soccer) always airs the premiere league. I actually enjoy soccer, but now I have an excuse to get into it. Good advice.

As for the food, none of that sounds appetizing... But I will try them.

4. I'm from NY, I can deal with a little diversity lol.

5. See that's the thing. I don't want to blend in with the tourists! But I do see your point haha. Thanks!

Haha gee thanks for the encouragement. West London to be exact.

On second thought It definitely Brighton seeing your disliking for CPFC and your comments on Brighton, am I right?

Well in America, though you're not required to tip per se, it's an unwritten law that you should tip or you're a complete d**k. Plus, most waiters & waitresses get paid less than the federal minimum wage (employers get away with this because waiters get tips to supplement their paychecks)

So not tipping is toying with someone's rent or whatnot.

Now, restaurants are tacking on a required 15% tipping fee on the bill to avoid non-tippers.

And with the reserved thing -- pfft. Perfect! I'm reserved myself. I'll be thrilled to escape the rowdiness of New York City.

Really really useful tips here! Thanks!!

Lol thanks for the heads up! I definitely would have tipped the taxi drivers...

Lots of people tip taxi drivers. My friend works as a telephonist for a taxi firm and she's always tipping taxi drivers when we go out. So if you want to tip a taxi driver, they'll be pleased. They just won't expect it. Same for pretty much everything else you would tip for like hairdressers and waitresses (although most people tip in restaurants). I only tip in restaurants, although if I can't be bothered to wait for change I let food delivery drivers and taxi drivers keep it as a tip.

you're going to live in london? sorry for your loss

We don't tip taxi drivers here! Don't know why but all my American friends do...

In general, the British don't tend to be as friendly as Americans, so don't take it personally if you perceive someone as being rude to you.

wow, did I upset you or something?

Yes, zippity mo'fo doodah, you upset me. Respect my authoritah!

I was only implying that it wasn't a great place to go in england overall; some of it is fantastic but certain parts of it are undeniably grotty gangland ghettos; I had cousins that lived in london and all the walls had graffiti all over them (more than anything like my home town), so many windows were smashed, there were entire parts of town that had nobody speaking english, the shopping streets were crowded like a busy bus and so on