New to London

New to London

03 April, 2009
by: Spoonfed Team

If you’re new to London and want to get into the British spirit of things then there are a few things that you should know. Spoonfed has plenty of handy hints for newcomers to London with advice on getting around and fitting into London life if you’re a visiting tourist or newly arrived Expat. Whether you’re visiting from the other side of the world or jetting across from New York to London, the cultural differences can be small but important and getting to grips with London etiquette is an essential skill for all new arrivals to master.

Finding your way around
Some visitors to London are confused by the city’s seemingly haphazard layout, but as London has been an important settlement for well over 1000 years it’s no wonder that our capital’s developments are less cohesive than some recently established major cities. Tourists should always be armed with a London A to Z, a handy guidebook full of local street maps of London, to help them find their way around. The tube map is a good guide to the general location of the major sites but visitors should be aware that the distance between some spots can be deceptive so always compare distances on a street map to save yourself an unnecessary walk.

If you do get lost most Londoners will be more than happy to point you in the right direction but it is a good idea to know how to properly pronounce your destination to make it easier for your guide. Here are some commonly mispronounced locations:

Leicester Square – LESS-ter Square
Gloucester Road – GLOSS-ter Road
River Thames – River TEMMS
Southwark – SUTH-ERK
Cambridge Circus – CAME-bridge Circus

Public Transport
The London Underground, or 'The Tube' as it’s more affectionately known, is a well acknowledged bane of many a London commuter. Trains normally run on excellent time but during the morning and early evening rush hours, the central London lines can be crowded and understanding to dos and don’ts of transport in London can make your journey much easier.

It’s important to give people their personal space when possible but you should also be aware that when it’s busy the trains can get very crowded. If you manage to get a seat don’t forget to look to offer it up to an elderly or disabled person and pregnant women for are in greater need. Also be aware that when travelling on all trains and tubes you should stand on the right hand side of the escalator to allow those in a hurry or on their way to work to move past you.

Please also remember that there are developments on underground lines during the weekend, so before you head out make sure you check the Transport For London website for service updates and the available alternative routes.

Restaurant and Pub Etiquette
Supping on traditional ale or dining out in one of London’s many restaurants will be part and parcel of your trip but there are some customs that you should be aware of. Although tipping for table service in restaurants is standard practice, adding a tip to your drink at a bar is not necessary unless otherwise stated. If you want to show your appreciation for superior or repeated service at a pub then you can offer to buy your bartender a drink for himself/herself.

Queues
Britain’s love of queuing has been well documented and playfully mocked for decades but don’t underestimate its importance when visiting London for the first time. Although Londoners can be as determined as any of their foreign neighbours it's best to remain polite, patient and above all, wait your turn.

For more information of getting to know London, have a look at Spoonfed’s London Facts.

Spoonfed Team