I fought the law, and the law won....
This is big city. It has some rules that, while not usually written down, will be loudly enforced by us poor locals. The rules here have been formed by pure attrition and are mostly ways to avoid anything resembling a delay.
STAND ON THE RIGHT!... Just...
This one is actually written down. On any escalator, no matter how tired you may be, there will always be somebody behind who needs to get to the top approx. 8 seconds faster than you. Stand to the right, walk/run/hop on the left.
They actually tried to force people to stand on both sides as an experiment at one tube station (because it is the apparently the most efficient way to use these things) and the locals revolted. Started use the stairs instead and everything... all to get those precious 8 seconds...
They actually tried to force people to stand on both sides as an experiment at one tube station (because it is the apparently the most efficient way to use these things) and the locals revolted. Started use the stairs instead and everything... all to get those precious 8 seconds...
Please don't spend ages talking to the shop/cafe/stall/restaurant worker.
Please. For them.
There are about 9million people in Greater London... this means there are potentially 8,999,999 OTHER PEOPLE in the line behind you! If the service staff have to have an extended weather-related conversation with everyone, NOTHING will get done.
My advice is be quick, be brief, be gone.
Smile, be polite, and if you want to really make the staff's day, have you money (or even better, your contactless card) ready before you get to the til.
As for choosing what to eat/buy, essentially, don't even look at the queue 'til this decision's been made!
My advice is be quick, be brief, be gone.
Smile, be polite, and if you want to really make the staff's day, have you money (or even better, your contactless card) ready before you get to the til.
As for choosing what to eat/buy, essentially, don't even look at the queue 'til this decision's been made!
Tube rules are for everyone...
The tube is pretty impressive. Whether you like it or loathe it or just tolerate it to get to work, it's a massive system (engineering, organisational, psychological). But there are a few rules...
- Let them off, before you get one - because physics...
- Move down inside - because Rule 1 above won't work otherwise
- Backpacks OFF - doesn't matter if it's just one stop, unless your bag has bought a Zone 1-6 Annual Ticket for itself, it is taking up the space of somebody who has...
- Don't try to out-shout the Tube; the Tube always wins - it's a weird etiquette on the tube: it's stupidly loud, but you're not allowed to be loud. It's like a weird, confused library. Talking at normal volume is fine, but if you have to raise your voice just pause for a bit
- Be nice - everybody on a tube is literally heading the same way in life. If somebody needs a seat, give it. If there's a buggy, give them the space they need. If somebody is stuck in the door, help them (and then laugh afterwards)...