How Tourists Annoy Londoners

What really annoys me is people who get off the escalator and stand still working out where they need to go next regardless of the people behind them. Potentially very dangerous.

That blocking of the Tube platform entrance by tourist groups that you mention, really is one of the major ball aches. A little common sense goes a long way. Keep up the good work Mark. 👍

The only time when queuing isn’t what we do is at the bar in the pub. We huddle and spread down the bar. But, the rules of being served in turn are still there. If the bar staff try to serve you before the person who you know was there longer, it’s impolite not to point that out.

We went to London back when I was 12 of 14 back in the 90s. We went to the tower of London and they had all those signs up that say "Don't feed the ravens." so me, being the smart Alec that I was at the time decide to go feed a pigeon instead. And suddenly from behind a shadow falls over me. A shadow of a guy holding a halberd. And I look around and this big gruff beefeater says: "If you feed those you gotta take em home with you." I gotta admit that was pretty initmidating.

idk why i, a londoner, have been binging your london videos as if i havent lived here my whole life. but you're awesome, im loving these videos

Londoner here. Everything you say about tube etiquette is totally correct. And they are particularly annoying because there are announcements or signs about all of the things you say. We don’t just expect tourists to magically know what the rules are. That would be mental. We try to tell you, so please listen.

As a Londoner I live with this daily. I have an (admittedly bad) habit of shouting “bad place to stand” as I walk past people blocking entires and exits.

One important point is that in the UK you are trusted to judge for yourself where and when it is safe to cross the road. We don't have jaywalking offences forcing people to only use crossings. So use your common sense and you'll be fine. (I realise that's a lot to ask...)

Stopping at the very bottom of the escalator in a tube station to check which platform they need. The other one is guided tours walking 9 abreast so you need to pass on the road!

Speaking of The Queue! When i was living in England a zillion years ago for school, I was waiting for a bus in the middle of Nowhere. I mean NOWHERE. 2 people came up to catch that bus and queued behind me. In the middle of nowhere! LOL!

As an American who has visited London numerous times several pieces of advice. Get a tube map it will help you immensely. Don’t mess with the guards especially those on horseback. If you happen to get tickets to football (soccer) the stands are segregated between home and away supporters.Don’t wear a shirt with the same colors of the visiting team in the home section (I made this mistake). Also learn some British English words and terms.

I love all of these tips! It boils down to "situational awareness" and "spatial awareness," which has become less utilized in recent years. Be aware that it's not all about you, there are other people in this space to consider, and be considerate of others wherever you are. 🙂

If I was in London and boarding the Tube when some other tourist is blocking the door when there's plenty of room for them to move, I'll give them a VERY good reason to get out of the way as politely as possible. If they're rude after I'm polite, the polite side of me will disappear faster than they can blink.

I've lived in Rio, Paris, and now London. The problems are the same in every touristic city. Groups occupying the whole sidewalk is annoying. Groups that STOP just by the end of the escalator to look at a map... this is outrageous. Tourists have to keep in mind that the locals are making a living, running to work or back home. Also, some politeness when asking for information would be welcomed.

Backpacks!! Take them off in crowded areas ESPECIALLY on the tube (particularly when it’s busy). Nobody wants to be whacked in the face when you turn around. (Also, if they’re not behind your back, a pickpocket can’t grab anything from it). As a side note, it’s always good to keep an eye on your belongings - yes, I grew up in late 80’s London…

As a Londoner I would add being mindful of people who want to pass you on pavements……but great summary and love your videos

While the US does have a line culture, it's taken more seriously in the UK. I remember being in line for something and there weren't many people around, so I unconsciously started wandering around the waiting area. THE SECOND I moved to a space that might have remotely been construed as ahead of where I was in line, a British gentleman was IMMEDIATELY on me with "Excuse me, there's a queue"-and I wasn't the only one he reminded before whatever we were in line for started up. He seemed like a nice person, we chatted for a bit, but it was immediate and stark in a way that usually wouldn't happen in the US.

"Stand right" is right. But as a londener I don't agree with "walk left". Walk on either side. Ideally reserve the left for overtaking. I don't think you will annoy anyone by walking on either side.

Same thing here in Barcelona... Most of these are just general basic respectful things to do in medium to large cities. I do think some people over react to tourists, respect has to go both ways. You're a local but when you travel you're a tourist that doesn't know all local rules and you'll want some tolerance.

Tourists walking across the Abbey Road crosswalk like the Beatles without regard for the car traffic.