kferr:
Be aware of your surroundings. If you’re walking down a busy pavement/sidewalk don’t just stop suddenly to take a picture, look for a spot where you can get out of traffic. If the pavement is especially busy consider walking single file instead of side-by-side. Pay attention to the “look left” and “look right” road markings at intersections.
Escalators - stand on the right, walk on the left. When you step off the end, don’t stop but keep going even if you don’t know where you need to go. Find a spot out of the flow of traffic to get your bearings.
Those aren’t really British rules - they’re big city rules. New Yorkers would probably tell you something very similar.
kferr:
I’m an American ex-pat who has lived in the UK for 20+ years. The clothing question has been addressed so here’s a couple other tips to make you not stand out a American tourists so much.
KEEP YOUR VOICES DOWN! The normal American conversational volume is nearly a shout to everyone else.
Be aware of your surroundings. If you’re walking down a busy pavement/sidewalk don’t just stop suddenly to take a picture, look for a spot where you can get out of traffic. If the pavement is especially busy consider walking single file instead of side-by-side. Pay attention to the “look left” and “look right” road markings at intersections.
Escalators - stand on the right, walk on the left. When you step off the end, don’t stop but keep going even if you don’t know where you need to go. Find a spot out of the flow of traffic to get your bearings.
Yeah, you’re never going to stop this from happening so long as there are large numbers of small town folks visiting big cities. You’d have to start teaching “comportment in the big city” lessons from kindergarten to make any appreciable change.
Exactly, big city rules/public transit are the same everywhere. As a Chicagoan, I fit in fine. The same rules apply in Chicago, DC, and London. But, there will always be people standing on the right on escalators or walking 4 abreast while pushing a double stroller. They’ll always be people who don’t let you off the train or elevator first before getting on. And, they’ll always be those cursed selfie sticks!
dalej42:
Exactly, big city rules/public transit are the same everywhere. As a Chicagoan, I fit in fine. The same rules apply in Chicago, DC, and London. But, there will always be people standing on the right on escalators or walking 4 abreast while pushing a double stroller. They’ll always be people who don’t let you off the train or elevator first before getting on. And, they’ll always be those cursed selfie sticks!
The slight difference is that in British cities the pavements tend to be much narrower so it’s easier to cause problems.