# I'm going to London (advice/meetup) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 8, 2006, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839 "2006-08-08T09:55:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/21 "2006-08-10T09:58:14Z")
[QUOTE=yingtongtiddleipo] He he he - Its London hun - remember punk? You can wear absolutely whatever you want and you’ll blend in! Its a very diverse and liberal city, so you’d probably have to be topless to get more than an eyebrow raise! [/QUOTE] If she doesn’t want to look like an “American tourist”, though, I’d say avoid sweatshirts, stretch bluejeans, and white sneakers. ---
**Author:** ![yingtongtiddleipo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f6c823/32.png) [@yingtongtiddleipo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yingtongtiddleipo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/22 "2006-08-10T10:17:27Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] If she doesn’t want to look like an “American tourist”, though, I’d say avoid sweatshirts, stretch bluejeans, and white sneakers. [/QUOTE] He he he - I know exactly what you mean! Clashing primary colours, HUGE baseball caps, oddly highwaisted tapered jeans, and always with the bumbags - I remember hearing a family of USA tourists on the tube a couple of months ago, and (I kid you not) I overheard ’ RAAAANDY.. get your hands out of your sisters fannypack’?!! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/23 "2006-08-10T10:37:49Z")
Also… almost goes without saying… Don’t try to get the kind of food that you regard as excellent back home; you will inevitably be disappointed. Another tip for not looking like a tourist is _don’t walk around with an open map_. If you need to study a map, stop and get right out of the way, work out where you should be going and put the map away before you resume walking. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/24 "2006-08-10T12:23:15Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Another tip for not looking like a tourist is _don’t walk around with an open map_. If you need to study a map, stop and get right out of the way, work out where you should be going and put the map away before you resume walking. [/QUOTE] And if you use a small url=GB0131-5666-21168]A-Z rather than a big colourful tourist map, you’ll both be in the way of less people, and also look far more like a local. And as said above, all-black semi-goth attire will fit right in. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/25 "2006-08-10T12:24:28Z")
Oh, bugger: [http://www.a-zmaps.co.uk/](http://www.a-zmaps.co.uk/) ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/26 "2006-08-10T13:44:44Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Tipping isn’t nearly so common in the UK as it is in other places. Of course, anyone to whom you give a tip will most gratefully receive it. It’s customary to leave a ~10% tip in restaurants, but lots of people don’t (and this never causes a problem), especially if it’s just an ‘ordinary’ place like Beefeater or Pizza Hut. [/QUOTE] Take a good look at your bill/menu. It is not uncommon to find that 10%-12% for service is automatically included, although they will still usually leave a line for “Tip” on the card slip they present for your signature :dubious: in order to double-dip innocent tourists. I do leave a bit of extra cash if the staff have been super helpful, but usually I don’t bother. Its not expected the way it is in the US. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/27 "2006-08-10T14:05:55Z")
[QUOTE=slaphead] they will still usually leave a line for “Tip” on the card slip they present for your signature :dubious: in order to double-dip innocent tourists. [/QUOTE] This isn’t deliberate, but is just because many card payment systems have this set up by default. The landlord in my local gets frustrated with this, because he can’t change the system, it won’t let an amount entered in this way actually be added to the total, and the staff either forgo the tip or embarassingly ask for it in cash instead. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/28 "2006-08-10T15:51:13Z")
In light of today’s news, I predict you will be in the safest place on the planet. Have a good time! ---
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/29 "2006-08-10T21:28:09Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Also… almost goes without saying… Don’t try to get the kind of food that you regard as excellent back home; you will inevitably be disappointed. [/QUOTE] Could you explain that a little more? I’m not a huge foodie; in general when I eat out it’s pizza or something Asian…I’m just not quite clear on what you’re saying. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/30 "2006-08-11T08:05:28Z")
[QUOTE=MerryMagdalen] Could you explain that a little more? I’m not a huge foodie; in general when I eat out it’s pizza or something Asian…I’m just not quite clear on what you’re saying. Thanks! [/QUOTE] I think he means that it will be different to what you expect. If you go for a pizza for example (something the US does better than anyone else IMO) it will not be _quite_ what you’re used to, and probably not as good. The Asian food will be different to what you’re used to, since Asian food is usually adapted to its host country. If you go for a MacDonalds, it will taste slightly different (only slightly, mind). I suspect the clue is in the name **Mangetout** : he’s saying “try new stuff”. ---
**Author:** ![Sparrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Sparrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparrow)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/31 "2006-08-11T08:45:23Z")
Take a ride on the London Eye for the best view of London anywhere. And has anyone else suggested a boat trip on the Thames? You can get on the boat from right by the Eye. ---
**Author:** ![yingtongtiddleipo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f6c823/32.png) [@yingtongtiddleipo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yingtongtiddleipo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/32 "2006-08-11T08:53:15Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I think he means that it will be different to what you expect. If you go for a pizza for example (something the US does better than anyone else IMO) it will not be _quite_ what you’re used to, and probably not as good. The Asian food will be different to what you’re used to, since Asian food is usually adapted to its host country. If you go for a MacDonalds, it will taste slightly different (only slightly, mind). I suspect the clue is in the name **Mangetout** : he’s saying “try new stuff”. [/QUOTE] I second that! I think why a lot of tourists who come here from the US are disappointed is because they expect the food to be the same as back home. Things will taste different here - but it just a matter of exploring and finding things you like. There are lots of US branded outlets here (Subway etc) so if you get ‘homefoodsick’ you have options. Expect smaller portions here too. In my experience, (I do quite a lot of research into the food trade in the US and the UK) there is a lot more emphasis here on organics, regionality, sourceability and non-gm foods, so while that apple may not look huge red and shiny, it will pack a flavourpunch! Try pret a manger for day to day lunches, and if you’d like some other eating out suggestions drop me an email. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/33 "2006-08-11T08:57:16Z")
[QUOTE=MerryMagdalen] Could you explain that a little more? I’m not a huge foodie; in general when I eat out it’s pizza or something Asian…I’m just not quite clear on what you’re saying. Thanks! [/QUOTE] Well, I’ve heard a number of foreign visitors (not necessarily American) complain that the [insert food item here] isn’t nearly as good as it is back home. For example, If you’re from New York, it’s highly unlikely you’re going to find a pizza here that surpasses what you take for granted back home, and quite likely that you’ll find many examples that you consider inferior. The trick is to try to find and eat what is locally good; I’ll confess this isn’t easy in Britain because of the sheer diversity and wide variance in quality. But in any case; don’t be surprised if we don’t make your favourite food just the way you like it; just try something else. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/34 "2006-08-11T09:07:47Z")
I think you’ll find that Indian food is much \*\*better \*\* than it is in the US. If also had a lot of success with Thai food in London. ---
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/35 "2006-08-11T09:46:40Z")
Actually, the smaller portions are fine with me…I can’t eat too much in one sitting or I get sickly. And I did visit Dublin, where your Chinese food could be poured on rice _or chips_! (I work with a lot of Filipinos, and that would be highly suspect.) But thanks for explaining… So the set-on sites are: The Tower of London The British Museum St. Bart’s …and someplace I can’t recall that’s got a Victorian-era operating theater, with medical implements on display. I’m more nervous now that they might not let me bring a book on the plane to distract myself with. But I did get a prescription for Xanax, so that should help a bit. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/36 "2006-08-11T09:51:31Z")
See, that’s your local adaptation thing. Chips as a Chinese staple is a particularly Irish phenomenon. They loves them a few potatoes. I second going in the London Eye - it’s a fantastic view. And the river trip, which I did for the first time in my life the other day, gave me a brand-new perspective on the city. And definitely go for a curry. ---
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/37 "2006-08-11T09:53:04Z")
[QUOTE=yongtongtiddliepo] I think why a lot of tourists who come here from the US are disappointed is because they expect the food to be the same as back home. Things will taste different here - but it just a matter of exploring and finding things you like. There are lots of US branded outlets here (Subway etc) so if you get ‘homefoodsick’ you have options. Expect smaller portions here too. In my experience, (I do quite a lot of research into the food trade in the US and the UK) there is a lot more emphasis here on organics, regionality, sourceability and non-gm foods, so while that apple may not look huge red and shiny, it will pack a flavourpunch! [/QUOTE] Well, I won’t say I’m the _best_ eater in the US (carnivore!) but I’m pretty savvy re: organics and local stuff. I try to stay away from too much fast food here, and I’m thinking I’ll find a market somewhere and stuff a loaf of bread and some peanut butter into the bag, for snacks. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/38 "2006-08-11T09:54:06Z")
I presume you mean [here](http://www.thegarret.org.uk/index.htm)? ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/39 "2006-08-11T09:55:33Z")
[QUOTE=MerryMagdalen] …and someplace I can’t recall that’s got a Victorian-era operating theater, with medical implements on display. [/QUOTE] [This](http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/museum_gfx_en/SE000054.html) one? The Museum at the Royal College of Physicians may also interest you if you’re into that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![MerryMagdalen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839/40 "2006-08-11T09:57:15Z")
**jjimm** , so I should ask someone to point me to a take-away for curry, right? And I’ve read a bit about the Eye…but only in guidebooks. (I got Time Out London and London for Dummies, and I plan to get an A-Z when I get there.) Is it like a Ferris wheel? (Like, you ride in it and see everything?) And what is your time zone in relation to the Eastern US? (I’m from the West Coast, but I can calculate.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-london-advice-meetup/367839.md?page=3)