If she doesn’t want to look like an “American tourist”, though, I’d say avoid sweatshirts, stretch bluejeans, and white sneakers.
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’?!!
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.
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.
Oh, bugger: http://www.a-zmaps.co.uk/
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.
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.
In light of today’s news, I predict you will be in the safest place on the planet. Have a good time!
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!
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I presume you mean here?
This one? The Museum at the Royal College of Physicians may also interest you if you’re into that sort of thing.
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.)