# Useful information if you're visiting the UK **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 28, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247 "2002-10-28T14:34:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247/1 "2002-10-28T14:34:17Z")
The Foreign Office has launched a new website designed to be a one-stop shop for all holiday, business and immigration-related information for those entering the UK. [http://www.i-uk.com](http://www.i-uk.com/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977150691) (note: you may get redirected to the splash page, since it’s available in 139 languages, apparently) ([this is the front page for US visitors](http://www.i-uk.com/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1031099240243) and [this is the Canadian version](http://www.i-uk.com/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1031099238228)) I’ve had a quick look round and it seems to have quite a lot of useful links – accommodation, events, transport etc. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247/2 "2002-10-29T00:27:50Z")
cool, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Melandry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Melandry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melandry)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247/3 "2002-10-29T01:22:48Z")
Thanks for the link- my parents moved to the UK just recently (my dad got a job there) and I am already planning my first visit over the Christmas holidays. Should go smoothly, but a source of official information is a comfort. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247/4 "2002-10-29T04:34:29Z")
My warning to Americans visiting the UK… When crossing the street… LOOK RIGHT! ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247/5 "2002-10-29T19:08:32Z")
When boarding a tube train in London it is customary to shake hands with the other passengers. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-information-if-youre-visiting-the-uk/134247/6 "2002-10-29T20:32:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GrizzRich \* > \*\*My warning to Americans visiting the UK… > > When crossing the street… LOOK RIGHT! \*\* My advice? Look down at your feet and read the words that say “Look Left” or “Look Right.” Not all traffic, especially in London, moves the way you think it would, even if you’re used to driving on the wrong side of the street. Also, don’t ever think that, judging by the map, you can get somewhere faster on foot than you can by taking the Underground. It does not work that way. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by owlstretchingtime_ > **When boarding a tube train in London it is customary to shake hands with the other passengers.** Heh… next thing we know, **owlstretchingtime** is going to insist you find some charitable Londoners interested in roping you into a game of Mornington Crescent! Seriously, the rules for using tubes and trains are a weird amalgam of grammar school bus rules and the unwritten code of the men’s lavatory. If at all possible, you must sit at least one seat away from people you don’t know (even if you’d _like_ to know them), never look anyone in the eye, and above all, don’t talk to strangers (again, even if you _want_ to). Oh, and ignore the ranting drunken football fan until he provides you with an opportunity to _politely_ point out that this is his stop.