I know, it's early days yet. Still, I figured I'll be learning lots of things this year and I might as well share some that have been impressed on me already, which may be helpful to other newcomers to the city. Pardon the listicle.
1. Unfortunately, there is no muffin man who lives on Drury Lane.
2. Oxford and Picadilly Circuses are worse than circuses on weekends. DO NOT GO THERE, preferably ever, but most especially not on a Saturday.
3. If you are walking slowly in a group taking up the entire sidewalk, you are incurring the silent wrath of everyone behind you.
4. The walk signs are just suggestions. Cross the road whenever you can tell you won’t immediately die. The “look right” and “look left” messages painted on the road are quite helpful in determining this.
5. Thou shalt stand right and walk left on tube escalators.
6. Walking is a particularly nice way to get acquainted with the city. In general, walking > bus > tube > taxi. Unless you have £££ to spare.
7. No matter where you are in London, you are within spitting distance of at least three Prets. And probably a Caffe Nero as well.
8. A large percentage of London conversations will involve grumbling about the cost of rent/living. Alternate subjects: the weather.
9. A surefire way to guarantee that you will run into someone in the hallway is to take your trash out. Works every time!
10. America should really change over to chip and pin cards, which are standard here. Not only are they easier, they're safer.
11. Peanut butter is less of a thing here, and somewhat disappointing.
Things I have re-learned in London (due to #11): Nutella is awesome.
What, you expected tips on nightlife and stuff?
Love,
Annie
1. Unfortunately, there is no muffin man who lives on Drury Lane.
2. Oxford and Picadilly Circuses are worse than circuses on weekends. DO NOT GO THERE, preferably ever, but most especially not on a Saturday.
3. If you are walking slowly in a group taking up the entire sidewalk, you are incurring the silent wrath of everyone behind you.
4. The walk signs are just suggestions. Cross the road whenever you can tell you won’t immediately die. The “look right” and “look left” messages painted on the road are quite helpful in determining this.
5. Thou shalt stand right and walk left on tube escalators.
6. Walking is a particularly nice way to get acquainted with the city. In general, walking > bus > tube > taxi. Unless you have £££ to spare.
7. No matter where you are in London, you are within spitting distance of at least three Prets. And probably a Caffe Nero as well.
8. A large percentage of London conversations will involve grumbling about the cost of rent/living. Alternate subjects: the weather.
9. A surefire way to guarantee that you will run into someone in the hallway is to take your trash out. Works every time!
10. America should really change over to chip and pin cards, which are standard here. Not only are they easier, they're safer.
11. Peanut butter is less of a thing here, and somewhat disappointing.
Things I have re-learned in London (due to #11): Nutella is awesome.
What, you expected tips on nightlife and stuff?
Love,
Annie