The quality of the picture is not very good, I took it when me and Nina went on our night adventure out – selfies are a must. Nina had her camera out too, such a tourist. 😉
Last semester, I had a study abroad flatmate that came from America. After living here for three months, tourists started to annoy her because of the incorrect things they did, she claimed she was not a tourist anymore since she had an address in London! She used to always come home and tell me one thing that you shouldn’t do if you don’t want to be a labelled a tourist in London.
So in her honour, as she has now returned back to America (Detroit to be specific!) I am going to write a post on what she used to to tell me about. So if you don’t want to be labelled as a tourist whilst visiting London, here is ten things not to do:
#1 Don’t walk slowly – Everyone that lives in London has developed a way of walking fast, whether it be if you have somewhere to be or not. If you walk at snail pace, you will most likely be overtaken.
#2 Don’t talk loudly in a different language, firstly because it attracts attention and secondly because it is severely distracting – where some people try to read on the tube.
#3 Don’t hold a tube map in your hand – instantly it gives away you are a tourist.
#4 Don’t stand on both sides of the escalator. Stand on the right hand side, everyone knows that the left side of the escalator is for people to walk past if they do not wish to stand.
#5 Don’t wear a fanny pack, it is one of the few instant indicators that you are not local. Unless you are a seller at a car boot sale (fleet market for my American readers).
#6 Don’t wait for the traffic light to change to a green man before crossing, especially when there is no traffic around and it is safe to cross.
#7 Don’t ask where the ‘restroom’ is, learn the names for things in England – they are called toilets.
#8 Don’t start up random conversations with people on the tube or on the streets, sadly people find it extremely odd and normally have places to be.
#9 Don’t carry a camera around your neck, if you want to bring your camera put it in your bag.
#10 Try and wear clothes that don’t have names of where you come from back home. Like hoodies that say ” Michigan State University”.
If you don’t want to be known as a tourist, then stick to my tips and I am sure you will be fine. London is a lovely tourist place and we do welcome them (they keep our economy on top).
Don’t be scared, just come to London and have a good time!
Thanks for reading,
