21 Things Londoners Have to Explain to Out-of-Towners

(Photo: deargdoom57/Flickr)

By Haley Forest, Thrillist

Being the vast, diverse, and awesomely fun metropolis that our nation’s capital is, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get people coming to stay from other parts of the country and/or planet, during which time you’ll realize that their grasp of London’s peculiarities mean they might as well be from an entirely different country and/or planet. With that in mind, we prepared this primer on the things you’re going to have to explain to visitors…

1. Leicester (as in the Square) is pronounced “Lester”
Also, don’t go there.

2. While we’re at it — Marylebone is pronounced “Mar-le-bone”
If you try to say it like it’s spelled, you WILL be laughed at.

3. On the Tube escalator, you stand on the right and you walk on the left. Or you die.
There is a whole world of Tube etiquette. Do everyone a favor and read this before you attempt it.

4. Cockneys don’t really exist anymore
No, Jamie Oliver doesn’t count.

5. It’s big. Like, really big.
Everything is 45mins away, minimum.

6. In Soho? Yep, those are brothels.
The police have somehow found a way to tolerate them.

7. The Tube closes shortly after the pubs do
That’s not a coincidence.

8. You will get lost
Even in the bits that look like a grid system. In fact, especially there.

9. Shoreditch isn’t cool anymore
Ugh, it’s sooo 2011.

(Photo: Antonio Picascia/Flickr)

10. No one ever goes to see the changing of the guards
This image will be the first time many Londoners have ever seen it themselves.

11. “London Luton Airport” is so not in London
It’s in Luton.

12. Don’t ever go to an Angus Steakhouse
EVER.

13. Be prepared for the Tube to basically shut down on weekends
They’re called “engineering works,” despite the fact that it clearly doesn’t.

14. From about noon till 8 p.m., Oxford Circus becomes a certain kind of torture
Because of tourists like you.

15. You have to tell a cab driver where you’re going before they let you in
And yes, they may refuse if it’s not where they want to go.

16. The terrible service in Chinatown
At least it’s equally distributed amongst all the diners. Arm yourself with extra knowledge here.

17. People walk faster here
It’s actually more like a slow jog.

18. Paying ￡10 on a burger is normal
In fact that’s cheap. There’s a chain that charges ￡20, and that’s literally half their menu.

19. When walking on stairs, on the pavement, or whatever, and you pass someone, for f***’s sake, pass on the left
Otherwise you will have people shoulder checking you non-stop.

20. When taking the Northern Line, make sure you’re on the correct branch
Because otherwise you’re going to be late. Well, later.

21. Street food is a thing now
The guy selling hot dogs next to the bus stop at midnight is still sketchy as hell though.

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