Going to London For the First Time: Advice?
- Thread starter Brian Hendershot
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Unfortunately I am on the far end of the country underneath Wales so I can't help with London so much.
As for general advice, I'd say as with any country don't fall for the stereotypes we aren't that posh and I know far more people who drink Coffee than Tea
, on that note don't buy Tea from Subway it isn't great. Food, try a full English breakfast what doesn't kill you only leads to increased cholesterol levels. The Weather is Temperamental so I wouldn't suggest shorts just go with jeans and you'll be fine.
I'd say just generally act polite and people will do the same we aren't any different to anyone else really.
Also I'm not sure how well known it is but where I live we have allegadly 'The largest illuminated carnival' in Europe down in Somerset if you are still in England at the start of November this year you might like to come see it, however I'm not so sure thats not just the organisers making claims or fact I'm not going to say for certain.
As for general advice, I'd say as with any country don't fall for the stereotypes we aren't that posh and I know far more people who drink Coffee than Tea
, on that note don't buy Tea from Subway it isn't great. Food, try a full English breakfast what doesn't kill you only leads to increased cholesterol levels. The Weather is Temperamental so I wouldn't suggest shorts just go with jeans and you'll be fine.I'd say just generally act polite and people will do the same we aren't any different to anyone else really.
Also I'm not sure how well known it is but where I live we have allegadly 'The largest illuminated carnival' in Europe down in Somerset if you are still in England at the start of November this year you might like to come see it, however I'm not so sure thats not just the organisers making claims or fact I'm not going to say for certain.
Ohai.Brian Hendershot said:
The weather in the summer can be really good, so don't be shy to take shorts and short sleeved tops and a cap or whatever.
Pay Camden a visit if you can, Brick Lane is nice too.
Day travel cards are the best thing ever; they're cheap as hell and the tube is the absolute best way to get around.
If you talk to any locals, repress your American accent if they look threatening. If they are girls, sound as goddamn American as possible.
Also, as someone above said, get into Football while you're here;D
Support Tottenham; we may be losing 3-0 to Real Madrid right now...but we're still the best.
Um...
Check out the Museums- they're free...
...and that's all I got really.
Also, don't go on the London Eye.
Please, just don't. Spend your money on clothes or souvenirs or whatever.
Also, don't go to Brixton.
...also, there's a good Italian restaurant near Mason's hall at Covent Garden called Sapporo, or something like that. They do some great food.
...Yeah xD.
ALSO, ONE MORE ALSO:
If you're trying to shop at an independently owned shop, try and barter. Start offering 70% off of the price, and work from there.
Lol A feeling hitchhiker I see! Well, my favorite kind of shorts are cargo shorts so I should be fine. And don't have to worry about me calling football soccer or anything like that. I have many international friends at school, so I got over that mistake very quickly.Lokithrsourcerer said:i just noticed you have a hitch hikers guide to the galaxy avatar so i think you will get on ok my friend
the English will wear shorts in summer and probably no shirts if it gets really hot but if u live in a hot climate it might still be a bit chilly some of the time so take some jeans too
drink heavily (18 not 21 here ;p) choose a football (sorry soccer ;p) team and you'll soon fit right in
Cottons Rhum Shop in Camden is a great place for nice booze too
I'm a Korean American with a Southern Accent. Will that be a problem?Daystar Clarion said:
Also I tend to stay quiet. And respectful.
^ EDIT ^ As long as you don't look and sound like 'Stereotypical american' and know when to shup up, you'll be absolutly fine.
Don't do anything obviously patriotic, that's a good way to make anyone within a good 5m radius dislike you. Accent may go down well, but not if you start comparing economies, food, ect.
Also, most peole wear 3/4 trousers not proper shorts unless going to the beach or it is above 30 degrees.
Never use imperial measurements for anything other than miles. everyone uses metric, some can use imperial, but if you say anything in Farenheight prepare for akward stares.
Don't do anything obviously patriotic, that's a good way to make anyone within a good 5m radius dislike you. Accent may go down well, but not if you start comparing economies, food, ect.
Also, most peole wear 3/4 trousers not proper shorts unless going to the beach or it is above 30 degrees.
Never use imperial measurements for anything other than miles. everyone uses metric, some can use imperial, but if you say anything in Farenheight prepare for akward stares.
If you're going to worry about your fashion sense when going to London you are a moron. People don't care, why the fuck would they? Wear shorts or trousers if you want, but it's definitely warm enough here.
Visit a pub or two or three or four, they're everywhere. That's pretty much our entire contribution to culture. There's so much to see and do in London you'll be spoilt for choice. Lots of good advice on this thread already. I'd advise visiting the parks and Camden at least.
Also British food is greasy shite. You should try fish and chips once though.
Other Americans aren't always the best for advice.
Visit a pub or two or three or four, they're everywhere. That's pretty much our entire contribution to culture. There's so much to see and do in London you'll be spoilt for choice. Lots of good advice on this thread already. I'd advise visiting the parks and Camden at least.
Also British food is greasy shite. You should try fish and chips once though.
Other Americans aren't always the best for advice.
I live about 40mins outside of London, so I go there a lot. Definitely stay away from touristy areas, especially during summer, or you run the risk of being trampled under foot! Places I personally like:
Camden market - it's right on the lock, so it's really beautiful round there, but also very alternative, if you're into that sort of thing - plenty of opportunity to see full-on English punks.
Covent Garden and Carnaby Street - they can get busy, but they're worth a look, even if just to experience it.
The Comedy Store - this is in Picadilly Circus, kinda down a side road. Thursday nights are good as they tend to have a lot of new blood, so it's something new to hear. Also quite reasonable, about £15 per person, but you get a good 3hours of comedy.
Also, as someone who used to commute, try to avoid buses, tubes etc unless really necessary. You can walk around London really easily (pack comfy footwear if you plan to do this). Let's put it this way, Tower of London to Baker Street, via Covent Garden, St Pauls, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square (not in that order) took me an hour and a half with horrific blisters on my feet!
Wow, I've rambled! Hope it helps though!
Camden market - it's right on the lock, so it's really beautiful round there, but also very alternative, if you're into that sort of thing - plenty of opportunity to see full-on English punks.
Covent Garden and Carnaby Street - they can get busy, but they're worth a look, even if just to experience it.
The Comedy Store - this is in Picadilly Circus, kinda down a side road. Thursday nights are good as they tend to have a lot of new blood, so it's something new to hear. Also quite reasonable, about £15 per person, but you get a good 3hours of comedy.
Also, as someone who used to commute, try to avoid buses, tubes etc unless really necessary. You can walk around London really easily (pack comfy footwear if you plan to do this). Let's put it this way, Tower of London to Baker Street, via Covent Garden, St Pauls, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square (not in that order) took me an hour and a half with horrific blisters on my feet!
Wow, I've rambled! Hope it helps though!
I love sushi, there are good sushi bars in London and the only place near where I live I can get "sushi" is tesco and its crap fake stuffmikozero said:
but u are right a good fish chips and curry sauce is legendary specially if u have been on the pop all night
We dont call it the subway we call it the underground. Also London is probably the most multicultural city in the world, people just tend to get on with things. Its also huge so investing in an oyster card which will allow you to get cheap transport is a definate must have.
Enjoy, sample the culture and the history, theres more then enough of both.
Enjoy, sample the culture and the history, theres more then enough of both.
If you're going to be doing a lot of exploring on foot or by the tube, grab yourself one of these:
If you're used to an American grid-style street layout, you will get lost in London at some point, so being able to figure out where the hell you are is invaluable.
As for the weather, it stays pretty cool here during the summer--even at the hottest, it doesn't usually get above the mid-80s.
If you like books at all, be sure to check out Foyles [http://www.foyles.co.uk/] on Charing Cross Road. It's a huge multi-story place that carries stuff most other bookstores don't have room for, and it's surrounded by all kinds of smaller specialty bookstores.
If you're into theatre, you should try to get to the Globe on the South Bank. They've got a pretty great season coming up this year (including Hamlet), and it's just across the river from St. Paul's Cathedral if you're feeling touristy.
(Man, I love London...does it show?)
If you're used to an American grid-style street layout, you will get lost in London at some point, so being able to figure out where the hell you are is invaluable.
As for the weather, it stays pretty cool here during the summer--even at the hottest, it doesn't usually get above the mid-80s.
If you like books at all, be sure to check out Foyles [http://www.foyles.co.uk/] on Charing Cross Road. It's a huge multi-story place that carries stuff most other bookstores don't have room for, and it's surrounded by all kinds of smaller specialty bookstores.
If you're into theatre, you should try to get to the Globe on the South Bank. They've got a pretty great season coming up this year (including Hamlet), and it's just across the river from St. Paul's Cathedral if you're feeling touristy.
(Man, I love London...does it show?)
be sure to visit Funland in Trocadero Centre (Piccadilly Circus, London), best place I visited while I was in London
Well, the professors have some typical Touristy spots lined up. Couple of Museums, Palaces, and such lined up. I won't be with them the whole time though. Also I have no clue what a tourist rat-hole is. Could you please enlighten me?gigastar said:
Get a chip butte, check out Nuts magazine, (seriously no one will mind) and don't go to tesco, morrisons has much more quality food (we are secretly trying to stop tesco!) also go to a club.
Here's some music that you might encounter
also if your going to look like a tourist, compliment everything that you find unique you find about London, people will enjoy your company more.
Here's some music that you might encounter
also if your going to look like a tourist, compliment everything that you find unique you find about London, people will enjoy your company more.
Something you need to understand about a clothing recommendation is that there are two kinds of people in this world:Brian Hendershot said:
Type 1: People from states such as mine (Illinois) we might say: "Oh, it is 32 degrees fahrenheit and perhaps I should stop wearing shorts. Jacket, you say? Yeah, I have one in the car."
Type 2: People from Arizona (or other year-round warm states): "Oh dear oh my, it is 67 degrees outside, I need to get my jacket, sweater, pants and warm fuzzy hat"
Make damn sure you know which one is talking when clothing recommendations to you.
Oh, and it pays to know which type you are as well.