Do’s & Don’ts of Britain Capital

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London, and the UK for that matter, is well known for being a country built on manners, rules and etiquette. This is the hallmark of a civilised society, and if you can find a way to navigate the codes of conduct in any country, then you’ll fit in perfectly. That’s the great thing about the city, if you are in a position to explore the area, then you’ll find that some of the manners and rules will rub off on you. That being said, there are many reasons why a newbie should pay close attention to this list of London warnings especially if it is your first time at the boutique hotels of West End London.

Escalators

Don’t stand on the left on the escalator

London is a city full of escalators. If you are exploring the city you will no doubt stumble upon one. When you do, take heed, the warning signs and eery robotic voice on the tannoy are there for a reason. “Stand on the right and hold on tight” is an especially important order to follow during rush hour, when the left hand side of the escalator is zipped down by dashing commuters. If you get in their way, you’ll be met with nothing but animosity. So put simply, if you want to stand, stand on the right of the escalator. If you want to walk, walk on the left.

Don’t jump the queue

London is a city built on queues. The British are especially good at it, and it’s understandable why. With so many people in such a small country, there are going to be longer queues for things like cashpoints, restaurants and for the London tourist, city attractions. This means that to maintain order, queues and patience are incredibly important, lest the city fall into utter pandemonium!

Queue

Don’t disrespect the multi culture

London is famous for being an incredibly multicultural city. With years of migration and openness at the heart of London, the city has become not only British in the traditional sense, but British in the global sense. This island then, is one which respects all cultures, and so when visiting London, make sure you go with an open mind and heart to the wide range of people you’ll meet.

Don’t forget your ps and qs

Londoners and the British in general can be very polite. When they’re not in a rush (and when you’re not standing on the wrong side of the escalator,) the British are very polite and well mannered. Speaking at respectful volumes, remembering your please and thank you’s, and in general being gracious will get you in the British good books whether you’re staying with a friend or corporate accommodation in the West End.

Don’t travel at rush hour

Rush hour is a time on the weekdays when commuters travel to and from work. Between 7.30am and 9.30am and between 4.30pm and 7pm you’ll find that prices on public transport rise and the tubes become far busier. If you would like to avoid the crush, then try and use public transport outside of these time periods.

London Tube

Don’t just take the tube around Central London

When visiting London, you’ll find that to truly get the most out of it, you’ll need to walk it. The centre of the city is only a few miles in diameter, meaning that you can walk from Waterloo to Victoria, or from the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain in under an hour and see many London sites in the process. Of course, not everyone is able to walk 2 mile distances, but if you get the chance, have the time or the weather permits, explore London from ground and foot level.

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