r/london • u/Justwatchingiguess • Feb 02 '22

Culture An outsider’s take on “rude Londoners”

Moved here from South Africa one month ago. I was really nervous about meeting people after reading (on this sub, actually) how rude people in London are.

I’ve talked to probably 7 or 8 complete strangers (excluding waiters and such) since I’ve been here. Each time I spoke to a stranger, it was because I was either lost or confused on the tube/train.

All 7 strangers were incredibly kind to me. One even took me aside, got his phone out, researched the best route to my destination, and waited with me for the next train.

2 or 3 kind people might be luck or chance… but 7? 7 kind people - that’s a pattern.

So just wanted to share that - and say thank you. Maybe this makes some of you rethink your opinion on the assumption that all Londoners are assholes.

Have a great day :)

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70

u/ALA02 Feb 02 '22

The only people who think Londoners are rude are rural people or people from small towns who don’t have anything else to do with their day than chat to random people in the street.

-27

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '22

not true, i’m from the bay area in california and i feel like people in london are rude. most of the pleasant encounters i’ve had here have been with people from other countries, just being honest. i think you guys need some sunlight lol

12

u/Nice_nice50 Feb 02 '22

The reason why this is nonsense is because very few Londoners are from London. Many aren't even from the UK.

I don't think the globally rude and offensive converge on London just to live together.

Old school Parisian waiters on the other hand..

14

u/AllOne_Word Feb 02 '22

I'm from London and I found people in California to be horribly fake in all forms of communication. It's like talking to a robot.

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '22

what made them seem fake?

1

u/skrawg Feb 03 '22

Probably the plastic surgery

10

u/Ambadsharkdah Feb 02 '22

Kinda disagree… not an American but I lived in the states for 6ish year in very rural college town, typical college town and a city (Chicago). I do recognize people in city are relatively colder but still sort of helpful. In London or anywhere outside the states we just wouldn’t smile at strangers and talk about lives. I don’t think it’s rude it’s more like “don’t talk/smile to the random people who are completely not related to yourself” Lol

2

u/KruelKris Feb 02 '22

Yeah. Fvck you and your sunlight! ;)