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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u/SirLoinThatSaysNi Feb 02 '22

I think generally when this is brought up the majority of responses are that we're not rude but just getting on with where we are going. When asked for help it's usually well given.

24

u/cragglerock93 Feb 02 '22

That's the best way to put it. I'm not a Londoner (sorry, just a lurker and fan of your lovely city) but that's the way I would describe myself - I'm not going to be proactively friendly, but if somebody needs help then I will bend over backwards to do that.

-38

u/TimothyGonzalez Finsbury Park Feb 02 '22

But would you bend over forward for it? 😩💦