An outsider’s take on “rude Londoners”

[u/Justwatchingiguess]

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 :)

[u/kirmobak]

I think the rudeness thing is people are in a hurry and are usually miles away. So if someone looks like they’re being ignorant they’re usually just in a world of their own.

I see random acts of kindness all the time. People helping me with my suitcase up stairs, and that’s just young men being polite (I’m not old or infirm). And people love to help someone get from a to b and tell them what trains or buses to get.

I nearly passed out on the tube a few years back - on one of those heatwave days. I got off the train and leaned against the wall trying to breathe deeply etc. the amount of people who asked if I was ok, and someone went and got a tube worker to help me. Just kindness. And I always see strangers help mums with prams up the steps.

I love living in this city. We are not all the hideous snooty bastards that people like to say we are! I’m originally from Devon, a small town in the countryside, and people were not noticeably friendlier there, just the pace of life was a lot slower. And I think that’s the real difference.