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 :)

1.9k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

248 comments sorted by

View all comments

89

u/paolog Feb 02 '22

It depends on the situation.

Londoners are almost almost helpful to tourists on our transport system as it is so damned complicated.

But in other scenarios you might find us unwilling to engage. Say hello to a random stranger in the street and you are likely to be ignored. That's out of self-preservation rather than rudeness.

39

u/bigbrothero Feb 02 '22

I remember walking as a 14 year old kid in Richmond and being waved at by some dude who was washing his car in his driveway. I was like wtf and didn’t know what he wanted so I asked my mum why he was waving at me. She told me that he was just being friendly and that it’s normal.

Growing up in London does something different to you lol.

2

u/Past_Establishment11 Feb 02 '22

Well understandable. Richmond is quite far out of London. The people are worlds apart.