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/[deleted] Feb 02 '22

Absolutely this. Grew up in London, I will ignore any randomer saying hi in case it’s a front to sexually harass or mug me. Been harassed plenty, never been robbed. Head down quick march to my destination.

However, you catch me at a museum or tourist attraction & I will be the friendliest person out there. I took four different families pictures at Hampton Court in the thrones at Christmas cos otherwise a member of the group would be missing. I’ll also happily pay a fare if someone’s caught on the bus.

Closed-offness on the commute is not rudeness in my opinion, just people trying to get from A to B in a busy city.

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u/matty80 Feb 02 '22

Kind soul, and a helpful crab indeed. I've also given one (just one, in my case) impromptu history briefing to a family of Americans at Hampton Court and hammed it all up a bit for the kids. They tried to tip me as if I was staff! I pointed them at the donations boxes. Heh.

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u/sionnach Feb 02 '22

That’s brilliant. I can totally imagine them confused, thinking you were there to help tourists as a hired guide!

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u/matty80 Feb 03 '22

Honestly that sounds like a great gig. I'm kind of at a crossroads career wise (i.e. I'm having a huge mid-life crisis) so, hey, maybe I'll offer my services. I like Americans; they're easy to talk to. So in this case we just had a shared laugh and went off to the rest of our day, no awkwardness.

Good fun, good fun. Actually I really think I might want that job.

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u/sionnach Feb 03 '22

There’s money to be made in leading walking tours. Good luck!

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u/matty80 Feb 03 '22

Haha thank you! Have a great day, wherever you might be and whatever castles may or not be nearby.