[IMAGECAPTION]Photos by Michelle Rae Uy[IMAGECAPTION]
London is one of the most famous cities and the capital of one of the most powerful English-speaking countries in the world. Hundreds of movies have been made about it or set in it, and thousand more books. And it's one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe, drawing millions of travelers year round.
Still, there will be things about the city and its culture that might come unexpected, especially to first-time American visitors. Little things like having to use separate faucets for hot and cold water, as well as bigger ones, may come as a surprise to some people and possibly make them vulnerable to a few faux pas. While no amount of research and reading is better than immersion, a bit of knowledge can help you not look too much like a tourist and stick out like a sore thumb.
Take Public Transport with Confidence
It's usually easy to tell the tourists from the locals at a station. Tourists usually look quite hesitant, unsure of where to go and what to do next. The locals, on the other hand, walk with confidence and with purpose.
While mastering the city's public transport system in a few days is impossible, familiarizing yourself with its basics can only take a day or two. Read up on how the intricate network of buses, trains, and river buses in the city works. Learn how to use (and top up) an Oyster card. And know that every train and underground station has easy-to-spot signs for practically everything, including exits ("Way Out"), connecting lines and stops.
• Don't hog the bar. Walk away once you've paid and received your drinks; others are waiting behind you to put their order in.
• Don't expect to stay at a pub through 2 or 3 a.m. In the UK, most pubs traditionally close at around 11, and most people come around as early as 6 p.m. If you are looking to party until the early morning hours in London, do what the locals do: have a few rounds at a pub and then transfer to a club later. There are a few pubs in the city that stay open later, but they're generally in the touristy areas and overpopulated.
Sign Your Credit or Debit Card in the Back
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how much servers and retail shop assistants complain (albeit, politely-it's England, after all) that Americans do not sign the back of their cards. It is, after all, a policy to compare the signature on the back of your card to that on the receipt after you've signed it before they let you walk away with your newly purchased goods. Clerks can usually tell that you're a tourist if the back of your card is unsigned.
However, if signing the back of your credit or debit card is a security issue for you, simply carry around with you a valid ID that has your signature on it. This way, when you're making a purchase, you can simply present that ID along with your card for validation.
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