Navigating the buzzy streets of London can be an exciting experience for American travellers, but it’s not without its pitfalls. In this article, we’ll explain some common mistakes Americans make when visiting London. From cultural nuances to practical travel tips, understanding these blunders can help you make the most of your London adventure and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable stay in this iconic destination.
You don’t have to add a tip to the bill
Tipping customs differ across countries, with England having a less ingrained tipping culture than the US. In London, a 12.5% tip is often added to the bill, so you don’t need to add another one on top. To check this, you can look at the bill, and you’ll see it at the end of the receipt. It’ll say something like ‘Service charge’, which will usually equal 12.5% of your total bill (or whatever percentage the tip is). If it isn’t there, then you might want to add a tip, which you can either ask to be added to the total you pay if you are paying by card, or you can leave it in cash on the table. Leaving a 10-12.5% tip is considered generous in the UK. However, if you have been unhappy with the service, you can ask for the tip to be removed entirely, and you won’t have to pay it. Service staff are better compensated in the UK than in the US so you don’t have to feel bad for removing service if it wasn’t up to par.
Expecting the same level of service as you get in the US
Unless you go to the fanciest places, like a swanky restaurant in Mayfair, don’t expect service to be spectacular, and definitely don’t compare it to the service you get in the US. This is why removing the tip from the bill is acceptable if you don’t feel the service has been good; just remember to keep your expectations reasonably low and only remove it if it’s been especially bad.
Saying “downtown London”
“Downtown London” isn’t a thing – we do not have a “Downtown London”. It’s more common to say the neighbourhood name or to refer to Central, North, East, South or West London when talking about different parts of the city.
Thinking everybody wants to hear your life story
Although there are many people who will be up for a chat, Londoners have a bit of a reputation for being more closed off and less up for socialising with strangers compared to Americans. Many people in the city are simply busy, focusing on getting from A to B or just don’t fancy chatting with a random stranger, so it’s important to remember this next time you’re thinking of striking up a conversation with the next Joe Bloggs you come across on the tube. If you do want to strike up a conversation with somebody, just try and be mindful to read their expressions and body language so you know whether it’s worth a shot.
Thinking all Londoners are English and English people in London are Londoners
An assumption is often made that all Londoners are English, but that’s definitely not the case. London is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and people from all over the world, which is one of the things that makes it so unique, so a large majority of people who live in the city that you’ll meet won’t be English or British. It’s also worth remembering that not all English people in London are Londoners either; many people commute to work from neighbouring suburbs and cities, and loads of people from around the UK like to come and be a tourist in their own capital, just like you.
Not respecting the queuing system
If there’s one thing Londoners love to do – or Brits in general – it’s queuing. We just love to form polite, orderly queues for pretty much anything and everything. Paying for your shopping? Get in the line. At a busy bar? Get queueing. Topping up your Oyster card? Don’t dare push in; you’ll almost certainly be met with a death stare. But we probably won’t say anything, though, we often opt instead to be slightly passive-aggressive…
Standing on the left on escalators
The last thing on our list of mistakes Americans make when visiting London is escalator etiquette, which is a very real and very serious thing in London and must be followed at all times. God forbid if you stand on the left-hand side of a moving escalator! Standing on the right-hand side is a London-wide thing, and it just means that everything moves that little more smoothly and those who want to clamber up or down rather than staying put can do so on the left. Just keep it moving if you’re on that side.
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