Calling all Londoners!

[Ophiuchus]

-How NOT to act in London (is it true the Palace guards don't react to anything you do to them?)

That is true... I'm sure they're cool with having people pose with them for photos and such - they're part of one of the country's biggest tourist attractions, after all - but they must get tired of the few people who use it as an excuse to act like dicks. Really, it's pretty much the same as any big city anywhere in the world, act however you normally would in everyday human society.

As for stuff to do: Oxford Street is pretty reliable for clothes and stuff, but it's a bloody long street so walking the whole length might not be ideal... starting around Oxford Circus station and walking down towards Bond Street (it's well signposted, otherwise just ask someone) is probably the best plan. There's a big HMV store right opposite Bond Street station that's good for music and games and such.

Can't really help with restaurants unless you want McDonalds... in which case there's one about every 250 yards, y'can't avoid them. I can't really help with the touristy sort of things either, if I'm honest - as I was living there and so not a tourist, it never really felt necessary to go and do it, y'know?

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

You've been taking trips here for a decade? I've lived here way more than a decade. And your original statement 'all you'll do is piss people off' is, indeed, rendered untrue by my conflicting experience, by, if I were to be as pedantic as you, the word all. The fact that I've never pissed anyone off nor been pissed off by the hundreds of direction asking encounters I've had (I have a shit sense of direction) proves that that is not all you'll accomplish.

Oh yeah, and I'm secretly the King of London.

Oh come on, it was obviously hyperbole, there's no need to do the whole meat-computer analyse-every-word thing, you know what I meant. I mostly know the area around Euston station and I've yet to see anyone who was willing to stop and give me directions, literally it's never happened. I've had to stop into shops and ask staff before because they're the only people guaranteed to stand there and listen to you, almost everyone else pushes past or keeps walking with their head down.

To be honest I was just being pedantic because I didn't like your tone.

What can I say, Londoners...

 

[SckizoBoy]

@Everyone else...what part of London is the Hoodys? All I know is that they're jackets...?

They're just a part of youth subculture. Kids huddled around street corners wearing hoodies and sharing cigarettes. Most don't do anything so long as you just avoid them and avoid eye contact with them.

Don't think there's much else to say about them... *shrug*

 

[jprf]

Walk down the south bank of the Thames if you want a nice stroll to see some of the big tourist bits (parliament, the eye etc.), and visit the Science, British, Imperial War and Natural History museums if you have time- like most museums here they're completely free, and some of the best I've ever visited.

As for the general rules, most people will be happy to give directions, ignore the guy who said you'll piss people off. That being said, talking to strangers without purpose is something which doesn't usually happen here, so people might think you're a little odd.
Ask someone when you get there which parts of town to avoid and you'll be fine, same as any large city.

Final point, a lot of the funny looking guards in the silly hats were probably in Afghanistan shooting at people a few months ago, and will be back there doing the same before too long. They are highly trained soldiers, don't mess with them (what, you thought we'd guard the royal family with glorified tourist attractions?).

London is one of the greatest cities on earth, so have fun.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

Final point, a lot of the funny looking guards in the silly hats were probably in Afghanistan shooting at people a few months ago, and will be back there doing the same before too long. They are highly trained soldiers, don't mess with them (what, you thought we'd guard the royal family with glorified tourist attractions?).

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be offensive.
I've just watched too many American TV shows/films, I guess. American retard, herpty derp.

 

[Verlander]

Born and raised, and I'd recommend just grabbing a local, and heading to places you fancy. You want it, London has it. Far too many places to suggest. Enjoy your time here, try the beer!

 

[Catchy Slogan]

About tipping. Americans tend to tip a huge amount I've heard it can be around 10%-20%. We don't do that so much. And it's usually a smaller amount.

oh, and a good place to visit would be the Tower of london: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

Also give this a look through, http://www.visitlondon.com/

And visit the Imperial War Museum. http://london.iwm.org.uk/

If someone tries to sell you stuff on the street, it's usually a con.

Small talk to staff at a shop, is usually Ok, but if it's busy or they don't look particularly chatty, not so much.

and hoodies, are usually like this:

Spoiler

They also go by the name of yobs. But don't be worried too much, just be aware of your surroundings.

Oh, and some might take the piss out of your accent. Sorry about that.

 

[Knusper]

I heard that the HMS Victory is still in London or something. Would be pretty interesting to walk along the ship that the most badass Admiral in history walked on. I mean come on, Horatio Nelson had one arm XD

Last time I checked, it was in Portsmouth, I think you're thinking of the Cutty Sark, which is in Greenwich or HMS Belfast.

OT: Camden is expensive but there's some cool stuff. Buckingham Palace is pretty boring as long as you time your visit to the changing of the guard. You could go to see the GMT clock in Greenwich.

To quote a past post: "I'm not such a fan of London's centre, but I think that the best way to see all of it is to get an Underground day ticket and visit everywhere on the monopoly board and see what there is to see.

Specifically, I have enjoyed going to High Gate Ceremony (book a tour of the West side of it, it's where all the older graves are and it's all overgrown - very gothic.) you can see the grave of that ex-KGB agent who was alpha-radiation poisoned by the FSB not too long back. Also, on the East side, you can see the grave of Douglas Adams, Karl Marx and the manager for the Sex Pistols."

Seriously, High Gate is great and is near Camden

 

[LuckyClover95]

You seemed to specifically say how your relatives are older, so if you're looking for younger people, Soho clubbing has a great atmosphere and stuff...

 

[AngryMongoose]

This probably goes for nearly anywhere, but for the love of GOD do not act like a tourist. You're allowed to be one, just don't look/act like one

is it true the Palace guards don't react to anything you do to them?

Case in point, if you're doing things properly, this question should not come up.

For Museums, don't forget the Science Museum. For some reason a lot of people do, but it's easily my favourite museum... it's my favourite museum.

Anyway, I'm moving to London in under two weeks (Technically lived there before, but Surbiton!=Central London); so I need someone help from you guys too . (also, get back to me in 2 months, I might be more helpful)

Anyway, there's some useful and occasionally witty stuff here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/Britain (Sorry for potholing).

I can also recommend having one of these on you:

Bear in mind there WILL be some lines down on the day when you're there (It even says so on the map) (Once heard a special announcement there all lines were operational , no joke. Was half expecting them to apologize for the delay that this would cause to my journey), , so be prepared for a game of Mornington Crescent.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

To be honest I was just being pedantic because I didn't like your tone.

What can I say, Londoners...

Don't you think you should be setting a better example for your subjects?

...fair play to you sir.

Anyway I wasn't being serious, we cool.

 

[kurupt87]

Final point, a lot of the funny looking guards in the silly hats were probably in Afghanistan shooting at people a few months ago, and will be back there doing the same before too long. They are highly trained soldiers, don't mess with them (what, you thought we'd guard the royal family with glorified tourist attractions?).

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be offensive.
I've just watched too many American TV shows/films, I guess. American retard, herpty derp.

Hah, don't worry. The adage of a gloriously uniformed troop being useless/window-dressing is old and entrenched in everyone's mind. And, because of that, it can be used to hide some seriously scary mother fuckers in plain sight

Of course you'll be able to pose with them for photos and stuff, even do irritating touristy things but would you really do that to a man who's seen active duty numerous times? (Our military is small, they've all had many deployments) In other words, has seen friends die and has killed people. Is this a person to troll?

Asking for directions is fine; just don't ask people who look like they're in a rush, or angry. Common sense really.

Imperial War Museum I would second, or perhaps third or fourth, as being my own favourite. The Natural History and the Science Museum are both very good too.

I'd recommend visiting Forbidden Planet, it's the biggest SciFi, Cult and Fantasy Retailer in the world; considering you're a gamer you're probably into one of those.

Other than that I'm drawing a blank. Honestly, check out a London Tourist site and see what you fancy.

Hope you have a good time in Ol' Blighty and that it doesn't rain on you.

 

[Trivun]

So I'm going to London for a wedding in a couple of days and I've realized I know jack shit about the place (as in good places to visit, etcetc).
I mean, I could ask my aunts and relatives who live there, but...they're kinda old, and I don't think they would really understand what people of my generation are (generally) interested in.

So I was hoping that anyone who lives in London, or hell even just England in general could give me some pointers.

Some things I'm looking at...
-Good PS3 games (they're the only ones that are region free, right?) that aren't available in the U.S. and/or have a superior European version

-Restaurants (I love all kinds of cuisine)

-Cool museums/tourists spots (besides the obvious like Big Ben or Buckingham Palace)

-Stores/malls that have nice clothes and stuff

-How NOT to act in London (is it true the Palace guards don't react to anything you do to them?)

So yeah, let me have it!
Thanks to anyone that responds.

I don't live in London but have been a few times, and I'm English anyway so have a decent idea of what there is in London. First, not sure about the PS3 games or whatever, as I'm an Xbox 360 owner. Regarding resturants, any Wetherspoons or The Slug And Lettuce branch 'gastropub' is certainly worth your time. Also, try Camden, or Covent Garden, or the West End, for food and for drink. Regarding what to do and see, certainly go to The London Dungeons, or The Clink. The HMS Belfast gives an interesting look at British naval history, and I feel obliged to mention the British Museum despite its obviousness because my dad was actually the guy in charge of the team contracted to fit the stairs and glass ceiling in the main hall when it was being refurbished a few years ago.

Also of interest, possibly, are the Globe Theatre (a good place to visit anyway but if you can actually see the RSC performing there then that's even better), and if you have a date then a walk through Hyde Park is always good, and fairly romantic ;D. Regarding shops and whatnot, I'm not really sure as I'm not much of a 'shopping' person, but you should certainly go to Hamley's, the world-famous toy store, just for the experience of visiting there. As for how to act in London, just use common sense and don't act like a slack-jawed stereotypical American tourist. And for the love of all that is sacred, do NOT use the term 'quaint' unless you're being ironic. And not even then.

Finally, I'll leave you with a little bit of advice my grandmother mentioned - when lost, follow the crowd. She actually told that to my cousin from New Zealand who was visiting her and who she took to London for a day trip a few years ago. He ended up following the crowd right from the coach station and my grandmother had to chase after him and tell him that they were going the wrong way to some tour that he wasn't part of, which was a bit embarrassing for him, I'd imagine... Anyway, as I say, use your common sense and you'll be fine.

Oh, and please show the police proper respect and courtesy, as a proud Englishman I personally hate the fact that many people in this country don't like the police, while I've always had the utmost respect for them, so anything that gives them a better view of other countries, and people in general, is a good thing in my book.

 

[BlueberryMUNCH]

Probably way too late to this thread xD.

Visit:
Camden Town.
Carnaby.
British/Science, Natural History Museums.
The Tower of London?

Don't:
Go on the London Eye.

So yeah:].

How to act? Friendly-ly:].
Hope the weather's nice for you:] and hope the wedding's nice

LOTSA WORDSSS!!!!!!

Basically, everything that Trivun said. The big lad.

 

[Iron Mal]

So I'm going to London for a wedding in a couple of days and I've realized I know jack shit about the place (as in good places to visit, etcetc).
I mean, I could ask my aunts and relatives who live there, but...they're kinda old, and I don't think they would really understand what people of my generation are (generally) interested in.

So I was hoping that anyone who lives in London, or hell even just England in general could give me some pointers.

Some things I'm looking at...

Well I live near London if that counts?

-Good PS3 games (they're the only ones that are region free, right?) that aren't available in the U.S. and/or have a superior European version

Well there aren't any games that are reigon free to my knowledge but some just happen to work in other countries anyway (I have quite a few American/Canadian games that work here in the UK) with the exception of PC games which will always work regardless of reigon.

-Restaurants (I love all kinds of cuisine)

Alas, I can't really help you there. Restraunts tend to be fairly well marked out and easy to find though.

-Cool museums/tourists spots (besides the obvious like Big Ben or Buckingham Palace)

London Natural History museam, Science Museam, V&A, British Art Gallery, Piccadily Square (which I think also has the Trocadero in it) are just a few.

-Stores/malls that have nice clothes and stuff

The Trocadero, Piccadily still has a lot of stroes in and around it and otherwise you'll find lots of stores scattered around and about in London.

-How NOT to act in London (is it true the Palace guards don't react to anything you do to them?)

The first thoughts that come to my mind are:

-Steer clear of chavs (think of the British version of Gangstas)
-Try to stay to more public areas (especially after dark)
-Don't mess with the Palace Guards (I'm not sure if they actually are allowed to hit you unless you pose a threat but I still would rather not risk a rifle-butt to the teeth finding out)
-Remember that the number for the emergency services over here (so Police, Ambulance and Fire and Rescue service) is 999 and not 911 (also, be sure to check that your mobile phone will actually work internationally, I made this mistake when I went to Canada and was without a phone to let my girlfriend and her family know I was running late in baggage claiming).

So yeah, let me have it!
Thanks to anyone that responds.

Not a problem, hope you have a good time (also, for the love of God don't ask people to 'say things in a British accent').

EDIT: Also definately read what Trivun said (especially in regards to the way you act around the police), the man shows great wisdom and everything he says is pretty much spot on.

As he says himself, just use your common sense and be polite and respectful and you shouldn't have any serious trouble.

 

[jprf]

Final point, a lot of the funny looking guards in the silly hats were probably in Afghanistan shooting at people a few months ago, and will be back there doing the same before too long. They are highly trained soldiers, don't mess with them (what, you thought we'd guard the royal family with glorified tourist attractions?).

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be offensive.
I've just watched too many American TV shows/films, I guess. American retard, herpty derp.

You weren't offensive, relax. It wasn't aimed at you, more the idiot tourists I see milling around them trying to make them react, like they're theme park attractions or something.