Calling all Londoners!

[Cheery Lunatic]

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.

 

[John Appleby]

I can tell you how not to act, and thats being social. Most people are keep to themselvs, I think you should do so the same. And of course typical manners still apliy

 

[Sethzard]

I like the natural history museum, science museum, british museum and victoria and albert. Which part of london will you be visiting?

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

I can tell you how not to act, and thats being social. Most people are keep to themselvs, I think you should do so the same.

Wow, really?

So whenever I'm at a store or a restaurant or something I can't make small talk with any employees? I've always liked doing that.

 

[The_Splatterer]

Get some proper fish and chips.
Ripleys Believe it or not museum is really interesting.
Harrods is quite a nifty shop (quite expensive - but it litterly sells Everything!)

 

[gonzo20]

im not from london but dont go near any hoodys, could be a bad idea if u get what i mean

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

-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 know much, but I do know that those guards are highly trained members of the British Army, and are charged with protecting the Royal Family, and if you fuck with them they are allowed to strike back. Also, those guns are kept loaded and equipped with bayonets and if they think you're jeopordising the safety of the Royal Family they may fire.

So don't mess with them.

 

[orangeban]

The London natural history musuem is nice but if you can only go to one museum I'd say the Imperial War museum. London zoo's alright as well.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

I like the natural history museum, science museum, british museum and victoria and albert. Which part of london will you be visiting?

Around Harrow and the general Wembley area I think.

 

[orangeban]

I can tell you how not to act, and thats being social. Most people are keep to themselvs, I think you should do so the same.

Wow, really?

So whenever I'm at a store or a restaurant or something I can't make small talk with any employees? I've always liked doing that.

They might think you're a bit odd, but chances are they won't mind. Don't chat with random people on the street though, they'll probably think you're trying to convert them to something.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

Yeah avoid talking to strangers on public transport too. Most Londoner's are cynical enough to think that you're insane/trying to distract you so someone can steal from you/mocking them.

Things to do! Whatever! Go shopping, visit standard museums etc. PS3 games just look out for a game, or HMV.

A nice place to visit is Camden Market, although watch out for stoners/goths, (you can get free food samples there, and there's a few cool shops). Oh yeah, Covent Garden is a must, lots of nice shopping opportunities there too.

Enjoy your stay!

EDIT:

...don't bother asking for directions because all you'll do is piss people off.

That's just untrue, every time I've ever asked for directions/been asked for directions, I've been given them just fine. One or two suspicious looks, but I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

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

 

[SckizoBoy]

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

Sorry can't help you there, I'm a cheapskate (and also part of the 'PC master race' *snrk*).

-Restaurants (I love all kinds of cuisine)

West End probably has the best variety, though you'll find good restaurants all around central London. If you're not within the Circle Line, it'll be a bit harder.

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

London Eye, Science Museum, Natural History Museum (just alight at South Kensington station and start from there)

-Stores/malls that have nice clothes and stuff

Alight at Tottenham Court Road station and just walk along towards Marble Arch, you'll find shit loads of shops that cater to most tastes, though there are more niche places along Charing Cross Road etc. Oh, and Covent Garden, check that place out.

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

Don't approach people if you don't need to, because you'll find life in London is very fast, for lack of a better word, so most people generally don't want to deal with tourists (no disrespect) regardless of nationality. Basic worldwide rules apply (one would've thought), don't be a jerk and you'll be fine. But if you do feel the need to ask directions, most people (once you can identify them as London English) will be cordial, if abrupt.

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

Anything else... oh yeah, Camden, great place while it's light out (esp at the weekends), but expensive, so don't look to buy stuff there, great for window shopping.

Enjoy...

(And didn't we have a similar thread earlier this week? >_> ... <_< ...)

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

This is actually false, though I suspect you knew that. If guards didn't react to their surroundings they'd be shit guards, they merely try and stand stock still when at position rather than fidgeting and shifting, they're allowed to move whenever they want though.

Well yeah I figured that you couldn't like punch them in the gut and get away with it.
I was thinking that you could tell them jokes or make faces and they would just keep on a poker face or something. -watched too many I Love Lucy episodes-

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

 

[Actual]

A nice place to visit is Camden Market, although watch out for stoners/goths,

Stoners and goths? Two of the most harmless and chilled type of people out there?

OT: The London eye, yes it's just a big ferris wheel but it's a great view. That's a 2 minute walk from the Sea Life London Aquariam, and looking at fish is always chill.

 

[rowanfield]

I think the biggest mistake of tourists in London is taking the tube from Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus. I mean it's a two minute walk and tourists really do spend 5 quid on a ticket instead.

Just thought I'd throw that into the mixing pot of ideas.

 

[The Diabolical Biz]

EDIT:

...don't bother asking for directions because all you'll do is piss people off.

That's just untrue, every time I've ever asked for directions/been asked for directions, I've been given them just fine. One or two suspicious looks, but I wouldn't worry about that.

So my experience is rendered false because you have a conflicting experience? Are you the Avatar of London or something? Two opposing subjective experiences are both equally valid.

For my part I'll say this; I've been taking trips there for almost a decade now and I can fully appreciate why people would detonate bombs on the tube.

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.

A nice place to visit is Camden Market, although watch out for stoners/goths,

Stoners and goths? Two of the most harmless and chilled type of people out there?

OT: The London eye, yes it's just a big ferris wheel but it's a great view. That's a 2 minute walk from the Sea Life London Aquariam, and looking at fish is always chill.

True dat. Maybe...uhh...as a sight seeing thing I meant.
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