Going to London For the First Time: Advice?

[Brian Hendershot]

I am going to London this summer on Study Abroad Program. Anything I should know? I am told that I need to try and get into the local culture. So any suggestions about were to go or what to do is appreciated. I seriously don't care. I just don't want to go to cheesy tourists spots. That has never been my thing.

Oh...and what is the weather like over there in the summer?

EDIT: In response to the millions of messages that are clogging up my mailbox:

1: I wear cargo shorts. Someone said they were in, some said they weren't. Regardless, I may pack a pair just in case.

2: Fish and Chips. Got it. We have that over here but I bet its nothing like what it is over there.

3. Football. Got it. Learned that lesson a long time ago from some International Kids. But thanks anyways!

4.I won't be in London the whole time. I know we are going to Paris for a bit a few days and some people were thinking about going to Scotland or Ireland. All the Scotts I have met say Scottland is a dismal place though.

5.I don't want to do touristy things per say. Maybe go to some restraunts (< sorry can't spell) or some stores or something.

6.I am a Korean American with A southern accent who is soft spoken and isn't too proud of America. So...shouldn't have a problem there.

Thanks for the advice guys! Keep it coming!

EDIT 2:

I don't think I'll be a typical American tourist over there. Maybe it's because I have to deal with Tourists were I live/work. But regardless, I'll try and talk quietly and as little as possible. It is beginning to seem like the safe idea.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

Don't get mugged or stabbed.

Have fun.

 

[Distorted Stu]

Weather is nice, its getting pretty hot already so i can feel that this summer will be a burner.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

Weather is nice, its getting pretty hot already so i can feel that this summer will be a burner.

Could I wear shorts over there then? My professors said dress like it is Minnesota weather, but I have never been to Minnesota so that really doesn't help....at all...

 

[Cowabungaa]

Weather is nice, its getting pretty hot already so i can feel that this summer will be a burner.

Could I wear shorts over there then? My professors said dress like it is Minnesota weather, but I have never been to Minnesota so that really doesn't help....at all...

Oh easily, and that's coming from someone who went there in May. It was already comfy enough to wear shorts. Wikipedia's the place for answers on questions like that.

 

[Raddra]

Make sure to try some good british food.

Fish & Chips
Cornish pasty
Meat and Potato Pie

etc etc

 

[Scarim Coral]

If you going to use the subway over there, pack a lot of money in the card use for the subway. The subway is expensives!

 

[RewardMe]

Pop down the local pubs on a friday or saturday to experience the british nightlife. It's really not as bad as people make out.

 

[KeyMaster45]

Don't bring shorts with you, unless you really want to stand out as a tourist. That what we were instructed to do when I went with my university. Apparently the Brits don't break out the shorts unless going to the beach or if it's balls out hot.

Get an international student ID card, it comes with an insurance policy covered up to like $50k, enough to ship you back to the states if you really mess yourself up. It's really cheap to and can get you some discounts.

The pigeons, the city is infested with the little fuckers. Don't feed, don't go near them, just stay away from the pigeons.

Mind the gap; always mind the gap or you'll find yourself in a somewhat embarrassing situation.

Pick up an oyster card if you're going to be there for a fair amount of time, it's invaluable when traveling around the city. Remember, it's impossible to get lost there because you're always within walking distance of 3 bus stops, a tube station, and no less than 4 pubs.

That's all I can think of at the moment, I'll post again if more comes to mind.

 

[Wondermint13]

Camden Market in London!
Biggest alternative market place around! Be sure to check out the food court and this shop aswell while you are there..

Spoiler

Futuristic Fashion and a live DJ in store

If you're looking for a night club, check out Carling Acadamy in Brixton Live music and a european food market outside every other weekend. There's also a coffee bar near by (forgot the name) that does awsome cakes!

If you enjoy Gaming, Fun Land in the Trochedero! 3 story Arcade with bumper cars and a Dance Revolution arena if you want to compete against other tourists,
Also its ground floor is a Music Store

If you like nerdy/fantasy merchandise or Anime and RP and comics, be sure to check out the Forbidden Planet store in Shaftesbury Avenue

You can get to all these places with the London Train system!
All I got for now.
If you're near the London Eye, there's a road near by full of street entertainers, always worth seeing when you're out of money!

Goodluck!

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Don't be the 'enthusiastic American'.

We hate enthusiastic people. Especially ones with accents. Be as self-depricating as possible.

 

[STLJuggalo4life]

put a canadian flag on your bag.

 

[imnot]

In Britain its polite to pull up your trouser leg as a sign of freindly greeting!

 

[RewardMe]

In Britain its polite to pull up your trouser leg as a sign of freindly greeting!

Indeed, but only the right trouser leg. The left trouser leg is very insulting to the brits.

 

[Jonluw]

To prep yourself to their culture, you should watch this:
Also, according to Clarkson himself: Don't get on a bus. Because you'll be stabbed. By a hobo. With swine flu.

Nah, I don't really know anything about London. I don't think you should worry too much.

 

[Jakub324]

DON'T go into the back-alleys, DON'T go the Tower of London (it costs like £17 [about $30] entry for one person), and the weather is pretty warm, but our weather can kick you in the balls, turning from sunny with a few clouds to overcast, to pouring rain within 30 minutes.

 

[TheGuiggleMonster]

Weather is nice, its getting pretty hot already so i can feel that this summer will be a burner.

Could I wear shorts over there then? My professors said dress like it is Minnesota weather, but I have never been to Minnesota so that really doesn't help....at all...

No
1) Shorts are very unfashionable in England.
2) It's probably too cold, but really it depends what you're used to.

 

[Cmwissy]

We Londoners are filled with a wistful melancholy that may confuse or baffle you. My advice is

A. Be quiet and miserable.
B. Pretend to be Canadian (Pretend that you're very happy about being in the Commonwealth for extra points.)

Shorts are very unfashionable in England.

Depends on the shorts, I would think.

 

[TheGuiggleMonster]

In Britain its polite to pull up your trouser leg as a sign of freindly greeting!

Indeed, but only the right trouser leg. The left trouser leg is very insulting to the brits.

In Britain its polite to pull up your trouser leg as a sign of freindly greeting!

This is completely ridiculous.

 

[Lokithrsourcerer]

there is no local culture we English have more sense than to live in London lol (spot the northerner)

seriously though electric ballroom in Camden is good for music(Camden is generally cool). SE1 is an excellent night club. I get a bit stuck at that point as I'm usually gigging or going to a gig when I go to London so I don't really remember

don't be surprised if people in the street seem rude its a London thing (or at least a capitol thing i have experienced it in a few capital cities round the world)

but most people u might meet in bars, work, college, etc will probably be friendly