What's considered rude that travelers do in London?

Standing on the left side of the escalator on the Underground is the fastest way to mark yourself as a tourist and genuinely irritate commuters — stand right, walk left, no exceptions. Beyond that, talking loudly on the Tube is frowned upon; Londoners treat the carriage as a quiet public space, not a social venue. Jumping queues is taken seriously here in a way it isn't everywhere; the British queue instinctively and expect everyone else to do the same, whether at a bus stop or a café counter. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory the way it is in the United States — around 10 to 12.5 percent at sit-down restaurants is standard, and leaving nothing at a pub after ordering at the bar is completely normal. Finally, making eye contact and smiling at strangers on the Tube reads as odd rather than friendly. It's not coldness; it's a shared, unspoken social contract that keeps six million daily journeys bearable.

Trip Friend knows London cold.

Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.

• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in London?
• Where do locals drink coffee in London?
• What does a local breakfast look like in London?
• Where is the street food in London actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in London?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in London?