Aside from boasting whole centuries of additional history and streets filled with charming British accents, London really isn’t all that different from any American city. As a result, as a citizen of the good ol’ U-S-of-A spending a semester overseas, I experienced very little culture shock during my first week in England’s capital city. The lack of a language barrier rendered my transition to a new country all but seamless, the logos of familiar commercial chains such as Five Guys and Starbucks dotted the streets, and I quickly felt as at home strolling across London Bridge as I would walking the streets of San Francisco, or Washington DC, if either of those cities boasted buildings and historical relics hundreds of years old.
That being said, every so often I run into a phenomenon that reminds me of the differences between my own home country and the UK. Here are just a few of the more interesting tidbits of information I picked up in my first week abroad that anyone visiting the UK should keep in mind.
1. Pepper spray is considered an illegal firearm.
For good reason, many of my female friends make a habit of carrying pepper spray with them on a daily basis in the States, particularly when walking anywhere alone at night. However, as a classmate of mine found out from another study abroad student before going through bag check at a museum, the spicy spray is actually illegal. So, if you’re planning on traveling to the UK, it’s best to leave that canister at home.
2. Good luck buying scissors if you’re under the age of 18, (Hint: it’s also illegal).
Yes, this means that 18-year olds in the UK can vote, drink, go to war, get a tattoo, drive, and generally do most things befitting an adult member of society, but they can’t purchase blades of any kind. Interesting, huh? Then again, I guess a Londoner would find not being able to drink until 21 in the United States equally strange.
3. Most markets depend on self-checkout, but the attendant WILL check your signature.
Even though you go through the entire scanning, bagging, and paying process by yourself at most grocery stores, the attendant on duty will have you sign their copy of the receipt before you head out the door so that they can compare it to the signature on the back of your card. It’s an extra security measure that most American establishments don’t implement.
4. “Queuing” might qualify as a national pastime
The people of London possess a unique talent for forming themselves into (neat!) lines literally anytime and anywhere. Learn how to imitate them quickly, and always be on the lookout for a good long queue. There’s usually something interesting at the end!
5. People treat pedestrian crossing lights like suggestions.
They’re not. If you’re from many places in the world, to you, it’ll seem like traffic in London flows backward. In other words, stepping into the street unaware that a double-decker bus is headed toward you at full steam because you didn’t look the other direction is only too easy. When in doubt, wait for the light. Or, if you’re super impatient like me, at least move with a crowd of more experienced Londoners and always LOOK BOTH WAYS. Just in case.
6. Escalator Etiquette
Just be sure to stand on the right and walk on the left. Failure to do so is almost as bad as stepping out into the wrong side of the street and blocking traffic, and will likely earn you more than a few pointedly exasperated sighs and meaningful glances, as most British are too polite to call you out.
7. “No worries.”
This last one is more of an interesting idiosyncrasy than anything else. Just because it wasn’t something I had ever heard before, I definitely sent a confused glance in the direction of the first few people who replied with a cheerful “no worries” after I thanked them. Don’t be surprised; to the British, this acknowledgement represents the equivalent of an American “you’re welcome,” or “no problem.”