In my last post, I promised to lift the lid on British etiquette in time for your visit to the Analytics conference. Well, I’m going to be a bit more specific and focus my insight on London Etiquette, primarily, Greetings and Tube Etiquette.
Greetings
Around the world, we greet people in different ways depending on whether we use formal language or informal language. In London, it’s no different. You will often hear people use formal phrases such as "good morning", "good afternoon" or "good evening", informal phrases such as "hi"; "hello"; "how are you"; or sometimes just dropping the ‘good’ from a formal greeting and saying “morning”, “afternoon”, “evening”. A formal greeting is usually accompanied by a firm handshake, an informal; a nod of the head or a wave of the hand. We sometime say 'cheers' instead of thank you. You may hear 'cheers' said instead of 'good bye', what we are really saying is 'thanks and goodbye'. In London, you may specifically hear some people say, Alrigh' or Wotcha or Allo. Sometimes accompanied with rhyming slang, (the rhyming word isn't usually spoken), for example: 'Alrigh me old china' (translated as ‘alright mate?’, China Plate = Mate ), but most Londoners are more likely to say "Wotcha, mate" or "Alrigh' mate". To show respect, you can also use Guv. (short for Governor), "Alrigh' Guv?"
Tube Etiquette
The London Underground, (Tube), was the world’s first subterranean railway. Carrying over 4 million passengers daily, some say it resembles a mild form of torture. That many people in a close confined space can be a recipe for disaster, but the unwritten rules of the tube make traveling on the underground an unforgettable experience. Here are my top ten tips to surviving your Tube journey:
1. Have your tickets at the ready. Causing delays at the ticket barrier is a big no.
2. On escalators, stand on the right, walk on the left.
3. If you’re first onto the tube, then move down well inside the carriage to allow more commuters on board.
4. Give your fellow commuters enough space.
5. Step to the side. Most useful when leaving escalators, looking for directions, or letting people off the tube that’s just pulled in.
6. Possibly one the tube's golden rules: Let others off the train first.
7. Your bag or suitcase is not entitled to a seat, especially if the train is crowded.
8. Invest in a decent set of cans or keep your music on low.
9. Though it is quite tempting, don’t read over other people’s shoulders.
10. Mind the gap! You really don't want to fall in, there's dirt down there.
When you ride through the tube, you are riding through living history. From the hum of the hordes to the drone of the trains as they go from station to station. With this history comes it’s own brand of humour, supported by these genuine announcements made by London Tube Drivers:
"Ladies & Gentleman, upon departing the train may I remind you to take your rubbish with you. Despite the fact that you are in something that is metal, fairly round, filthy and smells, this is a tube train for public transport and not a bin on wheels."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologise for the delay to your service. I know you're all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over to the Westbound service and go in the opposite direction".
Until next time, Cheers!
photo credit: @Doug88888 // attribution: creative commons
