General Tips
As you walk down the street marveling at all the sights, it is important not to forget that you are in a city and you will piss off the locals if you don’t know how to walk. It’s totally fine to stop and take pictures, as all tourists do, but just make sure you step out of the main flow of traffic. You don’t want to be pinned as “that tourist.” Don’t worry, soon enough you’ll be a local and get pissed off at the tourists too. When wandering around a new city, it’s just a matter of time before you get lost, it happens to the best of us. But as you’re walking down the street and have your “oh shit I’m lost” moment. Move aside or into a nearby store to figure out where you’re supposed to be going. When trying to figure it out, don’t look on the corners for street signs, you will find nothing. Instead look up at the buildings and you’ll find the signs posted there. This will save you the embarrassment of spinning in circles on a street corner in front of a bunch of strangers who are now probably laughing at you. It is also important to note that the sidewalks are not made of concrete, they are made of stones. They’re often uneven, cracked and lopsided but most importantly, slippery when wet. You’ll probably trip often, maybe roll an ankle a time or two (or many), but you’ll for sure bust ass if you aren’t careful when it’s raining. Don’t worry though, your friends will pick you up. That is, after they stop laughing. Maybe if you fall enough you can even rate each fall. Crosswalks “Pedestrians have the right of way” is a phrase that everyone has heard of, or at least every American has heard of. Based on the several near death experiences I have had trying to cross the streets in London, this phrase does not seem to apply. However, if you come across one of the zebra striped crosswalks with blinking lamp posts on either side, this will be your holy grail. This is the place, and I mean the only place, that you have the right of way. So, your impatient American ass can run out into the street and the vehicles will stop for you. Probably. You might think that taxis, buses, or cars may be the vehicles responsible for your possible demise in a crosswalk, but it turns out that bicyclists are the real danger. It can be very difficult to wait for the green light signaling that you can cross the street, especially when you see the cars, buses, and taxis stopped at an intersection and no vehicles coming your way. But, if you’re impatient and do not look before crossing, you very well might get taken out by a bike that is zooming down the bike lane. Not to fret though. If you look down, painted on the streets, it will tell you to either look both ways or just right or left so your dumbass won’t forget. It seems wise to just wait for the green light to cross the street. However, if you're stupid like me and don’t want to wait, you can just say a prayer, sprint across and hope for the best. Just be aware if you go with the second option you may have an angry Brit cyclist calling you a twat. Which Side of the Street to Walk on? Considering that in the UK you drive on the left side of the road, it should follow that you also walk on the left side of the sidewalk. However, it is not that simple, and it seems that no one in London really knows which side of the sidewalk they are supposed to walk on. When in public places, such as the tube and theaters, there are arrows on the ground indicating that you should be walking on the left side. Most people follow the guidance. On the streets, however, it is simply a free for all. You have some people walking on the left, some people on the right and the people that can’t seem to make up their mind. The best option seems to be to pick a side, pay attention, and be prepared to switch sides if need be. The streets are a scary place, be careful out there.
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