Australians wanting to visit London need to ditch their ‘chilled’ attitude, according to a British expat who claims a smile won’t win friends in her home country.
Jordana Grace, known as That British Girl on TikTok, warns Londoners are ‘quick and always on the go and hate being slowed down’ and don’t want to stop for a chat.
Which means knowing exactly what to do at all times is crucial if you don’t want to be shouted at the moment you hold up a queue.
‘Always have your card or ticket ready at the ticket barrier,’ she warned.
‘This is not the time to be fumbling in your pocket for it. Old ladies will yell at you,’ she added.
Jordana warns people shouldn’t smile at locals in London
She then revealed the ‘rules for escalators’ noting that you must stand on the right and walk on the left.
She admitted it doesn’t make sense given Brit’s drive on the left, but it is a deeply ingrained rule in the society.
Jordana also said it is important that your belongings aren’t blocking the ‘left hand lane’.
She says it is also important not to talk to people, or smile.
Her fifth tip is to go to a ‘proper pub’ and get a Sunday roast lunch, complete with Yorkshire pudding.
Her initial five tourist tips caused outrage among her followers – with some claiming the instructions to not talk or smile are ‘just wrong’.
She said the escalator rules are also important to understand as Londoners don’t like to be held up
‘The don’t talk is false. Every visit to London once a local hears my accent they have a full blown conversations with me. Seriously the nicest people,’ one person said.
And others agreed.
‘All the interactions I have had with Londoners were amazing.’
Some people laughed at the idea of Australia being ‘more chill’ than the UK.
‘It sounds like you are talking about Sydney,’ one woman said.
Some people added their own warnings – tying in with her first point about not holding up traffic.
‘Don’t take up the whole sidewalk, I can’t survive getting stuck behind slow walkers,’ one man said.
‘Don’t stand in the middle of the footpath when you are gawking at the sights or checking your phone map. Move to the side or get bowled over,’ said another.
The video, which was shared on TikTok was such a hit the young woman made two more.
Jordana said it is also important to know how to get cheap theatre tickets, if you want to travel London like a local.
Instead of buying them online she recommends lining up at the ticket office to score front-row seats for 20-quid.’
‘You may have to line up at 6am,’ she warned.
She also warns against wearing your backpack ‘on the front’.
‘You look like a total tourist and a target,’ she warns.
She then pulled a bank card out of her top and said she likes to keep her personal things close by.
You also need to be extra vigilant when crossing the street, according to the expat, who says you need to check for cars even if the green man is showing.
Cyclists also ‘come out of nowhere’ she warned: ‘Be on your guard’.
In a follow-up video Jordana said it is important not to wear a backpack on your front – because it makes you look like a tourist
She also suggest visitors travel light to make it easier to negotiate the stairs, escalators and packed streets.
Jordana then warned to prepare for crushing crowds in the tube, and to wear layers and bring water because being so close to strangers can ‘get hot’.
The third video starts with tip number 13: ‘wear comfy shoes’.
‘People are surprised but you can actually walk to a lot of places in London but you also clock up a lot of steps,’ she said.
She also cautioned against ‘man-spreading’ or taking up spare seats with luggage on trains.
Jordana said it is your choice when it comes to getting an Uber or a Black Cab – while the hallmark taxis are more expensive they do know where they are going.
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