London is one of the most visited cities in the world. Its history, culture, sights, shopping, food and energy are a huge draw for so many from around the world. It can be easy to forget in the midst of all of this stimulation overload that millions of people call this city home or commute in to work every day. With this comes an unwritten set of rules cultivated by Londoners over many years that can make tourists visiting the city feel out of place and stand out. To help you navigate the city like a pro - or, Londoner - here are some tips to help you on your way!

Travel / Transportation - Navigating the City

Get yourself an Oyster Card from the moment you arrive in London and load it with funds (easy to do from either a ticket agent or electronic ticket booth at any tube station). This is far cheaper and easier than booking single trip tube journeys (don’t do this!).
On that note, ALWAYS be prepared with your Oyster Card in hand to tap in and tap out at the gates. You will risk a small riot behind you if you’re fumbling for it at the gates, disrupting the flow (this is doubly important at rush hour times).
There is a possibility to tap on and off at tube gates with your debit or credit card; however, this doesn’t always work with foreign/non-UK cards.
Don't assume that the distance between tube stops on the tube map means that it'll be quick to walk between them.
On escalators, remember the strictest of rules: Walk Left, Stand Right. Repeat in your mind as nothing makes Londoners more cross than this.
Walk quickly. Londoners walk fast. If you can’t, walk on the pavement on either the left or the right side (judge by the general flow of people traffic) to avoid getting cross looks, people huffing at you, or cutting you off. Don’t walk slowly in the middle of the sidewalk or path – and especially not in groups. This will be sure to raise the ire of Londoners.
Rail: If you’re looking to travel outside of London, order your rail tickets as far in advance as possible so you aren’t paying a small fortune for them on the day.

Lingo

London has lots of lingo and words that once you know, your life will be easier and you will seem like a local:

Ordering Tea:
- ‘White Tea’ - tea with milk
- ‘Skinny Tea’ - tea with skim milk
- By the way - when you order tea, the assumption is that it will be ‘normal’ tea, like an english breakfast or orange pekoe style of tea. If you want any other type of tea, like Earl Grey or Mint, you need to specify.
- If you want to order a tea with skim milk to go, you would say ‘Skinny tea for take away please’
Coffee: For North Americans, they don’t use cream or half and half here, and will look at you strangely if you ask. You’ll be looking at using milk for your coffee.
Dine In versus Take Away: prices for food and drink are a bit higher if you choose to stay in the café/restaurant. Take Away is asked or requested rather than saying ‘To Go’.

Other Key Lingo Terms:

Rubbish = garbage / trash (note: it is difficult to find rubbish bins in central London or at tube or rail stations due to terrorism concerns)
Loo / Toilet = Restroom / Washroom. In public spaces, you will typically need to pay anywhere from 20 to 50 pence to use them. It is hard for North Americans to ask for the ‘toilet’ because it seems rude, but it is common in the UK.
Lift = Elevator
Tube = Subway / Metro
Mobile = cell phone
Carrier Bag = a plastic shopping bag (note: you need to pay 5 pence per bag)
Quid = £ pound (e.g., it cost £50 quid)
Posh = fancy
‘You alright?’ or ‘You ok?’ = how’s it going / general greeting. It took awhile to get used to this as it feels at first that people think something is wrong. It’s not - just a general hello and greeting between friends or in shops.
Dodgy = weird, suspicious, unsafe, off. E.g. “that area is a bit dodgy.”
Chuffed = happy, pleased.
Fancy = usually means whether you’d like or want something. E.g. “Do you fancy a cuppa (cup of tea or coffee)?”, “Do you fancy him/her?”.
Fancy dress = a costume party rather than dressing up in very nice clothes.
Gutted = disappointed, let down. E.g. “I’m so gutted that happened.”
Ta = thank you.
Wide Boy = a guy that is often wheeling and dealing (think used car salesman type).
Pants = underwear. Not necessarily lingo, but an important distinction between what North Americans would call them! Could also be used to describe something disappointing - e.g. ‘That’s pants!”
Nicked = stolen, or arrested by police.
Trainers = running shoes
Boris Bikes = refers to the bicycles you can ‘hire’ (rent) across London, named after Boris Johnson when he was the Mayor of London and launched the scheme.
Hire = rent something. E.g. “I’d like a hire car”
The City = refers to the Square Mile of London that is the old financial district (around the Tower of London, Shard, etc).
Fortnight = two week period.
Lost the Plot = gone a bit crazy.
Sorted = planned, organized, arranged. E.g. “I’ve got it sorted”.
Knackered = tired, exhausted
Shambles = a mess
Gobsmacked = amazed, stunned. E.g. ‘I’m gobsmacked”.
Bangers = sausages
Stag / Hen Night = Bachelor / Bachelorette Party

Helpful Hints:

Always carry a small foldaway umbrella and sunglasses with you as it’s almost guaranteed to get one form of the weather if you forget one of these items.
On that note, ignore the weather forecast. It’s highly likely to be wrong. Bring and wear layers, like a scarf, wrap, or cardigan.

Download the CityMapper app as soon as you arrive. It is a lifesaver to navigate how to get anywhere in the city with a range of tube/rail/bus and walking options and combinations.

Dining

If you're at a pub or bar that serves food, you will very likely need to go to the bar to order and pay for it first. Don't forget to make a note of your table number to give to the bartender taking your order.
Book a table in advance unless they specifically note that they don’t take them. It’s the first question you’ll be asked when you arrive somewhere and it will be expected you’ve booked in advance.
You need to ask for your bill at the end of a meal in a restaurant as it is rare that it will just be brought over to you (it's seen as rude).

Shopping

VAT (taxes) are already included in the price so you pay what the tag says.
Customer service is very different than other places like North America. Don’t expect the same level of friendliness or helpfulness.