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London Local Customs

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London Travel Guide

London Local Customs

fish and chips - London
fish and chips
by b1bob
Learn the local customs of London. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and London locals.
Local Time 3:15 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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London Local CustomsTips 61 - 70 of 696  
Popular Local Customs | Miscellaneous Local Customs Tips | All Tips (696)
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Bollywood comes to London
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  • Updated By willy_wonka on March 10, 2005
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  • dancing in the finance district - London
    dancing in the finance
    district
    by willy_wonka
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    with a large indian community in london, it's little wonder that many of the bollywood movies focus on british-indian culture, and use the streets of london as backdrop to the storyline. while wandering around the bank district, i came across this filming for a movie. the girls were wearing bright colorful costumes, the music was pumping and they danced magnificently! i must say, i spend the rest of the day with a little "spring" in my step!

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    Norwegian Wood in Trafalgar Square
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  • Updated By Mariajoy on January 2, 2005
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  • Thats BigBen in the background - London
    Thats BigBen in the
    background
    by Mariajoy
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    Each year since 1947 Norway has given a Norwegian Spruce Christmas tree to the UK. There's more info about this on the website. It does look very pretty and will remain in Trafalgar Square until 6th January.

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  • Website: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/trafalgar_square/xmas.jsp

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    Don't forget your "Please and Thank-yous"
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  • By easyoar on November 15, 2004
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  • Do say them! - London
    Do say them!
    by easyoar
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    Please read my other tip about never saying "Have a nice day" in relation to this one too. In New York and Thessaloniki (Greece), local people seem to pride themselves in their rudeness to others. In Britain, being polite to people is extremely important. For instance, whereas in New York, someone may walk up to a tobacconist chuck some money on the counter and say "Gimme 20 Marlboro", if you were to try this in the UK, there is a good chance you wouldn't be served. Try "Can I have 20 Marlboro please". Hand the money to the assistant and say "Thank-you" once you have been served. Do not exaggerate the "Please" or "Thank-you" however (which is where the "Have a nice day" comes in) as otherwise it sounds as if you are being rude. In Britain, how things are said are equally important as to the words used.

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    Paying the Resturant Bill
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  • By Cham on June 6, 2006
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  • There are three ways this can be done... all of them starting with, the argument over the bill 1) someone pays the bill in full, if someone pays the bill for you, buy them a few drinks at the next place you go, if you pay the bill, let them either buy the drinks are let you pay next time. 2) split the bill equally, no matter what everyone has ordered, this is usually done amongst close friends and when people have had a similar amount of food in the place. 3) split the bill but into what each person has had. usually works better when in a smaller group or in a place where people don't know each other too well. and finally remember to tip... it's usually 10% here, some restuarants will add this onto the bill as a service charge... even though this is on the bill it is not compulsory to pay it. INTERESTING FACT... the term "Tip" comes from the a box that used to be in restuarants in the victorian times. people would place money in the box "To Insure Prompt Service" this had T.I.P.S. on it.

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    "Full English Breakfast"
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  • By ZanieOR on September 18, 2004
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  • A full English breakfast - London
    A full English breakfast
    by ZanieOR
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    Our first morning in London we went to a neighborghood-place (Called Magnet M, I believe) that sold deli-type sandwiches, pastry etc., for a "full English breakfast." It included an egg, sausage and bacon, tomato, mushroom and beans (of the "pork and bean" variety for the benefit of American consumer). While it was worth a try, it was a little heavy and not really totally compatible with our palates. I tried one again later in the week at a more upscale place (we got free breakfasts at our hotel three mornings), but I think I'll stick with lighter fare.

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    Absolutely not useful for a real VT-er!
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  • By irisbe on July 2, 2004
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  • Every spot is a photo spot for a VT-er! - London
    Every spot is a photo spot for
    a VT-er!
    by irisbe
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    I thought it was funny to find this pillar with "photo spot" on it. Like if we cannot chose where to take our best pictures `-) And for those who are VT-adicted and surplus for those who know --->me!, they will have no problem to understand why I had to laugh with such a sign :-) Actually, I was walking the street with Azer and we were both puzzled what there was so special at that point to put on a picture, except the sign itself!

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    Boxing Day Holiday
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  • Updated By deecat on March 7, 2007
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  • Boxing Day Parade - London
    Boxing Day Parade
    by deecat
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    While in London, Jill and I saw an interesting parade. I asked her why there was a parade on this day, and she told me that it's an unusual old holiday that the Londoners still keep, even though it's not so relevant anymore called Boxing Day. It was the day that boxes (gifts) were given to servants for their services. If I recall correctly, I think it was on December 26. Anyway, while we were enjoying the parade, a group of Cheerleaders from the United States marched and cheered their way by us. I just could not believe that here I was in London, and American Cheerleaders (high school) were in a parade here. About ten years later, my great niece and her mother went to London so that she could march in that same parage. (She is a cheerleader in Vincennes, Indiana). It's a small world

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    The Cordwainer
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  • By Mariajoy on December 14, 2005
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  • Courdwainer - London
    Courdwainer
    by Mariajoy
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    From the 13th Century many shoemakers and leather workers lived and worked in and around the City of London. They were known as Cordwainers which probably comes from the Spanish "Courdouainer" (leather from Cordoba). In 1902 the "Ward of Courdwainers" was set up to promote the affairs of the City. You can read more about them at their website. London is so full of these little bits of unknown or forgotten history - this is what I find so fascinating and enjoyable about it!!

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  • Website: http://www.cordwainer.co.uk/

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    Need VT in a hurry?
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  • By easyoar on February 12, 2005
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  • Broadband enabled payphone - London
    Broadband enabled
    payphone
    by easyoar
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    Need VT in a hurry, and can't find an internet cafe? Then don't forget that many pay phones in the capital are now Broadband equipped, so you can just start browsing the web at high speed whilst still on the street. They come with a reasonable size ascreen and a keyboard, so surfing shouldn't be too difficult!

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    Banglatown Street Signs
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  • By Mariajoy on June 6, 2006
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  • Princelet Street - London
    Princelet Street
    by Mariajoy, 1 more photos
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    Over 300,000 Bengalis live and work in the capital and Brick Lane is the heart "Banglatown". There have been East Indians and Bangladeshis in the Aldgate area for centuries - originally they were sailors who came off ships in the London docks and settled here. Now they are just part of the vast colourful tapestry of Londoners. The street signs have been written in both English and Bengali in this area for decades.

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