“Until you have cried on public transport, you’re not a true Londoner.” The line sounds as if it was taken from a book of modern proverbs, but it’s in fact something that was overheard in London.
With its historical landscape, vibrant culture, beautiful gardens and canals, narrow streets and arts, and double-decker buses, no wonder London is among the most visited cities in the world.
And where there’s a lot of action going on, there’s a lot of miscellaneous things to be overheard. Like the internet’s powerhouse “Overheard LA” that collects conversations which were not meant for others’ ears, “Overheard London” is exactly that but with a Greater London twist.
So make yourself some afternoon tea with bourbon biscuits and get ready to see what Londoners are buzzing about, which is honestly the most entertaining thing ever.
More info: Instagram | OverheardLA.com
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The old stereotype is that people from London are usually unfriendly workaholics who only care about money and themselves. You'd better not look in the eyes of a Londoner on the tube, as they will give you the evil eye back. Some foreigners think of them as self-obsessed, arrogant and stingy.
But this is just an exaggeration. The rude Londoner stereotype might have been created by the standoffish reputation of London’s fine citizens, who are otherwise genuinely very polite and have great manners. There’s something about this etiquette that is simply unparalleled and that’s why it may have caused a side effect of foreigners getting the wrong impression.
On the other hand, it’s more or less true that people tend to be in their own little worlds on the transportation network. However, the tragic London bombings in July 2005 and the optimistic 2012 Olympics certainly showed that Londoners can join together when it counts.
Another belief is that food in London is expensive and simply awful. It’s true that not even a BLT sandwich is cheap in the city compared to other European capitals. But when it comes to British food, not everything there is bland and greasy. If unpretentious but hearty is your thing, you’ll like the traditional pub food. Plus think of the crazy meal names like toad in the hole, bubble and squeak, and spotted dick.
Also, the sheer level of worldwide famous British chefs suggests that we may be underestimating the British talent to cook. After all, it does have famous chefs like Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsay flying the flag for British cuisine everywhere they go!
One time I was so terribly bloated (courtesy of my IBS) that someone offered me their seat. I was too embarrassed to refuse...
It is just something we voted for and we got it, but we still got no clue what it is!
Brexit is really hurting the British and it's sad. Just because a group of wankers wanted more money and lied to get it (and admitted they lied). Boris is a twat.
And another group of wankers wanted to be able to shout at foreigners and tell them all to go home.
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The real problem was the British government lied for decades about their incompetence and blamed the EU and it came back and bit them on their a**e
I mean, could someone please tell me any negative things of being part of the EU except "not being ruled by people you elected"? I'm genuinely confused as to why people voted it
As well as the EU mainly being run by the unelected European Commission, their ultimate aim is to form the United States of Europe. So each country that currently exists won't be one in future. As the cultural and political difference is so vast this is not appealing to the majority of British people. There are way to many reasons to list here to be honest. But some others include that the whole institution is largely geared to benefit France and Germany, the UK was a net contributor to the Budget (had to pay them more that the benefits we received back), their red tape and burocracy is suffocating (they insist on metric and even regulate how curved a banana is allowed to be), their currency is a basket case (that eventually they will insist all members join), they want to create their own military to supplant national forces, and they like to meddle in national matters that don't concern them by insisting their laws take supremacy, which is enforced by activist judges. That enough?
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What do America and Britain have in common? Old white men in positions of power.
That's most first world countries actually. But at least Britain has had two female Prime Ministers (both Conservative). So I think your point is rather blunt.
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I like that answer. In America we watch the wrong cable news networks.
Yeah, could be US if sub president for EU & TV news for newspapers.
Load More Replies... has anyone started a "Re-join the EU" campaign? what happens if you decide you want back into the EU? Would you have to apply, get vetted, and go through the process and meet all the requirements that any new applicant has to go through?
only good thing to come from Brexit is that now Scotland will defo be leaving the corrupt AF UK
There aren’t any fuel shortages.... just shortages of licensed drivers. And not just in the UK either, we’re just the idiots who put it in the papers so everyone panics when they don’t need too. Only a couple of stations near me ran out - supermarket stations were fine as they pool their drivers
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We did have sovereignty... We did have elected MEPs, we voted FOR on all those EU regulations. 100,000 people have died in this country because of austerity. The UN said it was a crime against humanity. How many are going to die this winter because they can't afford to heat their homes?
Aranora, what utter nonsense. MEPs have no real power, that lies with the unelected commission. And saying 100,000 people died because if austerity is a figure pulled out of thin air, but more pertinently, not even remotely related to this topic. If you want to see austerity, look at what the EU forced upon Greece! That was a hell of a lot worse than the savings that were necessary in Britain at the time.
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The people we voted for to speak for us there screwed us at every opportunity. Ask Nigel what he did for us on the fisheries commission while having the absolute gall to throw loads of dead fish into the Thames as some publicity stunt and show of support for the fisherman he did over.
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I've heard it as champagne tastes on a beer budget. Old Aussie saying :P
My mom used to say "don't tell anyone your troubles, half of them don't care and the other half are glad it happened to you".
If it was like Brexit, there would be people hanging off the train trying to get back in after it's already left...
Note: this post originally had 59 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Maybe I'm biased, but the British sense of humour is one of the best in the world. The Aussies are also very funny.
I think I'm secretly British. Nice, snarky people. Wanna move there.
If you can look at someone and express all your pity and incredulity without words: you'll fit right in! :D
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On the tube years ago I heard 2 guys talking about a friend having trouble with IVF. First guy says "if a girl can't get pregnant is she impregnable?" His friend replies "no I think she's inconceivable" I could see the logic but it cracked me up way harder than it should have
Maybe just because I have only experienced Britain through television, I'm always charmed when they make a statement, and then ask for agreement. Ex: he's made a mess of it, hasn't he? Or this is really fiddly, isn't it?
I thought that is the norm. Was taught since primary school that's how you ask that kind of question (I'm obviously not a native speaker)
Load More Replies... On a British Airways flight that had been given a gate so far from the runway it took 10mins to get there. Pilot came on and announced, " Sorry for the long taxi to the runway everyone. Seems our gate was allocated by someone who doesn't know their a**e from their elbow". Made my day.
My husband reminded me today of when we came back from DisneyLand and we were coming through customs at Calais. The lady at the desk asked me how my trip was. I said, ‘It was good. Weather was rubbish and I couldn’t get a cup of tea but yeah, it was good :)’ After, my husband said, ‘Could you be anymore British?’ I didn’t even realise what I’d said xD I also have no memory of this and he took great delight in telling me again xD
The real difference is that Americans seem to fell the need to state the bloody obvious.
ermmmmm that makes them: only 25%; you were sad enough to count; folks voted them into that position so not like it was completely the responsibility of the editor 😎
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It's fascinating to me that it's charming if it is British but horrible if American. If an AMerican ignored a co-worker choking to death, it's proof of evil. If a Brit does it, oh well, just a British thing. (Citing an example from above.) My UK in-laws are quite tight-assed, misery-faced examples of "The Best of Britain" (according to them). They'd leave you to choke. I'd try to save you (I'm American). Why is it charming/funny if it's British? Sincere question, b/c I'm kinda tired of this "UK is superior because" attitude when Brexit has proven the contrary, even if world history hadn't. A jerk is a jerk, no matter his accent, IMO. Peace out.
What makes you think a British person would let you choke? We'd help you out and then ask sarcastically if you needed the rest of your food chewing for you or if you thought you could manage it yourself.
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Maybe I'm biased, but the British sense of humour is one of the best in the world. The Aussies are also very funny.
I think I'm secretly British. Nice, snarky people. Wanna move there.
If you can look at someone and express all your pity and incredulity without words: you'll fit right in! :D
Load More Replies... On the tube years ago I heard 2 guys talking about a friend having trouble with IVF. First guy says "if a girl can't get pregnant is she impregnable?" His friend replies "no I think she's inconceivable" I could see the logic but it cracked me up way harder than it should have
Maybe just because I have only experienced Britain through television, I'm always charmed when they make a statement, and then ask for agreement. Ex: he's made a mess of it, hasn't he? Or this is really fiddly, isn't it?
I thought that is the norm. Was taught since primary school that's how you ask that kind of question (I'm obviously not a native speaker)
Load More Replies... On a British Airways flight that had been given a gate so far from the runway it took 10mins to get there. Pilot came on and announced, " Sorry for the long taxi to the runway everyone. Seems our gate was allocated by someone who doesn't know their a**e from their elbow". Made my day.
My husband reminded me today of when we came back from DisneyLand and we were coming through customs at Calais. The lady at the desk asked me how my trip was. I said, ‘It was good. Weather was rubbish and I couldn’t get a cup of tea but yeah, it was good :)’ After, my husband said, ‘Could you be anymore British?’ I didn’t even realise what I’d said xD I also have no memory of this and he took great delight in telling me again xD
The real difference is that Americans seem to fell the need to state the bloody obvious.
ermmmmm that makes them: only 25%; you were sad enough to count; folks voted them into that position so not like it was completely the responsibility of the editor 😎
Load More Replies... It's fascinating to me that it's charming if it is British but horrible if American. If an AMerican ignored a co-worker choking to death, it's proof of evil. If a Brit does it, oh well, just a British thing. (Citing an example from above.) My UK in-laws are quite tight-assed, misery-faced examples of "The Best of Britain" (according to them). They'd leave you to choke. I'd try to save you (I'm American). Why is it charming/funny if it's British? Sincere question, b/c I'm kinda tired of this "UK is superior because" attitude when Brexit has proven the contrary, even if world history hadn't. A jerk is a jerk, no matter his accent, IMO. Peace out.
What makes you think a British person would let you choke? We'd help you out and then ask sarcastically if you needed the rest of your food chewing for you or if you thought you could manage it yourself.
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