“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!
I've heard it as champagne tastes on a beer budget. Old Aussie saying :P
Hey, the UK is the place with the highest amount of convertibles in europe - talking about optimism here....
I am an American living in a certain country in Europe and my biggest pet peeves in residing here are that Europeans see our smiles and friendliness as always fake. I'd be a great Hollywood actress if I could be smiley all the time just to hide a contemptible nature
We had a Canadian manager. She was just sweet, friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic, just like the Americans I met in America. All those grumpy guys were nasty to her and thought she was fake. I helped her get a nicer work place.
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Oh you're just talking to the ones that can afford to leave their country. That makes a difference.
What Americans are you talking about? None I know. We are mostly Eeyore's, not Tigger's.
I'm simultaneously optimistic about my own life, but pessimistic about my country's future. To the point of nearly continuous existential dread.
Oops pardon me but I won't stop being too happy and optimistic and I won't stop smiling..sometimes with all the crazy going on around you it's the only thing that keep you going! The hope things will get better 😄🙂
Not all of us are! For example, I am so pessimistic that my mother had to give me lessons on how to be more optimistic. No joke.
I must be living in the wrong county. I haven't been optimistic in decades.
That's just a facade. We're all broken people trying not to APPEAR broken because it's not socially acceptable. XR
Yeah, come on over here. I show you some pessimistic bastards. They smile in London because they're ON VACATION.
Don't worry. It's all fake. The smiles, the politeness, the optimism... it's all about appearances, Americans trying to be above all their peers. I hate this place, it's full of horrible people pretending they're not.
Aw, come on. There are a lot of kind and good Americans around.
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Once while at Worldcon in London, there was a table where a man was selling his comic books. He said one was about an awful group of people out to conquer the world. I said, Oh Americans? No, the Welsh, they are just too happy and they smile all the time.
So they'll be like the English who walk around looking at the pavement.
They’re just happy to be out of the US. It’s a shitshow over there right now.
Well- we've got biden now, so yeah- optimism went out the window... #LetsGoBrandon
You're confusing optimism with braggadocio. However, I like your attitude, so give me a ring, and we'll do this together.
Trust me, its a facade. Most of us here are depressed and wish things could change.
We own guns, of course, we are optimistic! We are just waiting for some foreign fool to assault us...
They are like dolphins. Never trust a creature that is always smiling because you know they are up to something.
And yet, here you are. Making small talk with complete strangers online. The irony is amusing!
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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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