Things Done Differently
Behavior
Have seen almost no women wearing shorts (okay, one or two Americans, but even they seem to have gotten the message). As Lyndsay has pointed out, there is something different in the way Londoners carry themselves, from little kids up. Better posture, never sliding done on their butts and extending their legs in front of them, and generally being quiet in public.
No chubbies
Servings are small, albeit for the same price as a large serving at home. Large servings just do not exist. Coke bottles are the original size (12 oz). A near absence of McDonalds and the hamburger chains, however, PizzaHut and PizzaExpress are everywhere. Lots of alternative coffee chains.
Moving more and quicker
• I have timed the crosswalks: when the little man turns green you have exactly 10 seconds to cross at an intersection. It is scarcely enough time to cross if you are already standing and waiting there.
• Every crosswalk is marked on the street. First side "Look Right"; second median "Look Left."
• You climb stairs to the left and take the left elevator.
It is impossible to exaggerate the amount of stairs to be encountered to negotiate all the transit connections. Unfortunately, at many stations no handicapped access is available and you see folks on crutches negotiating the stairs. Actually a system is in place to entitle them to free taxi rides as an alternative to providing handicap access on public transportation. Unfortunately, the double-decker buses are on their way out so all buses can be handicap friendly.
Tourist Friendly
I stopped by the major train station to ask about getting to Heathrow with heavy luggage. The man asked when I would be coming through his station and told me to stop by and see him Friday morning and he would have someone help me down and up the stairs with my suitcase. Can't imagine New York marking all the intersections "Look left" and then "Look Right."
Free rides
When it is crowded or late or every Sunday evening, the toll stiles are opened and everyone is free to pass through which smooths the flow of traffic.
Random Idiosyncrasies
• No more WC's, only toilets
• Rooms are let not rented, hence letting and sales offices
• Stations have Way Outs, not exits
• Women wear knickers not underwear
• Everyone wears trousers, not pants; men wear pants, not boxers
• First floors are second floors; ground floors are first floors
• Beginning drivers of cars or motorcycles are identified by a large L for learner
Have seen almost no women wearing shorts (okay, one or two Americans, but even they seem to have gotten the message). As Lyndsay has pointed out, there is something different in the way Londoners carry themselves, from little kids up. Better posture, never sliding done on their butts and extending their legs in front of them, and generally being quiet in public.
No chubbies
Servings are small, albeit for the same price as a large serving at home. Large servings just do not exist. Coke bottles are the original size (12 oz). A near absence of McDonalds and the hamburger chains, however, PizzaHut and PizzaExpress are everywhere. Lots of alternative coffee chains.
Moving more and quicker
• I have timed the crosswalks: when the little man turns green you have exactly 10 seconds to cross at an intersection. It is scarcely enough time to cross if you are already standing and waiting there.
• Every crosswalk is marked on the street. First side "Look Right"; second median "Look Left."
• You climb stairs to the left and take the left elevator.
It is impossible to exaggerate the amount of stairs to be encountered to negotiate all the transit connections. Unfortunately, at many stations no handicapped access is available and you see folks on crutches negotiating the stairs. Actually a system is in place to entitle them to free taxi rides as an alternative to providing handicap access on public transportation. Unfortunately, the double-decker buses are on their way out so all buses can be handicap friendly.
Tourist Friendly
I stopped by the major train station to ask about getting to Heathrow with heavy luggage. The man asked when I would be coming through his station and told me to stop by and see him Friday morning and he would have someone help me down and up the stairs with my suitcase. Can't imagine New York marking all the intersections "Look left" and then "Look Right."
Free rides
When it is crowded or late or every Sunday evening, the toll stiles are opened and everyone is free to pass through which smooths the flow of traffic.
Random Idiosyncrasies
• No more WC's, only toilets
• Rooms are let not rented, hence letting and sales offices
• Stations have Way Outs, not exits
• Women wear knickers not underwear
• Everyone wears trousers, not pants; men wear pants, not boxers
• First floors are second floors; ground floors are first floors
• Beginning drivers of cars or motorcycles are identified by a large L for learner
posted by Karolyne Lucero, EdD at 2:24 AM
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