20 October, 2005 | Leave a Comment

From my experience, British people are remarkably polite. A shopkeeper may say “thank you” 17 times before you leave their store. I’ve had taxi drivers treat me like their long lost daughter. Once when I was standing outside my building holding a map, a stranger stopped to ask if I was lost. But when it comes to travelling the city streets, by car, by foot or public transportation, British courtesy flies right out the window.

That charming English businessman wouldn’t think twice about body slamming you into the ground if he’s trying to catch a train at Waterloo. Cars rarely stop for pedestrians waiting at a crosswalk (excuse me, zebra crossing). Even in gruff ol’ Boston, drivers usually stop, but in London, even if you’re in the crosswalk, cars don’t slow down (often, they accelerate!). And never in my life have I encountered such aggressive behaviour just walking down the street. Sidewalk etiquette usually dictates that people walking in the same direction stick to one side of the sidewalk; those walking in the opposite direction walk on the opposite side. However, in London this rarely happens. The sidewalks are a free-for-all. It’s not uncommon for a person to walk directly at you, forcing you to move aside. And if you’re not walking fast enough, the person in back of you might walk two inches behind, like a tiny poodle nipping at your heels, until you move aside and let them pass. Come on, people! Even New Yorkers don’t behave this way!

I don’t know what to make of this Jekyll and Hyde aspect to the London personality. Perhaps the relative anonymity of travelling the city streets provides an outlet for pent-up rage and hostility. It could be the same instinct that prompts drivers in LA to shoot each other. Whatever the reason, I’ve taken to listening to my iPod when I go out walking. It’s a very effective way to zone everyone out.

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