Introduction
When I first moved to London from Paris a year ago, I expected it to be an upgrade in the politeness department. The British are known for their ‘pleases’ and ‘thank yous,’ their obsession with queuing, and their apologizing for existing. What I didn’t anticipate was the collective ‘not giving af’ energy that Londoners radiate.
It’s not that they’re rude. It’s that they’ve mastered the subtle art of not giving af. Want to strike up a conversation on the Tube? Good luck. Expecting a ‘bless you’ after sneezing? Not happening. You could trip and fall in front of 20 people, and instead of a helping hand, you’ll get an awkward shuffle as everyone pretends not to see you.
At first, I took it personally. Was my outfit offensive? Did I accidentally say something terribly French? Had I, God forbid, made eye contact for too long? But then, after a few months of living in the city, I started to understand the rhythm of London life.
So, are Londoners rude? Or do they just operate on a different, emotionally distant frequency? Join me at Emmanuelle in London, and let us discuss the no fucks given the attitude of Londoners and why it’s not as bad as you might think.
Are Londoners Rude, or Is It Just a Cultural Difference?
Let’s get one thing straight: Londoners don’t hate you. They just have an unwritten social contract that states, mind your business, and I’ll mind mine. It’s not hostility, it’s efficiency.
Coming from Paris, where passive aggression is an art form and a stranger might critique your outfit on the metro, I was used to a different kind of social interaction. In London, silence is the default. People communicate through pointed glances, sighs, and occasionally, the most British of weapons: sarcasm.
Take the infamous Tube, for example. There are rules. Stand on the right, walk on the left. Avoid eye contact. If someone talks loudly, everyone collectively judges them in silence. A friend once told me, ‘Emmanuelle, London will fuck with you if you don’t follow the etiquette.’ I didn’t believe her until I accidentally blocked someone’s path and received a withering look so intense it could have curdled milk.
London politeness is about respect for personal space. Saying “excuse me” when squeezing past someone is standard, but actual small talk? Nope. I once tried chatting with a cashier, and the sheer panic in their eyes told me I had made a terrible mistake.
If you crack the code, Londoners are some of the kindest people you’ll meet. They might be allergic to unnecessary conversation (who isn’t?), but get a few pints in them, and I guarantee you they will be your best mates in an instant. Londoners aren’t rude; they’re just emotionally reserved, like a good bottle of wine that needs to breathe before it opens up.
Conclusion
So, are Londoners actually mean? No. They just don’t do performative friendliness. If you expect big smiles, endless pleasantries, or someone to comment on how cute your accent is, you’ll be disappointed. But if you embrace the culture of not giving a fuck in London, you’ll fit right in. And if all else fails, just adopt the London mantra: Keep calm and ignore everyone.
For collaboration ideas that are all about London, please reach out to me, and let’s work together in bringing light to some of the things that make London a place of wonder!
