Valuable advice from a temporary Londoner

As an unofficial Londoner for a little over three weeks, I’ve learned one major lesson: mind the gap. Seemingly a simple warning to watch the space between the tube and the platform, but minding the gap is an essential metaphor for surviving the rat race of London.

Unlike the busy streets of New York where oblivious pedestrians jump in front of cars and no one bats an eye, London requires full attention. The drivers are especially aggressive, and a crossing pedestrian is no indication to hit the brakes. If the stoplight turns green and you’re walking in the middle of the road – start your engine, because the cars won’t hesitate to strike you down where you stand. Instructions informing pedestrians which way to expect traffic are even written on the roads, indicating past problems with drivers and slow crossing tourists.

London visitors must also consider “minding the gap” when purchasing a morning coffee. In America, when a cashier hands over coins, it’s considered insignificant change and dumped in the bottom of a purse or pocket. But in London, there are no “pound bills;” just a pound and a two pound coin, so change is actually valuable. Counting out change takes stupidly long considering that there are about seven different coins— including a two pence coin and a 20 pence coin.

This city is not meant for those who tend to sleep walk through their day, expect to get hit by a black taxi cab barreling down the street, or manage to pay four pounds for something that costs 50 pence. So please, take the dark sunglasses off and when you come to London, mind the gap.