15 Things Only People Who Grew Up In London Understand

These are the true signs that you grew up in London! London town is such a special city and it has many traits that only the locals know.

While London is a place that attracts many tourists because of its history and landmarks, it is also a place that holds a different kind of significance for locals. Traffic, rain, cloudy skies mean a lot less to Londoners than they do others and because of this, I’ve decided to gather the most signature things that only people who grew up in London will understand.

1. Knowing the Rules of the Escalators.

If someone immediately stands on the right side of the escalators to make way for others walking up on the left, they are most definitely a Londoner. We don’t play when it comes to our time.

2. From Sunshine to Hailstorm in a Split Second.

It is tragic, but we have all been taught to be sceptical of the weather because on many occasions it has failed us. If you are excited about having a picnic in the sun, maybe check the weather forecast beforehand.

3. The Local chicken Shop.

The Local Chicken shop was the place that every kid went afterschool for wings and chips. Chances are most Londoners are very well acquainted with their chicken shop.

4. Avoiding eye contact

It is an unspoken rule amongst those of us that grew up in London to never make eye contact with someone for more than five seconds.

5. London Slang.

Are you really a Londoner if you’re not trying to keep up with the ever-evolving London Slang? If you don’t know what ‘skn’, ‘alie’ and ‘peng’ mean?

6. Constant Traffic.

London is probably the only place where people add an hour to their journey because of the traffic. Constant traffic is the reason that the tubes are so popular.

7. Central Line Congestion Charge.

Another reason that public transport is popular in London is probably that taking a car to central London means having to pay a £11.50 congestion charge.

8. Chaos During Football Matches.

Whenever there is a football match in London be prepared for drunk fans, a lot of traffic and packed trains and buses.

9. Never Taking an Expensive Black Cab.

While people outside of London may think black cabs are everywhere here, that doesn’t mean everyone takes them. A lot of us just tend to stick to uber because the prices for black cabs are sky high.

10. Having Visited the London Eye Too Many Times.

If you are a resident Londoner, chances are when family and friends come to visit, you’re the one who has to take them out.

11. Losing Your Oyster card

Being able to travel in London means having an oyster card that is topped up. Everyone at some point in their lives has lost this card and probably realised this right before they are about to enter the bus as they frantically search for it.

12. Postcode Matters.

It is only in London that people will rep their different areas. Are you from South London, North, West or East? Be prepared to claim it. This is another one of the signs you grew up in London.

13. Brave pigeons.

While there are pigeons everywhere in the UK it is only in London that you will find them entering buildings and charging at people. They do not come to play.

14. Please Move Down Inside the Bus.

If you don’t sigh every time you hear the automated words “please move down inside the bus” and turn to see a packed bus with no space to move, are you even from here? This is one of the other signs you grew up in London.

15. Surviving Rush Hour.

In London, everyone knows that 7.30am-9.30am and 5pm-7pm are all times to AVOID taking public transport. However, no one can consistently avoid rush hour because these are important times for travel. So, instead, we are nearly smothered to death by hordes of people and forced to charge through the crowd aggressively in order to get out.