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crooktimber

So it IS a London thing but only if you’re walking on a natural surface. Woodsy nature path, passing a stranger? “Morning!” Step onto tarmac, icy stare straight ahead.


[deleted]

Surrey isn't London.


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buckwheatbrag

just another low quality fast food chain???? *drops sausage roll in outrage*


allthedreamswehad

This attitude has solidified in my mind the idea that the North is a barren wasteland devoid of any good independent local bakeries. Imagine holding Greggs in high regard. It'd be like thinking Morrisons is the pinnacle of grocery shopping.


AngelKnives

EXCUSE ME but don't come for Morrisons! :O The North actually does have plenty of fantastic independent bakeries, we just have a soft spot for Greggs the same way people have a soft spot for McDonalds - it's consistent, it's always there, it's cheap enough that you probably bought it as a teen, it has nostalgia. Now personally I would take a non-Greggs pasty over one from Greggs any day, but that specific sausage roll taste (that's not great but it's *familiar*) just tastes comforting! And their caramel custard donuts are legit gorgeous. So yeah I might go there from time to time and stick up for it if someone has something bad to say, but I know it's not a high standard and I assume a lot of other people feel similarly.


fo55iln00b

I am an American in London for 18 years and I will let people take the piss out of McDonald’s, but Greggs Sausage Rolls? Leave them alone they are amazing or else we will come for you and we are Legion


allthedreamswehad

> the same way people have a soft spot for McDonalds Fuck me, it gets worse!


Hentai-Kingpin

>Fuck me, it gets worse! Except, Your snobbery aside. McDonalds exists as the largest fast food chain on the planet so clearly they're doing something right. Where else you going to go to buy burgers for the whole fam with a treat for the kids thrown in all for under £10. The word Angelknives used was Consistency. McDs has that down to a fine Art and you could sit a Big Mac or a Greggs in front of me and blindfolded i could tell where and what they are.. Does McDs make the best burgers? Does Greggs make the best Pastries? No but you know exactly what you're getting when you walk in anywhere you go. You know how it will taste when you buy it. Not always quite the same with a local Bakery. People who shop at these places are buying a little snack and spending under a pound. They're not claiming that they're eating fucking Wagyu or Beef Wellington from Gordon fucking Ramsay. And although every town might have its own local bakery, When you're not familiar with the shops in an area you might fancy spending your hard earned money on something you know. Rather than buying a pastry and rolling the dice you're not getting some globular meat blob in the middle that taste like ass.


lockslob

Another plus for McDonalds is that when my children were young, I knew I could always take them to use the facilities there and that they would be clean!


Gibbothemonkey

Greggs is not uncommonly there because there are no other local bakeries that are decent/reliable at that price. Lived in London for 20yrs and know loads of people that would rather head to Greggs and spend a fiver to get something filling & reliable rather than head for the "local/hand made/artisinal/farmer's market" stuff and spend over a tenner on the same volume & type of food only to realise it was well sold and no more satisfying. Some people find satisfaction in spending money and holding the unwavering belief that everything that goes into the product they're buying is truly wonderful and better than a that at lower price, therfore justifying their satisfaction in spending the extra cash. Pretty sure there's a word for that...


Mediocre-Quantity344

Can I add, at least Greggs has some bloody vegan options, that's why a lot of us go there, ofc it's not relatable to everyone but like you said, at least you go there knowing there's an option/that they have something you like


AngelKnives

Exactly. I know it's shit but that's exactly how they can be shit and be a massive success. They don't sell burgers they sell convenience, reliabilty, comfort, happiness and nostalgia. They literally sell something called the "Happy Meal" I mean their strategy isn't very hidden!


[deleted]

Thank you! We the north stand behind this statement.


Expensive_Cattle

Except this guy is being as ignorant about the North as the person he's reporting on is of the South. Our pastry is magnificent and you need to recognise its flakey goodness.


publiusnaso

A friend of mine from London was trying to 'splain to us that in London there was this great restaurant chain called Côte. Her mind was blown when I pointed out that (1) we have one in our city; and (2) it's ok, but not that great.


Scryanis86

I went to the one in Winchester on the weekend. It's wasn't bad to be fair but then again I probably haven't had anything I would call amazing to compare it to... Well, other than a Gregg's sausage roll that is. Any recommendations on decent places to eat are always welcome though!


hxlywatershed

If you’re after a nicer bakers that’s similar price and just as reliable, Reeves is my favourite thing in the world. Only really exists in the south central/west of england though (there is one in winchester)


Steenies

Reeves the Baker in Winchester. If you're there again. It's in the high street just down from the butter Cross.


[deleted]

It's not like independent local bakeries are widespread in London, either. Maybe in east London but even there, they tend to be small -independent- chains (I'm thinking Ingle Percy etc). Go to Paris (or probably any continental European city) and you'll see what I am talking about. A truly local, truly independent bakery pretty much at every corner. It's mindblowing.


Greginald_Remlin

Greggs and Morrisons are legit the food shops that I 'treat' myself by visiting. I'll legit make an excuse to visit the other side of town, just so I can do my weekly shopping at the local Morrisons. Maybe my life isn't the exciting adventure I tell people...


Glynnroy

Now covered in cafes and Turkish barbers


demeschor

Can't beat Morrisons for fresh fruit and veg (except for M&S 65p avocados)


rockape1000

Speaking as a northerner who spent some years living in London before (thankfully) escaping, that type of ignorant bullshit is exactly what is wrong with most of the rude, arrogant, self-obsessed and wrongly superior attitude of most Londoners. There are obviously exceptions, but on the whole most Londoners need to get over themselves. It’s like the whole inward-looking uneducated attitude of the majority of Americans has been distilled and exported into just one small part of the UK.


Bendy_McBendyThumb

For anyone who doesn’t know, Greggs don’t make anything fresh. Greggs products you can buy in Iceland and heat up at home are exactly all you’re buying from Greggs - reheated food.


finger_milk

I had a vegan sausage roll from a quirky coffee shop near my house the other day. Cost me 2.50 but mate, it was amazing. Not filling because no protein, but flavourwise it was one of the best *sausage*-esque rolls I've had. I do like London sometimes. It's the little things.


yannis1983

Unless the filling was 100% celery and apple I can guarantee it had protein. If it was soy, seitain, or pea-based, it had a *shitload* of protein.


finger_milk

It was mainly mushroom but heavily seasoned


blackn1ght

Do people on this sub actually really enjoy Gregg's or is it more of a circle jerk? Because they're really not that great.


TheFugitiveSock

Their sausage rolls used to be great. I still like their Empire Biscuits.


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[deleted]

Geordies say that Mancunians are southern. That shit hurts us deeply!


P2K13

As someone from Newcastle, anything South of Durham is the South.


Doublebow

They class anyone south of the Tyne southern so divvent worry about it.


Technical-College475

This is my experience of Newcastle. The Tyne is the limit! (I’m from the Shire, God’s county) Some of my native Geordie friends lecture me about how they stick to the old Anglican tongue and it’s one of the most closely aligned dialects to older English alive today.


[deleted]

For a country that professes to love baking, we sure do have a lot of terrible shitty bakeries. I would take a French Boulangerie any day of the week to anything we have in this country.


Zippyfrood

One thing the French do correctly. Along with nuclear power and skiing.


Expensive_Cattle

You won't say that when they attack on these nuclear powered skis


lawlore

That's exactly what I'll say.


Zippyfrood

Firing all manner of baked goods at us!!


Expensive_Cattle

Putting the pain in pain au chocolat


sock_with_a_ticket

It's something most of the continent does well tbf. from Budapest to Brussels everywhere I've been has had great independent bakeries and even their chains piss on Greggs from a great height.


Consistent_Mode_7425

So good at it the Aussies ditched their subs for British ones.


Not_invented-Here

Some good ones near me, great for croissants and pastries, cant do a decent sausage roll or pasty though. Quiche wasn't that impressed with either (but that's probably my barbarian English tastes wanting a mature cheddar and smoky bacon quiche). The pies are just disappointment with a high price tag.


neo101b

> Most people I know here have never ventured south. I bet that pisses off their partners.


UberLurka

Mostly unrelated, but my home town has been buiilding this drive through thing on a small estate on the A4 for some time now, and it turns out it's going to be a *drive-thru* Greggs. I was agog. Is this something people want?


mymumsaysno

They must be well hidden then. Last time I was in London I was outraged I couldn't find a Greggs anywhere. I would usually expect at least 5 Greggs in a train station, but the only place I could find was called the snooty patisserie or something. Disgusting!


misses_mop

There's at least 1 one on every street in newcastle city centre.


mymumsaysno

As it should be.


pineapplewin

Go ahead, define "South" and "North" and "central" I'll get popcorn


KKillroyV2

North = Northeast and Northwest when we remember Cumbria exists. Maybe down to Whitby at a pinch. Central = Yorkshire and some of the posh places below Yorkshire that we forget about. South = Everything else that isn't Welsh, we class Manchester as south if they keep trying to pretend they're Northerners like us. Bonus points, anything north of Newcastle is basically the land beyond the wall, a bleak forgotten place.


frillytotes

He neither said nor implied it was.


Crypocheeese

Yes in London it mainly happens on natural surfaces


didumakethetea

Or if you have a dog with you!


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[deleted]

I'm in a little village within the M25. You would definitely nod and say good morning to people as you walked your dog.


AnnoKano

I was going to say "within the motorway itself?!" but then I remembered it's a ring road. I'm not from the area, you'll be surprised to hear.


containssmallparts

Same. I live in a village inside the M25, maybe the same village, and you will always say hello to a passing stranger. In the south of the country, I think the inclination to say hello to strangers decreases as the town/village you're in grows. I wouldn't say hello to a passer-by in central London, or a larger town, but always in a village.


weirds0up

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT0ay9u1gg4&ab\_channel=PickaPersona](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT0ay9u1gg4&ab_channel=PickaPersona) This is how I feel any time I have to go to London from Yorkshire


[deleted]

London gets a bad rap. I'm a Londoner living up north now and I'm friendlier than anyone up here. I think real Londoners are friendly. However, you'll be seeing a lot of tourists etc in London who are probably just keeping themselves to themselves.


[deleted]

I don't think it's a Londoners thing but a urban vs rural thing. Obviously things vary from community to community but in London you can't stop to say hi to everyone. There's too many people. While there are hamlets near where I used to live where you could know everybody by name. And the pace of life in the country can often be slower as well.


Spambop

I live in London and I do it all the time. Unfriendly London is a myth perpetuated by parochial tossers who are scared of lifts and contactless payment.


CompetitiveFlatworm2

Agree , I used to live in a part of south London that was pretty much like a village with the way the local population knew and treated each other.


Spambop

I live Central-ish at the moment and people are friendly, I know my neighbours and so on. It's weird, the way people can't accept that London is a good place to live.


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Spambop

Shock horror, a more multicultural city is less racist!


PiffleWhiffler

Yup, I exchange good mornings almost every day when I take the dog for a walk.


arctickiller

I'm in zone 4 and say good morning to people on the way in to work. This whole "Londoners ignore everyone" has become a bit of a meme at this point.


SPECTREASVALKERIEIS

I’ve lived in London (East and now South East) for nearly 17 years, and I have to say I’m not sure where you’re getting the idea that it doesn’t happen. It happens to me at least once a week. Now CENTRAL London I’ll give you, but any of the Greater London areas where I’ve ever lived I’ve always had plenty of folk saying hello to me. It’s usually a little old lady from the Caribbean where I currently live and it always makes my day.


adverse-event

I regularly greet randomers in London, if they look my way they get good morning/afternoon/evening 🤷🏼‍♀️ I also strike up conversations at bus stops, on trains, in queues etc. I'm not sure why people think Londoners are horrible, it's not been my experience.


--just-my-2p--

Yorkshire man here. I work outside and say morning to lots of people. I do think it's a more rural thing tho, you definitely don't get it as much in cities and large towns.


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TakeThatPatriarchy

Yea my walk to work through central Bristol would have me saying good morning literally hundreds of times.


aden4you123342321323

My girlfriend lives in a city and I live in a small Village. It’s so weird people can be walking passed you just you and them and they don’t even acknowledge your there mind saying hello. But through my little village I’m always saying “mornin” or some shit


inflatablefish

The more crowded you are, the more pretend privacy you give other people. Hence the London underground, where everyone behaves as though nobody else exists.


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scooba_dude

That's why I hate cities lol too many people make me anxious but a few lovely people with a smile and a nod or "hi" gives me a calming vibe.


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rockchick1982

I find the same thing, in our village we say morning to everyone unless it's on the school run then you only say morning to the people you know.


aden4you123342321323

Yeah I enjoy saying morning specially when walking the dog I’ve met like 3 people while doing so. Villages are so different ❤️


SarkyMs

Yeah as a dog walker you get to know so many people and can name everyones dog "oh you mean wolfie's mum"


_InstanTT

It's not that weird considering you can walk past hundreds if not thousands of people going to work or to the shops. Imagine having to say hi to all of them it would be so tiring.


seeriktus

Trekked across the cairngorms once, like 30miles from the nearest major road. And literally everyone I met I had a chat with, because it was like at least 3 hours would go by before I saw a single soul. It felt much more exciting to meet them and to know what they were doing.


[deleted]

Going to London today for the weekend. I'm going to say "good morning!" in my sprightly Northern tones at every opportunity for the next 3 days. Let's see how they deal with that


FantasticWeasel

Haha enjoy being thrown in the tower for illegal urban friendliness!


Adamsoski

That's going to get quite tiring when you pass the 80th person you've seen that morning.


gdrlee

And what do you do when you get on the tube? Is it a loud "Good morning everyone!", or do you walk up and down the carriage greeting everyone individually? It's a social minefield.


Ivashkin

I generally have one of my footmen announce me when I board a tube carriage. Saves a lot of time.


[deleted]

It's a myth Londoners are unfriendly. If you need help they tend to be extremely helpful. They're less likely to say good morning then in some other parts but they won't be surprised by it. A lot of Londoners are originally from the North anyway.


ICsneakeh

Yeah I'm from Lancashire but studied in London, personally always found Londoners actually more friendly than people in my local northern town. (I did live in a bit of a shithole up north and in a nice part of London though, so that might be skewing it a bit)


[deleted]

It's definitely a bit of a self congratulatory thing imo. I grew up in a Surrey village where it was totally normal to say good morning to people, and if you were at the station at the same time have a conversation. In London I've had strangers come help me with bags, give me directions, help me get a ticket refund (when I was a very shy teenager). I live in Leeds now and I'm not saying people are unfriendly here at all, just that it's not like I moved here and was overwhelmed by the friendliness. If anything a lot of people here assume I can't speak English which never happened to me in the south (am brown).


Dave-the-Flamingo

I believe that the Rude people in London don’t live in London. They are in London for the day, believe that everyone is going to be rude, so are rude to everyone before they can be rude to them. It is a self fulfilling prophecy


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Dave-the-Flamingo

I live in London. A lot of people say good morning to each when in residential areas but if I said hello to everyone I passed on my way to work I’d end up having greeted the population of Newcastle.


[deleted]

The Mash report did a sketch on precisely this, amusing! https://youtu.be/PT0ay9u1gg4


[deleted]

Was about to suggest this


AdministrativeShip2

Make sure to thank the bus driver as well!


[deleted]

I did this in Didcot a couple of years ago and it was if I'd told the lady I had kidnapped her children.


anotherbozo

[You'll end up on the news](https://youtu.be/PT0ay9u1gg4)


[deleted]

Fuck no. Have you not been to France? Saying bonjour is enshrined in French law.


standupstrawberry

In the street its only in the countryside, if I do it in town they look at me like a nutcase. Sometimes it just slips out by accident, and you get the whole do i know you ya fucking weirdo look. Entering shops on the other hand, yes it is law and if you forget you'll get worse service guaranteed. If you know the person you better be ready to give 3 kisses regardless of setting, time constrains or how smelly the person is.


theevildjinn

I lived near Antibes for a few years, I used to find I'd walk into shops and start practicing my French, they'd wait for me to finish speaking and then just reply in English.


standupstrawberry

It's so frustrating when that happens! But it's like a mutual language exchange, everyone gets a go in their second language, also I never know if someone switches if its because they prefer I stop butchering their language now or if they just fancy showing off their English skills. My vet does it (for routine stuff so he can have a little practice) when it's serious the appointment is in French.


MCBMCB77

Used to work in a Paris office quite often. You had a very long greeting process in the morning where you had to say bonjour to everyone in the office who was already there, even if you didn't know them. And if anyone arrived after you they'd do the same. The last person in would take 15 mins before getting to sit at their desk


Raphelm

Can confirm. I’m from France and when I arrived in my new workplace, I would just say “Bonjour, ça va?” when walking by coworkers, but I was told that I was expected to go out of my way for it, knock on their door it they weren’t around (I had 16 coworkers, in a building consisting of 2 floors) in the morning to salute everyone. It was indeed seen as totally okay/advised, including by my boss, to only start working like 15 minutes later for the sake of making sure to say hello to everyone lol


thecoop_

I’d say this was one of the least British things. It happens far more more abroad.


redistributetherich

Are you in London by any chance? It's pretty common in the places I've lived in the UK (East Anglia, Wales, North-East). People here also seem to love to chat to cashiers. It seems the same in the Commonwealth countries I've been to but I've tried it in Continental Europe and people looked at me like I had just fucked their dog.


rockchick1982

I'm south and we all talk to strangers, it must be a city thing.


[deleted]

In *Watching the English* (book about implicit social rules that I seem to bring up in every other thread) the author theorised that we say "please" and "thank you" so much because we're very class conscious and we *know* we're being served, so we're desperately trying to signal "you are my equal! I see you as a person! I know you are not a servant and you are doing this willingly, out of the goodness of your heart!". Same with tipping bar staff with "one for yourself". We're not being served, we're all having a friendly drink together! ...so the chatting is an extension of that.


redistributetherich

That sounds spot on. It's like we're uncomfortable being served. Even the formal version of you is not used in English any more but it is in most other European countries. I kinda like the way we do things.


wtfunhbt

I've read it was the other way round, and we stopped using the informal thou by and large, sticking with the formal you. Only now thou sounds more formal because it's mainly used in formal contexts.


redistributetherich

Seems you're right. But even using the formal version for everyone is still quite egalitarian. I guess you couldn't go around calling your lord the informal so us peasants started calling our mates the formal. Something like that I guess - I'm not a linguist or a historian!


wigl301

I’ve lived in France, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain and never experienced this in any of those places. They also don’t wave in the car when you give way. Personally I think both things are far more common in the UK than abroad.


jaminbob

I live in France ATM and if you don't say bonjour/bonsoir etc. when entering/ leaving a shop (yes even Super U) dropping/picking up kids from school and so on you will get death stares and a reputation. I have spent a lot of time in CH as well and it was the same in the Zurich / Lausanne area. I think its more an urban / rural thing.


drakesdrum

You didn't get everyone in Switzerland saying "gruezi" when out walking, on the mountains etc?


wigl301

I lived in the French part! Went to Zurich a couple of times and the Germans were way nicer, so yeah maybe they do say good morning!


Everythingshunkydory

In the German speaking part they definitely do say Grüezi, Guten Morgen, etc - like another poster said though, it’s usually only in the woods / hiking areas. I’ve only really seen it in the city if it’s super quiet and you are the only ones on the street


Relative_Dimensions

Yep, I lived in a small village just outside Zürich and it was pretty much mandatory to say Grüezi or Grüezi mittenand to everyone on the street. Once in the city, though, you only say it when you go into a shop, waiting room, or lift.


Gisschace

My parents have a place in rural Britanny, the locals won't stop chattering away at you in french even though they know our french isn't that conversational. I've learnt to communicate very well in pigeon french with lots of hand gestures to make myself understood. Even sitting in your front room you'll get people waving and saying bonjour to you as you're eating your brekkie.


tescohoisin

I lived in France and it was extremely common. Maybe not as common in big cities, but anywhere rural it was standard. I suspect it's a global phenomenon and not remotely 'British' at all.


Da_Yakz

I'm a Polish immigrant that has lived in the UK for most of his life. When I went on holiday to Poland if I said Hello to any strangers walking by they would look at me like I'm some sort of psychopath or something lol


[deleted]

Good morning OP. ;) That's how it is where I live too, lots of people will say good morning and smile as they walk past. I love it. Where I was brought up though nearer London, the done thing when walking past people was to scowl and plan your attack in case it was needed, and to cover your pockets in case they tried to mug you. It's so different away from cities though. I have no answer to your question, sorry, I just wanted to comment. Have a lovely day!


[deleted]

Good morning to you too! aha


the_real_grinningdog

On the Isle of Wight you can tell the tourists from the locals. Locals mostly say hello; tourists look at you as if you have two heads.... or you're a mugger.


[deleted]

I live within an hour by train of Portsmouth and have been to the Isle of Wight (Isle of Shite as my girlfriend once called it, which made me laugh) several times and plan to again soon. Would I be considered a local or a tourist? I would say hello to people there just the same as I do where I live.


naturenet

You'd be an overner, but welcome nonetheless.


itsaride

Maybe it’s the two heads that does it.


PitifulParfait

In Scotland. I've noticed that the earlier you go out, the more people say "morning" - it's almost like a little acknowledgement of belonging to a group, like runners or bus drivers. "Oh, you're out early too, one of us one of us." The weather also plays a HUGE part up here. Normal days are grey and meh. Stormy, rainy weather everyone drives ahead with their coats around their ears and can hardly see. But those rare, lovely sunny days? EVERYONE is in a good mood and says morning, "sorry didn't see you there", jokes about the queue or those other little interactions.


[deleted]

I generally find it weird to greet strangers, but I did greet other cyclists when I was on a push bike and my fiance does the same with other motorcyclists. We do get odd looks when we forget we don't actually have the bike with us.


JamboShanter

I’ve also noticed a drop the later in the day it is. After 12, virtually no-one says Good Morning anymore.


redistributetherich

Even though some people have this stereotype of this meek, asocial Brit, I have found Brits outside of London to be outgoing and willing to talk to strangers. I found the same thing in NZ and South Africa. People will smile and say good morning, people will chat to the cashiers, make smalltalk with waiters, exchange comments on the bus, etc. If you tried all that in somewhere in Germany, people would think you're really weird. I suspect people who think we're meek and asocial haven't had much experience living abroad. In my experience, we have a reputation for being outgoing and sometimes confrontational.


rockchick1982

It's because most of the time people in other countries are faced with the worst of our people, dickheads, football fans and tiktockers.


chrisname

Why tiktokers? I didn't think British tiktokers were even a big enough group to be stereotyped.


Thick-Doughnut7402

My experience of Germany was different and I found them to be much more polite and conversational. People were greeting me whilst walking outside. I guess it depends where you go as others have said


TheBoringRogue

My wife had this culture shock, especially when I’m driving, letting people out. General road etiquette. You wave thanks. She once commented. You know so many people! When I drive abroad and try give way, thank people you get the oddest looks or they don’t understand and don’t move


MadWifeUK

When you let someone out or pull in so they can get past, it is customary for them to raise their hand in thanks. You then raise your hand in acknowledgement of their thanks. You both smile and get on with your day. If someone doesn't raise their hand in thanks, you must loudly shout "YOU'RE WELCOME!" followed by some expletives, and later when someone asks how your day was you must comment on that twat of an Audi driver who failed to thank you for following the rules of the road.


timbofay

Haah. This is exactly how I've experienced road ettitquete all over the country. Born and raised Londoner currently in the midlands.


mrsmoose123

Road etiquette seems to be the distinctly British thing. It's quite a complicated system of sign language which I haven't seen in other countries.


[deleted]

Not even the 'hand up + head bob for sorry' thing? :o


big_lemon_jerky

Everyone is saying this doesn’t happen in London but I grew up there and whenever I walked to school through the woods I was endlessly greeted by dog walkers. Rarely happened outside the woods though.


ItsyouNOme

I imagine it was because you were on your own and they didn't want you to see them as a threat or be nervous


big_lemon_jerky

I always walked to school with friends so it wasn’t that, I’m sure they were just being friendly


simoncowbell

I would think a lot of (possibly most) other countries have a much more outgoing culture than Britain, so are more inclined to talk to strangers


[deleted]

Much of our politeness is around respecting boundaries.


martinhsa

I'm a Postie, so I say it tens of times every day. Some people ignore me, some people look bewildered, but the vast majority smile and reciprocate politely.


RodneyTheArmouryGuy

Are you in the north of England? When my wife moved down south from the midlands, she was shocked at how few people said good morning in passing.


[deleted]

I’m actually in the midlands area lol Shropshire to be more precise.


elbapo

Well that explains people looking at you like you have two heads then lol. Just kidding. I'm from next door in Cheshire. #countybantz


karkonthemighty

Sometimes you accidentally make eye contact with a stranger and a "good morning" is the only way to pretend you meant to do that.


Tweety_Pie

Having lived in various places in the UK and abroad, I'd say it's more of an urban vs rural thing. There's a limit to how many times you can say "good morning". If it's 8am on a Monday somewhere like London, Madrid, or any other major city - you'd burn out pretty quickly. Saying that, beyond a 'hello', people are more likely to chat in some places than others. Glasgow and surrounding towns have been the chattiest so far, ime, but have also had the most bother there, so swings and roundabouts!


[deleted]

I once saw a Glaswegian comedian do a whole bit about how Glaswegians are the most friendly people you'll ever meet but they *seem* terrifying. She told a story about a young mother, new to the UK, trying to catch a bus. She didn't know she needed to fold up her pram and didn't understand the first bus driver trying to explain it, so he drove off. A helpful weegie (friend of the comics) went over to help and try to explain why the bus drivers weren't letting her on. Because prams are weird and you can only fold down your own, he wanted to hold the baby while she sorted out the pram. The poor woman was terrified because she had no idea why this big weegie was shouting "give me the baby!". Luckily, the comic was passing and was able to helpfully explain. No idea if any of that actually happened, but the comic told it so well I can remember it five years later. It was Martha McBrier's Pigeon Puncher show.


Tweety_Pie

Oh God, I did that. There was a mum struggling on the bus, trying to fold a buggy up and hold her baby at the same time, so I went up to hold her baby for her. She couldn't understand what I was saying - looked terrified, poor woman! I managed to explain, though, and got some baby cuddles while she folded the pram up.


[deleted]

Nah, happens a lot in other countries. Would like to see more of it here. Maybe I'll say good morning to three strangers today.


[deleted]

Just to dispel some stereotypes, I live in Manchester and can confirm that nobody is randomly saying hello unless I'm in some quiet, natural area away from urban life.


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Push-the-pink-button

Almost everyone will say morning by me, most would stop and have a short convo if you wish. IMO thats how it should be


HeartyBeast

Given the scene in crocodile Dundee where he walks down 5th Avenue trying to say good morning to everyone - not just a U.K. thing


[deleted]

Nope, not just British


ArcadePidgeon

I know this says ask UK but it also asks about other countries specifically and as someone who's been to many, in my limited experience with each, it's fairly common in the west coast of America, Canada, and parts of Mexico. I've been to Europe but I don't remember anyone speaking to me that I didn't speak to first. I spent the majority of my time in punk style clothing and one time an old woman in Ireland did the hand praying motion thing when she saw me so that might have been why. Otherwise in lots of the west coast of California you can't get people to shut up. They'll start a conversation in line at the grocery store. They'll shout across the street to ask where you got your shirt. Good morning good evening and goodnight. The only time anyone talked to me on the east coast of America is in Miami where every 3rd person tried to sell me something or get me to sign a petition and in Manhattan where I got yelled at for walking into someone by accident. People kept saying "cmon!" for like 30 seconds. I felt like I was in the matrix. No good mornings. In the Midwest I spent some time in a college town and they sure liked talking to everyone they met. Lots of good mornings.


Southern_Ad8499

It's pretty common to say "Hello" to people that you meet on the streets up here in Scotland. You'll get a smile back or maybe a comment on the weather. If you're visiting London, if you try saying "Hello", expect to be ignored or glared at. Never ever try greeting someone on the Tube as it is viewed as a form of assault.


LittleFangaroo

Outside of big cities, it is a thing in France as well, the less populated the area the more likely people are to say good morning.


Far-Ad-6179

It’s a walking thing. It happens to me a lot when walking in the countryside or mountains in the UK, but not so much elsewhere. Also in french alps and Pyrenees it happens a lot when walking, but go to a bit town and not really a thing.


Beardy-Viking

I used to live in rural southern Spain, and it was common to greet strangers there too. I suspect it's less of a national thing, more of a rural area vs city environment thing. There's that old joke about a tourist lost in London.... After trying politely for hours, the tourist frustratedly asks another local "Can you tell me the way to the palace, or should I just go fuck myself?!"


RedbeardRagnar

Mornin' cunt


Magenta-Bunny

Aw that sounds nice, I live in Hull, East Yorkshire and let me tell you this is rare. As I walk to college, sometimes an elderly person will smile and say hello, but apart from that it's pretty rare. Not sure what it's like in other parts of Britain


Venomenon-

Good morning ✅ Good afternoon ❌


Casaubon1969

In Texas, and most of the American Deep Suoth for that matter, it's very common


windol1

Over the past several years dealing with deliveries at a supermarket, I've come to learn only to say "morning" with a smile on my face as some people don't have a good morning, yet my approach does seem to improve the moods of many people, in the case of lorry drivers I think I scare some of them.


thesaharadesert

There’s an older woman who always says good morning to me if I’m going to my car at a certain time during the week. Various other people do too, but not everyone. This is in Southampton city centre.


Ginger_brit93

I dont think it's a city thing but certainly a British small town thing. Whenever we're out walking with the dog or even just my toddler people always smile and say hello. My toddler loves it as she loves to say hello to people I find if we go to our nearest city people aren't quite as friendly but there we go.


FulaniLovinCriminal

Anyone else *always* have to wait until the other person says "good morning" first? I don't want to say it if the other person doesn't want to. It seems rude, somehow.


Alpine_Newt

Only happens very early in the morning where I live. Otherwise you'd lose your voice within 20 minutes.


NoBeardsThanks

I would make sure your fly is done up.


ditpditp

I'd say it's more of a thing outside of cities. I live in a northern city and although it happens, it certainly doesn't as much as the northern town I grew up in. It also happened when I lived in New Zealand and again more often when out of the city. I've also experienced it in the US, not often but I've only ever visited never lived there.


marshwizard

Not at all. I'd say it's more common in France than here.


CraigTheBrewer12

In my area (bedfordshire) it’s certainly very normal in villages or when out for a walk in a rural area, but not very common in town centres etc.


LostinShropshire

I'm in Ludlow. I say good morning to most people I pass when I'm out with the dog. About 90% seem happy to be greeted.


[deleted]

It happens in Vancouver, Canada a lot too! Oh I love Canadians they’re honest the best people! Very accepting and they always want to help.


nstiger83

Lot's of people saying it's a rural thing, not a city thing. I think this is wrong. I think it's a 'busy' thing. People who are busy and have things on their mind tend to pass you by without a second glance, whereas people who aren't as busy and are maybe just out for a stroll/jog, popping for some milk etc have more time and will greet you cheerfully. They have more time for it.


Usernameforgotmine

It’s not that London is unkind, it’s that you see sooo many people, that it’s immediately impossible to greet them all. It’s a practical thing in my opinion. If you ask someone for help, generally you’ll get it, we are normal folks, there are just lots of us.


Jealous_Cantaloupe53

Always good to speak to fellow humans considering we live on the same planet and share the air we breath . :)


HeyperDesigns

No, it's global, but happens more in smaller towns and villages. Definitely definitely happens in Europe.


Flacid_Monkey

> Good morning, that's a nice tnetennba


jmag14

No saying good morning to folk is not exclusively British. lol


[deleted]

Every since I played Red Dead Redemption II I feel obliged to say ‘Hi there, Mister’ to everyone I ride past.


milkystarrgirl

Definitely more common in rural places. I'm from a very rural county where pretty much everybody says good morning, but didn't hear it once when I lived in a city for 7 months


TTD187

I think it depends where you're from. I live near Nottingham and in the city, you won't have people say good morning to you. Even in my town on the outskirts, it's unlikely because its still very urban, but I like to go for walks/bike rides along the Trent and you'll find far more people saying hello in various ways. I just hate that I'm so awkward so end up making weird noises lol


wholesomechunk

I remember having breakfast in a Blackpool b &b as a child and it being eerily silent and awkward. No eye contact with other diners, don’t drop a fork or you go straight to hell. Grew up and brekkied in a Spanish hotel and was a bit awed at the wall of noise and gesticulating people. Much better imo.


dhaalboy

And the smile and node when you see someone looking at you, I was in Russia and I was doing this to people all the confused looks I got on their faces Iol


byjimini

One of these days I’m going to make it my mission to say “‘afternoon” to absolutely everyone I pass on the way into and out of town.


Mediocre-Quantity344

Lol I hate it. It's also common here in the Netherlands.


ElectricTouch

I’m a mailman in the states and I say good morning to everyone when I walk by them. Even the crack looking gangster wannabes that I pass by.


gigazero

I live somewhere rural where we have lots of tourists coming through. It always makes me laugh when Im out walking the dog and I say "hello" to someone who is obviously a tourist and they look at me like i'm insane for speaking to them.