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Original poster

Friend giving safety tips for London?

237 replies

breezeofqinter · 02/08/2024 16:24

Maybe I sound horrible but me and a friend are visiting our mutual friend in London tomorrow, she’s lived there for maybe a year.

Shes just text us to give us safety tips. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been to London, I even work from the London office occasionally.

I know she means well but aibu to find it a bit patronising?

OP posts:
flyingfar · 02/08/2024 17:44

GreenPoppy · 02/08/2024 17:42

I live in London, the last couple of years I tell anyone visiting about phone snatchers, as it's not something you necessarily know about if you visit only occasionally.

It's rife in my area that you get our phone snatched while waiting to cross at lights, at a bus stop, or if you are sitting on an end seat on the tube.

Show quote history

So do I. I’ve seen phones snatched right in front of me so I do ‘remind’ people.

CountessWindyBottom · 02/08/2024 17:43

Can't possibly give a constructive answer until I know what the tips were.

GreenPoppy · 02/08/2024 17:42

Spinet · 02/08/2024 17:15

I dunno, did she specifically give advice about phone snatchers? Because that is quite new and becoming more common. Also people being grumpy fuckers in the heat needs a warning too if I'm honest.

I live in London, the last couple of years I tell anyone visiting about phone snatchers, as it's not something you necessarily know about if you visit only occasionally.

It's rife in my area that you get our phone snatched while waiting to cross at lights, at a bus stop, or if you are sitting on an end seat on the tube.

Begsthequestion · 02/08/2024 17:42

What are her tips? Impossible to tell otherwise

Greenbriar · 02/08/2024 17:39

Also here for the tips. I was in London 7 times this year and would love to know.

oakleaffy · 02/08/2024 17:36

breezeofqinter · 02/08/2024 17:30

It’s never occurred to me to even think who knows London better.

I just think it’s odd to warn people about somewhere they’ve been numerous times for the last 20 years.

Show quote history

London has definitely got rougher on some areas- probably due to far less police on the streets.
When I was mugged I went to the police station and they got my money back for me!
That wouldn’t happen these days due to the local police stations being shut down.

Edit: By my description of the muggers the police knew them and knew where they hung out.
Care Leavers.
No charges were pressed.
I was happy to get my money back.

LiterallyOnFire · 02/08/2024 17:34

Sounds like a plastic Londoner. The kind that make moving to London a part of their personality. Just smile and nod.

Longdueachange · 02/08/2024 17:33

You need to tell us the tips before we can judge. She might just be letting you know the latest local scams, she might live in a high crime part of the city, she might be telling you the green cross code - without context we can't really give an opinion.

Peonies12 · 02/08/2024 17:33

DreamTheMoors · 02/08/2024 17:15

I’d rather laugh at you, @Peonies12since you’re so anxious to laugh at somebody else.

Tell us all about yourself. Don’t leave anything out.

Show quote history

I’m a lifelong Londoner. Of course it’s funny that anyone would give safety tips.

GenXtricks · 02/08/2024 17:32

AHH, back in the 90s , my boyfriends nan warned us to watch out for the Trams along Oxford Street. We all lived about fifteen miles from Marble Arch.

coffeetimenow · 02/08/2024 17:32

Its just her being concerned. I lived in london for 15 years, when i go back I forget how different it is from other places that feel safer.

Its a you issue

SilenceInside · 02/08/2024 17:31

So, if it's out of character for your friend, given what you know of her, do you think it's coming from a place of concern for you, or anxiety in herself, or a deliberate attempt to patronise you out of spite?

Original poster
breezeofqinter · 02/08/2024 17:30

Jackiebrambles · 02/08/2024 17:17

I get the feeling you think you know London better than her as you’ve been countless times? I’m sure she means well, rather than trying to patronise you!

It’s never occurred to me to even think who knows London better.

I just think it’s odd to warn people about somewhere they’ve been numerous times for the last 20 years.

OP posts:
halava · 02/08/2024 17:29

I'd just say "thanks, will do" or something similar. No need to make a federal case out of it.

Or maybe she wants to put you off coming.....😂

Jarstastic · 02/08/2024 17:28

I think she's being considerate and kind and yabu. It does depend on the tips though.

And if for example she lives in Tottenham or Kilburn* and you go into your office in Cannon Street once a month, completely understandable.

*or even Westbourne Grove which I always thought was a nice safe area but friends who lived there got caught in a spate of street robberies.

Fartooold · 02/08/2024 17:27

It's just her way of trying to engage with you, to show that she cares. Thank her, then have a giggle in private - it costs nowt.

My dad still warns me about the perils of straying into Newcastle after 3pm. I'm 63🤣

MrsDora · 02/08/2024 17:26

Pleeeeeas @breezeofqinter share the tips

BlackberrySky · 02/08/2024 17:26

Just here to hear the tips 😁

TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/08/2024 17:23

You have to tell us what the tips are.

Gelasring · 02/08/2024 17:22

That's really odd op. Does she not know you go to London a lot or could she have forgotten?

Jackiebrambles · 02/08/2024 17:17

I get the feeling you think you know London better than her as you’ve been countless times? I’m sure she means well, rather than trying to patronise you!

DreamTheMoors · 02/08/2024 17:15

Peonies12 · 02/08/2024 16:33

That’s so patronising. Please share the “tips” so we can laugh at them.

I’d rather laugh at you, @Peonies12since you’re so anxious to laugh at somebody else.

Tell us all about yourself. Don’t leave anything out.

Spinet · 02/08/2024 17:15

I dunno, did she specifically give advice about phone snatchers? Because that is quite new and becoming more common. Also people being grumpy fuckers in the heat needs a warning too if I'm honest.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 02/08/2024 17:14

I would feel really patronised too. YANBU.

NewMe2024 · 02/08/2024 17:13

Just thumbs up or love heart it

Off topic but this made me laugh because I’m currently demotivated at work and it’s become my entire approach to my job 😂