London tubes AIBU?

[mumstheword1x]

I’m really nervous to get on a tube tomorrow, it’s only one tube and about 5 stops- but it’s my first time doing it alone and it’ll take about 15 minutes. I’m generally scared something will go wrong and I worry about security threats in London.

anyone do it regularly? My husband says IBU and lots of people do it everyday with no issues.

ugh 😭

You will be fine. :)

It’ll be fine. What security threats are you worried about?

I guess things are often scary when it's the first time and such a big place

But it's fairly easy to work out. I'm sure you'll be ok once you get going. You'll get the hang of it. And if you're having trouble, ask someone

From where to where? Sorry you are feeling anxious but it is a normal thing that thousands of people do each day. I’m not diminishing your anxiety but it is good to anchor your fear in the fact that it’s a really normal activity. What are you worried about exactly?

Just like terror. I never do it, so I’m a little on edge and thinking of all the things that could go wrong

It's not much different to travelling on a normal train really.

Unless you're worried you won't be able to find the platform?

In which case ask a member of staff.

You are not unreasonable to be anxious of a new experience. I used to be scared coming to London. Now I’ve lived here for decades and love it.

I have got the tube every day for decades and I'm still here!

The worst that will happen is you won't get a seat, or will have to stand next to someone smelly

Edit: also despite popular belief, in my experience everyone is nice on the tube - I've always got a seat when needed if I asked, someone always helped me with a buggy when I had babies, people pitch in if someone is e.g taken ill

From Charing X to Paddington. I guess just terror and all the stuff you hear on the news. The news is so negative and it’s not good for someone with health anxiety!

Love the tube. It's an adventure with so much history. Honestly it's safe and it's fun! Enjoy and people watch...I do...it's interesting what you learn

Don’t worry please. 1000s of us use it everyday, completely uneventfully.

If the thought of getting the tube upsets you that much then leave longer for your journey and get the bus.

life’s too short to stress about this kind of thing.

The journet will be over quickly. Take a deep breath and just count down the stops.

You'll be fine!

I would say its extremely unlikely that there will be any issues OP, but, just get the bus if you're not comfortable. Life is for enjoying, its not an endurance sport

I use it twice a day at least. Nothing remotely exciting ever happens! I understand your feelings but I am sure you have no need to worry.

Just get on the tube. It's one of the best and most efficient transport systems out there.

Do you get this anxious when you travel by bus considering there's been terror attacks on those too?

It’s Easter holidays here so the tubes are not so busy, but there are lots of families around.

I’ll be on the tube tomorrow, as I was today, and yesterday. It’s my commute to work 3 days a week. I actually enjoy it as it’s about the only time I get to myself 😂 Have a distraction; coffee or your kindle, or just enjoy the people watching. The journey will be over before you know it! Good luck!

It will be fine. I take it daily. But do the following:
Download the TFL or Citymapper app.
Make sure your bag is zipped and hold any backpacks
Stand at the right of the escalator so people can pass on the left
Do not wave your phone about on London roads. Keep it in your bag.

No, nobody does it regularly.

Almost nobody ever uses the underground system in London, it’s really just for show.

🙄

Literally millions of people use it daily. I travel on the bakerloo myself. Charing x to Paddington is straightforward. Allow a bit of extra time though, bakerloo has been a bit prone to delays and signal failures lately.

You could catch the 23 bus instead. It would take longer but if you can factor that in it might be worth it.

You could be a victim of a terror attack / random violent attack anywhere.

In London so long as you aren’t actively in a gang, you’re highly unlikely to encounter any trouble.

See it as a new thing to achieve. People watch and enjoy.