London - Everyday Tips guide

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Everyday Tips

Have you ever visited somewhere and wished you had that bit of extra information to make the trip easier? Look no further!

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Postal Services

You can post your letters in one of the red cylindrical boxes or wall-mounted boxes located all over the place, occasionally in the whimsical settings, most carrying the Royal cipher to remind users of the fact that the passage of the mail is associated with the Crown and has its roots deep in our history.

Public Holidays

The Brits are generally quite keen on their public holidays, though not as keen as some other countries where it sometimes seems that every other weekend carries a bonus. In Britain we limit ours to eight, nine in Scotland.

Samaritans

Sometimes the strangest things happen and in a foreign land you suddenly find yourself in need of help or support. The Samaritans is a registered charity which provides completely confidential support within the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland to anyone who is despairing or suicidal.

Telecommunications

DIALLING FROM OUTSIDE THE UK The new dialling code for Central London is +44 (0)20 7 MAKING INTERNATIONAL CALLS FROM LONDON To the USA and Canada: Dial 001 then the area code (e.g. 001 212 for New York City) then the rest of the telephone number.

Terrorism

It is, regrettably a sign of the times in which we live that it is found necessary to include advice on this subject to visitors. Whilst there is nothing particularly new about terrorism (people have been shooting and blowing each other up for centuries, without the formality of declaring war), it is the sheer scale and ruthlessness, which is now so alarming.

Time Zones

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the time from which all 24 hour clocks in the world take their cue and have done so for centuries. Everywhere else in the world is either GMT, or plus or minus GMT.

Tipping

Otherwise known as gratuities, and the source of considerable angst for many. For instance, this piece is written by the husband of a lady who failed to tip a New York cabbie, and lived. Whatever the norm is in other countries about tipping, in UK it is entirely discretionary, even when it has been added to a bill.

Value of the Pound

Price of: Bus journey anywhere in central London - £1.00 Fish and Chips - £4.00 Entry to the Tower of London and Crown Jewels - £11.30 3 piece bespoke suit from Savile Row - £2,600 Cheapest seat at the Royal Opera House - £3.

What to Wear

The climate in London is generally fairly temperate throughout the year, with frequent cloud and rain, but also spells of settled, fine weather. The rainfall is less than most people expect though, at only about 22 inches per annum, and there is seldom any fog and virtually never any snow!! Temperatures range from 12 to 25ºC in the summer, down to 2 to 12ºC in the winter.

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