Politeness

It is my opinion that British people are very polite. I am amazed whenever I hear the announcer on the tube (subway) apologize over the public speakers when a train is late and explain why. In any crowded area, people are generally careful to avoid bumping into each other, and if it should happen by accident, they are quick to say they're sorry. I have many times seen young men and women get up from their seats on buses and trains to offer them to older people who are standing. Yesterday, when I was riding a bus, I watched a young guy in his twenties very carefully and gently help an old man with a cane to his feet and actually hold the man's arm while guiding him down the step - off the bus onto the sidewalk. I love to see this kind of warm, caring interaction among strangers in this town. These are everyday occurrences, and I find it to be heartwarming.

I think it is possible that a Brit could actually dislike you - and you would not even become aware of it because his/her behavior toward you would be so polite as a natural way of behaving.

When I stated my opinion about the politeness of the British with some of the American women I met earlier this week - they disagreed with me. Two women had witnessed examples of outright aggressive behavior -- both incidents resulting directly from someone trying to cut a line (queue). Once was in the post office (which always has a very long queue) when the people on the line displayed their displeasure with one woman who went ahead of them. ("But I'm in a hurry," was her lame excuse.) Everyone on the line started yelling out and swearing at her - and she was shamed into going to the back of the queue. The second example took place at McDonalds (of course!) when one parent cut a line, and another mother got very upset with her. The two argued - again using very foul language. The argument escalated into a physical event in which one mother threw a Happy Meal at the other. The police were called and their presence finally calmed things down. However, the police did ask if anyone wanted to press assault charges. (The woman who told me the story said she had stood there - stunned - throughout the altercation, holding onto her kid - and holding his ears so he couldn't hear the foul language that was flying around.)

Fortunately, I have never witnessed any of this behavior. And I can guarantee you that I will never attempt to cut in on any lines while I'm here in London.