One of the most distinct aspects of the British culture I had to adjust to was the public transportation system. Around the UK and especially London almost everyone uses the public transport, buses, trains, the underground, etc., because it is such a massive part of a Brit’s daily routine most transfer trains and navigate the public transport system flawlessly like second nature. It is no secret that the American public transportation systems are not as good or common as in European countries, so prior to going abroad I had very little experience with using any type of public transportation. I think that the option of using public transportation, especially in a city as massive as London, is one of the best aspects of British culture. Despite really learning to love public transportation, it came with its many challenges because I was so unfamiliar with it. Learning to navigate trains and transfer lines took many weeks to master and often times I could tell that Londoners recognized me as an American who had no idea what I was doing because I was walking at the wrong pace on the wrong side of the hall or struggled to tap my Oyster Card and walk through the turnstile with the right rhythm. Once I mastered using buses and the Tube, I felt like I had mastered being a true Londoner rather than a tourist or just a visitor. I think for many Londoners they are used to seeing tourists trying to figure out their public transportation and do find it amusing that Americans are so bad with it. At the beginning whenever I would have to ask a TFL worker for help or a stranger a question about public transport I would get dirty looks and their response was always less than pleasant. All throughout Europe people start using the buses and trains pretty much independently from roughly middle school aged on so seeing an adult struggle can be comical to them. Using public transportation, accounting for delays and transfer times, and memorizing routes and train lines are all huge parts of a Londoner’s life and routine so if you do not want to stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist or foreigner, you have to figure it out. If you continue to struggle and miss trains and have to run around, you not only stick out but you will most likely frustrate others and delay them which adds to the attitude that Londoners have towards Americans. I think for anyone going to any European city for an extended period of time it is extremely important that they make a great effort to learn to use public transport and master their routes and transfers, so they do not stick out or anger locals because they are confused and inconveniencing those who know the system. This experience battling to learn how to use public transportation while abroad has taught me not only the importance of patience for learning how to navigate a new city but also how little aspects of culture you may not expect to be important may end up being your greatest challenges.
