More than three million people travel by public transport everyday in London. Interestingly so many commuters of so many backgrounds have established quite a culture that is distinctive and imposing to a Vietnamese newcomer like me.

1. Long Strides, and No Heels

Londoners walk in fast pace and long strides most of the time. No figures but I’m sure their steps are relatively above average. Are they always on the go? Arguably. Cuz “on the go” might not be exactly like other people would think, see section 5.

Let’s just assume that they walk a lot. And it might explain why very few women wear high heels. Look, London is one fashion capital, isn’t it? I bet it was way easier to find a heel wearers in my old college back in Vietnam.

2. Patience

If their paces suggest that they are so much in a hurry, some other behaviours may do the opposite.

100% let people leave the train or bus first before they enter, even though waiting for those people to get off the train first may mean you will not have enough time or space for yourself to get in.

They also keep queuing no matter how long the queue is. That will hardly happen in Vietnam.

Actually, there are a lot of times that people have no choice but be patient. But at least they keep a composed face listening to another announcement of delay. Wow that should take a well trained skill!

3. Help

Help is always there for people who need it. Heavy loads, buggies, broken legs or belly? Some hands will be given, and priority seats are to be ready even at the highest peak!

4. Ears and Eyes Kept Busy

People always try to have something to listen to on their headphones and something to read in their hands, unless they are too drunk or sleepy to function.

Well, not really. This morning on a train I just bumped into a man who had definitely taken more alcohol that he should have. He kept tottering from seat to seat, just to find some newspaper left on chairs that he hadn’t read already.

Londoners love reading on a level that I have to wonder if they have more eyes and minds to simultaneously catch up with surroundings. I mean, they try to read even when they take a train just for one stop away and barely have room to stand, let alone sit.

5. New Definition of “On The Go”?

This is a repetition of section 4 on a new level, probably with a mingle of section 1 and 2.

Londoners work on a busy train as if they were at the most comfortable desktop. Not only just reading using a portable device, they are really working — accounting, calculating, writing, all that. Some women look pro to apply makeup on themselves — well, this is also working because the makeup is likely for their jobs. And they all work with such an amount of calmness that it’s hard to decide whether they are only challenging their minds for fun.

Don’t laugh — There really stands such chance, because I have also witnessed many people try to look for a pen to play Sudoku or Crosswords on a copy of Evening Standard whereas they leave at the very next stop. Weird.

Londoners, are all the public transportations like home to you?