CotswoldScouser, Australian companies doing business in England try to be good corporate citizens and adapt to local custom. That's why they slow their already leisurely pace to a crawl. I just hope that this company is given a chance to use its pelletising technology on the tourists who obstruct Sydney's footpaths (Australian for "pavements&quot. Good luck with the experiment.

bcnuineurope, I've been told that American visitors who wear kilts in Scotland may be subject to random underwear inspections. Underwear, whether plain or lacy, is not permitted under any circumstances.

Hey, suze
Thanks so much for helping me out! I really appreciate it. Here locally, one lady has been to scotland and England, and gave me some good info. We're getting together soon.

Thanks everybody!

~~~~~~~bcnuineurope~~~~~~~

I'm not sure why one would want to look like a local (anywhere; this is not about the Brits); why not look like oneself? And can someone please explain what's wrong with white athletic shoes? I can see that the fanny pack is an invitation to pick-pockets, but what's the problem with white shoes (despite their showing dirt)?

Not sure why people are concerned about looking like a local. Take my word for it, YOU WILL NOT, and you will never. And even if you think you do on the surface, the locals will suss you out in a heartbeat. Criminals and fun loving locals are pro's at this. Better to spend you time taking proper safety precautions similar to what you would do at 'home'.

Because white shoes and butt packs look dorky.

I think you should have a t-shirt specially made for your trip that says "I'm with Stupid" in 7 languages.

I found this worked pretty well:

Baggy flannel trousers
A jacket with elbow patches and the pockets brimming with papers
Footwear should be right out of a 1930s Noel Coward movie
The Old School tie is <i>de rigeur</i>
Minimal rouge on the cheeks
Affect a tobacco pipe
Carry three or four hardbound books under the arm

<i>Ooooh</i>~ Robes, you will be recognised by the crowd of girls around you

I was feeling a bit down tonight until I decided to check Fodor's and clicked on this thread. Thank you all very much!

Robes, you really know how to dress.

Robes forgot the &quot;walk around arm and arm with a dumpy wife&quot; part.

How not to look like a tourist in London? Simple. If you are a man, wear a suit and carry an attache case. Look like you are in a hurry to get to a meeting. Avoid all tourist attractions.

A few more suggestions: if you are female, wear equivalent business attire. Never stand on the tube escalators - always run or walk briskly, pushing aside the dumb tourists who are standing on the left.

For Scotland: in Edinburgh a suit or business attire should also work. Elsewhere in Scotland, and in the English countryside, wear a Barbour jacket, but on no account wear a new one - if it doesn't have frayed sleeves and several holes, drag it behind your mud-splattered Land Rover until it looks at least ten years old. Note: in Kensington and Chelsea a new Barbour and clean Land Rover are acceptable.

Thanks Heimdall!
I'll be sure to keep these things in mind!

~~~~~~~bcnuineurope~~~~~~~

Review reruns of &quot;Keeping Up Appearances&quot; Identify with the character you most resemble and follow their fashion sensibilities after all they are &quot;British&quot;.

Keep in mind also that if you are in a big city such as London, the locals there are working during the week and will be in work clothes. You are on vacation, so you won't look like them unless you decide to dress as if you are going to work as well. If you are in touristy areas within the city, you will see people dressed like you.

xxx30:

The poster (heavens knows why, but it takes all sorts) wants to look like a local in London.

What's that got to do with looking British?

Just a couple of things. If someone walks up to you and says, Do you have a fag, don't say, I'm straight.

Don't walk up to the ladies and say I like your fanny pack. It's just not a good way to start a conversation.

And try Faggot, especially in a restaurant.

In the 80's , if you asked in Spain how to look like a local in London, probably they have answered that dressing like a punk was the solution Most punkies went to London then to buy their clothes
Seriously, I think there's no way to know who is a londoner and who is not, except if they don't speak english

Seriously, (unlike my previous posts) today's Britain is a multicultural society. On every visit to London I marvel at all the different languages and forms of dress I encounter, and that's just from the residents. No one should worry about looking like a tourist - if you are standing in front of Buckingham Palace, after all, you are probably a tourist, so why not look like one?

Dress up a bit in the evenings, especially if dining in a fancy restaurant, going to the theatre, etc, but otherwise wear whatever is comfortable.

As for looking like an American, well, I have lived in England for over 30 years and wear mostly English clothes. I was in the antique maps department of Harrods the other day, and the assistant asked me if I was interested in American maps. How did she know? They just do! Don't worry about it.