London Local Custom Tips by ZanieOR

London's pigeons

Before I went to London I kept reading disparaging remarks about pigeons, especially in Trafalgar Square: how dirty they are, don't feed them, the mayor calling them "flying rats."
Our Big Bus tour guide repeated the flying rat reference, and I think it could be considered a London custom to despise the lowly pigeon. I admit I couldn't quite look at them in the same way.
When I was at Trafalgar Square and saw a pigeon apparently doing its thing on one of the sculptures I couldn't resist cranking up my zoom and recording the image.

Pub signs works of art

Every public house (pub) in England is identified with a sign hanging outside.
Many of them are works of art and I started taking photos of all that I could as I walked the streets of London.
They are wonderful as are the names given to the pubs. I'm a fan of Martha Grimes who uses the names of English pubs as titles for her books. I used to think she made them up ... no more!
See my Pub Sign travelogue for more photos of and more info about pub signs.

People watching

Obviously people watching could be considered a local custom anywhere, but it is definately worth indulging in London. To me ordinary people doing "ordinary" things can be endlessly fascinating (of course don't stare!), but there are always those that strike you as rather unusual.
For example, where else in the world can you find someone practicing yoga at the foot of a sculpture opposite Buckingham Palace?

"Full English Breakfast"

Our first morning in London we went to a neighborghood-place (Called Magnet M, I believe) that sold deli-type sandwiches, pastry etc., for a "full English breakfast."
It included an egg, sausage and bacon, tomato, mushroom and beans (of the "pork and bean" variety for the benefit of American consumer).
While it was worth a try, it was a little heavy and not really totally compatible with our palates. I tried one again later in the week at a more upscale place (we got free breakfasts at our hotel three mornings), but I think I'll stick with lighter fare.