Exactly what I was going to say.

In terms of London (and increasingly, other places) if you want an app – Hailo for cabs is highly recommended.

First, what behaviour? What is it about a person stood next to you on a platform, or in a train, that validly would allow you to claim that "[iI have seen at first hand how easy this person finds their way round the system[/i"

Second, we started off addressing not how the great majority of seasoned tube travellers make their progress ( and of course NONE of them ever use a map simply cos they know where they are going) but rather the case of a person who is unfamiliar with the system.

Are you saying that BG, or anyone, really has noticed a statistically significant number of people KNOWN to be unfamiliar with the system, and also KNOWN to be finding their way easy around it? I really want to know (a) how you decide, without asking them, whether this "number" do or do not fall within the relevant category, and (b) how you decide, without asking them, whether they are finding their way easy around the system.

No lets not, you don't have the first idea where I went what I saw and what I was doing, you are making assumptions from a handful of trips to London and what you have gleaned from other places.

You are blustering and muddying the water again, same as you always do when someone challenges you

The difference between a seasoned Tube rider and a novice, is the seasoned person look at the big map in the station and goes, (this example i'll use my station at High barnet) in their head they'll say "Straight down to kings x, change to Met Line up to Finchley Road"

You plan before in your head, work out your interchanges and just do it, then you stare at the line map on the wall of the train 'occasionally' until you get your station, and then look for the maroon arrows.

The newbie doesn't, they pick their map up at the station, scan it, look over it, over and over again, jump on at platform 3 because the train is there even though 1&2 leave first, they sit there going over the map again, get going, stare at the line map on the carriage, station by station counting them down. Off they get left and right not knowing which way to go, then just follow the exit sign or speak to station staff asking the way, finally get to the Met line, ask people if they are going in the right direction, accidentally get on a circle line train, get off at Baker St, change on the right train, count down the stations again on the line map.

In short, you can usually spot them a mile off

A young gentleman asked an older more experienced chap how to go about taking his present beau up The Oxo Tower.



And this was your answer?

I was surprised about the conversation. I know where the Oxo Tower is roughly, but I wouldn't be able to offer any suggestions how to get their by tube.

I guess my absolute rubbishness at giving suggestions, and the way he was able to give them perfectly surprised me slightly.

But not for one second did it go through my mind what you are suggesting. I cried laughing at that.

This is my favourite rlfans.com post ever.

When Emmanuel Adebayor did his his stupid running on the spot and then skied his penalty to knock Tottenham out of the Europa League I laughed for minutes about it. I'd think about it half an hour later and laugh again. It still gives me a warm feeling.

Your post was like that. Thank you.

I hope he got it in the end.

You have to remember that London has relatively high buildings relatively close together and often smartphone reception is poor. When I was a Northern lad of 14 who had never travelled 200 miles before and came down to London for the day (long before mobile 'phones let alone smart phones) I found it extremely straightforward and stress free to get around the metropolis by by tube. Likewise when I was 16.

Contrast that to one of today's high flying graduates who works with my son. He was sent to a client and instead of arriving at 9.30am didn't get there until afternoon because he couldn't find the client's premises because he couldn't get i-Phone reception! Should have been dismissed for stupidity.

Eh? i live here, i always have a full signal, it's only when i venture out does it start to drop off.

I'm proud of you.

But as a lad of 14 in London for the first time were you just riding the tube for the experience, or were you specifically going somewhere and needed to be there at a set time?

If you're just sightseeing with no set plan, it doesn't really matter if you make a mistake. There's no imperative to get there quickly.

If you've got to a destination to catch a train making a mistake could cost you money.

You were 14, were you by yourself or with an adult? If you were with an adult, give yourself a punch in the face.



You've NEVER been late, have you?

Of course I did not come to London just to ride the tube!! I travelled to various destinations and, of course, had to get back to Euston to catch a specific train home.

I have been late but not for that sort of reason - only due to circumstances out of my control - ie transport.