Who Are Londoners? British MentalityThe British Mentality
Although the attitude of Londoners can appear haughty or cynical (really this is a common trait of most large city-dwellers), there’s nothing like a shared crisis to break down the barriers and unleash a spirit of co-operation and steely determination. The vernacular: ‘Dunkirk Spirit’ is still in popular use today (in reference to the evacuation of the Allied Expeditionary Force from France in 1940).
In February 2009 a heavy snowfall in the capital prompted the Daily Telegraph to print a story entitled: Snow Britain: Londoners' blitz spirit.
“…There was a strong spirit of camaraderie and defiance as total strangers, who pointedly ignore each other on their daily tube and bus journeys, actually spoke to each other united in the same cheery determination to beat the snow. Inevitably, when people went over on the ice there was someone to help them up.
There was a solitary road sweeper pushing his cart through snow which obscured the surface he was supposed to clean. "We have to at least look like we are doing our job," he said…”
So – if you’re lost, confused and in need of assistance. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to help. 
You may well see the flinty façade melt away, to reveal a genuine interest in helping you. A Londoner is easy to spot as they’re likely to be walking quickly, and paying little attention to surrounding distractions.
If someone does ignore you or shrugs, they may be a visitor themselves and may not understand the language. Police officers are also experienced in giving directions and advice, it’s part of the job in the central beats.
