What are are good conversational topics to discuss I know weather is one, would like to expand my view while?

Question

on my trip there. Don't want to offend, don't want to stand out, I just want to see your english culture and interact in ways. I know the Iraq war is a bad topic I effin hate it too, so don't mention that one. Honest answers please, this is my dream.

Answer 1

Chances are that if you're going to visit London, is that you'll run into many more nationalities than just Brits, so any conversation topic will do/might offend/might please :)

If you're going to meet some locals, sports is always a good topic, rugby, football, F1.  

But if sports aren't your thing, and if you want to learn about culture, just ask anyone about a bit of history of the city of London. Especially taxi drivers will love chatting about anything and everything London.

And you can ask anyone in London about good/unique places to go eat/drink/dance/visit/shop/explore/walk, and you'll have conversations for days.

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Just so you know, I'm a Dutch guy in living in London.

Answer 2

Probably the most difficult thing is getting a conversation started, but once you get past the first question you're all right.

Here are couple of things that might be good:

- Ask what some phrase means.

There are LOTS of differences between US and UK English,

and that's a good ice breaker.

- "Where are you from ?" is almost always good.

Of course, if they're from "around the corner",

it might not work out so well, but you'll often

encounter other tourists, some from elsewhere in

the UK.

- Mentioning something you like, such as

"The gardens here are SO lovely, I just ... "

- Or be situation-specific:

If you're on a train, ask a question about the trains.

If you're in a pub, ask for recommendations on what to order.

Many Brits are in fact interested in all things

American, so you might end up exchanging a

lot of information.