London - Everyday Tips guide

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Everyday Tips

Have you ever visited somewhere and wished you had that bit of extra information to make the trip easier? Look no further!

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Ambulance

London has an excellent Ambulance Service. There are over 400 emergency vehicles, with 3,000 staff to utilize them. Of those, 1,200 are directly concerned with emergencies and accidents, and 670 of them are well-qualified Paramedics.

Car Breakdown

If your car breaks down you have a choice of three numbers to call :- Automobile Association:- 0800 887766 National Breakdown:- 0800 400600 Royal Automobile Club:- 0800 828282 All three are free numbers.

Chemist and Drugstores

For everyday provisions such as toothpaste or shampoo, London has a myriad of small shops and retail outlets that can provide everything from Colgate to calamine lotion. Many are open late, and for those who stagger out of some dark dancing den in the small hours, a large number of petrol (gas) stations are open 24 hours a day.

Cockney Rhyming Slang

Strictly speaking, a Cockney is someone who was born within the sound of Bow Bells but Cockney Rhyming Slang is something that has evolved in the East End in general since the sixteenth century.

Car Clamping and Retrieval

You return from a pleasant evening at the theatre, stroll round the corner and there it is, the yellow clamp, itself drawing the attention of all and sundry to your plight, firmly attached to your four-wheeled pride and joy.

Conferences and Exhibitions

Three main centres for conferences and exhibitions are located in London. Two of them, Earls Court and Olympia, are now run in tandem, but retain their own identity. Earls Court, located in Warwick Road, hosts over 100 shows and attracts around two million visitors a year.

Credit Card Loss

The ultimate disaster . . .? Should you have the misfortune to lose your credit card, act swiftly. You may already be protected, but in any case you should inform your credit card company as a matter of urgency.

Currency and Foreign Exchange

The British currency is the Pound Sterling (Approximately $1.55), and this is divided into 100 pence. 1p and 2p coins are copper; 5p, 10p and the seven-sided 20p and 50p coins are silver; the £1 coin is gold and the £2 coin is silver in the centre with a circle of gold around the edge.

Customs and Excise

As an island nation smuggling in Britain has been, historically, a way of life for many. To suggest that this habit was entirely dead would be straining credibility too far and, as a result, there is an inclination to take the work of the Customs and Excise quite seriously.

Doctors and Medical

Should you fall ill whilst in UK it is most likely that you will be required to pay fully for any treatment received. The exceptions are if you have medical insurance in your own country, or if your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with UK.

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