Do you like what I did there? Yea, I'm embarrassed for myself too, but these things happen.

So here's the point of this post - to jot down general observations about life here in London. DISCLAIMER: these are not facts, just musings of a random American wandering the streets. I thought every once in a while I would take notes about what I'm noticing, because I'm sure my observations will change as time progresses. And because I'm dying to tell you this one weird thing.

I should mention my first week in London feels a bit skewed because we are staying in a flat in Greenwich right across the street from the Royal Naval College (aka The University of Greenwich) and it's a very touristy area during the summer months, so take that into consideration.

I haven't seen any great hair yet. Some random colors, but nothing WOW.
waistlines are set to mom level. High, high, high.
they have LOOK LEFT or LOOK RIGHT painted on crosswalks for all of us dummies that have to look both ways 4 times before we're sure we can cross the road.
lanes do not seem important to drivers. Just make your own, really fast, into oncoming traffic.
there is virtually no parking and it's always taken and cars never leave their spots, which makes me wonder what the point is having a car in the first place.
there is not a consistent mechanism for opening/closing doors. Knobs, levers, latches, push bars, door knobs are all used - and they're all in different locations on the door. There's not a similar door opener on our row of houses, nor are any of the doors in our flat the same. #howdoigetout
the prolific use of the word "sorry" in all kinds of situations, and a lot of words in general to convey quite short ideas.
dads with strollers are everywhere. I think I see more dads than moms.
shops close early. You're lucky if there's anything open besides a pub after 8pm.
nobody wears helmets. My kids riding around with helmets is like marching along with an American flag.
Food notes: Haven't seen a decent donut yet. But i am happy to report several bakeries nearby and one just around the corner that sells really good brownies and flapjacks. Also, around the other corner I get my Fish & Chips fix which is a dangerous little habit. I have to say the food scene is quite robust, which shouldn't be a surprise in such a big city, but you know the English have a bad rap. IE - I really don't think I'm going to try the traditional mash with eels in the pub down the street.
there is nothing more interesting to me than hearing our neighbor give her young children a proper scolding, so I've been eavesdropping like crazy. I feel like I should write a book about the misadventures of George and Charlotte (though they call her Lottie when she's not in trouble). Seriously, perfect British names, right? I think I need an English nanny, because there is nothing like that biting tongue delivery to really put a kid in their place. I want to salute Mum when I see her, though that's quite another topic - don't talk to your neighbors seems the standard.

I saved the weird thing for last:

no one ever says, "bless you." I have never noticed what a reflex it is to say that when anyone within earshot sneezes. I noticed the silence, not the absence of words. You're just gonna have to bless yourself, because .........

Aaaaaaaa-chhhooooooooo!

*Crickets*

Notes. From A Broad.