Londoners are the most unwelcoming people in Britain

Londoners are the most unwelcoming people in Britain, it has emerged.

Visitors to the city have found the average modern Londoner’s demeanour is a million miles from the legendary chirpy Cockney image the city was once famous for.

Natives of the capital were also slammed for their inability to make friendly conversation and a lack of basic manners and politeness.

The city was also named and shamed as having the worst customer service in its stores and shops.

A spokesperson for hotel chain Jurys Inn which polled 4,000 Brits to mark the start of British Tourism Week today (Mon), said: ”A warm welcome goes a long way.

”With London’s spot at the top of the unwelcoming list and the Olympics only two years away, the capital may need some tips from the friendly people of Southampton.

”It’s sad to see how many people don’t hold doors open for others or offer assistance elsewhere and basic manners are ignored.

”First impressions are so important when travelling to a city – a lot can be learnt about a place simply walking down a street, and carrying out daily tasks helps you gauge how receptive the people are.

”It seems Londoners have the least amount of time for people – they’re too busy rushing around, leading hectic lives.

”But it’s interesting that the top five most welcoming places are all coastal cities.”

Researchers found most Londoners won’t give up their seat on the tube or bus and don’t  hold doors open. In fact they are more likely to let a door close in someone’s face.

They also forget to say thank you and rarely smile.

The poll revealed Glasgow was the second most unwelcoming city in the country.

Glaswegians were accused of being reluctant to help elderly people cross the road and forgetting to say please.

Bradford was voted into third spot – with its residents more likely to queue-jump if given the chance.

And Birmingham came fourth, with those living there admitting they could do more to welcome visitors.

Liverpool completed the top five.

Members of the public were blasted for failing to offer their help to mums struggling getting in a train or down a set of stairs with a pushchair.

The study found more than half (55 per cent) reckon British politeness is worse than ever and one in ten reckon they come across as a rude person.

The research was carried out among adults in 30 cities around the UK, and Southampton emerged as the most welcoming city.

Residents in the south-coast city believe it was more important to have good manners than anyone else, and they also rated their shop staff as the friendliest in the country.

They wouldn’t think twice about helping someone lift heavy shopping into the boot of their car, and they hardly ever forget to say their Ps and Qs.

Those living in Norwich helped to secure second spot in the welcoming city list.

Its selfless residents were praised for helping shoppers reach for something off a high shelf while in the supermarket.

The third most welcoming place was Exeter.

Tourists applauded its inhabitants for their behaviour in the high street – they are least likely to barge past others if they spotted a bargain in store.

The seaside resort of Brighton was fourth with the majority of people claiming they would hand it back if they saw someone drop their wallet.

The naval city of Plymouth completed the top five, with locals more likely to consider someone smiling at them in the street as being ‘nice’ rather than odd or trying to flirt.

UK’S MOST UNWELCOMING CITIES

1.         London

2.         Glasgow

3.         Bradford

4.         Birmingham

5.         Liverpool

6.         Manchester

7.         Aberdeen

8.         Wolverhampton

9.         Belfast

10.        Leeds

UK’S MOST WELCOMING CITIES

1.         Southampton

2.         Norwich

3.         Exeter

4.         Brighton

5.         Plymouth

6.         York

7.         Oxford

8.         Nottingham

9.         Derby

10.        Portsmouth

Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com