Absolute rubbish. The fact that you consider fish and chips to be traditional pub fare speaks volumes - fish and chips should always come from a chippy, preferably at the seaside. I can honestly counter that the worst food I've ever eaten has been in the US. This includes the saltiest lasagne I've ever had (Chicago) and a thai green curry (Atlanta) obviously made by someone who had never eaten one.

Very true. I wrote something to the same effect yesterday, but it seems to have vanished...that's what happens when you access slashdot forums from an RSS reader on an iPhone, I guess. There are also many stations that feature same-platform interchanges for different lines, e.g. Mile End, Hammersmith...in which case the train arrives from either direction depending on which line you want. And in any single journey (even without same platform interchanges), tube doors may open on either the right or left side of the train...depending on the station. e.g. Holborn Central Line platform is on the opposite side of the train to the Central line platform of Tottenham Court Rd station. It all depends on the overall architecture of the station, which depends on the number of lines that connect there. Do get an Oyster Card though...it makes things so much easier!