The famous phrase "Mind the Gap!" rings out every time doors open as a friendly reminder to be careful when stepping over the gap between the platform and the train to get on or off. Tube stations are permanent fixtures in London culture. People learn whether one station is too busy or too slow, and it is typically a short walk to the next one on the same line without much time lost. And as I have recently learned in one of my classes here, some of the station names also pay homage to English history, such as "Aldgate", originating from "Old Gate" in Old English. Other stations' names are tied to what landmarks are nearby above the surface; for example, "Tower Hill" is the stop for those wishing to visit the Tower of London. Furthermore, having the system be mostly underground is ideal when the stereotypical London weather sets in and other forms of transportation are dampened by the rain.
