Almost everyone around here says 'morning, 'afternoon, Lovely day or whatever is appropriate .
I guess you couldn't really do it in the City, too many people in too much of a hurry. I must say though when I went to London a few years ago, alone, I was a little nervous that people would be very unfriendly, and probably want to murder me!. Not so! If I asked directions I found everyone extremely friendly and helpful, most of them even adding where I could go to see interesting things, or get a good coffee. On the whole I think it is how one approaches People which determines the response. We even found People helpful in Naples, and that has a hell of a reputation. I love the place though