eebeew, people certainly still do speak in the street round here (Yorkshire)!
I actually think Londoners get a bad press. They may be more reserved in general, but we’ve always found people there as friendly and helpful as anywhere else when we’ve needed it. For example we’ve always had offers of help when obviously struggling with maps (yes, a common occurrence for DH and me!).
CUTTING OFF A ROSE BRANCH IN NEXT DOOR'S GARDEN