Issued to mark the start of British Tourism Week, the survey reveals that the capital has the unfriendliest customer service, and its residents avoid making conversation in pubs and dodge having to give up their seat on the tube or bus. Another third regularly forget to say thank you, and more than half (52 per cent) fail to smile at passers-by.

Slightly less unwelcoming was Glasgow in second place, followed by Bradford, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Aberdeen, Wolverhampton, Belfast and Leeds.

Of those 30 cities in which the research was carried out, Southampton emerged as the most welcoming, with its residents believing more than anyone else polled that it was important to have good manners. They also rated their shop staff as the friendliest in the country.

Runners up in the 'friendly stakes' were Norwich, Exeter, Brighton, Plymouth, York, Oxford, Nottingham, Derby and Portsmouth.

A spokesperson for Jurys Inn 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."

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