If you socialise with your Britislh counterparts in the pub, then be aware that there is a system for buying drinks called “buying a round”. If they are only a short distance behind, and if it’s clear they will also be moving through the doorway, then earn yourself points by waiting a little so that you can hold the door for them. Letting it slam in their face is a complete no-no. If you are going through a doorway and there is someone behind you, then make sure you hold the door open for them. This would be an exceptional cultural faux pas. Most importantly, do not, under any circumstances, burp at the dinner table. When you are eating you should keep your elbows off the table, hold your cutlery appropriately and keep your mouth closed while chewing.Įating noisily is a big no-no. Enforcing the sounds and smells of your food upon others is seen as rude by many.īritish people are sticklers for dinner table manners. An extension of this cultural preference is the growing sentiment in British culture against being allowed to eat on public transport. People always try to leave distance between themselves and strangers. Personal space is a big thing in British culture. It’s equally important that you avoid commenting on personal matters such as someone’s weight, appearance, sexual preference, the size of their house or why, for example, someone isn’t married or doesn’t have children. It’s possible you might even get a, ‘why do you want to know?’ response if you ask a stranger their name. The British psyche is somewhat suspicious of questions relating to subjects such as their wealth, family situation, education, religion or politics. If you’re from a culture where people exchange personal information with people they don’t know very well, then be aware that this is not the case in British culture. On trains in the UK it is common to find "Quiet Zones" in which people are not allowed to use phones or make noise deemed to impede on others' personal space. Brits are also likely to consider someone as invading their space if they speak too loudly on their mobile phone, or, laugh and talk too loudly with friends. Invading a Brit’s space isn’t only limited to physical contact. If you’re from a tactile culture, where people share a kiss as a greeting formality, then don’t be surprised if the British subject of your kiss pulls away from you in barely surpressed horror. We suggest that you leave at least an arms distance and never get too intimate as touch is only between friends and family. Photo by Leon Brocard on Flickr (CC BY 2.0).īrits like their personal space so don’t get too close to people when speaking with them. The queue at Wimbledon for the annual tennis competition is now a firm part of the tradition. Pushing in front of people or to the front of a queue is a serious taboo in British culture, but if you’re brave enough to do so, then be aware that most people in the queue will make their upset with you known. You will find that Brits queue for everything from getting on a bus to buying tickets for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.Įven in situations where there may be no actual physical queue, people who are waiting for something will all mentally register who should be served first, second and so on. Queuing is taken VERY seriously in British culture. DON'T MISS THE FREE SAMPLE OF OUR UK CULTURE COURSE AT THE END!
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