England (UK)

1. U.K is a safe country. Carry your credentials to be on the safer side. The society in Britain is conservative and the cultural aspects of the country ought to be respected. Besides general regulations that one has to follow, a certain code is maintained, as per the British culture.

2. Most places are well sign posted. If you want to go walking or driving to a really out-of-the-way place, buy a survey map of the area. These maps show practically every single building in the countryside.

3. Off the motorway you will find roundabouts everywhere. It is an art to drive round these roundabouts in the proper way. Before you enter the roundabout, make sure which exit you need to take. Then, make sure you are in the right lane before you enter, so you don't cross in front of other cars. Once on the roundabout if you can't decide where to go, make another circle and check the exit signs again.

4. Do expect traffic jams during rush hour. There are plenty of service stations along the road, selling petrol and refreshments. Toilet facilities are generally free. There are many free public toilets. Larger shops and supermarkets have free customer toilets.

5. Taxi services and buses are available. Expect horses on the smaller roads.

6. British people queue everywhere. At the bus stop, at the shop counter and at the bank. Don't expect a long conversation with a total stranger at the bus stop or in the bus.

7. British people play by the rules. Park your car at the proper parking spot. Be polite and respectful at all times to the elderly. Open the door for them. Offer them a seat in a full bus. Help an elderly lady to cross the road if she asks you.

8. Medical treatment is expensive, consult your doctor before traveling. Extreme climatic conditions may exist, ensure that you have proper clothes for the climate.

9. In general, the British are very polite. They do not readily question or complain in public. They are reluctant to give you negative comments, even when you ask for an honest opinion. Learn to read between the lines: 'That's an unusual outfit' might mean it's not very appropriate. 'That's an interesting argument' might mean 'I think you're quite wrong.' Etc.

10. Do wait at the door of a restaurant to be seated at a table. If there is a particular spot you prefer, you may politely ask the waiter if that table is available.

11. Britons are quite punctual, so be on time, wherever you go. They pay a lot of attention to good table manners. Even young children are expected to eat properly with knife and fork. It definitely is not done to use your hands while eating, except maybe at McDonald's or when eating sandwiches!

12. In general British people are quite reserved when greeting one another. Greeting can be a bright 'Hello' or 'Good morning', when you arrive at work. A firm handshake is customary when you are introduced to somebody new. On entering a full room of people, Britons don't shake hands or greet everyone in the room. They don't expect you to do it either. It is not rude, it's just how it is.

13. When you are invited at a Wedding/Christening or Christmas Party, quite often you have to pay for your own drinks.

14. Tipping is something personal. Some Britons only tip if the service is good. Some people always tip. If you are very dissatisfied about a meal or service you can leave without a tip, but do leave without making a fuss.

15. People don't like to bargain, not even at a market.

16. Clothing is normally quite relaxed. Office and working clothes are neat and traditional: extremes are dark two-piece suits for women, dark gray pinstriped suits for men, combined with a plain shirt and tie.

17. Invitations often provide a dress code:

18. British people are patriotic and proud of their heritage. National politics is important and is taken quite seriously in the UK.

 

Newspapers and magazines discuss national politics extensively. A lot of the debates in the House of Commons are shown live on TV. As a result, Britons are very involved in their national politics. Newspapers in the UK can roughly be split into two groups: the more serious papers (the broad sheets) and the papers full of gossip (the tabloids). Newspapers and magazines discuss the Royal Family extensively.