Manners - Information, Everyday Tips

Manners

The English are on the whole a fairly private and mannerly bunch. Obviously the cities are generally not quite as polite as more rural areas. Formal and business occasions are a different matter, however, with a whole host of social niceties to keep your eye on. Nevertheless, it is useful to know what's acceptable and what's not on a day to day basis.

Make sure you...

Queue! Whether you're at a bus stop, ATM or anywhere where there are people waiting, get in line and wait your turn. Unlike their neighbours on the Continent, the English get particularly hot under the collar if they spy 'queue jumpers', so it's best to avoid it at all costs.

Go the bar to order your drinks and pay for them once they have been served.

Shake hands with someone on first meeting them.

Buy 'rounds'. You rarely pay just your own drink, but should watch out for people with empty glasses first, then ask them what they would like to have, and fetch the drinks at the bar. In big groups people tend to split into subgroups to buy 'rounds'.

Say 'please' and 'thank you' as much as possible.

Say 'excuse me' if you knock into someone, or would like them to get out of your way. It's quite common to hear English people saying 'excuse me' even if it is the fault of the other person!

Make sure you're punctual. Timekeeping is much more important here than over the English Channel, unless you are going to a social function when it's often deemed polite to be 15/20 minutes late. Often, you are excluded from entering a concert hall if you are late.

Cover your mouth with your hand when coughing or yawning.

Try a small amount of each dish at a supper, even if you don't like it.

Give way to the right when driving round a roundabout.

Try not to...

Greet people by giving them a kiss. This is only usually acceptable if the person is a friend or relative and far too forward for your average Englishman!

Place your knife into your mouth on any occasion.

Speak with food in your mouth.

Eat food on trains or buses.

Ask questions to do with money.

Ask personal questions such as 'How old are you?' The English are essentially very private and not too keen on their private affairs being discussed.

Use mobile phones in theatres, cinemas, in most restaurants and bars or during cricket matches. Many trains also have 'mobile free' carriages so beware of these.

Wear brown shoes to the office or with a business suit!

Discuss politics or religion. Firstly, most Brits have very strong opinions and you could well end up having a flaming row. Secondly, you will rarely hear an Englishman divulge how he has voted - these matters are considered extremely personal.

Talk on the tube - unless you've had a few drinks! Londoners tend to remain bizarrely quiet on Tube journeys.

Wear a hat indoors.

Board a Tube train until everybody leaving the train has done so - this practice can particularly irritate tired commuters!