It’s no secret that when in England, you should always act like a proper English gentleman (or lady). But there are some things you should never accomplish, lest you want to be considered impolite or simply rude. Here are the top Eight things not to do when in England!
Never, ever jump a queue
All in the UK takes queuing very seriously. It accomplishes the issue if there’s only one person in front of you or one hundred – you wait your turn. You also don’t try to cut in line, as this is considered highly rude. Because queuing is such an important part of British culture, there are even unwritten rules about queue etiquette. For example, you should never ask the person in front of you to let you go ahead, as this goes against the natural order of things.
In London, never make eye contact
On the London Underground, it is considered very strange (and a little bit creepy) to make eye contact with fellow passengers. Many people go to great lengths to avoid any sort of eye contact whatsoever, even if that means staring at their feet for the entire journey. If you do happen to make eye contact with someone, the best thing to do is to look away and pretend it never happened simply.
Don’t talk about the weather all the time
Yes, the weather in England can be a bit of a talking point (especially when it’s raining), but that doesn’t mean you should bring it up all the time. Many British people find it a bit boring to talk about the weather all the time, so try to find other things to chat about instead.
Don’t be too loud
British people generally prefer to keep their voices down in public places. This is especially true in places like libraries, museums, and churches. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but in general, it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep your voice down.
Don’t be too friendly
In the UK, it’s not unusual for people to go about their day without talking to anyone else. Many individuals favour holding to themselves and not striking up conversations with strangers. So, if you’re out and about in England, don’t be too surprised if people don’t seem all that friendly. Just remember, it’s not personal – they’re just not used to talking to strangers.
Don’t dress inappropriately
When in England, it’s important to dress appropriately for the occasion. This means no flip-flops or shorts in formal settings and no formal wear in casual settings. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule (like when it’s hot out and everyone is wearing shorts), but generally, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dress appropriately.
Be prepared for odd greetings
In the UK, it’s not unusual for people to greet each other with a kiss. However, this is usually only done between friends or family members. If you’re unsure whether it’s appropriate to kiss someone on the cheek, just wait and see if they make the first move. Also, remember that people in the UK often greet each other with a simple “hello” or “goodbye” instead of hugging or shaking hands.
Never complain about the food
The food in England may not be to everyone’s taste, but that doesn’t mean you should complain about it. Many British people take great pride in their cuisine, so it’s best to just go with the flow and not say anything negative about the food. Even if you don’t like it, it’s best just to hold your opinions to yourself.
Try To Talk to Small
In England, people often speak in what is known as a “stiff upper lip”. This means that they try to keep their emotions in check and not show too much enthusiasm or excitement. So, if you’re chatting with someone from the UK, don’t be too surprised if they seem a bit reserved. Just remember, it’s not personal – they’re not used to showing their emotions publicly.
So there you have it – a few specialities you should never accomplish when in England. Of course, this is just a general guide, and there are consistent anomalies to the rule. Consider consulting with British citizenship lawyers if you want further assistance.
Conclusion
This is a general guide to things you should never do when in England. There may be exceptions to the rule, but it’s best to follow this guide if you want to avoid any potential problems. Thanks for reading!
