British culture, customs and holidays

What you need to know about British people:

1. They like punctuality

   British people like to be on time and consider it rude to be late. It’s polite to inform the person you’re meeting if you are going to be late.

2. Saying sorry when they’ve done nothing wrong

   This is a polite British habit that may seem odd and amusing. If you bump into someone and say ‘sorry’ the other person will probably say the same – even if it wasn’t their fault.

3. Politeness is a default

   British people are polite, whether this is frequently saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ or holding a door open for someone. Many people can be baffled by how polite British people are.

4. They respect queuing

   Jumping the queue is unacceptable to the British and considered very rude. Waiting patiently in line is the norm – whether this at a bus stop or in a supermarket. You may find the only exception to this are train platforms during rush hour.

5. Addressing people by first name

   It’s common for the British to use someone’s first name even if the person is in a respectful position such as a course lecturer - in fact they will probably insist you use their first name when you meet or email them.

6. They respect privacy

   The British are private people and don’t talk much about what they earn or how much money they have, and it can be perceived as rude to ask.