A Guide to Visiting Britain

As with any society, Britain has a standard set of rules which most citizens observe while mingling. Knowing some of these "do's" and "don'ts" will keep you from making a blundering fool of yourself when you spend time in England, Scotland or Wales.

Do's

Call or write in advance of visiting someone. Britons do not take kindly to visitors dropping by casually. It is considered very rude to intrude on one's home without giving proper notice. Be sure to make contact several days before you would like to have a visit. Many Brits keep schedules weeks in advance. However, do not make calls after 10:00 PM, as this is considered quite rude as well.

Shake hands with men and women alike upon meeting. Among the upper classes, there is still a propensity for giving a mild, casual kiss on one or both cheeks when greeting, but this is not done regularly by the masses.

Keep conversations general. Avoid asking personal questions at all costs. Brits are fiercely protective of there privacy and will be careful to guard yours as well. Weather is the common introductory subject discussed by acquaintances. Let your native counterpart guide the conversation to more specific topics as he is comfortable.

Defer to elderly people or expectant ladies when boarding public transportation. This is common courtesy.

Be green conscious. Many Brits are exceedingly aware of the widening gap in the ozone layer and hold passionate views on the environment. Taking care to recycle and handle your trash responsibly will keep you in their good graces.

Tip above and beyond for exceptional service. Most taxi fares and restaurant bills will include a tip and protocol demands that you pay it without complaint. Establish a good reputation by giving extra incentive and reward for good service.

Hold a teacup by the handle and not in the palm of your hand when drinking and conversing.

Place your knife and fork down side by side on your plate when you have finished a meal.

Keep a variety of change with you when you travel on the public transport system. Tubes and trains often don't have a system by which you can obtain change if you only have large denominations of currency.

Don'ts

Don't seek out services in shops, and never budge in line. Store keepers in Britain only serve one customer at a time. Things move at a slower pace than they do in the U.S. and Americans may find this lackadaisical approach to service to be irksome. You must wait your turn patiently. A sales associate will help you as he has time and not before.

Don't complain or be pushy in restaurants. Complaining in Britain is considered very bad form. The established mode of complaining at a restaurant is simply to not frequent that establishment a second time. Don't wave your hand at a waiter to be seated either, he will get to you when he has time.

Don't enter private areas of a home, ever! Also, never ask the price of an item found in a home, or request to use a person's home phone.

Don't pick at your teeth, belch, or make any other unpleasant noises or gestures while seated at a meal. Do not spit out bones, lick your fingers, slurp your soup, etc. Consider yourself in a refined society and remember your manners.

Don't stare at people while commuting. Britons are very private, reserved people. Being visually evaluated by a visitor is truly offensive. Keep your eyes on something of interest to you that is not another person.

Don't jaywalk. It is illegal to cross the street anywhere but at a designated zebra walk.

Don't stand still on the left side of an escalator. During high traffic times, you are likely to be shoved aside.

Don't leave your hotel room, hostel, or front door in your pajamas. Appearing in anything other than day clothes is considered crass and offensive.

Don't speak loudly on your cell phone in public.

Keep in mind that some of these social mores may be more relaxed in the outlying regions of Britain. Londoners and other large city residents are more irritated by inconsiderate tourists than those in the pastoral parts of the Kingdom. By using these do's and don'ts as a guide, you will likely make as favorable an impression on Britain as it does on you.