subject: Visiting The Uk? Heres How To Blend In With The Locals [print this page] Travelling to the UK can be any kind of experience you wish. Check into the best luxury hotels in London, or go walking the hills in the Scottish Highlands, where all you need are a few cosy pubs and cheap hotels. Or you could even spend a lovely week down by the sea in sunny Cornwall where relaxation, good food, nightlife and spas are at your fingertips in any of the top all inclusive hotels. .
Be polite
When checking into your hotels during the course of your trip, feel free to ask the concierge for some tips about how to get involved with local culture. The Brits are notorious for being well-mannered and subdued- unless theyre at the pub or a football match of course. Even in London on the Underground, try to keep your voice lowered when speaking to your travel companions to avoid disrupting a quiet commute. Its also very unlike other world cities in that protocol is to allow all passengers off the bus or train first before boarding. Order is quite important to society, and being too pushy will seem rude.
What to Wear
This can vary depending on whether youre in a major city, country or seaside town. If in London, its worth noting that people are quite fashionable and tend to take more pride in their appearance. Try to avoid baseball hats, hooded sweatshirts, grubby trainers and sweatpants when exploring the city to help blend in with the locals better.
Tipping and Pub Culture
Unlike in the US or some other countries, the servers, bartenders and cab drivers dont rely on tips to make a living. Dont feel obligated to tip after each drink youre served, though an initial one can sometimes help you get served quicker during a busy time. When it comes to restaurants, check the bill at the end to see if gratuity is included. Most places it is, but if not its recommended to add 12-15% if happy with the service.
If invited to the pub by Brits, its customary for everyone to take turns buying rounds. This means youll buy everyones drink, then it will be someone elses turn the next time. Its a nice way of avoiding the who owes what chat that Brits arent fond of.
England versus the UK
This one can be difficult to grasp if not familiar with the UK. In addition to England, The United Kingdom includes Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While the English, Welsh and Scottish are also British, try your best to refrain from calling someone English if youre not sure where theyre from. Scots and company do not like to be called Englis
