SMALL TALK

When you first meet someone it can be difficult to know how to start a conversation, especially if your first language is not English.

Which topics are safe for small talk?

- Introductions, eg "Hello. May I introduce myself? My name is Mark"- Travel, eg "Did you manage to find here OK?" or "Did you have a good journey?"- Family, eg "How is your family?" (but only if you already know about the person's family)- Hospitality, eg "Can I get you something to eat or drink?"- The weather, eg "It's a lovely day today, isn't it?"- Holidays, eg "Are you going anywhere this weekend?" or "Are you going anywhere on holiday this year?"- Nature, eg "The garden looks lovely, doesn't it?"- Pets, eg "What a lovely dog. What is his name?" (British people love dogs or cats)- General news, eg "What do you think about the recent floods?" (but safer to avoid gossip and politics)- Films, eg "Have you seen the film Bridget Jones's Diary?"- Television, eg "Did you see The X Factor last night?"- Music, eg "What sort of music do you like?"- Books, eg "Have you read any good books recently?" (but only if you know the person likes reading)- Sport, eg "Have you been watching Wimbledon?" (note that many British people, especially men, enjoy talking about football)- Hobbies, eg "What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?"- Business, eg "How's your business going?" (but only ask if you know the person has a business)- Studies, eg "What are you studying?" (but only ask if you know the person is a student)- Work, eg "What sort of work do you do?"- Food, eg "I had a lovely Chinese meal last night - do you like Chinese food?"- General matters about the person you are talking to, eg "Have you lived in this area long?"- General matters on subjects that you know that interests the person you are talking to, eg cars, film stars etc

Which topics are best avoided for small talk?

You may need to be careful when you talk about some topics, especially with people that you've only just met, people who are older than you, people who appear to have strong religious or political views, or people who may have some personal problems or sensitivities. For example, be cautious if you discuss these subjects:

- Age, eg "How old are you?"- Appearance or weight, eg "You seem to have put on some weight"- Personal gossip about somebody you know- Jokes that might offend (especially sexist or racist jokes)- Money, eg "How much do you earn?"- Sex (some people have strong religious views about this, or are embarrassed by the subject)- Previous or current relationships, eg "Do you have a girlfriend?"- Politics, eg "Who did you vote for at the last election?"- Religion, eg "Do you believe in God?"- Criticisms or complaints, eg "Why is British food so bad?"

1. Queuing

It’s definitely normal, in some cultures, to squeeze into the queue, or jump the queue, or not make a queue at all. However,

this is England. Queuing is very, very important to us. In no circumstance should you cut into, jump, or attempt to avoid a

queue. You are to join the end and wait your turn. People WILL make a point of it if you attempt to do otherwise. Even if

there is no obvious queue, people will be making a mental note of who arrived when…so if you then jump on the bus before

the someone who was there earlier, people will not be happy!

2. Say sorry (all the time)

We are incredibly polite in the UK…you’ll find that British people will frequently apologise for EVERYTHING. And we mean

everything…even if it’s not your fault. If you’re walking down the road, and someone bumps into you – even if it is entirely

not your fault – it is completely normally for both people to apologise. Brits will apologise almost as reflex. According to GB

Mag - Brits can say ‘sorry’ up to 1.9 million times during their lifetime! We also say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ all the time too –

whoever you are dealing with, good manners are always welcome!

3. Tipping

Tipping in the UK is not compulsory. If you feel you’ve had good service in a restaurant, then you can leave a tip (usually

around 10%) – but make sure you check the bill in case service has already been included! It is normal to tip taxi drivers and

hairdressers too – the amount you tip is up to you, but again 10% is usually fine.

4. Be on time

We like to be on time, and we like others to be on time too. If you arrange to meet someone at 10, you should be there at 10.

If you’re running late, it is best to contact the person you’re meeting to let them know.

5. Make some small talk

Now is your opportunity to talk until your heart’s content about what a LOVELY day it is today…that it’s supposed to snow

next week…and hasn’t there been a lot of rain recently? And so on and so forth. We do love a good chat about the weather.

When you first meet someone, it is polite to make general conversation with them (or ‘small talk’) and to avoid personal

topics, such as political beliefs, age and money. Besides the weather, other safe topics of conversation for someone you’ve

just met could be about studies, travel, music, sport, recent activities, the local area. You could always prepare yourself and

check the weather forecast so you have at least 5 days worth of weather chat stored in your mind as back up!

6. Buy a round

Most pubs in the UK don’t have table service, so you have to go to the bar and order your drinks there. If you’re in the pub

with friends, it is normal to ‘buy rounds’. This simply means to take it in turns to buy drinks for your group of friends. So when

you first arrive in the pub, you might say ‘it’s my round’, and buy a drink for everyone else in the group – and then another

friend will buy the next round of drinks, and so on until everyone has bought a round. This can carry over into your next pub

visit….if you’re with a group of 8 people, it doesn’t mean you HAVE to have 8 drinks that night. It is just polite to remember

the next time you go out if it’s your turn to buy a round!

7. BYOB

BYOB is a phrase you’re bound to hear if you’re going to a party. It stands for Bring Your Own Bottle…and basically means,

bring a bottle of drink with you. Even if it doesn’t state this on the invitation, it is polite to bring a bottle of drink with you

anyway if you’re going to a party at someone’s house – this could be a soft drink, a bottle of wine or some beer. On the

subject of parties, it’s normal for a party in the UK to start at around 7-9pm. In other cultures, this might seem FAR too

early…but that’s they way we do it here!

8. Keep your voice down

The general public don’t want to hear what you did last night, what happened between your best friend and her boyfriend or

where your cousin has been on holiday. So whether you’re talking on the phone while sitting in a café or gossiping with your

friend on the train, try and keep the volume on your voice box turned down. British people tend to be quite reserved, so you

may find if you’re talking a bit too loudly or sharing a bit too much…you may get a few glares and the odd ‘tut’.

9. Greetings

Do you shake hands? Kiss on the cheek? How many? How about a hug? Saying hello and goodbye can be a bit of a bit of a

grey area for everyone, even Brits themselves. Some situations are easy – in a formal situation (job interview, business

meeting), you should always greet someone with a firm handshake. Man to man, a handshake is normally the best greeting

too, regardless of the situation. But woman to man? Woman to woman? That’s when it gets complicated! For a first meeting,

a handshake is always the safest option. The Guardian has put together a humorous guide to the top tips for getting the

right greeting. If in doubt, always go with a handshake.

10. Smoking

Smoking in all indoor public places in the UK is now illegal – and be aware that indoor places include train station platforms

and bus shelters! Do not light up unless you are outside or in a designated smoking area. If you smoke in an area where

smoking is prohibited, you will find yourself thrown out rather swiftly and could get yourself fined or even arrested.

Etiquette is the code of polite behaviour in society. Knowing a little bit about British etiquette will help you ensure that your behaviour is polite and appropriate whilst you are studying in the UK. Below we’ve given you a few hints and tips about some of the most common codes of British etiquette.APOLOGISING

In the UK, people have a tendency to over-apologise. For example, if you tell someone about something unfortunate which has happened to you, it’s quite likelythat they will apologise. E.g. “I’m so sorry to hear that youhave been unwell”.British people cannot resist the urge to apologise, for example, if someone accidentally bumps into you, it would be common for you to apologise and say “I’m sorry” as though you are sorry for being in their way.  If you have reserved a seat on a train but somebody is sat in it, it would be common to say “I’m so sorry but you appear to be sat in my seat”.  If somebody spills your coffee, again it’s quite normal for the victim to apologise.  Of course, the person to blame would apologise as well, but apologising as the victim is a very English thing to do.In the UK, we like receiving warm heartfelt apologies as well as giving them. If you have done something to upset or offend someone, it is important to offer them a genuine apology. A half-hearted apology will not go down well.If you are offered an apology, it is considered good grace to acknowledge and accept it.  In some cases you may still be a little upset over the incident, but by not accepting the apology the situation will escalate.  A typical way of accepting an apology is by saying “it’s okay”, “don’t worry about it”, or for more serious incidents, “I forgive you”.QUEUING

In the UK, wherever there is a mass of people you will find an orderly queue. British etiquette dictates that when you arrive, you join the back of the queue so that each person receives the service in the order that they arrived. We ‘wait our turn’ in queues. The notion of an orderly queue relies on everyone in the queue agreeing that this is fair. It is seen as unfair if someone doesn’t join the queue and pushes in.Queuing can seem very strange if you are not used to it however if you are seen to ‘push in’ it is considered very rude and unfair to other people who have been waiting. If in doubt ask “is this the back of the queue?” to avoid offending anyone.

A common British trait is that despite everybody in the queue being annoyed with someone who has pushed in, very few people will ask that person to go to the back of the queue.  British people do not like to cause a scene by arguing, but likewise, we like people to know we are annoyed in subtle ways.  Instead people will shake their head, roll their eyes, tut, and/or have an angry facial expression.  They may also complain to the person next to them in the queue.

http://studylinks.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/British-Etiquette-queing1.jpg

Photo by DaviddjePLEASE AND THANK YOU! MINDING YOUR PS AND QS

Many people from outside the UK find it strange that we say please and thank you as much as we do. It is considered polite, well-mannered and is a regularity of British speech. What may surprise you is when we are in a shop, restaurant or anywhere we are receiving customer service, we say thank you to the person serving us e.g. when they give you change, the bill, or come to give you your food and drinks. In Britain, every social transaction is eased by reiteration of these phrases from both parties.Remembering to say please and thank you is very important, if you are not doing it you may be told to ‘mind your p’s and q’s‘ or, more specifically, to say both ‘please’ (‘p’s) and ‘thank you’ (‘thank q’s).BEING TACTILE

Britain isn’t a particularly tactile country. Because of this, some cultures perceive British people as being completely unemotional whilst others perceive us as having a ‘stiff upper lip’. This refers to the fact that British people do have emotions, they’re just very good at hiding them. When a person’s upper lip begins to tremble, it is one of the first signs that the person has experienced deep emotion. The ‘stiff upper lip’ is an idiom to our ability to conceal our emotions and keep a straight face.Whilst you may be hugged and kissed 2 or 3 times by a total stranger in some European countries, it’s unlikely that you would receive the same reception in the UK. Social kissing is becoming popular in Britain, but it is by no means an accepted norm. For example it is rare for men to kiss in the UK- this is usually a gesture reserved for women. Kissing is not appropriate in many professional situations. If you are unsure,stick to a handshake (see below).Holding hands as friends in the UK is quite unusual. Instead, more common for female friends is to link arms.  For male friends, there is usually no contact.  Holding hands is usually reserved only for parent-children relationships, or between partners (e.g. girlfriend & boyfriend, husband & wife).DISCUSSING MONEY

Unlike in most countries, discussing how much you earn or how much something costs (anything from the cost of clothes, up to the price of a house) has traditionally been a strictly taboo subject according to British etiquette. Sometimes British people find it embarrassing to discuss money and it can be seen as rude.If you are having a conversation with someone new, money and personal wealth are subjects best avoided. Only discuss money if the other person has raised this – then you know they feel comfortable talking about it. Definitely do not ask somebody how much they earn. If you talk about how much money you have and all of things you bought, it can be seen as bragging, particularly when it heightens the difference between your financial situation and that of the person you are talking to.However, things are changing and British people are more open to discussing things such as house prices or how much their holiday cost. But usually this is if the item they have bought is perceived as a bargain, for example if they bought their house below market value because the seller wanted a quick sale or got a really good deal on their holiday package.

Photo by Images MoneyCHIVALRY

Chivalry is seen as a very British trait and a distinguished feature of a gentleman. In old English Literature, women swoon over chivalrous men!In modern day British etiquette, chivalry is still an admired trait however men must be careful that their chivalrous behaviour isn’t patronising to modern independent women. For example, taking of one’s coat and placing it in a puddle so a lady may step on it and not get her feet wet (a classic feature in Jane Austen novels) may not receive the gratitude it would have had in 1800.Some examples of modern chivalry for the 21st century include: offering a lady your seat on the train if she is standing opening the door for a lady offering to carry a heavy bag for a lady if it looks as though she is struggling offering your jacket to a lady if she is cold

RESPECT AUTHORITY FIGURES

When a teacher, your homestay or anyone in a position of authority asks you to do something, you mustrespect them and do it. It is very rude to disrespect people in authority. If you do not understand something about UK culture then please just ask!In your country, it may be considered respectful to look at the floor when you are being told off. In the UK, this would be considered a rude and disobedient gesture. When people are talking to you, even to tell you off, they expect eye contact.HANDSHAKES

A good firm handshake is a common way to greet someone in a business or social situation. People might make assumptions about you based on your handshake so it’s important to get it right. For example, if you offer a limp handshake, it can give people the impression that you are disinterested and/or not confident.To give a good handshake: Firmly grasp the other person’s hand Get the pressure right – do not crush the other persons hand but equally do

not offer a limp hand Check that your palms are not sweaty. Pat lightly and discreetly on your

clothing before shaking someone’s hand if needed. Keep it brief. Shake the hand just two or three times before letting go. Accompany the handshake with direct eye contact and a smile.

Photo Photo by Scottish ParliamentHELPING AROUND THE HOUSE AND SCHOOL

In school you may have tasks and chores in your boarding house, it is polite and helpful that everyone does these equally to make the boarding house nice and clean for everyone to live in. Whilst you are at a homestay you should offer to help with the washing up and other household chores. Your homestay may not need you to help but it’s always polite to ask.SWITCH OFF YOUR MOBILE

We understand that technology is very important in today’s society but when you are talking to someone it is polite to put down your mobile or iPad so you can have a conversation with them. It is especially rude to use your mobile when eating at the dinner table. In the UK dinner time is a time for talking and chatting with family or friends.TABLE MANNERS

Good manners at the dining table are very important in Britain.  It is quite likely that you will find British table manners strange when you first arrive in the UK and it will take you a while to get used to them. Here are some pointers to help you: Unless your host instructs you to start eating immediately, wait until

everyone has been served their food until you start eating. If you are dining in a group and food is shared, put others’ needs before your

own. Offer to serve food to your neighbours first, and do not take too much; leave enough for others, and do not take more than you can eat.

If you are right handed, your knife should be held in your right hand and your fork should be held in your left hand. If you are left handed, it is becoming more acceptable to hold your knife and fork the other way around.

Cutlery should be rested on the sides of the plate between mouthfuls and together in the centre when you are finished.

Never talk whilst there is food in your mouth. Do not eat nosily. In the UK, people eat very quietly, almost silently. It will

seem very strange if you make a lot of noise whilst you eat. Take small mouthfuls, keep your mouth closed when you chew, and swallow delicately. When drinking soup do not slurp.

Eat slowly. Eating quickly and/or overeating makes you appear greedy. Do not pass gas or wind at the dining table. In some cultures this is a sign of

appreciation but in the UK this is seen as very rude and doing so will upset other people at the dining table.

If you are staying with a homestay, you should wait until everyone has finished or you are told to leave the table. If you really need to leave, you can ask to leave the table.

Photo by Gisela FranciscoTHE TOILET

There’s a lot to know about British etiquette when it comes to the toilet. So much in fact that we have written a separate blog post on this subject – using the toilet in the UK.NAMES

It is becoming increasingly common to call people by their first name in Britain, even in certain professional situations, for example most people are now on first name

terms with their doctor where as in the past they had always been known by their surname e.g. “Dr. Smith.”There remains certain situations where you would never address a person by their first name unless you were invited to do so. This includes your teachers and people of an older generation. For many older people the easy use of their first name is seen as over-familiar. If you’re not sure, opt for formality (e.g. Mr and Mrs Smith).WEATHER

In Britain, we love to talk about the weather! Perhaps it’s due to the unpredictability of the weather in the UK and our inability to prepare for extreme weather conditions. For example, the UK grinds to a halt if there is more than a few inches of snow fall.Talking about the weather serves as an ice-breaker. When a British person meets a stranger a ‘safe’ subject of discussion is the weather. The function of the conversation is to initiate contact between two individuals. The conversation will usually take a diversion once a shared common ground is discovered but the weather in the UK provides us with a variety of topics as a starting point.

Photo by Garry KnightBRITISH HUMOUR AND JOKES

British humour errs of the side of sarcasm and is often centred on real life, sometimes painful observations of ourselves and others. The British use humour to make the best of a situation and to lighten the mood.  For example, if you spend a lot of time in your bedroom, your homestay might sarcastically ask “Why are you hiding in your room? Has your hair turned pink?!” In this case, your homestay does not really think your hair has turned pink. They have noticed that you are spending a lot of time in your room and they are joking that this could be because your hair has turned pink.You may find it difficult to get used to it at first, but most important is that you don’t take British humour seriously. If you can laugh at yourself, you will be well liked and respected.If you tell good jokes you will be very popular here as British people love jokes! We even have a day devoted to them – April Fools’ Day on the 1st April. You can find out more about April Fools’ Day by reading our blog post on festivals, holidays and events in the UK.The key to telling a good joke is not always the joke itself but pitching it to the right audience. A joke can alienate or cause offence in the wrong context. Telling a joke can be a good way to break the ice and make new friends. Just make sure that your audience will appreciate the joke you tell.TEA

In the UK, tea is an integral part of everyday life. It is part of many British people’s daily routine and serves many social functions. Tea has a long history in Britain and it’s worth reading this article if you are interested in finding out more about its social history.In modern day Britain we love nothing better than ‘putting our feet up’ and enjoying a ‘cuppa‘ or a ‘brew’. You will be offered a cup of tea anywhere you go in the UK and as you travel around, you will spot many tea shops and cafes.Afternoon tea is a big tradition in the UK and it’s worth having an afternoon tea whilst you are here. You can find out more about afternoon tea in our British food blog post.Here are some tips on the polite way to drink tea in the UK: If you are in a group, you may be served a pot of tea. If the pot is placed near

you, it is polite to pour tea for the rest of the group. Tea should be poured first and milk and sugar added afterwards. If your tea is too hot to drink, don’t blow on it. Wait patiently for it to cool. Never slurp tea! If you are having a cream tea the most common way of preparing a scone is

to cut it in half, spread it with jam first, then add clotted cream on top.

10 British Etiquette and Customs you should learn

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When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This proverb is so true that I’ve gathered 10 British etiquette and customs that I think international student ought to know. There is a proper way to act in most situations and the British are sticklers for adherence to protocol.

1) Visiting.

In most houses in Britain, the door are usually kept closed. It is customary to visit people at a pre-arranged time and day. As a generalization, people are not comfortable if you just drop in. Nevertheless, if someone says to drop in at anytime, feel free to do so as long as it is not in the middle of the night.

When you go into someone’s house, do take your hat off (men only). It is impolite for men to wear hats indoors especially in churches. Nowadays, it is becoming more common to see men wearing hats indoors. However, this is still seen as being impolite, especially to the older generations

2) Form of Greeting

In Britain the handshake is the common form of greeting. When you meet people for the first time, it is normal to shake hands. A firm handshake is the norm; there are no issues over gender in Britain. The usual formal greeting is ’How do you do?’ and a firm handshake, but with a lighter touch between men and women.

‘How do you do?’ is a greeting not a question & the correct response is to repeat ‘How do you do?’ You say this when shaking hands with someone.

In Britain, Unlike some other European Countries, It is not unusual to embrace or kiss the other person ( unless they are family or a very close friend). The British might seem a little stiff and formal at first but after a while they will relax as you get to know each other.

Avoid prolonged eye contact when you meet people for the first time, as it might make them feel uncomfortable. In Britain, there still some protocol to follow when introducing people in a business or

more formal social situation. Introduce a younger person to an older person, that is, introduce a person of lower status to a person of higher status. When two people are of similar age and rank, introduce the one you know better to the other person.

3) Gift Giving Etiquette.

During Birthday and Christmas celebrations, it is common for the British to exchange gifts between family members and close friends. The gift need not be expensive, but it should usually demonstrate an attempt to find something that is related to the recipient’s interests. When invited to someone’s home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates, a good bottle of wine or flowers. I have found from experience that the British love chocolates. Note that Gifts are opened when received!

4) Queuing

Queuing is a unique part of the British culture. People in Britain usually form a queue or a single line in a shop, or when they want to buy a ticket with the intention of allowing those who arrived first to be served first. It is advisable to take your place in the queue and not try to muscle your way to the front as this may annoy other people in the queue. If you are really in a desperate hurry, people will always let you through to the front if you politely ask.

People queuing and waiting for the Iphone.

5) Punctuality.

The Brits are generally punctual, especially the Scots. The Brits consider it rude and impolite if you turn up late for an appointment. Punctuality is very important in business situations. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time. Call even if you will be 5 minutes later than agreed. If you have been delayed or cannot make the appointment , then make an effort to contact the person to let them know. It is a good idea to telephone and offer your apologies.

6) Dining Etiquette

If invited to a person’s house for dinner, ensure you are punctual as already discussed. Do not sit down at once when you arrive. The host may show you to a particular seat. Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.Do not rest your elbows on the table. When you finish eating, lay your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. remember If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.

If invited to a meal at a restaurant, the person extending the invitation usually pays. Usually Starters will be served first, followed by the main course, before dessert. When discussing business over dinner, be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. Brits rely on facts, rather than emotions, to make decisions.

7) Making Friends

As Mentioned in my post 10 British facts all international students should know, the Brits are generally friendly and open-minded. It usually takes some effort at first to build relationships, but once built it could last over a long period of time. one easy way to make friends is to chat with your school mates as the opportunity presents itself. Attending activities and parties organized by the Student Union is another great way to make friends and meet new people.

Generally, the Brits are very reserved and private people and their women are accustomed to being independent. It is considered impolite to ask a lady her age. The two classic signs a lady would like to be left alone are reading a newspaper or listening to music through headphones. Only interrupt if you actually know the lady quite well.

In the UK It is deemed okay for a woman or young lady to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, unlike many parts of Africa.

8) Tipping

Tipping is not expected in the UK, in the way it is in the United States or Canada, but is much appreciated. It is not necessary to tip at all in taxis, but it is customary to round up to the nearest pound on metered taxi journeys, more as a convenience than a tip. On an airport journey in a booked minicab you might wish to tip two or three pounds if the driver helps with your bags. If taking a metered London

taxi from Heathrow the metered charge will be so high compared to minicabs, that this really is not necessary.

Some restaurants add on an ‘optional’ service charge to bills, of typically 10% or 12.5%. This should always be noted in the menu. If you are unhappy with the service you can ask for it to be removed. For parties of six or more the service charge is sometimes mandatory. If a service charge has been added onto your bill, you should NOT add any further tip

9) How to Behave in Public Places

It is impolite to stare at people in public places; and spitting in the street is considered to be very bad mannered. Also try not to pick your nose in a public place. If your nostrils need de-bugging, use a handkerchief.

Most members of the British public will happily provide you with directions if you approach them politely. Make sure you are familiar with terms like roundabouts, level crossings, traffic lights, zebra crossings, bus lanes, contra flow, and, if using any of the motorways, traffic jams.

10) Thank you/ I’m Sorry/ Please

The Brits say thank you a lot, even for minor things. If you accidentally bump into someone, say ‘sorry’. They probably will too, even if it was your fault! This is a habit and can be seen as very amusing by an ‘outsider’.

sometime the Brits say ‘cheers’ instead of thank you. You may hear ‘cheers’ said instead of ‘good bye’, what they are really saying is ‘thanks and bye’. There are no absolute rules about when to use polite terms, but you should certainly use them when shopping or addressing strangers.

- See more at: http://internationalscholarshipguide.com/10-british-etiquette-customs-shouldnt-forget/#sthash.UEWlLhf9.dpuf

British Etiquette and Customs

Meeting and Greeting

The handshake is the common form of greeting.

The British might seem a little stiff and formal at first.

Avoid prolonged eye contact as it makes people feel uncomfortable.

There is still some protocol to follow when introducing people in a business or more formal social situation. This is often a class distinction, with the 'upper class' holding on to the long-standing traditions:

Introduce a younger person to an older person.

Introduce a person of lower status to a person of higher status.

When two people are of similar age and rank, introduce the one you know better to the other person.

Gift Giving Etiquette

The British exchange gifts between family members and close friends for birthdays and Christmas.

The gift need not be expensive, but it should usually demonstrate an attempt to find something that related to the recipient’s interests.

If invited to someone's home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates, a good bottle of wine or flowers.

Gifts are opened when received.

United Kingdom - Great Britain - EnglandBehavior 

  Always be punctual in England.  Arriving a few minutes early for safety is acceptable.

  Decision-making is slower in England than in the United States; therefore it is unwise to rush the English into making a decision.

  A simple handshake is the standard greeting (for both men and women) for business occasions and for visiting a home.

  Privacy is very important to the English. Therefore asking personal questions or intensely staring at another person should be avoided.

  Eye contact is seldom kept during British conversations.

  To signal that something is to be kept confidential or secret, tap your nose.

  Personal space is important in England, and one should maintain a wide physical space when conversing.  Furthermore, it is considered inappropriate to touch others in public. 

  Giving of gifts are not required as part of doing business in England.

  A business lunch will often be conducted in a pub and will consist of a light meal and perhaps a pint of ale.

  When socializing after work hours, do not bring up the subject of work.

  When dining out, it is not considered polite to toast those who are older than yourself.

Get started with this short primer on culture and social etiquette in the United Kingdom.

There are no strict etiquette rules that you have to stick to when in the UK. It is advisable, however,

to demonstrate decent manners and respect to the local culture and traditions.

The first, and most important step, is to be aware of the clearly distinct nations which form the UK.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland. The citizens of any of these countries may be referred to as "British". This term is

also the safest to use when not certain of a person's heritage. When certain of heritage, you are free

to call the different residents as follows: English, Scot, Welsh or Irish. While the four countries share

many customs, each has its own set of traditions and history.

Greetings and meetingsWhen first meeting a Brit, he or she may seem reserved and cold, but that is just an impression. In reality, they are very friendly and helpful to foreigners. A handshake is the common form of greeting, but try to avoid prolonged eye contact, as it may make people feel ill at ease. Use last names and appropriate titles until specifically invited to use first names. It is proper to shake hands with everyone to whom you are introduced, both men and women; the appropriate response to an introduction is "Pleased to meet you".

Time and punctualityBritish people are very strict when it comes to punctuality. In Britain people make a great effort to arrive on time, so it is considered impolite to be late, even with by few minutes. If you are delayed, be sure to inform the person you are meeting. Here are some situations when you are obliged to be on time, as well as some situations when it is advisable: 

For formal dinners, lunches, or appointments you always come at the exact time appointed.

For public meetings, plays, concerts, movies, sporting events, classes, church services, and

weddings, it's best to arrive a few minutes early.

You can arrive any time during the hours specified for teas, receptions and cocktail parties.

The British often use expressions such as "drop in anytime" and "come see me soon". However, do not take these literally. To be on the safe side, always telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says "RSVP", you should respond to the sender as soon as possible, whether you are going to attend or not.

Body language and dress codeBritish people are not very keen on displaying affection in public. Hugging, kissing and touching are usually reserved for family members and very close friends. You should also avoid talking loudly in public or going to extremes with hand gestures during the course of communication. The British like a certain amount of personal space. Do not stand too close to another person or put your arm around someone's shoulder.

When it comes to clothes, there are no limits and restrictions on how to dress. Just make sure that you respect the general rules when in formal situations. Observation will reveal that people in larger cities dress more formally, especially in London. Men and women wear wools and tweeds for casual occasions. Slacks, sweaters and jackets are appropriate for men and women. Do not wear a blazer to work -- it is country or weekend wear. On formal occasions, always select an outfit that fits the dress code. When attending a holiday dinner or cultural event, such as a concert or theatre performance, it is best to dress formally.

General adviceMen should open doors for women and stand when a woman enters a room, although it is generally accepted for men and women both to hold the door open for each other, depending on who goes

through the door first. 

It is important to respect the British desire for privacy. Don't ask personal questions about family background and origin, profession, marital status, political preferences or money issues. It is considered extremely impolite to violate a queue, so never push ahead in a line. It is also considered very rude to try to sound British or mimic their accent.

Remember that humour is ever-present in English life. It is often self-deprecating, ribbing, sarcastic, sexist or racist. Try not to take offense. 

Cultural etiquette dictates that when invited to someone's home, you should bring a small gift for the hostess. Give flowers, chocolates, wine, champagne or books. Feel free to express your gratitude and delight with the visit on the next day with a note or a telephone call.

Women's rulesWomen in Britain are entitled to equal respect and status as men, both at work and daily life. The British have the habit to use 'affectionate' names when addressing someone, so do not take any offense if they call you love, dearie, or darling. These are commonly used and not considered rude.

It is acceptable, but may be misconstrued, for a foreign woman to invite an English man to dinner. It is best to stick with lunch. Also, if you would like to pay for your meal, you should state it at the outset. Remember that when in public, it is proper to cross your legs at the ankles, instead at the knees.