How to Adapt to British Culture
Forget the stereotypes., Understand the differences., Get used to small spaces., Go to the pub., Be polite., Accept the jokes., Get used to the driving., Get used to the language., Enjoy the diversity., Experience the antiquity., There's more to the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Forget the stereotypes.
Many of the long established stereotypes are not relevant in the UK today.
Don't assume that everyone is going to fall into the category of the beer swilling, rotten-toothed tea addict.
Abandoning pre-conceived ideas of people and culture will allow you to be more open-minded and readily able to assimilate the culture you find yourself in. -
Step 2: Understand the differences.
The United Kingdom is comprised of different countries (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) and numerous different regions that all have their very own and very different traditions, dialect and even language.
Understanding that culture in a highland village will not be the same as a southern English spa town will help you to avoid making mistakes and generalizations. , The United States is not only a huge country but they are used to bigger cars, houses and spaces.
Like many European nations, the UK does not have the luxury of space.
Houses, apartments(flats), cars and appliances are all smaller than you are accustomed to, so become more familiar with smaller areas. , The Public house is a very important part of British culture and nothing will immerse you in more than a good old fashioned pint of beer.
Students, work colleagues, friends and family meet in the pub and it is used as a focal point of social contact. , Adapt by blending into the crowd.
Always apologize for bumping into someone, even if it was their fault, as it makes you out to be a kinder person.
Respect people's personal space and always wait in line (called a queue in the UK). , One of the most confusing aspects of British culture is humor.
Bantering or "taking the mick" are all ways to describe making fun of someone but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Teasing someone is a common way to show affection.
As one Briton put it, "you never make fun of someone you don't like."
The British drive on the left side of the road.
Be sure that you do so or the consequences can be ghastly.
Also, the cars in the UK have the steering wheel on the right side, so you need get used to this as well.
Be especially careful with your turns and remember that right turns in the U.K. cross opposite traffic in the same way that left turns do in the U.S. and other countries that drive on the right. , The British use different words and pronounce words differently.
Look around on the internet or buy books which have lots or help about the particular words which the British use. , Many UK cities are ethnically diverse.
Birmingham, Leicester and London, amongst other cities, all have large Asian populations.
Polish influences are spreading around the country too.
It's not all shepherd's pie and bangers and mash, have a curry, shop in a Polish Grocery Store, get a kebab or have a Chinese Takeaway.
Manchester, London and Newcastle to name a few cities have great Chinatowns., History, antiquity and 'retro' are abundant in the UK.
Many houses, public buildings, churches, cathedrals and commercial buildings in the UK are considerably older than anyone from the US will be used to. , Although London is an excellent city and the most popular in the United Kingdom, there are many other cities filled with culture and wonder.
Nottingham is a fantastic city to visit.
It's certainly smaller than London, but you'll immediately find everything is much cheaper there, as it is in many places outside of London.
Jay McGuinness from the popular British boy band The Wanted is from Nottingham.
Also, despite its bad reputation, Birmingham is a great city, not so much round the outer areas but the city centre is full of shops with the amazing architecture, Chinatown and the canal.
The lush green hillsides, dramatic moors, wide expansions of marsh land and stunning coastal countryside are defining features of the UK, and should be explored. -
Step 3: Get used to small spaces.
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Step 4: Go to the pub.
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Step 5: Be polite.
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Step 6: Accept the jokes.
-
Step 7: Get used to the driving.
-
Step 8: Get used to the language.
-
Step 9: Enjoy the diversity.
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Step 10: Experience the antiquity.
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Step 11: There's more to the UK than London.
Detailed Guide
Many of the long established stereotypes are not relevant in the UK today.
Don't assume that everyone is going to fall into the category of the beer swilling, rotten-toothed tea addict.
Abandoning pre-conceived ideas of people and culture will allow you to be more open-minded and readily able to assimilate the culture you find yourself in.
The United Kingdom is comprised of different countries (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) and numerous different regions that all have their very own and very different traditions, dialect and even language.
Understanding that culture in a highland village will not be the same as a southern English spa town will help you to avoid making mistakes and generalizations. , The United States is not only a huge country but they are used to bigger cars, houses and spaces.
Like many European nations, the UK does not have the luxury of space.
Houses, apartments(flats), cars and appliances are all smaller than you are accustomed to, so become more familiar with smaller areas. , The Public house is a very important part of British culture and nothing will immerse you in more than a good old fashioned pint of beer.
Students, work colleagues, friends and family meet in the pub and it is used as a focal point of social contact. , Adapt by blending into the crowd.
Always apologize for bumping into someone, even if it was their fault, as it makes you out to be a kinder person.
Respect people's personal space and always wait in line (called a queue in the UK). , One of the most confusing aspects of British culture is humor.
Bantering or "taking the mick" are all ways to describe making fun of someone but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Teasing someone is a common way to show affection.
As one Briton put it, "you never make fun of someone you don't like."
The British drive on the left side of the road.
Be sure that you do so or the consequences can be ghastly.
Also, the cars in the UK have the steering wheel on the right side, so you need get used to this as well.
Be especially careful with your turns and remember that right turns in the U.K. cross opposite traffic in the same way that left turns do in the U.S. and other countries that drive on the right. , The British use different words and pronounce words differently.
Look around on the internet or buy books which have lots or help about the particular words which the British use. , Many UK cities are ethnically diverse.
Birmingham, Leicester and London, amongst other cities, all have large Asian populations.
Polish influences are spreading around the country too.
It's not all shepherd's pie and bangers and mash, have a curry, shop in a Polish Grocery Store, get a kebab or have a Chinese Takeaway.
Manchester, London and Newcastle to name a few cities have great Chinatowns., History, antiquity and 'retro' are abundant in the UK.
Many houses, public buildings, churches, cathedrals and commercial buildings in the UK are considerably older than anyone from the US will be used to. , Although London is an excellent city and the most popular in the United Kingdom, there are many other cities filled with culture and wonder.
Nottingham is a fantastic city to visit.
It's certainly smaller than London, but you'll immediately find everything is much cheaper there, as it is in many places outside of London.
Jay McGuinness from the popular British boy band The Wanted is from Nottingham.
Also, despite its bad reputation, Birmingham is a great city, not so much round the outer areas but the city centre is full of shops with the amazing architecture, Chinatown and the canal.
The lush green hillsides, dramatic moors, wide expansions of marsh land and stunning coastal countryside are defining features of the UK, and should be explored.
About the Author
Cynthia Hamilton
A passionate writer with expertise in cooking topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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