7 cultural norms to remember in the UK

Moving to a new country can be exciting but daunting for many reasons. There are a lot of new experiences and cultural norms in a new country to adjust to. Here are 7 things to be aware of in the UK.

7 dos and don'ts in the UK

1. Join the queue

You might have heard that British people love to queue! You'll notice queues or lines when you're paying at the supermarket, registering at university or waiting for the bus. It's classed as polite to join the queue instead of pushing in.

Do: Head to the back of the queue and wait for your turn.

Don't: Upset those around you by pushing to the front or letting your friends queue jump.

2. Say please and thank you

British people are known for saying 'please', 'thank you' and 'sorry' a lot. You might also hear 'ta', 'cheers'; or 'thanks' for 'thank you'. Use these words, and you'll avoid sounding rude.

Do: Say thank you when someone holds open a door for you or when being served in a restaurant or shop and sorry if you bump into someone.

Don't: Forget to say please when asking for something in a shop or at university.

3. Be on time

Turning up late for a class is not only bad manners but it could mean you miss out on important information. If you know you'll be late for a meeting, let the person know as soon as possible. It's best to arrive five minutes early for classes so you can get a good seat.

Do: Plan your journey time and check the weather in case you need extra travelling time.

Don't: Skip class if you're running a little late. Your teacher will be understanding if you say sorry and arrive on time the next time.

4. Smoking or vaping

If you smoke or vape, you'll need to go outside. Smoking is not permitted in any public areas in the UK which include restaurants, bars, shops and railway stations. Most places have specified areas where you can smoke or vape.

5. Leave toilets clean

Toilets can vary in different places, so British toilets may be different to what you're used to.

Do: sit on the toilet seat and keep the toilets clean for you and other people. Check the toilet has flushed properly and is clean for the next person to use.

Don't: Put toilet roll in the bin. Make sure it goes in the toilet and is flushed away.

6. Leaving a tip 

If you order food in a pub, restaurant or cafe, it's not obligatory to tip it is polite to leave a small amount of money for the waiting staff if the service was good. A lot of places add a service charge to the bill, which is the same as a tip.

Do: Check the bill to see if a service charge has been added. You can pay this or if there if no service charge, tip a small amount if you feel the service was good.

Don't: Leave a tip if the bill says 'service included' or you'll end up paying twice.

7. Ask questions

Whether it's to a teacher or a friend, it's not rude to ask questions. Sometimes misunderstandings happen, especially if English isn't your first language. If you're not sure, just ask; people will be happy to help and explain.

Do: Ask people to repeat or rephrase if you're not sure what they mean.

Don't: Ask personal questions such as someone's age, if you don't know them well.

In summary:

You'll get used to the norms and quirks that come with living in the UK over time. Try not to worry about making mistakes.

If you're struggling to adjust to life in the UK and miss home, you can always reach out to one of our Teams for support.