British Etiquette Tips
If you're in England and offered a scone, why not impress your English acquaintances with eating the scone the proper way? In England, the correct way to eat a scone is by cutting the scone in half with a knife, spreading jam and clotted cream, and eating the scone halves open-faced. You shouldn't try to put the halves back together and eat the scone as a sandwich.
Below is a list of common English etiquettes, from how to properly eat peas to how to do business in England. Enjoy your trip to England, but do remember to watch your manners!
1. What to wear
- DO wear
conservative clothes, even though business dress codes are typically
fairly relaxed in England.
- DON'T wear
a men's shirt with pockets. If the shirt does happen to have pockets,
don't put anything in them.
- DON'T wear
striped ties. Solid or patterned ties are preferred.
- DON'T wear
loafers, if you're a man. Wear shoes with laces instead.
- DO dress formally if invited to tea.
2. Food/Drinks
- DON'T slurp
your soup or lift the soup bowl off the table.
- DO smash
your peas with the back of your fork.
- DO eat most
of your food with eating utensils. However, the following food is
usually eaten with your hands: sandwiches, potato chips (called "crisps"
in the U.K.), corn on the cob, and fruit. Also, food served during Low
Tea is also often finger food.
- DON'T talk
with your mouth full or chew with your mouth open.
- DON'T put your elbows on the table.
3. Tea Etiquette
- DON'T pour
tea from the teapot right after it's been made. Wait for it to steep for
a few minutes.
- DO cut a
scone in half with a knife, spread jam and clotted cream, and eat the
halves open-faced.
- DO know the
difference between "High Tea" and "Low Tea." Low Tea is in the
afternoon, at 4 PM, and High Tea served around 5 or 6 PM. Low Tea has
declined in popularity over the years.
- DO RSVP as soon as possible if invited to tea.
4. Pub Etiquette
- DO order
both food and drink at the bar. A barmaid or barman will bring your food
to the table.
- DO order
beer. Mixed drinks, such as margaritas, are virtually unheard of in
England.
- DO finish up your drink if a barmaid or barman rings a bell. This means that they are preparing to close. The first ring is for "last call" and the second means the bar is closed, but you have twenty minutes to finish up your drink.
5. Tipping
- DO tip if
the service was satisfactory and if you can afford to do so.
- DO check
the menu or the bill to see if a gratuity was included.
- DO tip
porters, a helpful concierge, and taxi drivers.
- DON'T tip at a pub.
6. Gesturing
- DON'T make
the "V for victory sign" with your palm facing yourself. It's considered
to be an offensive gesture.
- DO tap your
nose if you are saying something that should remain confidential.
- DO be aware of keeping personal space when in public and do not touch others in public.
7. Greetings
- DO shake hands with someone upon greeting them.
8. Visiting someone's home
- DO give
your host a gift. Flowers, a bottle of wine, or chocolates all make a
nice gift.
- DO arrive
on time. If an invitation says "6:30 for 7", it means you shouldn't
arrive any later than 6:50. Don't be too early, though, because your
host may not be ready yet.
- DO write a
thank you note to your hosts following your visit, or at least call them
to thank them for their hospitality.
- DO let your host know of any dietary restrictions in advance, if you are invited to a meal.
9. Business
- DON'T bring
a gift. It is usually not a part of doing business in England.
- DON'T rush
a business decision. Business decision-making happens much slower in
England than in the U.S.
- DON'T sit
with your arms folded during a meeting. This could send the message to
your colleagues that you are disinterested in the meeting.
- DON'T ask
personal questions, such as asking about income, occupation, or
background.
- DON'T be
late. Always call if you expect to be more than five minutes late.
- DON'T move
to a first name basis until invited.
- DO send a letter after the meeting that summarizes the meeting, including the final decision and what the next steps to be taken are.
Keep the above guidelines in mind during your trip to England. The U.K. is a very proud nation, and although they are not likely to be easily offended, it is a good idea to adhere by some general rules of thumb when it comes to etiquette. Have a wonderful and safe trip to England!
|
