What Behaviours are Bad Manners in British Culture?

Understanding British Etiquette: Common Behaviours Considered Rude in the UK

Overall, British society tends to be quite relaxed about most things. However, with a certain way of doing things and an emphasis on manners, Brits can become quite irritated with people who fall short of expectations.

Whether you’re relocating or visiting the UK for work, it’s a good idea to understand a little about the culture, particularly what behaviours are considered rude, impolite, taboo, or a cultural faux pas. These are typically covered in UK cultural awareness training.

As with any culture, there are lots of nuanced manners to be aware of; however, for foreigners looking for some of the more important points, this blog looks at 8 particular behaviours seen as bad manners by the British.

8 Common British Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid in the UK

1. Queueing Etiquette in the UK: Never Skip the Line

Queuing is taken VERY seriously in British culture. You will find that Brits queue for everything from getting on a bus to buying tickets for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Even in situations where there may be no actual physical queue, people who are waiting for something will all mentally register who should be served first, second, and so on.

Pushing in front of people or to the front of a queue is a serious taboo in British culture, but if you’re brave enough to do so, then be aware that most people in the queue will make their upset with you known.

The queue at Wimbledon for the annual tennis competition is now a firm part of the tradition. You even get a card to enter the queue!

Photo by Leon Brocard on Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

2. Personal Space in British Culture: Keep Your Distance

Brits like their personal space, so don’t get too close to people when speaking with them. We suggest that you leave at least an arm’s distance and never get too intimate, as touch is only between friends and family.

This is one of the reasons behind the stereotype of the British being ‘cold‘. If you’re from a tactile culture, where people share a kiss as a greeting formality, then don’t be surprised if the British subject of your kiss pulls away from you in barely suppressed horror.

3. Noise and Public Behaviour: Why Brits Value Quiet

Invading a Brit’s space isn’t limited to physical contact. Brits are also likely to consider someone as invading their space if they speak too loudly on their mobile phone or laugh and talk too loudly with friends.

On trains in the UK, it is common to find “Quiet Zones” in which people are not allowed to use phones or make noise deemed to impede others’ personal space.

4. Personal Questions in the UK: What Not to Ask

If you’re from a culture where people exchange personal information with people they don’t know very well, then be aware that this is not the case in British culture.

The British psyche is somewhat suspicious of questions relating to subjects such as their wealth, family situation, education, religion or politics. It’s possible you might even get a “why do you want to know?’ response if you ask a stranger their name.

It’s equally important that you avoid commenting on personal matters such as someone’s weight, appearance, sexual preference, the size of their house or why, for example, someone isn’t married or doesn’t have children.

Personal space is a big thing in British culture. People always try to leave distance between themselves and strangers. An extension of this cultural preference is the growing sentiment in British culture against being allowed to eat on public transport. Enforcing the sounds and smells of your food upon others is seen as rude by many.

5. Table Manners in the UK: Dining Etiquette Explained

British people are sticklers for dinner table manners. When you are eating, you should keep your elbows off the table, hold your cutlery appropriately, and keep your mouth closed while chewing.

Eating noisily is a big no-no. Most importantly, do not, under any circumstances, burp at the dinner table. This would be an exceptional cultural faux pas.

6. Everyday Courtesy in the UK: Holding Doors and Small Gestures

If you are going through a doorway and there is someone behind you, then make sure you hold the door open for them.

Letting it slam in their face is a complete no-no. If they are only a short distance behind, and if it’s clear they will also be moving through the doorway, then earn yourself points by waiting a little so that you can hold the door for them.

7. Pub Culture in the UK: Understanding “Buying a Round”

If you socialise with your British counterparts in the pub, then be aware that there is a system for buying drinks called “buying a round”.

Everyone within a group is expected at some point to go and buy everyone else a round of drinks; by the end of the get-together, everyone would have spent and drunk the same, therefore being fair.

Similarly, you will also find that when people eat out at restaurants, they either split the bill or pay for what they ordered. It’s very rare that someone would offer to pay the bill on behalf of all the other diners.

8. Why British People Apologise So Much

Brits love to apologise – even if they haven’t done anything wrong. If, for example, you bump into someone British, then they are likely to apologise to you – despite the fact that you did the bumping.

This love of apologising also extends to apologising to someone when making a request. If a Brit feels that they may be putting someone out by asking for something, then they will frame their request with an apology. For example, if they stop someone to ask for directions, then they might say, “I’m so sorry to ask, but I’m lost. Can you tell me where X Street is?”. Or, if they are buying something cheap in a shop and have paper money rather than coins, they might apologise to the shopkeeper before handing over their money.

Be prepared, therefore, to apologise if someone bumps into you or if you are making a request of someone and feel that it might put them out.

“Manners Maketh The Man” : Why Manners Matter in British Culture

So, as this British saying shows, manners are important in British culture.

If you’re visiting the UK, then take the time to understand behaviours which are considered rude and those which will earn you Brownie points.

Main photo by Lex Guerra on Unsplash