This article was written by the Great British Mag Editorial team on 2 August 2019.
When you first move to the UK you may feel as though you will never understand British culture, which can often be subtle and contradictory. However, there is some method to the madness; generally speaking, Brits are polite and practical people and many of their habits stem from these traits.
Many Brits do at least one of these five things so if you would like to understand Brits a little bit better, keep reading.
Apologising
Bumped into someone? Say sorry before walking away. Need to get someone’s attention? Say, “Sorry, can you…” Need to squeeze past someone in a crowded room? You guessed it – say sorry as you move past. A lot of Brits do their best not to inconvenience others and if they feel they’ve been bothersome in any way, they’ll apologise.
Queuing
Brits are known for their love of queuing and they take it very seriously. There is really no excuse for jumping to the front of the queue. Even if you are in a hurry you should not try to cut in front of others as this is seen as incredibly rude.
Talking about the weather
Talking about the weather is practially the national sport in the UK. British weather can change in an instant and Brits like to say that one can experience four seasons in a day. Whether it’s hot or cold, raining lightly or chucking down hail, the weather is a source of endless entertainment.
Keeping a stiff upper lip
Do you know those famous posters that say “Keep Calm and Carry On”? Well they sum up Britain’s attitude perfectly. Brits are famous for being stoic, especially in the face of hardship. While of course not all Brits prefer to keep their emotions bottled up, many do, preferring to work towards a solution rather than spend valuable time moping.
Having a cup of tea
Of all the habits listed here, this is probably the most famous. Brits drink almost 36 billion cups of tea every year. British tea culture dates back centuries and for many Brits, having a cup of tea at least once a day is an absolute must. They drink it with breakfast, lunch and dinner – and usually in between meals as well. In Britain, there is no sadness that can’t be cured by a hot cup of tea.
