British Social Norms

and Customs
 Introduction
• What are social norms and customs?
Social norms are unwritten rules of
behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes that are
considered acceptable in groups and
societies.
The United Kingdom
 Being on Time
• The British are very punctual

• Arriving late to a party or a celebration is considered rude

• If you are delayed, be sure to inform the person you are supposed to meet

• British etiquette on timings can be account for being both early or late
•

Going to the Pubs

• One of their main traditions
• UK has over 40,000 pubs

• British visit local pubs to drink but also

to play darts, watch football, participate
in pub quizzes, and eat some 'pub grab'

• Buying rounds of drinks

• Even a business lunch

can take place at a pub
 Stoicism and Reservedness
• British have a reputation of maintaining a 'Stiff Upper Lip'

• Result of a very colorful, rich, but also brutal events

• The British don't find it acceptable to display

emotions in public

• British people rarely use superlatives and are not very

animated when they speak

• Minding One's Own Business

 British Humor
• Humor as a way of being more pointed and direct

• Distinct Humor

• Taking personal offense to jokes will

make one a target for teasing

• Sarcasm and being able to laugh at themselves

pretty much sums up British humor

What kind of music do

mummies listen to?
Wrap music.
Drinking Tea
• A cup of tea is a quintessential part of British culture

• Tea was first brought to Britain in the early 17th century

• King Charles II. His Portuguese wife,

Princess Catherine of Braganza,
set the trend in drinking tea
• Biscuits and 'Cuppa tea'

• British art of 'dunking'

• Black tea
 Saying Sorry
• Excessive apologizing

• The average Brit says 'sorry' around eight times a day

• British tend to apologize even when they are not at fault

''My ex-flatmate in
London once
unthinkingly
apologised to a dog
which had run into her
leg. ''
 ''Well, my grandparents
were working class but

Identifying Class
they saved money to
send one of their kids to
public school so that
he’d get a posh accent
• Obsession with class and become a lawyer”.

• Identifying accents

• A person's class is assumed by their accent

• British society was always historically divided by class

• British view class as more than objective socioeconomic status

 Awkward Greetings
• Greetings range from a nod, to a hug to a nod of the head or perhaps just a simple “Hello”

• Lack of guidance spells social disaster

• British people are against hugs and kisses unless from friends and close relative

• The British are not back slappers or touchers and generally do not display affection in public

• The most common greeting is a handshake

 Queuing
• British are very disciplined when it comes to waiting in lines
Is there anything more
• Historical events are said to have shaped British than the 'Queue'?
the British queue and their reputation for being so good at it
• An established social form in the early 19th Century, The queue is such a
a product of more urbanised, industrial societies There are two types of great word. The actual
which brought masses of people together people in Britain right important letter, and
now: then four more silently
• Propaganda at the time was all about doing your 1.The people standing in waiting it in line.
duty and taking your turn a queue
2. The people watching
it with fascination
 Sunbathing
• British tendency to sunbathe at any sight of sun

• Sunbathing in Britain means unbuttoning shirts, lifting up

sleeves, and stopping everything to enjoy the sun

• Behaviour common to all people from sun-deprived nations

 Keep Your Distance
• Keep one arm's length between yourself and those you are speaking with

• Any closer is assumed to be aggressive and can be uncomfortable for those native to UK

• British value personal space

Stay Away!
 Gift Giving
• When invited to someone's home, it is customary to
bring gifts

• Small gifts, such as quality chocolates, a pen,

flowers, or a bottle of wine

• Recipients don't usually expect to receive gifts of a high monetary value,

but rather that the gift will reflect their interests
 Smoking in Enclosed Areas
• Forbidden since 2007 in all enclosed public areas

• Around one in six British adults smoke

• 'Smoke free areas' but also designated smoking areas

• Smoking is forbidden in many private accommodations

 Things Not To Do In Britain
• Call the United Kingdom "England" • Pay only for your own drink

• NEVER EVER jump a queue • Talk about Brexit

• Refuse a cup of tea • Commenting on their food

• Make eye contact • Expressing admiration for Margaret Thatcher

• Talk about war • Invoking religion

• Smoke in a pub
Thank you for your time!

Cheerio!