British Etiquette: What Every Arab Traveller Should Know
Understanding British culture and customs will make your London trip smoother and more enjoyable. Here's what you need to know.
The Art of Queuing
The British take queuing (standing in line) very seriously. Always join the back of the queue and wait patiently. Cutting in line is considered extremely rude. You'll encounter queues at bus stops, shops, attractions, and restaurants.
Greetings & Social Interaction
- A simple "Hello" or "Good morning/afternoon" is standard
- Handshakes are common for first meetings
- British people value personal space — maintain a comfortable distance
- Small talk about weather is very common and expected
- "Please," "thank you," and "sorry" are used constantly
Tipping Guide
- Restaurants: 10-15% if service charge isn't included (check the bill)
- Taxis/Uber: Round up to the nearest pound
- Hotels: £1-2 per bag for porters, £2-5/day for housekeeping
- Pubs/Bars: Not expected when ordering at the bar
- Hairdressers/Spas: 10-15%
Cultural Dos & Don'ts
Do:
- Queue patiently everywhere
- Say please and thank you
- Stand on the right on escalators
- Let people off the train before boarding
- Respect personal space
- Be punctual for appointments
Don't:
- Talk loudly on public transport
- Push in queues
- Block escalators or doorways
- Eat on the Tube (it's frowned upon)
- Snap fingers to call a waiter
- Assume all food is halal
Understanding British Humour
The British are known for dry, sarcastic humour and understatement. If someone says "not bad" about something, they probably mean it's quite good. Self-deprecating humour is very common.
Cultural Tip: When a British person says "I'm fine, thanks" they may still want help — it's just polite deflection. Context matters!
